Wind Spirit sailing on June 1st, 2013

About Athens

Piraeus is the main port of Athens, the biggest in Greece, and one of the most important in the Mediterranean Sea. Piraeus is walking distance from Kastella, a hill strewn with beautiful houses that offers a majestic view of the Saronic Gulf. Other points of interest include an archaeological museum, Mikrolimano, where you can enjoy an ouzo accompanied by seafood mezedes.

About Mykonos

Beautifully reflected in a golden light, the white-washed fishing lodges, charming chapels and windmills of Mykonos present visitors with a picture-perfect enchanted island. Spend private time on one of many beaches or wander through the Venice Quarter where tiny cottages perch precariously on cliffs above the sea.

Mykonos Attractions

Mykonos is famous for its sand and sea. Get lost looking out at the endless waters of the Aegean Sea as you grab a little sun on one of its beautiful beaches.

Mykonos Activities

• Visit the birthplace of Apollo on the historic island of Delos. Dating back to the third millennium B.C., Delos is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. Marvel at the ancient ruins from famed architectural sights.
• Visit the Archaeological Museum on Mykonos, featuring important finds from the ruins on neighboring Delos.
• Spend an enchanting afternoon exploring the charming cobblestone streets and two-story, whitewashed shops and homes of these beautiful islands.
• The best beaches are Aghios Stephanos, Psarou, Kalafatis, Onros, Panormos and Elia.

About Santorini

Perched at the very top of precipitous cliffs, Santorini towers above its original harbor and was once reached only by foot or mule. Today a cable car is the best route. The island scenery is unique in all the world with jagged outcroppings of red and black lava and stairways cut deep in the cliffsides. Buried under volcanic ash in a cataclysmic explosion during the 16th century BC, the ruins of ancient Thera are a great "find" for archaeologists.

Santorini Attractions

Santorini's spectacular caldera is a vestige of what was probably the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded history, believed by some to have caused the disappearance of Atlantis. The island's violent volcanic history is visible everywhere you look - in black-sand beaches, earthquake-damaged dwellings and raw cliffs of lava plunging into the sea.

Santorini Activities

• Visit the architectural site of Akrotiri, a once-powerful Minoan kingdom. See the amazing ruins that have been excavated there, buried some thirty feet below the earth's surface after the eruption of the island's volcano. Discover the ancient city's squares and cobblestone streets and peer into some of the houses and shops.
• Stop at a Santorini wine producer to enjoy a glass and explore the important role wine has served in the island's growth.
• Stroll through the scenic village Oia, a haven for artists and artisans, and explore their shops, enjoy a drink or a traditional dinner while watching the sun sink into the caldera.

About Rhodes Island

Rhodes (rodz) or Rdhos, island (1981 pop. 40,392), c.540 sq mi (1,400 sq km), Greece, in the Aegean Sea, near Turkey; largest of the Dodecanese island group. Its fertile coastal areas produce wheat, tobacco, cotton, and olives. Tourism and fishing are important. Colonized by Dorians before 1000 B.C., it reached its height as a commercial and cultural center in the 4th-3d cent. B.C. Julius Caesar studied at its renowned school of rhetoric. After its decline, Rhodes was an ally of Rome. Captured (1204) from the Byzantine Empire during the Crusades, it was held by the Knights Hospitalers (1282-1522) and the Ottoman Turks before it was taken by Italy in 1912. In 1947 it was ceded to Greece. The famed Colossus of Rhodes (see under colossus), a statue erected (292-280 B.C.) by the citizens of the ancient capital
city of Rhodes, was destroyed by an earthquake in 224 B.C.

About Bodrum

Spread out between two crescent bays, Bodrum exudes an "artsy" ambiance. With its gleaming white houses and colorful flower gardens it is one of the prettiest resorts on the South Aegean coast. Recently, it has become very popular with the jet set crowd, while at the same time maintaining an intimate air; there are strict zoning laws preventing over development.

Bodrum Attractions

Bodrum's main draw are pristine beaches, a busy yachting center and historic sites - a great combination to attract those sailing the Aegean Sea. Bodrum was known in antiquity as the site of Halicarnassus, a city whose origin dates back as far as 1000 B.C. It was known for its splendid mausoleum, an enormous white marble tomb that King Mausolus had planned for himself. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although the structure was obliterated by the ravages of time, archaeologists have arranged models and drawings at the site to provide an idea of what the mausoleum looked like. Bodrum was also the birthplace of Herodotus, who wrote the first comprehensive world history. Today's major cultural attraction is the massive Castle of St. Peter. In particular, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed in the castle complex, should not be missed.

Bodrum Activities

• The Theater
  Cut into the rock of the hillside behind the town, the theater’s location provides a splendid view of the town and the castle.
• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
  Once among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, all that is left today are a jumble of masonry and tumbled columns. The site includes an exhibition gallery, which features bits of sculpted marble, models of Halicarnassus and the Mausoleum in addition to various diagrams and plans. Its location is a short way inland from the shore of the western bay.

About Kusadasi

The gulf city of Kusadasi has miles of isolated beaches and is a rather lively resort. A tour of nearby Ephesus establishes the areas early religious importance and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world for its ruins. Among the most visited sites are the home where the Virgin Mary lived until her death, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Street of Curates.

Kusadasi Attractions

When you're in the area, don't miss the chance to visit the once powerful trading and religious city of Ephesus. Travel through the Magnesia Gate, the main entrance to the ancient city, and continue along marble streets grooved by chariot wheels. Gaze upon beautiful temples, porticoes, fountains and frescoes. Discover the three-story Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Odeum, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater.

Kusadasi Activities

• Explore the 14th-century Turkish baths and the Isa Bey Mosque on your way to the Basilica of St. John.
• Visit the Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Less known than Ephesus are the ruins of ancient Miletus and Dydima. They include a well-preserved Roman theater at Miletus and the sacred Temple of Apollo at Dydima. It requires a day trip to visit these sites. They are favored mainly by guests with a keen interest in archaeology.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About Istanbul

Istanbul is not only where Europe meets Asia; it's where history, built upon empire after empire, meets modern-day commercialism. Explore Old Istanbul's mosques, hippodromes and opulent palaces. Discover remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Test your bargaining savvy with the merchants at the Grand Bazaar and visit the awe-inspiring Ayasofya (Church of Holy Wisdom). Istanbul is the perfect place to step far back in time and admire incredible cultural accomplishments. Don't forget your camera!

Istanbul Attractions

Journey to Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood to experience the astounding Ayasofya (also know as the Church of Holy Wisdom or the Hagia Sophia), an incredible example of Byzantine architecture. The original cathedral was completed in A.D. 537, using columns and marble from other temples around the empire. Earthquakes, crusaders and successive rulers have all left their mark on the Ayasofya. The original mosaics, which were once plastered over, have been gloriously restored. Simply put, this is a sight you will always remember.

Istanbul Activities

• Equally affecting is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), a grand, bulbous monument to Islam. With 260 stained glass windows, six minarets and liberal use of decorative tile, the Blue Mosque is an amazing visual adventure.
• Take a tour of Dolmabahçe Palace and see how the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived.