TORONTO — Building on the success of its summer 2014 program which saw customer satisfaction levels of over 97%, Voyages to Antiquity, the cultural cruise specialist, is launching its program for summer 2016.

Expanding on its popular Mediterranean and Aegean voyages, Voyages to Antiquity will sail its boutique ship, Aegean Odyssey to the UK, northern France and Portugal for the first time since it launched in 2009.

This new program of cruises broadens Voyages to Antiquity’s coverage of Europe, exploring even more places of historical and cultural influence. On board, a first class lecture program, delivered by experts who are carefully selected for their knowledge of the area, and excellent local guides ensure that guests are immersed in the history and culture of the places they visit ashore. Many sailings now encompass overnight river stays as well as land stays in premium hotels in destinations such as Athens, Lisbon and Seville.

The 2016 preview program, available online or via post will include, for the first time, the UK ports of Falmouth and Dartmouth with a turnaround in Dover. The two cruises to and from the UK will also include the D-day beaches of Normandy as well as a cruise along the Gironde River for an overnight stay in Bordeaux and an opportunity to explore the culinary delights of the local area.

Passengers can also enjoy river cruising as the Aegean Odyssey sails along the Loire to Nantes for an overnight in France’s wonderful chateaux country and the Guadalquivir River to the heart of Seville in southern Spain.

Highlights of the new itineraries include:

Iberia, France and England – a 15 day cruise and stay program in June 2016, starting with two nights in Seville, which sails north from the Mediterranean to Lisbon, Oporto, Vigo for Santiago de Compostela, Bordeaux, the Normandy Beaches, the English Riviera including Falmouth and Dartmouth before finishing in Dover for international guests looking to stay on and explore London and the United Kingdom on their own.

Best of France and Portugal – a 15 day summer voyage which sails from Dover, along the French Channel Coast including visits to Honfleur and St. Malo before heading south to Nantes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, La Coruna and Oporto and finishes with a two-night hotel stay in Lisbon.

In the Footsteps of St Paul – a 13-day spring cruise and stay itinerary taking in some of the most beautiful Greek historical sites including Ephesus, Pergamon and Philppi. This journey will follow in the Apostle’s steps charting his journey to establish the first Christian church in Europe.

Greek Islands and Turkey – This new 15-day cruise to Greece and Turkey offers guests a repetition of new itinerary taking in sites from the Classical Greek civilization through to Byzantine and Ottoman periods including a three-night hotel stay in Athens, with stops in Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Canakkale, with overnight stays in both Izmir and Istanbul before finally returning to Greece to fly home.

As well as new ports of call, Aegean Odyssey will also re-visit less well known destinations such as the remarkable archaeological sites of Aspendos in modern-day Turkey and Butrint in Albania. In addition, she will also call at old favourites such as the unforgettable Diocletian’s Palace in Split and magical Venice with a private viewing of St Mark’s Cathedral included.

“Voyages to Antiquity is synonymous with high quality cultural cruises in the Mediterranean, and the Far East. Our continuous program of feedback from guests has led us to move into Northern Europe for the first time, with two new departures which will bring Aegean Odyssey to the United Kingdom – we anticipate these two cruise to be extremely popular with both past guests and new clients,” said David Yellow, Managing Director of Voyages to Antiquity.

“All our cruises are meticulously planned to ensure guests see these amazing sites at their best, combined with our top quality experts and tour program. Each cruise offers exceptional value for money.”

Cruises start from £2,145 for a 13-day cruise departing Athens in April 2016 with an early booking discount of up to £900 per cabin for bookings made before June 30 2015. Each cruise carries an average of 350 people and offers excellent value for money by including shore excursions with complimentary bottled water, pre-/post-cruise deluxe hotels stays and land tours, gratuities on board, wine at dinner on board as well as return scheduled flights. The full 2016 brochure will be available next month.

For further information about the itineraries, visit voyagestoantiquity.com.