7 July

Greece: Syros

Syros is one of the smallest of the Cyclades islands, though it’s also the administrative capital of the archipelago. Not many cruise ships call here, so you’ll find the beaches are much less crowded than other islands, and the main town, Ermoupoli, is home to a fascinating mix of architectural styles.

8 July

Turkey: Kusadasi

The Turkish port of Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was the Roman capital of Asia Minor, and the remains constitute the most complete classical city in Europe.

9 July

Greece: Pythagoreio

10 July

Greece: Naxos

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, a green and fertile place where the landscape is littered with ancient temples, Byzantine churches and Venetian towers. The rugged terrain means it’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but there are also some lovely beaches and the buzzing city of Hora (Naxos Town).

11 July

Greece: Folegandros

The rocky island of Folegandros, named after the son of King Minos, is well off the usual tourist trail thanks to its diminutive size and lack of an airport. The clifftop Chora is one of the most charming villages in the Cyclades, and this is a great place to enjoy an authentic taste of Greek island life.

12 July

Greece: Milos

The volcanic island of Milos is ringed by pretty beaches and scattered with charming villages, famous as the place where the Venus de Milo was discovered by a local peasant in 1820. Milos is also known as the ‘island of colours’ thanks to its many-hued, mineral-rich cliffs and beaches.

13 July

Greece: Athens (Piraeus)

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.

14 July

Greece: Mykonos

Glamorous Mykonos is the most popular of the Cyclades islands, well known as a haunt of the rich and the famous. It’s also the gateway to the nearby island of Delos, home to one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

15 July

Turkey: Kusadasi

The Turkish port of Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was the Roman capital of Asia Minor, and the remains constitute the most complete classical city in Europe.

16 July

Greece: Patmos

Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelations in a cave on Patmos, and today the spot is marked by the hillside Monastery of the Apocalypse. As well as spirituality, the island is known for its beaches and upmarket vibe, with a scattering of stylish restaurants and bars.

17 July

Greece: Santorini

The volcanic island of Santorini (known officially as Thira) is one of the most spectacularly beautiful in the Mediterranean. The pretty village of Oia, with its whitewashed houses and windmills tumbling down the hillside, is particularly photogenic.

18 July

Greece: Monemvasia

The beautiful Byzantine town of Monemvasia is dramatically located on a steep chunk of rock, originally a coastal headland until an earthquake in AD 375 turned it into an island. Nowadays access is via a narrow causeway, and the pretty streets of the medieval citadel are home to more churches than people.

19 July

Greece: Nafplion

Nafplion is one of the most beautiful cities on the Greek mainland, situated on the Argolic Gulf overlooked by the imposing Palamidi Fortress. The narrow streets of the old town are home to a beguiling mix of Venetian, Turkish and Greek architecture, while just offshore is the little island castle of Bourtzi.

20 July

Arriving in Athens (Piraeus)

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.