10 Night small ship cruise sailing from Athens return aboard Douglas Mawson. 2 night hotel stay pre-cruise in Athens.

Steeped in the legacy of the Ottoman Empire, the cultural influence of which serves as our guiding light, Turkey and its neighbouring Greek islands beckon with tales of intrigue. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, this region of mesmerising contrasts enchants with its wealth of historical wonders, turquoise waters, and bustling bazaars.

From the vibrant streets of Istanbul, where the echoes of sultans and their courts resonate through time, to the ancient marvels of Ephesus and the coastal fortresses of Bodrum and Marmaris, our journey unveils the captivating tale of faiths, conquerors and iconic figures that have shaped modern-day Turkey. In homage to the poignant history of Gallipoli, we pay tribute to the valour and sacrifice of the “sons from faraway countries,” whose courage inspired Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's visionary reforms, paving the way for the transformation of the empire’s remnants into a thriving republic. Join us as we delve into Turkey’s enthralling blend of past and present, where our exploration of the Ottoman legacy follows a centuries’-old path designed to delight.

Adventure has a new name. Setting sail in 2025, our new state-of-the-art ship, the Douglas Mawson, is the last in a line of purpose-built vessels that have redefined small ship expedition cruising.

Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, our new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes a maximum of 130 adventurers on board our Expeditions. All in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts our most extensive range of staterooms yet, including a range of single staterooms.

The Douglas Mawson features a host of amenities to help you connect with like-minded travellers and elevate your time onboard our floating base camp for adventure. After a long day of exploring, head to the back deck to swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool, find a sun bed to read on, or soak in one of two Jacuzzis. Work up a sweat in the gym before unwinding in the sauna, resolve to learn something new in the Citizen Science Centre, then enjoy a delicious meal with new and old friends in one of two restaurants. Or, with multiple observation areas throughout the ship, simply relax in comfort while you keep watch for wildlife or incredible landscapes unfold before you.

While enjoying the luxurious amenities onboard, you can rest assured that our aim to get you off the ship to explore the natural environment as much as possible through our unique activities program remains unchanged.

At Aurora Expeditions wilderness is a passion they share with others by taking small groups of like-minded people to some of the most isolated places on our planet. From the polar regions of Antarctica and High Arctic to the wilds of Costa Rica, Scotland, Patagonia and more, Aurora Expeditions aims to create special expedition-style cruises that foster an understanding and appreciation of our natural world.

The Australian-owned adventure company was initially established in the early 1990¹s by adventures Greg Mortimer and Margaret Werner when they began sharing their love of remote places by organising ship-based trips for keen friends and fellow travellers. Their style to push the boundaries¹ has remained unchanged and they are proud of the fact that their spirit of adventure and exploration is as strong as ever. Their adventure activities are proof of this; with many of their voyages offering polar scuba diving, sea kayaking, camping and mountain climbing.

Deeply committed to education and preservation of the environment, Aurora Expeditions were the founding member of both the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). All their voyages have expert expedition staff who will help to unlock the wonders of these special places.