8
DAY / 7 NIGHT
"HIGHLIGHTS
OF GREECE
AND
TURKEY
"
2011 EXCURSION PROGRAM
|
HERAKLION, GREECE
|
 |
Knossos
Palace
(HER
– 02) Half day
Crete
is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also
the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological home of
Zeus. After a short drive through the town of
Heraklion
the tour will arrive at the
Knossos
excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries
revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire
flourished on the
island
of
Crete
. Based on the wealth of artefacts that were found, Evans theorized
that this was the site of the ancient
Minoan
Kingdom
. These findings will be viewed in detail, as your guide will lead you
on a journey of discovery to learn of the sophisticated culture that
flourished thousands of years ago on this island. The Palace,
decorated with frescoes and shields houses the Hall of the Royal
Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King’s Chamber with the
alabaster throne, the Queen’s Apartment, beautiful courtyards and
shrines. Having visited this remarkable site your coaches will take
you back to the Venetian lion-guarded
port
of
Heraklion
to rejoin your ship.
REMARKS
Walking
in the archaeological site of
Knossos
will be on uneven gravel surfaces. Passengers may not be allowed to
enter the site with big bags/rucksacks.
A
Taste of
Crete
(HER
– 04) Half day
The
tour begins from the Venetian lion-guarded
port
of
Heraklion
with a drive through the city to the famous wine producing area of
Peza, south of Heraklion. The drive is through breathtaking landscape
of countryside and vineyards as old as Minoan times. The first stop is
a modern winery, where you will see the updated methods of wine making
and sample some of the delicious Cretan wines. The drive continues
through rural villages to the
village
of
Archanes
, the municipality in the area. On the way, a photo stop is made at
Vathypetro to view one of the oldest farmhouses in
Crete
, dating to the Minoan period 16th
Century
B.C.. The tour continues through the island’s hilly countryside
where olive groves and vineyards existed from as far back as 4,000
years. Arriving at the
village
of
Archanes
, which is situated
10 km
south of the
Palace
of
Knossos
, you will visit the quaint market town of Archanes characterised by
many restored sandstone houses dating from the Turkish period. At a
taverna in the village’s tree-shaded square, you will sample an
assortment of Cretan snacks and locally produced wine, and have a
chance to mingle with many of the locals themselves while listening to
typical Greek live music. You will have free time to browse before the
return drive to the
port
of
Heraklion
and the ship.
Cretan
experience (HER
– 06) Full day with lunch
This
is a unique combined tour to discover the mountains and the coast of
the
island
of
Crete
. Departure from Heraklion port. On the way our first stop is at
Panagia Kera Kardiotisa Monastery, a Byzantine monastery of the 14th
century famous for its beautiful frescoes. In the middle of the
mountains we will discover a magnificent plateau situated at a height
of 820-
850 m
. It is surrounded by precipitous mountain peaks, all more than
1,000 m
high, forming a strong natural fortification that has only eight
relatively accessible passes. Lassithi Plateau is well known for the
thousands of white sailed windmills,
10,000 in
all, designed by Venetian engineers in 1464 and used for irrigation.
Although very few windmills are in use today, it still makes a
splendid sight against the mountains and sky. Photo stop at Seli to
enjoy Panoramic view of the Plateau. Continue drive to Psichro. The
mountains hide many caves, but we will visit the most important. The
cave Dictaion Andron was one of the most important cult places of
Minoan Crete and the birthplace of Zeus according to Greek Mythology.
The cave was only rediscovered in 1880, it contained relics from
middle Minoan up to archaic times. Afterward your journey will bring
you to
Lassinthos
Eco
Park
where visitors can get in contact with nature and the cultivation of
land . Guest learns the secrets of the Cretan cuisine by enjoying a
pure village style lunch with Cretan Specialties. After lunch you will
have the possibility to visit different workshops of the
Cretan Art & culture (Workshop of woodcarving ,Aromatic Plants
Standardization ,Honey Standardization ,Workshop of Weaving Art
,Workshop of Waxwork ,Workshop of Ceramic Art )or the
Eco
Park
with different animals of the Cretan countryside. Departure from
Lassinthos via Mochos village, a unique route where they can enjoy a
superb breathtaking panoramic view of the whole north coast to
Hersonissos a little port town and holiday area offering a nice
promenade full of shops ,cafes, bars etc. Here you will have free time
for shopping before your return to Heraklion port.
REMARKS
Drinks
are not included in the meal.
|
ISTANBUL,
TURKEY
|
|
Highlights
of
Istanbul
(IST
– 03) Full day with lunch
Begin
the excursion with a drive through the business centre of the modern
city, across the
Galata
Bridge
, along the banks of the
Golden Horn
and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens. On the way, you can see
the Süleymaniye Mosque, dedicated to Sultan Süleyman The
Magnificent. Continue around the mighty city walls, which once
protected
Constantinople
from the many invasions and attacks it suffered over the centuries. In
the
Old
City
, the first visit will be to the Byzantine Hippodrome, which was once
one of the largest chariot race arenas in the
Byzantine Empire
. Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque, where large groups of pilgrims start
their pilgrimage to
Mecca
. It is decorated with 21,000 blue Iznik tiles from where it gets its
name, the “Blue Mosque”. Walk to the famous Hagia Sophia, the
Byzantine Church of Divine Wisdom, where you can admire the superb
mosaics and the marble decorations. Walk through the large gardens to
Konyali Restaurant and experience typical Turkish cuisine. After
lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the magnificent
Topkapi
Palace
, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans. See the famous
treasury and the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”, the 7th
biggest
diamond in the world.
During
the tour you will also have the opportunity to get a cultural taste of
Turkey
by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewellery or leather
goods.
REMARKS
Shoulders
and knees must be covered while visiting the Mosque and shoes must be
removed.
Scenic
Bosphorus Cruise (IST
– 04) Half day
Start
the tour with a short drive through the modern city of
Istanbul
, crossing the
Galata
Bridge
en route to the
Golden Horn
. The impressive Süleymaniye Mosque, built by Turkish architect Sinan
and dedicated to Sultan Süleyman The Magnificent, can be seen on the
way. At the
Golden Horn
, take a short walk to the Cruise Boat Station where your private boat
will be waiting for your exciting trip on the Bosphorus. You will sail
past Dolmabahce and Ciragan Palaces built on the European shore, glide
under the
Bosphorus
Bridge
and past
Beylerbeyi
Palace
, Anatolian Fortress and Kanlica on the Asian shore. You will have the
chance to take amazing photographs sailing between these two
continents.
Secret
Treasures of
Istanbul
(IST
– 05) Full day with lunch
This
tour is designed to give you a glimpse of the best and the most famous
monuments in
Istanbul
remaining from the
Byzantine Empire
era. Depart from the pier for an interesting tour of
Istanbul
with a city sightseeing drive through the business centre of the
modern city, across the
Galata
Bridge
, along the banks of the
Golden Horn
and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens. On the way, you can see
the Süleymaniye Mosque dedicated to Sultan Süleyman The Magnificent,
built by the famous Turkish Architect, Sinan. Arrive at
Chora
Museum
. This 11th
Century
church
of
St. Savior
in Chora is the most important Byzantine monument in
Istanbul
after St. Sophia museum. There is a collection of 14th
Century frescoes, gold-inlaid mosaics and some of the World’s finest
Byzantine paintings. Continue with a drive along the ancient Byzantine
city walls to the Byzantine Hippodrome where the chariot races and
celebrations in honour of the emperors, once took place during the
Byzantine era. Visit the ancient
church
of
St. Sergius
and Bachus which belonged to the monastery of Hormisdas and was built
as the result of a vow made by Justinian when he was on the point of
being executed for conspiring against his predecessor. The tour
continues with a visit to an Underground Cistern, consisting of a
network of waterways built as far back as the 3rd Century
B.C., to protect the city against long sieges. Continue to Balat area,
another historical part of
Istanbul
, for lunch at the restaurant. After lunch, visit The Patriarchate
which is located just
50 m
away from the restaurant or just relax strolling along the
Golden Horn
. Drive to Rustem Pasha Mosque, located at Eminonu close to the Spice
Market. This Mosque was built by Sinan in 1550 for Rustem Pasha, a
grand vizier who married one of the daughters of Süleyman The
Magnificent. Inside and on the façade you can see some beautiful
Iznik faience. The Mihrab, completely covered with faience tiles and
the Mimbar are particularly striking.
REMARKS
Includes
visit to religious sites, knees and shoulders must be covered and shoes
are not permitted in the mosques.
|
IZMIR, TURKEY
|
|
Izmir
City Tour
(ISM
– 01) Half day
Izmir
is
Turkey
's third largest city, with an inhabited area of more than 12,000 km2
and a population of over 3 million. It has always been famous for its
port, which is one of the most important in the country for trade and
exports of dried figs, sultanas and hazelnuts, and at first glance
looks like an extremely modern city. But traces of
Izmir
's ancient past will appear before your eyes in all their magnificence
amidst the skyscrapers and concrete apartment blocks. Indeed, right in
the heart of the city you can admire the remains of the ancient agora,
built during the Roman period by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 178
B.C.. It was used for political gatherings and elections by the
representatives of the Roman government, but was also the main
commercial area of the city. Your local guide will show you the only
two-storey agora known to scholars: the first floor was reserved for
wholesale trade, with workshops, cooling cisterns and warehouses for
goods, whilst the second floor was designed for political meetings and
retail trade. Many of the exhibits on display at
Izmir
's
New
Archaeological
Museum
, another remarkable stop on your itinerary, were discovered in the
agora. The Museum's three large galleries (dedicated to statues,
objects and ceramics respectively) are equipped with a modern lighting
system that will guide you through the numerous precious exhibits on
an evocative journey through history.
Pergamum
(ISM
– 02) Half day
Depart
from the
port
of
Izmir
for an itinerary of great historical interest which will take you, in
more or less 1 ½ hours,
to
Pergamum
. The main centre, together with
Alexandria
, of the Hellenistic civilisation in the East and capital of the Roman
province of Asia,
Pergamum
enjoyed over three centuries of economical prosperity which resulted
in exceptional cultural and artistic development. It is possible to
appreciate the ability of Greek and Roman architects in developing
this challenging location to the urbanistic requirements of a great
capital city. You will visit the "ASKELEPION" complex built
to honour ASCLEPIO, god of medicine (ESCULAPIO for the Romans), former
place of worship and therapeutical centre among the most celebrated in
the ancient world. After a short drive you will board the cable car
and where en-route you will enjoy an awesome scenery. You will then
reach the ACROPOLIS which dominates the surrounding plain from a
height of
275 m
. Originally fenced by three walls, of which few traces remain, on
this rocky spur many temples, palaces, public and private buildings
were erected. After this wonderful visit you will re-board the cable
car and reach the parking lot. Return to
Izmir
and the ship.
|
KUSADASI, TURKEY
|
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Ephesus & the House
of Virgin Mary (KUS-01) Half day
(KUS-01) Half day
Drive
through the colourful town of
Kusadasi
to
reach
Mt.
Koressos. Situated in a small valley, the humble chapel lies on the
site of the little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have
spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the Christian
World still favours this belief and the site has been officially
sanctioned by the
Vatican
for pilgrimage. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus accompanied by your
guide walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the
ancient city of
Ephesus
. Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most
magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall),
the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the
Temple
of
Hadrian
and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the
largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats where
St. Paul
preached. Walk back to the coach along the
Arcadian Way
, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. While
driving back to Kusadasi and just outside
Ephesus
, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in
the 6th
Century
A.D. by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, get a
cultural taste of
Turkey
by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewellery or leather
goods.
REMARKS
Tour
not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties.
Ancient
Ephesus (KUS-02)
Half day
Drive
through the colourful town of
Kusadasi
and along the coast to reach
Ephesus
, famous in antiquity for its
Temple
of
Diana
- one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - and later the home
of
St. John
. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek
port
of
Ephesus
became the greatest city in
Asia Minor
. Upon arrival at
Ephesus
follow your guide to enter the ancient site through the Magnesian
Gate. Discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon,
the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great
Theatre built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period,
which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. View the symbols
all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the
inscriptions in the ancient Greek language. Walk back to your coach
along the
Arcadian Way
, where once Mark Anthony and Cleopatra rode in procession. As you
drive back to Kusadasi, on a hill above Selcuk, just outside
Ephesus
, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in
the 6th
Century
A.D. by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, get a
cultural taste of
Turkey
by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewellery or leather
goods.
REMARKS
Tour
not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties.
|
MYKONOS, GREECE
|
|
Mykonos
Walking Tour (MYK-01) Half
day
Mykonos
is world famous. It is the most cosmopolitan of the
Greek
Islands
and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large
numbers of artists and intellectuals. Your coach will take you to
“Hora” the island’s capital where you will enjoy a walking tour
in the narrow cobbled streets of the town, passing by chic boutiques,
elegant nightclubs and white–washed houses until reaching Alefkandra.
Alefkandra is a charming corner of Hora, known also as the “
Venice
” of
Mykonos
. The houses are built on the sea, with wooden balconies that evoke
Venice
. These were built from the mid. 18th Century onward and
were homes of wealthy merchants and captains. At Louis Theoxenia
Hotel, you will enjoy the atmosphere while drinking your refreshment
accompanied by Greek ‘meze’. You will return then to
Mykonos
Town
(Hora) from where you will take the ship’s shuttle service back to
the port to meet your ship.
Delos
Apollo Sanctuary
(MYK
– 03) Half
day
Delos,
once a
Sacred
Island
, is the legendary birthplace of the Sun God Apollo and his twin
sister Artemis. For 500 years, tiny Delos was the religious &
commercial hub of the entire
Aegean
. Today, the only remaining inhabitants are the keepers of its
treasured ruins. Depart from the
port
of
Mykonos
by boat, and sail along the western coast of the island, through
Diles & Rhenia
Islands
, to the ancient
harbour
of
Delos
where you begin the guided walking tour. First you see Agora and
beyond it, the
Sacred Way
, which leads to the
Temple
of
Apollo
. Next, you see the remains of a Hellenistic Quarter with its harbour,
water house and luxurious villas, such as the House of Cleopatra, the
House of the Dolphins, the House of the Masks, the House of Dionysos,
and many other interesting buildings. Note the architecture and the
mosaic floors, which have survived over 2,500 years. Continue and
admire the spectacular Avenue of the Lions, where five Naxian marble
lions from the 7th
Century
B.C. crouch, vigilantly guarding the now dry sacred lake. Re-board the
boat for the return journey to
Mykonos
town. Here you will have the chance to walk along the cobblestone
streets of this famous island with its numerous shops, cafés and
restaurants before you return to the port to re-join the ship.
REMARKS
Please
note that the cruise from Mykonos to
Delos
is approx. 45 minutes.
Tour
not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties and it is
subject to sea conditions.
|
PATMOS, GREECE
|
|
St.
John's Monastery & Grotto of the Apocalypse
(PAT-01)
Half day
Depart
from the
port
of
Scala
and enjoy a short drive to the
village
of
Chora
, where the Monastery of
St. John
is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk
uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this
magnificent structure, which was built 900 years ago. View the
courtyard, the monks’ dining room and the old bakery before you
visit the main church noted for its outstanding frescoes and interior
decoration. Next, visit the small museum where priceless
ecclesiastical treasures, books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, splendid
medieval textiles, vestments and jewellery are housed. Return to your
motor coach and continue to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse and
the Monastery of the Apocalypse above it. Walk down the steps to the
Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the niches in the wall
that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the
Book of the Revelation and the crack in the rock made by the voice of
God honouring the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the
port
of
Scala
and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque town.
REMARKS
Tour
not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties.
Includes
visit to religious sites, knees and shoulders must be covered.
Scenic
Island Tour
(PAT-02)
Half day
An
interesting scenic island tour has been designed for those passengers
who prefer to discover the beauties of
Patmos
from the comfort of an air-conditioned motor coach. Start the tour
from the
port
of
Scala
and drive to the central part of the island “Chora” which is the
location of the Majestic Byzantine Monastery of St. John the Divine,
built in 1088. Your sightseeing will first bring you to the Grotto of
the Apocalypse, and then to the windmills of Chora, once upon a time
the landmark of all Aegean Islands, from where you will enjoy a
beautiful view and have the chance to take photos. Afterwards,
continue around the island to see its landscape of outstanding natural
beauty comprising of rocky hills, dozens of tongues of land reaching
out into the sea, tranquil beaches and many picturesque inlets. Before
arriving at the port, a stop of 10 minutes is made at the square at
Kambos in the north part of island. The tour ends at the
port
of
Scala
to enjoy free time in the quaint and picturesque little town. A
refreshment or a coffee will be offered at Arion Café, the oldest and
most beautiful café of the town.
REMARKS
Includes
visit to religious sites, knees and shoulders must be covered.
