


Experience the incredible city of Istanbul, a vibrant transcontinental metropolis, filled with traditions, superb landmarks and awe-inspiring views during a hotel stay before your cruise discovering Kuşadası, Rhodes and Crete, on board Costa Venezia.
Your holiday begins in glorious Istanbul, where you’ll enjoy a two-night hotel stay. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled this land. Find some time to explore Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine Basilica Museum with mosaics or admire the striking architecture of the iconic Blue Mosque, set against a beautiful backdrop of the ocean.
Following your stay, you’ll embark the stunning Costa Venezia for your cruise exploring the riches of the Eastern Mediterranean. This beautiful ship is Inspired by the world’s most famous Italian city, Venice and is the epitome of charm. Head to the Aperol Spritz Bar for a classic Italian aperitif, accompanied by gorgeous ocean vistas, escape into another world with an astounding performance in the theatre, and savour a remarkable treatment in the lavish Solemio Spa.
An overnight in port in Istanbul will offer a further opportunity to explore this cultural-rich city before you set sail to Kusadasi on Turkey’s stunning Aegean Coast. Visit the nearby ruins of Ephesus, and finish your evening watching the sun go down from one of the bars around the marina.
At Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, uniform, white-washed houses and distant mountains characterise the landscape of this popular holiday destination. Your final port of call before disembarking back in Istanbul is Crete. Explore the ruins of the Minoan palace at Knossos and the cave that is the legendary birthplace of Zeus.

Experience Costa Venezia
Inspired by the culture, history and traditions of Venice, this ship made her maiden voyage in early 2019. Like the city, Costa Venezia will surround you with beauty and history as well as enchanting you with warm Italian hospitality and Costa’s spirit of innovation. Public areas are filled with statues and fountains, including the stunning St Mark’s Square atrium. 15 restaurants and a further six bars offer a fantastic range of cuisines from authentic Italian pizza to gourmet menus designed by Michelin-starred chef, Umberto Bombana. Entertainment options on board will not disappoint either with masquerade balls capturing the essence of Venice’s famous Carnivale and lavish productions in the sumptuous Rosso Theatre.

La Fiorentina Steak House
Enjoy fine dining in the extravagant setting of the La Fiorentina Steak House.

Rosso Theatre
Be wowed by spectacular performances in this three-tiered theatre.

Pools and Jacuzzis
Cool off in one of the four swimming pools or enjoy a hydromassage in one of the Jacuzzis.
Your 9 Night Holiday Includes
Days 1 - 2
4 - 5 November 2022
Begin your holiday with a two-night hotel stay in remarkable Istanbul
Istanbul’s over-abundance of important historic buildings and exciting new art galleries and museums provides visitors with more than enough to see. Visit the world-famous Grand Bazaar and Spice market, take in the wonders of the stunning Suleymaniye Mosque–one of the most important mosques of the Ottoman Empire, the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome to name just a few.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Istanbul Hotel
Day 3
6 November 2022
Embark the gleaming Costa Venezia and enjoy an overnight in port, prior to your enchanting Eastern Mediterranean cruise
Today you’ll embark Costa Venezia for your sensational cruise. Inspired by the grandeur of Venice, this ship shimmers with glamour and beauty, from the gilded statues and fountains in the atrium to the chic atmosphere of the Lido Deck. Enjoy a fine dining experience with a menu designed by Michelin starred chef Umberto Bombana or treat yourself at the spa, which offers a thalassotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and a range of treatments. Tonight, you’ll enjoy an overnight stay in port on board the ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Costa Venezia
Day 4
7 November 2022
Spend a final day in Istanbul, a vibrant metropolis brimming with culture
Enjoy spending some time exploring Turkey’s largest and most populous city, which straddles the continents of Europe and Asia. Lying on the banks of the Bosphorous, Istanbul is a stunning destination with an unrivalled atmosphere. Countless minarets and domed mosques poke out of the hillsides, including the majestic Hagia Sophia, now an unmissable museum.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Costa Venezia
Days 5 - 6
8 - 9 November 2022
Soak up the sun from the beach resort town of Kuşadası during an overnight in port
Kuşadası on Turkey’s Anatolian Coast is where one travels into the past. In Kuşadası, whitewashed stone houses rise in tiers behind the market district. The palm-lined esplanade is the centre of town life, with thousands of merchants offering wares to rival the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Nearby, stand the ruins of ancient Ephesus, you enter the city though the Magnesia Gate entrance and walk down a marble road to the ruins of this Roman provincial capital.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Costa Venezia
Day 7
10 November 2022
Savour time at leisure to explore the historical riches of Rhodes
By far the largest and historically the most important of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes abounds in beaches that will transport you back to the days of the Byzantine Empire and beyond. Once you disembark, take the short walk to the Old Town to view its brilliant historic buildings that date back to the 14th century. Rhodes was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes, and there are many ruins left to explore in remote beautiful locations.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Costa Venezia
Day 8
11 November 2022
Marvel at the beauty of Crete, a diverse land bursting with ancient ruins and breathtaking beaches
The largest and most populous of the Greek islands, Crete was the centre of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, and is characterised by high mountain ranges, verdant countryside and plenty of ancient sites that date back millennia. Explore its coastline, take to the hills on a hike or relax in a family-run taverna sipping the local fire-water, Raki.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Costa Venezia
Day 9
12 November 2022
Revel in a day at sea on board to discover more of the delectable dining options
With 15 restaurants on board, as well as six bars and lounges, dining on board Costa Venezia is an adventure in itself. Choose from traditional Italian-themed menus, including delicious pizzas, to authentic Chinese and Asian cuisines. Head to Delle Stelle’s balcony to enjoy your favourite cocktail surrounded by incredible ocean views, or at night, underneath a blanket of stars.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Costa Venezia
Day 10
13 November 2022
You’ll disembark back in Istanbul, your captivating Eastern Mediterranean discovery complete
Your cruise ends back in Istanbul where you’ll disembark and head to the airport for your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Holiday Summary
Cruise
- 7 night full-board cruise on board Costa Venezia
Hotel Stays
- 2 night four-star stay in Istanbul with breakfast
All flights
Prices From
Departing
19 August 2022
Inside
R 33,999pp
Outside
R 36,999pp
Balcony
R 39,999pp
Suite
R 69,999pp
Duration: 9 Nights
Itinerary Includes: Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Istanbul
Departing
23 September 2022
Inside
R 28,999pp
Outside
R 31,999pp
Balcony
R 34,999pp
Duration: 9 Nights
Itinerary Includes: Istanbul, Kusadasi, Crete, Rhodes, Istanbul
Departing
21 October 2022
Inside
R 25,999pp
Outside
R 28,999pp
Balcony
R 31,999pp
Duration: 9 Nights
Itinerary Includes: Istanbul, Kusadasi, Athens (Piraeus), Crete, Istanbul
Departing
4 November 2022
Inside
R 24,999pp
Outside
R 27,999pp
Balcony
R 30,999pp
Suite
R 59,999pp
Duration: 9 Nights
Itinerary Includes: Istanbul, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Crete, Istanbul