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Sailing

Ancient Mediterranean Treasures (8 Days)

Cruise Line
Viking
Ship
Viking Saturn
11 Apr 2026 - 18 Apr 2026
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Itinerary

Day 1 11 Apr 2026
Piraeus, Greece

Step on board in Athens, where you will have an entire day to explore this ancient city. Perhaps visit the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, or the iconic Acropolis. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. As we remain in port overnight, you will have time to enjoy dinner in town.

Day 2 12 Apr 2026
Piraeus, Greece

Today, you will have the entire day to journey into ancient Athens via a panoramic drive, passing the promenade at Mikrolimano Marina as you enter the city's heart. There, you will see the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, and the iconic Acropolis. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. Or, as an option, explore the interior of this UNESCO Site; climb 80 steps to the entrance for an unforgettable view of the Parthenon at its peak.

Day 3 13 Apr 2026
Heraklion, Greece

Call on fabled Crete today, home to the Minoans, Europe's oldest recorded civilization. Here, you will uncover local remnants of the Venetian Empire, which brought great wealth to the capital of Heraklion. Admire the Koules Fortress—known to the Venetians as the Rocca al Mare, or "fortress by the sea"—at the Old Port's entrance. Explore the café-lined Lions Square and the arched gallery of the celebrated Loggia. And pause to sip tsikoudia, a grape-based brandy distilled in the hills. Alternatively, you might venture to the ancient Palace of Knossos, the famed site where Theseus is said to have slain the mighty Minotaur, or take in the splendid coastal scenery during a tour of the island's traditional villages.

Day 4 14 Apr 2026
Rhodes, Greece

Discover the Old Town of Rhodes today. This "Island of Knights" prospered from the wealth brought here from the Holy Land by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Follow the Street of the Knights to the most imposing building in Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Master, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour this fascinating building, which was first a castle, then a royal palace. Our berth is near the city's historic quarter, allowing you to linger at your leisure after your included walking tour. Or, opt to visit the Acropolis of Lindos; from its rocky perch, you will have magnificent views of the whitewashed village and harbor below.

Day 5 15 Apr 2026
Kusadasi, Turkey

Journey into the ancient world today with a visit to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity in the world. Stroll the uneven streets of this once-powerful metropolis and pass sights such as the massive Great Theater and the magnificent Library of Celsus. Visit the remains of the Byzantine Basilica of St. John and see the modest home where legend states that the Virgin Mary lived out her final days. Or, take a scenic drive to the Oracle of Didyma and the Temple of Apollo, part of a once-elaborate Hellenic sanctuary.

Day 6 16 Apr 2026
Çanakkale, Turkey

Located on the Dardanelles, a key waterway linking the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea, Çanakkale was an object of desire dating back to the ancient Greeks. Today, explore Çanakkale or the nearby ruins of Troy, once a powerhouse of Asia Minor. The remarkably preserved structures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site provide a glimpse of the region's former glory and offer hints of life here in the days of Alexander the Great and the Roman emperor Augustus.

Day 7 17 Apr 2026
Istanbul, Turkey

Discover where East meets West as you arrive today in Istanbul. Take time to admire this city that straddles two continents across the Bosporus Strait, with its Old Quarter skyline of domes and minarets and the twinkling lights of modern Istanbul across the water. Sample delicious cuisine for a taste of this fusion, combining fresh Mediterranean fare with spices from the Far East and Asia. Enjoy a wealth of religious sites, such as the spectacular Blue Mosque and the legendary Hagia Sophia.

Day 8 18 Apr 2026
Istanbul, Turkey

Awake in Istanbul, where you will disembark your ship. From here, you can easily take a few extra days to further explore this historic city with our post-cruise extension.

Promotion(s)

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    Valid for Travel Now Through 01 Aug 2028

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    OR

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    Expires August 31, 2025

    Offers combinable with Virtuoso Exclusive Amenity Shipboard Credits

    Summer Sale: Valid on bookings made August 1 – August 31, 2025. Offer expires August 31, 2025. Cruise fares, airfares and offers vary by departure date; for specific pricing, see our website or call for details. Cruise prices listed reflect the lowest lead-in fare for the months listed by stateroom category. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City gateways. Air does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. Cruise savings and airfares vary based on itinerary, departure, category and air gateway city. Additional restrictions may apply. 2026–2027: Book and deposit by August 31, 2025. 2026: Pay in full by October 31, 2025. 2027: Pay in full by April 30, 2026. 2028: Pay in full by January, 15 2027. Offer EBD Rivers, Oceans & Expeditions: Cruise from $2,199 per person based on select departures of Rhine Getaway, Danube Waltz and Romantic Danube; other itineraries, dates and categories may vary. *FREE roundtrip international airfare based on select river, ocean and expedition itineraries & departures from most gateways. Airfare offers are subject to change: Based on inventory availability at time of purchase and may be withdrawn at any time. Additional restrictions may apply. A limited-time $25 per person deposit is due at time of booking for all featured itineraries; remaining deposit is due with final payment (excludes World Cruise itineraries). †Anniversary Sale (ANV25): Up to 35% off cruise price based on select departures and categories of Viking Shores & Fjords, Trade Routes of the Middle Ages, Portugal’s River of Gold and New Orleans & Southern Charms; other itineraries, dates and categories may vary (excludes World Cruise itineraries). Offer PANV8 (Rivers): Up to 35% off cruise price based on select itinerary departures and categories. FREE roundtrip international airfare based on select departures of Grand European Tour and European Sojourn from most gateways. Additional restrictions may apply. 2-FOR-1 airfare available on 2026 River voyages in economy class, excluding Magnificent Mekong. Additional restrictions may apply. Offer PANV8 (Oceans): Up to 35% off cruise price based on select itinerary departures and categories. FREE roundtrip international airfare based on select departures of North Pacific Passage from most gateways. FREE Airfare offer is subject to change: Based on inventory availability at time of purchase and may be withdrawn at any time. Additional restrictions may apply.

    Double Past Guest Discount: applicable on all featured itineraries and voyage dates. Past Guests who have sailed with Viking in the past 12 months save $800 per couple ($400 per person) on listed cruise prices; all other Past Guests save $400 per couple ($200 per person). CST# 2052644-40

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