fbpx

Island Life®
Greek Isles and Ephesus

Program Overview

Behold breathtaking views and watch mythical landscapes come to life as you sail Greece’s fabled Aegean Sea and Turquoise Coast of Turkey on this deluxe, seven-night cruise aboard the Wind Spirit — a sleek, four-masted sailing yacht. Journey to the cradle of civilization as you cruise to fabled halcyon islands from antiquity. Traverse the streets of ancient Delos, legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, and enjoy free time exploring the island of Mykonos, famous for its whitewashed houses and iconic windmills. Sail Turkey’s sun‑drenched coast to visit the UNESCO‑designated ruins of Ephesus, the most spectacularly preserved Greco‑Roman city in the world. Tour the Monastery of St. John in Patmos and explore historic Rhodes Town. Unlock the mysteries of Santorini, a crescent-shaped island featuring a spectacular caldera shaped by a volcanic explosion about 3,600 years ago — potentially burying what some believe was the lost city of Atlantis. Conclude your tour in the rarely visited island of Milos, where the ancient Venus de Milo statue was discovered in 1820.

Program Details

May 9 to 17, 2025 (Wind Spirit)
From approximately $5,895* plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Exclusive journey through the Aegean Sea to historic Greek islands and Turkey's Turquoise Coast.
  • Created in our tradition of innovative programming and educational travel.
  • Access to ports unavailable to larger vessels and included excursions throughout your program.
  • Four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Greek ruins in Delos; ancient Ephesus, Turkey; the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos; and the medieval city of Rhodes.
  • Athens Pre-Tour Extension and Delphi Post-Tour Extension.

Day 1     Depart home city

Day 2    Athens/Embark Wind Spirit

Day 3    Delos/Mykonos

Day 4    Kusadasi/Ephesus

Day 5    Patmos

Day 6    Rhodes

Day 7    Santorini

Day 8    Milos

Day 9    Athens/Disembark ship/Return to home city

View detailed program itinerary >

Wind Spirit

Exclusively Chartered, Deluxe Small Ship

View Wind Spirit Deckplan >

Learn more about The Windstar Fleet >

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Athens Pre-Tour Extension

Start your voyage early with two nights in the ancient city of Athens. Explore the monumental Acropolis, followed by a guided visit to the Acropolis Museum. Discover the sparkling Aegean waters of Cape Sounion and follow the ancient route of Pericles to the Temple of Poseidon. Accommodations are in the deluxe Hotel Grande Bretagne.

Delphi, Greece

Delphi Post-Tour Extension

Continue your immersion into Greek antiquity with a two-night journey to Thiva, or Thebes, and UNESCO-inscribed Delphi. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Thebes and walk the Sacred Way in Delphi to see the Treasury of Athens and Temple of Apollo. Accommodations are at the Domotel Anemolia Hotel and the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel.

Pre- and Post-Tour Extensions are available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

We'll contact you. No obligation.

Reserve My Spot

Program Itinerary

Day 1 Depart home city

Depart your home city for Athens, Greece.

Day 2 Athens, Greece / Embark Wind Spirit

Arrive in Athens and embark the four-masted, deluxe Wind Spirit sailing yacht. Settle into your suite or stateroom and enjoy stunning views as we begin cruising the Aegean Sea.

Day 3 Delos/Mykonos

This morning, we arrive at the small island of Delos, which is considered one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. After breakfast on board the ship, you will disembark for a walking tour.

Delos. Legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, the island of Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located at the center of the Cyclades archipelago on the Aegean Sea amid a bustling trading center, a visit to this sacred island is like walking back through antiquity. Pilgrims have flocked here over the millennia to visit the Sanctuary of Apollo and other ancient sites documented in Greek mythology.

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.

Mykonos. Known as the “island of the winds,” Mykonos is also part of the stunning Cyclades archipelago. According to Greek mythology, it was on this island 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.

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

Day 4 Kusadasi, Turkey, for Ephesus

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.

Ephesus. A vast archaeological collection of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins, the UNESCO World Heritage-designated city of Ephesus was founded around the 4th century B.C. by a general of Alexander the Great. Modern excavations of this remarkable site have revealed magnificent monuments of the Roman Imperial period, including the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and ruins of lavish villas known as Terrace Houses.

Enjoy bucolic views of rural Turkish villages and a countryside dotted with fig trees on a scenic drive to Ephesus. 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 brought from 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 concert at the historical Caravanserai building. Enjoy dinner on board this evening.

Day 5 Pátmos, Greece

Savor your breakfast on the deck as the ship arrives at the island of Pátmos for a morning excursion.

Pátmos. In Greek mythology, the small island of Pátmos existed under sea level and could only been seen when the moon shone above it. However, it became more famous in the late 1st 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 Chorá 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 6th 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.

Enjoy dinner on board this evening.

Day 6 Rhodes/Lindos

This morning the ship arrives at the island of Rhodes where, following breakfast, you will embark on a day of discovery.

Rhodes. 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 a choice of two activities — an afternoon at leisure or a walking tour of the legendary 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 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 Santorini

This morning the ship arrives in Santorini, the most dramatic of the Cyclades islands. You will disembark after breakfast for a full day of excursions.

Santorini. 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 newly reopened 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. From there, you will visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, noted for its collection of finds from Akrotiri, including frescoes and pottery. Your tour concludes in Santorini’s cosmopolitan capital city of Fira, spectacularly perched high above sea level.

Return to the ship for lunch on board.

Free Time. This afternoon is free to continue exploring Santorini on your own. You may also choose to relax and savor the ship’s many luxury amenities.

Day 8 Milos

Today the ship arrives in Milos, a largely undeveloped volcanic island in the East Cyclades known for its abundance of sandy beaches and stunning topography.

Milos. 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.

Disembark after breakfast for a visit to 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.

Captain's Farewell Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner on board the ship this evening.

Day 9 Athens / Disembark ship / Return to home city

Disembark the ship in Athens and transfer to the airport for your return flight home or continue on the Delphi Post-Extension Option.