From minaret-dotted skylines to stunning coastal beaches, discover one of the most fascinating countries in the Mediterranean.
Imagine strolling the top deck of your ship or lounging on your spacious suite balcony, sipping a cocktail or champagne, as a warm sea breeze tickles your skin and the dreamy, minaret-peppered skyline of Istanbul provides an exotic backdrop. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey's largest city, formerly known as Constantinople, has been an important port of call for millennia and remains as alluring as ever with its heady mix of the traditional and contemporary.
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In 2019, high-end cruise operator Regent Seven Seas returns to Istanbul - one of several Turkish delights on the company's selected Mediterranean itineraries. Travelling aboard Seven Seas Voyager, one of Regent's dazzling all-inclusive luxury vessels, you'll be treated like a sultan with plush accommodation, as all 350 rooms are suites and 98% have private balconies.
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Then there’s exquisite wining and dining at lavishly-decorated bars and restaurants, including fabulous modern French cuisine at Chartreuse, and impeccable service, with a staff-to-guest ratio of at most 1 to 1.5. Among the many perks are 24-hour room service, unlimited beverages, including fine wines and premium spirits, and access to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub fitness centre, steam and sauna rooms.
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Another bonus of cruising with Regent is the unlimited shore excursions, which are designed to deepen passengers' appreciation of the local heritage. So in Istanbul, for example, you can join local experts for tours of famous bazaars and renowned icons, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. From Kusadasi, another Turkish port of call, you can roam the magnificent ruined Roman city of Ephesus, to see the stunning façade of the Celsus Library. You're also free to explore independently, of course, and an especially alluring spot to go with the flow is the idyllic little island of Bozcaada.
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Another of Regent's Turkish destinations, it's renowned for its pretty bays, turquoise waters and excellent wines, which flourish thanks to the island's rich volcanic soils and prove popular with visitors looking to both sample on the day and take gift-wrapped bottles home for friends and family.
Read more about inspiring cruise experiences and cruise lines before choosing the ideal cruise for you here.
