Day 1: Valletta, Malta
Discover the myriad of cultural layers of Malta, from its amazing prehistoric temples at Tarxien to beautiful walled medieval Mdina, nearby Rabat, and Marsaxlokk, a colorful fishing village. Admire the stunning scenery and wander through imposing churches and down the streets of fortified towns where the Knights of St. John once held sway.
Day 2: At Sea, International Waters
Day 3: Mykonos, Greece
Enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.
Day 4: Istanbul, Turkey
Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.
Day 6: Izmir, Turkey
Dive into the surf or soak up the sun on any number of Izmir’s magnificent beaches. Visit the lavish Izmir Clock Tower as you stroll through the celebrated Konak Square. Soak up the local scenery as you meander along the relaxing Kordonboyu oceanfront promenade.
Day 7: Bodrum, Turkey
A playground for yachters, tourists and jet setters, modern Bodrum stands on the site of the ancient city of Halicarnassus. You can still see the foundations of the mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by earthquakes. The Knights of St. John used its stones to build Bodrum Castle, fascinating not only as a medieval monument but also for the Museum of Underwater Archaeology within its walls, which includes a display of the oldest known shipwreck.
Day 8: Rhodes, Greece
Enjoy a walking tour of the old fortified city and stand in awe of the impressive Grand Master’s Palace. See where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood and savor the charm of this remarkable walled town. Or drive along the scenic coast to Lindos. Enjoy the whitewashed little town and climb to the ancient acropolis, its temples and wonderful views.
Day 9: Paphos, Cyprus
Paphos isn’t just sunny, it’s really sunny – with an average of 13 hours a day in the summer and five hours during what are normally dreary months. It’s easy to fall in love with this beautiful land of rocky coastline and clear blue waters, which is why it was the perfect setting for the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love. UNESCO World Heritage sites reveal the area’s historic devotion to the deity.
Day 10: Jerusalem, Israel
Visit the land of miracles – Galilee, the Jordan River, the Mount of the Beautitudes and Tabgha. Venture to Nazareth, home of the young Jesus. See the largest hanging gardens in the world at the Bahai Gardens of Haifa. Or visit the Nahalal Moshav, a commune established in 1921 by Jewish immigrants.
