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- Ports of Call: Istanbul, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; Izmir, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Iraklion (Heraklion), Crete, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; Alexandria, Egypt; Corfu, Greece; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Piraeus (Athens), Greece.
- 2008 Sail dates: September 19; October 13.
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| Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
|---|
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0 |
Istanbul |
-
- |
-- |
| 1
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Istanbul |
-- |
3:00pm |
| 2 |
Izmir |
9:00am |
5:00pm |
| 3 |
Mykonos |
8:00am |
11:55pm |
| 4 |
Santorini |
9:00am |
6:00pm |
| 5 |
Iraklion |
8:00am |
6:00pm |
| 6 |
At Sea |
-- |
-- |
| 7 |
Alexandria (Cairo) |
7:00am |
Overnight |
| 8
|
Alexandria (Cairo) |
-- |
6:00pm |
| 9 |
At Sea |
-- |
-- |
| 10
|
Corfu Greek Isle |
9:00am |
6:00pm |
| 11 |
Katakolon, Greece |
8:00am |
2:30pm |
| 12
|
Athens/Piraeus |
4:00am |
-- |
Information above subject to change, please confirm details at time of booking.
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Greece's capital and its largest city was born atop the Acropolis, where ancient warrior-kings once dwelled. These ruins are a testament to the golden age of Greece, and the Parthenon is considered the most architecturally sophisticated temples of its time. Ancient Agora, a sprawling array of stones, slabs and foundations, was once the focal point of ancient Greek life.
Sample shore excursions:
- Legendary Delphi Tour: After the Acropolis, Delphi is the most popular archaeological site in Greece. Walk along the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo; see the treasuries, the place of offerings, the Grand Temple of Apollo and the theater with its splendid acoustics. Then visit the Delphi Museum, which houses many of the treasures recovered from the site.
- Athens & Its Scenic Coast Tour: This excursion is an ideal introduction to the city's highlights. Reach the natural fortress of Acropolis, then continue with a city drive. After lunch, drive along the scenic coastal road arriving at Cape Sounion to visit the temple of Poseidon, standing some 200 feet above the sea at the edge of a cliff.
- Ancient Treasures Tour: After a visit to the Acropolis and its famous landmarks, your tour takes you on a scenic drive though the highlights of Athens. Then take a drive passing by numerous points of interest and best-known city landmarks before arriving to your lunch venue. After, visit the National Archaeological Museum, housing an unrivaled collection of treasures of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek Art.
- A Taste Of Athens Tour: Have the opportunity to admire some of the most important sites of Athens, including the Acropolis - one of the most photographed and recognizable hills in the entire world. Afterwards, you will have free time to wander around the picturesque streets of Plaka, the old preserved district of Athens.
- Cruising The Corinth Canal Tour: After a 1 ½ hour drive, reach the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years. Excavations of the area are still continuing today. The next site you will visit is the famous Corinth Canal. Boarding a local boat from the village of Isthmia, you'll navigate the canal while enjoying "ouzo" and Greek snacks.
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Katakolon is a charming fishing village on the Ionian Coast that is the gateway to Olympia, the site of the first Olympic games in 776 B.C. Prominent ruins of the Sanctuary include the athletic quadrangles and the Temple of Zeus. The Archaeological Museum contains Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki "Winged Victory."
Corfu was once ruled by Venetian doges, Turkish sultans and French invaders. Marvel at the 17th-century icons in St. George's Church, the medieval Palace of Phrourio and the 19th-century Achilleion Palace. The greenest of the Greek Isles, Corfu also boasts thriving vineyards and olive orchards among its rugged mountains.
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Sample shore excursions:
- Cairo, Pyramids & Tombs Tour: After driving from Alexandria to the teeming metropolis of Cairo, you'll stop in Memphis, Egypt's first capital. Here you'll visit the ruins of the temple of Ptah, the statue of King Ramses the 2nd and the Alabaster Sphinx of King Amenhopis the 2nd. A short drive from Memphis lays the oldest, ancient cemetery of Sakkara.
