Greek Isles and Ephesus

You’re invited to journey to the cradle of civilization to explore the treasures of ancient Greece and Turkey. Cruise round-trip from Athens from September 9 to 17, 2026 aboard the specially chartered Wind Spirit for a seven-night adventure to fabled islands. This intimate, three-masted sailing yacht can moor in small ports of call that are inaccessible to larger vessels.

Call at Delos, Mykonos, Pátmos, Rhodes, Santorini and Milos — ancient destinations steeped in myth and history. Sail Turkey’s sun‑drenched coast to visit Ephesus, the most spectacularly preserved Greco‑Roman city in the world. Behold wonders from antiquity, from the Monastery of Saint John in Pátmos to the majestic Sacred Way in Delos — the legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Enjoy time on your own to explore the island of Mykonos. According to Greek mythology, it was here where Hercules lured giants into battle, and the large rock formations that remain are evidence of their defeat. Your journey concludes on remote Milos, where the famous Venus de Milo statue was found.

Shared with cosponsoring associations, this program includes all accommodations, meals, and daily excursions. Request your reservation online today while space and early booking savings are available or Please contact us at GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu or 866-525-8664 for more details.

Dates and Rates:

Trip Dates: September 9 – 17, 2026
Rates: $6,995 – $12,995 per person based on double occupancy.

Traveling solo? Select Categories may be reserved by single travelers at 160% of the per person double price (per person rate x 1.6),  or please contact us to inquire about any possible roommate options

Trip Status:  Open for reservations. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu or 866-525-8664 for more details or Request your reservation online today

Itinerary:

Day 1 | September 9 DEPART HOME CITY
Depart for Athens, Greece on independently arranged flights.

Day 2 | September 10 ATHENS, GREECE L | D
Arrive at Athens International Airport.  Those arriving early will transfer to a group hospitality room at the Athens Capital Hotel. After lunch on your own at the hotel or nearby, you will then travel with the group to embark Wind Spirit. Those arriving later will transfer directly to the port for embarkation. Lunch will be served on board.

This evening, attend a Welcome Briefing and lifeboat drill, followed by a dinner on board the ship as we depart Athens.

Day 3 | September 11 DELOS | MYKONOS B | L | R | D
This morning, we arrive at the small island of Delos, part of Cyclades island group. After breakfast on board the ship, you will disembark for a walking tour. Delos is barely 1.3 square miles, but it brims with ancient history and also played a role in Greek mythology, including as the legendary birthplace of the twin gods, Apollo and Artemis. Pilgrims have flocked here over the millennia to visit the Sanctuary of Apollo and other ancient sites documented in Greek mythology. By the fifth century B.C., Delos also was famous as a prosperous commercial hub. A visit to this sacred island is like walking back through antiquity. Embark on your own pilgrimage down the majestic Sacred Way, a monumental roadway to the Temple of Apollo that is flanked by arcades and statues. See ruins of three temples dedicated to Apollo as you continue past the narrow Stoa of Antigonus, which forms the northern boundary of the sanctuary, to behold the famous Terrace of the Lions. From there, we will head south on a route that will take you past the Sanctuary of Dionysus and
through the Theatre Quarter to continue exploring Delos.

Return to the ship for lunch on board as we cruise a short distance to the island Mykonos, famous for its whitewashed houses, iconic windmills and cosmopolitan verve. Known as the “island of the winds,” Mykonos is also part of the stunning Cyclades archipelago. According to Greek mythology, it was here that Hercules lured giants into battle and the large rock formations that remain are evidence of their defeat. Today, Mykonos is a sun-drenched Aegean retreat with stone-paved streets and a picturesque skyline of windmills and whitewashed houses. It has also noted for its beach bars, luxury boutiques and chic art galleries, making it one of Greece’s most popular destinations. Disembark this afternoon with free time to explore the island on your own. Options abound, from shopping and seeing archaeological sites to soaking in the views over a cocktail at one of the trendy cafes.

Welcome Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner on board
the ship this evening.

Day 4 | September 12 KUSADASI, TURKEY FOR EPHESUS B | L | D
This morning the ship arrives in the Turkish Riviera town of Kusadasi. After breakfast, you will disembark for a driving excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus. Enjoy bucolic views of rural Turkish villages and a countryside dotted with fig trees on a scenic drive to Ephesus. A vast archaeological collection of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins, the UNESCO World Heritage-designated city of Ephesus was founded around the fourth century B.C. by a general of Alexander the Great. Explore these ancient ruins on a walking tour that includes the beautifully reconstructed façade of the Library of Celsus and the finely preserved Great Theatre, built during the Hellenistic Age to hold 24,000 spectators and where Ephesians rioted against the preaching of St. Paul. From there you will visit Terrace Houses complex, which was once home to the city’s most prominent residents.

Depart the Ephesus archaeological site for a drive to Selcuk to visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, which showcases artifacts that were retrieved from Ephesus during excavations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — including the famous statue of Artemis. After the museum, the group will proceed to the Nakkas Weaving Center for a traditional barbeque lunch made with ingredients grown in the weavers’ gardens. You will also be able to watch a cocoon silk processing demonstration by the same women who prepare your meal. The center produces Turkish carpets, kilims and antique rugs.

Relax as we drive back to Kusadasi for a classical music performance by an ensemble from the Izmir State Symphony at the historic Caravanserai building.

