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Costa fly-cruises from Istanbul to Greece/Turkey ready for takeoff

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All the Costa Venezia cruises will sail round-trip from Galataport Istanbul
Costa Venezia’s new Greece-Turkey cruises are to begin from Istanbul May 1 in a collaboration among Costa Cruises, Turkish Airlines, the Turkish National Tourist Board and Galataport Istanbul.

Fly-cruise packages will be available from all the main European countries, with scheduled Turkish Airlines flights.

'We believe Turkey has great potential for cruises ... Istanbul can be reached from the main European countries in just a few hours’ flight time, it has good air connections and modern ports, as well as a mild climate that makes it possible to operate all year round, and above all it offers an incredible variety of experiences and attractions,' Costa President Mario Zanetti said.

Longer port calls

Costa Venezia’s program consists of three different itineraries, all round-trip Istanbul and designed to include longer calls at ports that are rich in history and splendid archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

From May to Nov. 13, Costa Venezia will offer two one-week alternating itineraries that can be combined into a single 15-day trip with eight port stays longer than 10 hours.

The first is described as ideal for those who want to explore the best of Turkey and Greece in one holiday. It includes a two-day call at Istanbul, the Turkish destinations of Izmir and Bodrum, the island of Mykonos and Piraeus in Greece.

The second includes two-day calls at both Istanbul and Kusadasi, plus stops at Rhodes and Heraklion, Greece. 

Winter 12-day option

In winter 2022/23, Costa Venezia will be offering a third 12-day itinerary with Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus, visiting Istanbul (overnight), Bodrum, Limassol, Haifa (overnight), Alexandria and Kusadasi.

In spring 2023, the two Turkey-Greece itineraries will resume.