Aegean Delights All-Inclusive Cruise

Patmos boasts idyllic beaches and swimming coves and enviable historic hilltop mansions, as it is a favourite hideaway for the elite. Though many are drawn to Patmos for its natural beauty and seclusion, the island is also famous for being the site of where the Apostle John is said to have written The Book of Revelations. From visiting the Monastery of the Apocalypse – which includes a chapel over the cave where St. John lived and received his revelation – to sunbathing on pebbled beaches and strolling picturesque villages, exploring Patmos promises to be a relaxing and memorable day in the Mediterranean.

Kos Island’s capital showcases a combination of Medieval and modern Greece. As you pull into the harbour, you’ll be greeted by the town’s oldest and most prominent feature – the Castle of Nerantzia. Elsewhere, contemporary cafes and trendy beach bars bring it straight into the 21^st century.

Kos Town’s castle was built by the legendary Knights of Saint John six centuries ago. Climb to the top of one of its four circular towers for unobstructed views over the harbour. Just outside town, you’ve also got the Asklepion, the crumbling ruins of the world’s first hospital.

If you prefer soaking up views of historical sites from the comfort of a café, you’re in the right place. Stop off at one of the harbour-front bars to tuck into a seafood mezze or grilled meat platter, with the Medieval fortress as a backdrop.

Two beaches line Kos Town’s shores. The main beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, directly in front of the castle walls. There’s also a second longer beach just north of the harbour.

Turkey’s biggest beach resort, Marmaris has a definite ‘Riviera’ feel to it. An elegant, palm-lined promenade weaves its way around the shoreline, while the marina plays host to a flotilla of gleaming white yachts.

Ancient and natural history are served up in Dalyan. Sail along the river and you’ll pass the fourth-century Tombs of Kings. Head to the beach and you’ll sunbathe alongside endangered loggerhead turtles, which have been making their nests here for centuries.

Discover a Turkish tradition with a visit to a hammam or Turkish bath. They’ve existed since Medieval times and normally have separate areas for men and women. When you get there, you’ll change into your swimwear before heading for the gobektasi, a heated stone where you’ll be treated to a body scrub that’ll leave you feeling really refreshed.

Smother yourself in therapeutic mud in celebrity haunt Dalyan. You’ll feel film star fabulous in no time.

Legendary hangout of Queen Cleopatra, Alanya’s two-faced for all the right reasons. On the one hand an ancient Seljuk city, on the other a slick beach resort, it’s a place where old meets new and the pair get along famously. Walk around and you’ll notice a lot of places with Cleopatra in their names, even one of the beaches. It’s no coincidence. In 44BC, Mark Antony presented the town to his girlfriend as a present. And as gifts go, it takes some beating…

Make your way to the Manavgat Waterfalls, where the river water crashes over low rocks. With their mountain backdrop, these falls are certainly worth some space in your holiday album.

You can’t miss it – and you wouldn’t want to for that matter. In the centre of the port is a huge headland topped with a 13th-century Seljuk fortress. About 150 towers punctuate the walls of this splendid citadel. Delve inside and you’ll come across old gateways, Byzantine chapels and mosques.

Take a trip to the Damlatas Cave, or Cave of Dripping Stone. This eerie spot has been decorated by Mother Nature herself with some really surreal rock formations.

For an even bigger history fix, head for ancient Perge and Aspendos, and pick a path through the ruined temples, theatres and aqueducts.

Following your cruise, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Ireland.

Alternatively, you could add a hotel stay on this wonderful island.