From Woman's World · Liz Vaccariello · · 1m 40s
Viking cruise through Greece and Türkiye
Viking Vesta's 8-day Mediterranean cruise explored ancient ruins, medieval fortresses and Istanbul's hidden gems.
In brief
Viking Vesta's 8-day Mediterranean cruise explored ancient ruins, medieval fortresses and Istanbul's hidden gems. The Viking Vesta cruise visited Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Ephesus, Troy and Istanbul, ending with a two-night extension to explore Topkapı Palace and Turkish food. Originally reported by Woman's World.
Athens: Ancient treasures
The trip began in Athens, where the Acropolis and Parthenon rise above a sprawling modern city.
Crete: Historic monasteries
In Heraklion, we left the coast for the Cretan countryside and Kera Monastery, a fortified stone monastery on the northern slopes of Mount Dikti.
Rhodes: Medieval marvels
Rhodes offered a completely different period of history with its medieval city remaining after the Knights of Saint John conquered the island in the 14th century.
Istanbul: East meets West
Our approach to Istanbul was part of the experience as we sailed through the Bosphorus Strait, separating Europe and Asia.
Ephesus: The past preserved
Our next stop in Türkiye was Ephesus, where we walked through ancient streets and buildings including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.
Troy: Legends
From Çanakkale, we traveled to Troy, where excavations revealed multiple settlements built over thousands of years.
Our #1: The Basilica Cistern
Not far from Hagia Sophia, we descended into the Basilica Cistern, a vast underground reservoir with 336 marble columns.
Aboard Viking Vesta
The Viking Vesta was launched in 2025 and carries 998 guests, making it much smaller than today’s mega cruise ships.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Ancient Mediterranean Treasures is an eight-day voyage through Greece and Türkiye that took us from Athens to Crete, Rhodes, Ephesus and Troy before ending in Istanbul.
What it means
The Viking Vesta cruise visited Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Ephesus, Troy and Istanbul, ending with a two-night extension to explore Topkapı Palace and Turkish food.
