In July 2024, venture to the ancient cradle of Western Civilization on an Aegean Sea voyage from Athens to Istanbul. First, enjoy overnight hotel accommodations in the Greek capital, where a private, after-hours tour and reception at the Acropolis Museum—with views of the Parthenon—will be rare pleasures. Then embark on your seven-night Aegean cruise aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II, discovering timeless villages, whitewashed houses, natural splendors, and treasures of antiquity. Step ashore on stunning Greek islands of myth and legend, including Santorini and sacred Patmos. Sail onward to the Graeco-Roman sites of Asia Minor, now in modern-day Turkey. Enjoy a special excursion to Troy, immortalized in Homer's Iliad. Discover the region's fascinating history over several millennia, from Bronze Age archaeological wonders to Byzantine monasteries.