Regent is a luxury cruise line that includes every luxury in its cruise price. From unlimited beverages and specialty restaurants to even gratuities, Wi-Fi, excursions, and more, it’s all included!
Our TierOne Travel president Shelley Ewing has been invited to join an amazing cruise with Regent to Greece and Turkey. Continue reading this blog to learn about Shelle’s amazing upcoming adventure.
Meet Shelley Ewing:
President / Director of TierOne Travel
Growing up in the bush in Zambia has given Shelley a lifelong passion and appreciation for different cultures, nature, and wildlife. She had an amazing childhood watching her family build and run a safari lodge in the Kafue National Park.
Since arriving in Calgary in 1980, travel has continued to be a focus for Shelley; from working as a travel consultant to managing a travel agency for 15 years, and then co-owning and operating TierOne Travel since 1994. She has travelled extensively, but don’t be surprised if you hear her say “Africa. It’s just so amazing!” when someone asks her about her favorite destination.
Regent Cruise to Greece and Turkey
Shelley has been given the opportunity to travel to Greece and hop on a roundtrip Regent cruise that will sail through beautiful Greek islands to vibrant Turkey. Read on to see the amazing itinerary and learn about exciting experiences and excursions.
Questions & Answers with Shelley
Tell us about your itinerary! When and where are you going?
I will be spending 2 nights in Athens prior to boarding the ship on November 4th.
We have planned a private half-day tour of Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon. The drive will take us along the coast with spectacular scenery.
Our first port of call on the cruise will be to the Greek Island of Lesbos, then on to Istanbul, where the ship remains in port overnight. Next, we are off to Kusadasi where we will tour the amazing ruins of Ephesus. The last two ports will be in Greece, first stopping for the day in Rhodes, and then our final stop will be the magical island of Santorini.
Have you been to all of the destinations before?
I haven’t been to Lesbos or Rhodes before. It doesn’t matter that I have been to Istanbul and Kusadasi before; there is so much to see and do. You can never get enough of the Grand bazaar and spice market!
As for revisiting Santorini, it is so stunningly beautiful I just can’t get enough of it.
Tell us about each of the stops and what you plan to do in each?
Lesbos – explore on our own
Istanbul – A half-day tour of “Magnificent Legacies with a visit to the Spice Market”
Istanbul – Visit the Bazar
Kusadasi – A half-day tour of Ephesus and Sirince Village
Rhodes – Explore on our own
Santorini – Wander the little streets and find a restaurant with amazing views.
What are you looking MOST forward to?
There is so much to look forward to. The thought of traveling again is so exciting.
In Athens, we will be experiencing a private dinner and wine pairing hosted by a Greek couple in their rooftop apartment with magnificent views of the Acropolis.
Experiencing the brand-new Regent Seven Seas Splendor will be amazing. She looks like a beautiful ship with several choices of specialty dining.
What type of travelers would love this style of travel?
This is the ultimate ship, small and elegant with everything included…specialty restaurants, shore excursions, all drinks, and gratuities. The dress code is casual elegant and only up to 500 guests.
Shelley’s Itinerary
Tuesday, November 2
Transfer from Athens Airport to Athens hotel
November 2 – 4 (2 nights)
ATHENS GATE HOTEL
Location: close to Plaka
Wednesday, November 3
Private tour of Sounion & the Temple of Poseidon
Transportation by A/C Minivan & English-speaking driver
Thursday, November 4
Transfer from Athens Hotel to Piraeus port
Cruise Itinerary
Thursday, November 11
Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens hotel
November 11 – 12 (1 night)
ATHENS GATE HOTEL
Location: close to Plaka
Friday, November 12
Transfer from Athens hotel to Athens Airport
Excursions and Highlights
Magnificent Legacies with Visit to Spice Market in Istanbul
DURATION: 4 HOURS
Price: FREE
HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the enchanting Rustem Pasa Mosque, renowned for its use of red Iznik tiles.
- Survey Bible-themed mosaics and frescoes at the Chora Museum, once a Greek Orthodox church.
- Explore the stunning Basilica Cistern and view its barrel-vaulted brick roof, which is supported by over 300 columns.
- Wander the bustling Spice Market, which brims with spices, dried fruits, and myriad locally produced products.
DESCRIPTION
Cherish revered landmarks included in Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage site designation on this engaging tour, including a 16th-century mosque, a museum housed in a historic church and a massive underground cistern, and roam an aromatic bazaar. Drive to the mid-16th-century Rustem Pasa Mosque, designed by architect Mimar Sinan and famed for its exquisite red tiles. Appreciate its intricately carved doors and gilded trim work, which exemplify the small mosque’s artistic beauty. Discover the 8th-century Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Savior, now the Chora Museum esteemed for its mosaics and frescoes that depict themes from the Bible. At the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns lying beneath Istanbul, marvel at the more than 300 beautiful columns of various designs that support its vaulted brick roof. Stroll the sprawling and exotically fragranced Spice Market, constructed in 1664 as part of an imperial mosque complex, and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of its seemingly endless supply of spices, dried fruits, and locally made merchandise such as jewelry and pottery.
EPHESUS AND SIRINCE VILLAGE, Kusadasi
DURATION: 4 3/4 HOURS
Price: FREE
HIGHLIGHTS
- Delve into the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Admire the AD 125 Library of Celsus and the breathtaking Great Theater in ancient Ephesus.
- Take in village life in the charming Greek Orthodox village of Sirince and shop for handicrafts.
- Enjoy a delicious lunch at the welcoming home of a local family.
- Savor a cup of bracing Turkish coffee at the village’s leading coffeehouse.
- Elect to remain in Kusadasi to shop for antique jewelry or handmade carpets, if you prefer.
DESCRIPTION
Relive the glory of Turkey’s ancient past during this engaging tour of the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus, a visit to the Greek Orthodox village of Sirince, and lunch with a village family. Relax on a scenic drive to 3rd-century BC Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site and once the location of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Discover the impressive two-story, 2nd-century Library of Celsus and appreciate the perfect acoustics of the 24,000-seat Great Theater, where Saint Paul once preached, and which is still used today for musical performances. At the old Greek Orthodox village of Sirince, which is a perfect synthesis of 1920s Turkish-Greek culture, learn it is renowned for its grape and other fruit wines. In this alluring setting, observe everyday village life and perhaps purchase some local handicrafts. Proceed to the home of a welcoming village family for a tasty lunch and continue to the hamlet’s main coffeehouse for a cup of the traditional Turkish brew, perhaps encountering an enigmatic fortune-teller. Returning to enthralling Kusadasi, choose to do some shopping.
Delicious Greek Dinner Overlooking the Acropolis
Time of the event: 9:00 PM (3 hours)
In the historic center of Athens, in Monstiraki square. Featuring a wonderful rooftop terrace with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis, you can taste the ultimate experience of traditional Greek hospitality and delicious food with the best locally sourced Greek ingredients. The menu usually includes 7 to 8 courses, and it can change depending on the season, the availability of the ingredients, and the inspiration.
stay tuned for our next blog featuring Shelley’s regent adventure to greece and turkey!
And when you’re ready to book your own next getaway, contact one of our TierOne Travel agents. They have extensive experience in life-changing travel experiences and will be able to craft something incredible that is suited to your unique needs.
One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous
