Delightful Dervishes: Athens to Istanbul | May 2025
$2820 per person
⭐⭐⭐⭐+
*Prices are CAD per person, based on 2 people sharing; based on an inside cabin (cabin category 6 – $2,820 CAD pp; includes port charges and gratuities. We do advise Category 4 and up for a better experience. Upgrades to other cabin categories available. Cabins are very limited and this program is in high demand!
*Based on a minimum of 12 passengers.
*Single rate based on the lead in cabin category 6 is $4,000 CAD. Includes port charges. Single supplement available based on request for the other cabin categories.
*Air travel/flights can be arranged from select Canadian gateways at an additional cost. Other air restrictions apply.
*Cruise embarkation date is May 17th, 2025. We are working on the pre and post touring around the 7 night sailing. Please see below details for the optional pre/post touring in Athens & Istanbul. Pricing will be released at a later date.
Delightful Dervishes: Athens to Istanbul
May 17-24, 2025
7 Nights – Star Clipper Sailing (Piraeus, Greece – Mykonos, Greece – Patmos, Greece – Chios, Greece – Dikili, Turkey – Bozcaada, Turkey – Sea Day – Istanbul, Turkey)
TO BE RELEASED AT A LATER DATE: Athens (4 Nights) and Istanbul (3 Nights)
Highlights:
- Experience a 7 night tall-shipping sailing journey from Athens to Istanbul (Greece to Turkey)!
- Visit one of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches.
- Visit remote locations along the Turkish coastline such as Dikkili, a sleepy little beach town, authentically Turkish – the harbour is lined with open-air restaurants and shops with local food specialties.
- Also, visit Bozcaada where if you venture aware from it’s glorious uncrowded sandy beaches, you will find yourself wandering around it’s ancient cobbled streets, lined with quaint rustic homes adorned with gorgeous flora and fauna. *From here you may want to do an optional excursion to the ancient city of Troy!
- Plus, other unique experiences along the way!
What’s Included:
Comfortable accommodations for the length of the 7 night sailing | All meals (20 meals) | Complimentary watersports, activities, and entertainment offered onboard, and standard beverages (coffee, tea, iced tea, milk, poured juices and poured water) | Includes taxes and port charges | Includes complimentary pre-paid gratuities
Not included in price:
Round trip International Airfare | Cancellation and Out of Country Medical Insurance | Visa for Turkey (only if staying in Turkey after sailing) | Cabin upgrades, per below | Amenities purchased onboard such as shore excursions (offered through Star Clippers), spa treatments, alcohol, specialty coffees, soda, bottled water, dry cleaning and laundry service, Wifi and personal items
Other Cabin Categories:
- Owners: $5,280 CAD pp
- Category 1: $4,250 CAD pp
- Category 2: $3,710 CAD pp
- Category 3: $3,540 CAD pp
- Category 4: $3,390 CAD pp
- Category 5: $3,030 CAD pp
- Category 6: $2,820 CAD pp
*Pricing is per person based on double occupancy.
*Includes base room rate and the taxes/port charges of $310 CAD per person.
*Above rates include complimentary pre-paid gratuities
Payment Terms & Conditions:
Deposit for Star Clippers Sailing: $500 CAD per person due at time of booking (for Category 1, Deluxe and Owners Cabin then a deposit of $1000 CAD per person will be due)
Final Balance: February 16, 2025 (100% non-refundable after final payment)
ATHENS (4 NIGHTS): May 13-17, 2025
*Monday, May 12, 2025: International Departure*
Depart Canada and fly to Athens, Greece!