Return to the ship for dinner on board this evening.

Day 5 | September 13 PATMOS B | L | D
Savor your breakfast on the deck as the ship arrives at the island of Pátmos for a morning excursion. In Greek mythology, the small island of Patmos existed under sea level and could only been seen when the moon shone above it. However, it became more famous in the late first century as the place where an exiled St. John, the theologian, wrote both his gospel and the biblical Book of Revelation. A monastery was founded there in the 11th century and it remains a site of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox study. Religious and secular buildings in its ancient Chora settlement have received UNESCO World Heritage designation.

Our tour begins with a visit to the Monastery of St. John, which has a library that houses the sixth century Codex Porphyrius manuscripts of the theologian’s gospels. Experience the wonder of this site before continuing to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where he is said to have received the Book of Revelation through divine inspiration. Return to the ship for lunch on board and a culinary demonstration by the ship’s pastry chef. Village Forum. Enjoy a chance to learn about life on a Greek island during a discussion with local
residents.

Dinner is served on board this evening.

Day 6 | September 14 RHODES B | L | D
This morning the ship arrives at the island of Rhodes where, following breakfast, you will embark on a day of discovery. The island of Rhodes has had many faces over the millennia, from its fame in antiquity as the site of the Colossus of Rhodes statue — one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World — to the medieval old town of Rhodes built by the Knights of St. John. While the island attracts visitors today with its cosmopolitan energy and sandy beaches, it’s also home to several well-preserved archaeological sites, including an ancient acropolis at Lindos that once served as its capital. Our tour begins in the city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a stop at its ancient port where the mighty Colossus of Rhodes statue stood before it was destroyed by an earthquake in the third century B.C. Explore the medieval old town as it was built by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, which occupied Rhodes from the early 14th century through the 16th century. Visit the Palace of the Grand Masters, a formidable Gothic castle that houses a treasure trove of art, furniture and icons from that era.

Return to the ship for lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure. Those looking for an active afternoon may join a walking tour to the acropolis of Lindos.

Those who choose to explore ancient Lindos will walk through its narrow, cobbled streets — past the colorful courtyards and mosaics for which it is so famous — and up more than 200 steps to the legendary acropolis. At a height of 535 feet, this iconic site offers breathtaking views and photo opportunities of the entire village, including its medieval castle, sandy beaches and charming whitewashed, sugar-cubed houses. After a guided tour of the acropolis, walk back down to the village and return to the ship. This evening, you will enjoy a traditional folklore show with local musicians and dancers, followed by dinner on board.

Day 7 | September 15 SANTORINI B | L | D
This morning the ship arrives in Santorini, the most famous of the Cyclades islands. You will disembark after breakfast for a full day of exploring. A crescent-shaped island featuring 1,000-foot-cliffs and a spectacular caldera, Santorini was shaped by a volcanic explosion about 3,600 years ago and has shifted over the centuries as the volcano erupted. In some ancient myths, this destruction is associated with the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. With early inhabitants traced as far back as in the Neolithic era, this island has a rich and storied past that extends from antiquity to its reputation today as a chic, modern destination.

Enjoy a scenic drive to the southern end of the island for a guided tour of the excavations of Akrotiri, a unique archeological site that dates to prehistoric times. Excavations that began in 1967 reveal an amazing city with houses, squares and workshops that were covered under a thick blanket of pumice during a massive eruption in the 17th century B.C. Further research shows that the island of Santorini was once the center of Greek civilization, akin to the Minoans of Crete. In fact, some refer to this site as a Minoan Pompeii. Your tour concludes in Santorini’s cosmopolitan capital city of Fira, spectacularly perched high above sea level. You have time to explore Fira on your own or ride a cable car to the pier, where a tender will return you to the ship.

Return to the boat for lunch.

Free Time: Enjoy an afternoon to explore Santorini on your own.

Return to the ship for dinner.

Day 8 | September 16 MILOS B | L | R | D
Today the ship arrives in Milos, a volcanic island in the East Cyclades known for its abundance of sandy beaches and stunning topography. It was on this remote island that pieces of the world-famous Venus de Milo marble statue were discovered in 1820. Though most of it was reassembled and presented to King Louis XVIII (who later donated it to the Louvre) the arms of the ancient female figure believed to represent Aphrodite were never found. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Milos, which features exhibits that date from the Neolithic period through late antiquity. Located in a neoclassical building in the dramatically situated, car-free village of Plaka, the museum also has a modern replica of the original first century B.C. statue. After the museum you will explore the ancient theater and early Christian catacombs in Plaka.

Return to the ship for lunch on board, followed by a relaxing afternoon at leisure. You may opt to explore one of the nearby beaches or participate in marine activities from the ship’s on-board marina.

Farewell Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner on boardthe ship this evening.

Day 9 | September 17 ATHENS | RETURN TO HOME CITY B
Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Athens International Airport for your return flight home.

 

Inclusions:

• Transfer options with luggage handling abroad for participants whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
• Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Complimentary bottled water in your Suite or Stateroom and on excursions.
• Hospitality desk aboard ship.
• Experienced team of Professional Travel Directors at your service.
• Complimentary use of an audio headset during guided excursions.

 

Not included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed int he “included features” section of the program brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed as Included ; and all other services not specifically mentioned in the complete program terms and condition at https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms