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8 Days (7 Nights) Round trip from Marina Zea (Athens) -
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Marina
Zea
Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome
drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival
and dinner on board.
Day 2 - Palaia
Epidaurus (excursion)
We leave our ship early
in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world
as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius and for
its theater, which is once again in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general
Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The
prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic
monuments, including a huge theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and
beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.
Day 3 - Nafplion/Mycenae
(excursion)
After a short walking tour of Nafplion,
drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae. The
importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around
1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the
ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and
the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to
Gythion.
Day 4 - Gythion
(excursion)
Early morning arrival to Gythion.
Excursion to Mani peninsula andCape Tenaro plus the spectacular
DirouCaves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited
during prehistoric times and was used later by the Spartans as a port, since by enlarging the
natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base.
Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros
and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60's, which are perhaps among the most
important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a
short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any
other area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept
landscapes and towers who is strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.
Day 5 - Pylos
(excursion)
Pylos, is a picture-perfect
seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other
city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This
defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. After stopping to admire the
scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace
occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was
discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl
Blegen.
Highlights
include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated
belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two
stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit to the remains of the palace,
we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds
thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.
Day 6 - Katakolon/Olympia
(excursion)
Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will
disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and travel by bus
to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient
world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In the
ancient Greek world, it was also the greatest panhellenic sanctuary for the worship
of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd
century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the
ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward excavation work, spearheaded primarily by
the German government, revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit
today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is
the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will also
explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion, lodging
place for the athletes who participated in the games.
We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most
beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit
the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main
archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts
specifically related to the ancient Olympic games. After having time at leisure we
will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will
re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at
Itea.
Day 7 - Itea/Delphi
(excursion)
Morning excursion to Delphi,
one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this
morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece,
Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much for the
stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In
its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the
site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world.
Indeed, because everything in Greece is connected to
mythology, Delphi became the premier site for the worship of the god Apollo. The oracle had
the ability to prophecy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world
traveled here to consult with the oracle, and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the
form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the
adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we
sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.
Day 8 - Marina Zea
(Athens)
Disembarkation after
breakfast.
2012
- 2013 Departures
|
Depart
|
Disembark
|
Nights
|
Cruise
Code
|
Season
|
Discount
|
|
2-Nov-12
|
9-Nov-12
|
7
|
HAV41215 |
High
|
25%
|
|
9-Nov-12
|
16-Nov-12
|
7
|
HAV41222 |
High
|
25%
|
|
16-Nov-12
|
23-Nov-12
|
7
|
HAV41229 |
Low
|
25%
|
|
23-Nov-12
|
1-Mar-13
|
7
|
HAV41236 |
Low
|
25%
|
|
1-Mar-13
|
8-Mar-13
|
7
|
HAV41334 |
Low
|
25%
|
|
8-Mar-13
|
15-Mar-13
|
7
|
HAV41341 |
Low
|
25%
|
|
15-Mar-13
|
22-Mar-13
|
7
|
HAV41348 |
Low
|
25%
|
|
22-Mar-13
|
29-Mar-13
|
7
|
HAV41355 |
Low
|
25%
|
|
29-Mar-13
|
5-Apr-13
|
7
|
HAV41362 |
High
|
25%
|
|
5-Apr-13
|
12-Apr-13
|
7
|
HAV41369 |
High
|
25%
|
|
12-Apr-13
|
19-Apr-13
|
7
|
HAV41376 |
High
|
25%
|
|
19-Apr-13
|
26-Apr-13
|
7
|
HAV41383 |
High
|
25%
|
Cruise
Rates
|
Category
|
Low Season
Rates
|
High Season Rates
|
|
C - Lower Deck
- Twin or double bedded cabins
|
$1,100
|
$1,250
|
|
B - Main Deck
- Twin bedded cabins
|
$1,490
|
$1,650
|
|
A - Main Deck
- Twin bedded cabins
|
$1,750
|
$1,950
|
|
P - Upper
Deck - Double bedded cabins
|
$2,150
|
$2,390
|
|
Reduction for
3rd passenger in Category C
|
-30%
|
-30%
|
|
Single Supplement
|
+30%
|
+30%
|
|
Port Charges
|
$240
|
$240
|
|
Excursion Package (including
lectures from expert Guest Speaker)
|
$460
|
$460
|
Conditions & Restrictions
All offers apply to a limited number of cabins and DO NOT apply to Category C
cabins or for group bookings. All
offers are available for reservations made until August 31, 2012.
Port charges are excluded from these
discounts.
All reservations are on request and on first come first served
basis.
Can not be combined with any current or future offers.
Cruise fares are per person and week and include:
- Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air
conditioning.
- Full board : American buffet breakfast and two additional meals daily,
including a Welcome Cocktail, Greek Night, fun BBQ (weather permitting) and Captain’s
Dinner.
- Regular (filter) coffee , tea and water free all day.
- Use of fishing and snorkeling equipment (subject to availability).
- English Speaking Cruise Escort.
- VAT.
Not included:
- Beverages (except those mentioned above)
- Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements
- Crew tips.
- Passenger personal expenses
- Passenger Visas whenever required
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