- Camel & Jeep Safari Tour: Upon arrival at Cairo, you'll proceed to the Giza Plateau where the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza still stand. Enjoy panoramic views from the Western Plateau, then stop at the middle pyramid where you can explore the site on your own.
- Pyramids & Nile In Style Tour: Your first stop is at the Giza Plateau. Here, the Great Pyramids stand majestically as a reminder of great times past. Then, it is on to the banks of the River Nile where a luxurious cruise boat awaits to take you on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago.
- Classic Cairo Tour: After a stop at the Giza Plateau to take in the breathtaking views of the Pyramids your tour continues to visit the Sphinx, the mysterious guardian of the desert. Then visit the National Archaeological Museum and acquaint yourself with Egypt's ancient history.
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The southern most Cycladic Island in the Aegean Sea owes its existence to the extraordinary Santorini Volcano. The ancient city at Akrotiri is the most important archaeological site on the island and the most important prehistoric settlement found anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Sample shore excursions:
- Greek Style Fiesta Tour: After your tender drops you at the port of Athinios, you'll drive to Pyrgos village, one of the oldest settlements and the highest village on the island. Admire the beautiful old houses and the Venetian fortress crowned by several churches.
- Volcano Hiking Tour: Board your local boat (caique) from the Old Port of Santorini for a 15-minute trip up to Nea Kameni. En route, admire the volcanic shores with the peculiar shape formations of the black volcanic rocks and the white pumice.
- Fira Museum & Oia Tour: Arriving at Fira you will walk a few feet along the narrow cobblestone streets to reach the Archaeological Museum. The Museum of 'Prehistoric Thera' as it is called, houses finds from various excavations all over the island but especially finds from the excavations at Akrotiri such as the famous wall paintings.
- Oia & Winery Tour: Seated on top of an impressive cliff, Oia offers an unrivaled spectacular view over the Aegean. This traditional village with charming houses and quaint narrow streets, blue domed churches, and sun-bathed verandas, houses plenty of shops, taverns and cafes. Many artists have fallen in love with this idyllic setting and their presence is obvious in the many art galleries.
- Charming Oia Village Tour: Leaving the port of Athinios you will head to the picturesque town of Oia. Built high up on the ridge of red rocks, it offers breathtaking views of the blue Aegean and the caldera below. You will leave your coach for a stroll around the narrow streets and have free time to visit art galleries, antique shops and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the coffee and pastry shops.
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The most modish of the Greek isles once served as a favourite rendezvous for the world’s famous. Here, the steep mountains to be encountered in the Cyclades give way to low, rocky hills that combine with superb beaches to make up the island’s landscapes.
Sample shore excursions:
- Magnificent Delos Tour: Not far from Mykonos lays the island of Delos, the island of light. According to mythology, Zeus, fell in love with a beautiful Titaness named Leto, who gave birth to twins: Artemis, goddess of the hunt and virginity, and Apollo, god of truth and light.
- Scenic Views Of Mykonos Tour: Mykonos Island is world-famous for its unique landscape, windmills, beautiful bays, superb beaches, white houses and churches with their red or blue domes.
- Street Party Time!: Considered one of the hidden surprises of Mykonos, Alefkantra has an amazing view of the island's beautiful windmills. Enjoy a buffet-style dinner of traditional Greek tastes while musicians and dancers entertain you. Local vendors will also demonstrate their crafts.
- Mykonos 4 X 4 Adventure Tour: Hop in your jeep and drive through the rugged terrain of Mykonos to the old lighthouse. Continue your drive to the Fragma and to Agios Ioannis, then follow the road to Kalo Livadi, arriving at Kalafatis Beach on the south-east of the island. As you explore the hidden corners of Mykonos Island you'll pass by Monastiri before arriving at Ano Mera Village. Here you'll enjoy some snacks and refreshments at the peaceful square of the village.
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Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents – Europe and Asia. Its old palaces, great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, and the Istanbul Strait are all worth seeing. The Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are impressive, unforgettable sites.
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