Tuesday, May 13, 2025: Arrival / Athens
Arrival at the Athens airport, welcome assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Meals Provided: N/A
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis, Athens (or similar)
Wednesday, May 14, 2025: City tour / Athens
We take a relaxing morning to enjoy our breakfast and the facilities of our hotel. Around 1:00pm our guide and bus will meet us at the reception of the hotel. We will begin our exploration of Athens with a panoramic tour to the most important monuments and landmarks of the city including the Panathinaikon stadium, the Zappeion, the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma square, the Parliament, the tomb of the unknown soldier, Schliemann’s house, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and the old Parliament. Our panoramic tour will end at the sacred rock of the Acropolis for our guided visit, including the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. From here we will continue on foot along Dionysiou Aeropagitou street for our guided visit to the museum of Acropolis, voted as one of the best museums in Europe, where findings from the area, including the Caryatides, have found their home. We will then continue our walk to Plaka, the picturesque old part of the city, with the narrow streets, the neo-classical buildings and the numerous little shops and restaurant. Our walk continues through Anafiotika and the tower of the winds, to Monastiraki with the famous flea market. Further walk will bring us to Adrianou street, right next to ancient Agora, with great views to the Acropolis and the temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved ancient temple in Athens. Our walk will conclude at one of the local restaurants for our welcome dinner. Return transfer to our hotel after dinner. Overnight in Athens.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis, Athens (or similar)
Thursday, May 15, 2025: Delphi / Athens
After our breakfast we depart towards Delphi. Delphi used to be the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage center for many centuries in the antiquity. You will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred way, and visit the temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle). We continue to the local museum with the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer. After our visit, we will stop at a local countryside restaurant for our lunch, and take the road back to Athens to arrive late in the afternoon. Overnight in Athens.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis, Athens (or similar)
Friday, May 16, 2025: At leisure / Athens
Breakfast and day at leisure to explore more of the city on your own. A walk in Ermou street for some shopping, or exploring or exploring more of Plaka, Monastiraki and Thision are some of your options for the day. Early in the evening, we will gather and walk to a selected local restaurant for our farewell dinner with views to the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis, Athens (or similar)
Saturday, May 17, 2025: Cruise Embarkation Day
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out from our hotel, and at the indicated time you we will be transferred to the port to embark for our onwards tall-ship sailing (late afternoon embarkation).
ATHENS TO ISTANBUL – 7 NIGHT SAILING! May 17-24, 2025 (as per itinerary)
ISTANBUL (3 NIGHTS): May 24-27, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025: Disembarkation / Welcome to Istanbul – City Tour
Disembarkation at the port of Istanbul (at 7 AM). Welcome assistance and we begin to explore the bustling city of Istanbul. We will stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden houses which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. We will then arrive at Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live. During our guided visit we will admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Our day continues with a photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd. We will continue our day to see Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century. (visit to Saint Sophia is from outside – no entry – there will be some free time for those who wish to enter on their own).
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. We will finally conclude to the famous covered market of the Grand Bazar. We will then transfer to our hotel for check-in. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Meals Provided: Breakfast (on the ship), Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Eresin Topkapi, Istanbul (or similar)
Sunday, May 25, 2025: Spice Bazar and Bosphorus cruise / Istanbul
Morning at leisure. Around mid-day we will gather and head to discover the Egyptian/Spice Bazaar, a lively market full of aromas and bustle, whose streets give off all the flavor of the East. We will then continue to the pier, to embark for our afternoon Bosphorus cruise. Return transfer to our hotel.
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Eresin Topkapi, Istanbul (or similar)
Monday, May 26, 2025: At leisure / farewell dinner
Today will be at leisure for you to explore more of Istanbul on your own. You can further explore some of the places you visited while on your first day in Istanbul or lose yourself in the maze of the Grand Bazaar. Early in the evening we will gather and head to a local restaurant for our farewell dinner.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner (at local restaurant for dinner, including 2 glasses of wine/beer for the dinner)
Accommodation: Hotel Eresin Topkapi, Istanbul (or similar)
Tuesday, May 27, 2025: Departure Day
Breakfast in our hotel, and at the indicated time, transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
Meals Provided: Breakfast
What’s Included:
Athens, Greece & Istanbul, Turkey – Land portion (pre/post sailing cruise) – Group arrival/departure transfers | Private transfers and transportation on tour | Inclusive of hotel tax, hotel service charges and includes daily breakfast as mentioned hotels (or similar) | Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides (one guide in each city) | Entrance fees | Meals as specified (12 meals total in Athens and Istanbul; 7 in Athens; 5 in Istanbul) | Tipping | All taxes
*GROUP ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TRANSFERS INCLUDED – These transfers will be based on the timing of the majority of flight arrivals and departures. If flights are booked outside of this then a $50 CAD per person cost each way will apply.
Not Included:
- Any personal expenses
- Any meals other than those mentioned above
- Any drinks during included meals.
- Any porterage at hotels
- Any entrance/admission fees to the various sites and museums, unless mentioned
Pricing:
- $3,199 CAD per person, based on double occupancy
- Single Supplement rate: On a request basis
Payment Terms & Conditions:
- Initial land deposit: $500 CAD per person (non-refundable)
- Final Balance: Due February 16, 2025 (100% non-refundable after final payment)
- *Pricing is based on a minimum of 12 travellers
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext. 507
Mention Group Booking Number: ATHIST25
MEMBER TESTIMONIALS WITH STAR CLIPPERS:
“The sail cruise….last week was absolutely amazing. What an unique experience to be on a tall ship. The crew, activities, the food, accommodations… were so enjoyable.”
“The cruise was wonderful. They treat you very well on the ship. And there was a great group of people. I would definitely go with them again.”
“Our Star Clippers cruise was an amazing experience. The ship is a beauty, our cabin was perfect, the staff are all fantastic, the food was so good…”
“Such a unique sailing adventure! Being a smaller ship it made it more intimate and it was great to explore more remote areas. Loved the sunsets on the sundeck!”
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Destination
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Arrival City
Athens, Greece -
Departure City
Istanbul, Turkey -
Activity Level
Moderate physical activity required. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. When taking excursions, walking slightly longer distances, up stairs, or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected. -
Passenger Limit
Ship Capacity is 166 passengers
Friday, May 16, 2025: Depart for your international flight
Depart on your international flight to Athens, Greece!
*Please note that airfare is not included. We do suggest arriving a day or two earlier OR participating in the Athens pre-touring for 4 nights prior to the sailing start date (more details to come!).
Saturday, May 17, 2025: Transfer to Cruise Port - Piraeus (Port of Athens), Greece
Transfer to Cruise Port (Piraeus) for embarkation. *This would be at your own expense, unless you are doing the pre-touring program in Athens.
Meals Provided: Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Sunday, May 18, 2025: Mykonos, Greece
One of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches. Hora, the capital, spreads around a colourful harbour, a popular meeting place, overlooked by a variety of tavernas, in which fishing boats nestle side by side with luxury yachts.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Monday, May 19, 2025: Patmos, Greece
This serene island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, The cave where he is said to have lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. It houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Tuesday, May 20, 2025: Chios, Greece
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Wednesday, May 21, 2025: Dikili, Turkey
Dikkili is a sleepy little beach town, authentically Turkish. The harbour is lined with open-air restaurants and shops with local food specialties. Nearby, Bergama is worth a visit especially for its two main monuments: the Acropolis perched at a height of 280 metres and the Asklepion.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Thursday, May 22, 2024: Bozcaada, Turkey
Bozcaada has resisted the temptation to become overwhelmed with the usual tourist trappings. If you venture aware from it's glorious uncrowded sandy beaches, you will find yourself wandering around it's ancient cobbled streets, lined with quaint rustic homes adorned with gorgeous flora and fauna. Stop off for refreshments in one of it's many traditional tavernas under the grapevines or visit one of the six wineries on the island. After the tour you can shop next door and enjoy tasting wine samples.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Friday, May 23, 2025: At Sea
Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, and a peaceful library.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Star Clipper Cruise Ship
Saturday, May 24, 2025: Istanbul, Turkey - Departure (or Post-touring in Istanbul for 3 nights)
Breakfast on ship.
Disembarkation at the port of Istanbul and transfer to the airport for your return flight home (at your own expense, unless taking the post-touring 3 night program in Istanbul)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Throughout thousands of years Istanbul’s geographical position has maintained its importance. Today it is a huge metropolis connecting continents, cultures and religions and is home to eleven million people and one of the greatest business and cultural centres of the region.
*Please Note:
During the 7 night sailing, optional excursions can be pre-purchased or simply while on the ship.
Tour Location
SHIP USED FOR THE CRUISE PORTION (click "STAR CLIPPER" below for the Cabin/Deck Plans):
STAR CLIPPER
- Private bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Flatscreeen TV/DVD player (except category 6)
- Hairdryers
- Private safe located inside the closet
- Radio
- Telephone
- Under bed storage
- Construction date: Star Clipper 1992
- Passenger capacity: 166
- Number of crew: 74
- Length: 379 feet
- Beam: 49 feet
- Draft: 19 feet
- Ship's registry: Malta
- Gross tonnage: 2,298
- Number of masts: 4
- Mast height: 206 feet
- Sail area: 36,220 square feet
- Number of sails: 16
- Speed: Between 5-17 knots
There are few adventures more thrilling than sailing aboard a tall ship on the open sea. Anyone who has experienced it can tell you --- there is this moment when you feel the wind catching the sails just so and suddenly, you are flying. The powerful sensation of being one with nature takes over and leaves you exhilarated, humbled, and awed all at once.