2008 Sunday departures (7 night cruise):
- October 19, 26
- November 2, 9,
2009 Saturday departures:
- March 28
- April 4 (6night)
Cruise from Piraeus to some of the most magnificent historical sites in the world! Our 7-day itinerary takes you on a cultural tour of Greece. Begin your journey to the past by visiting the imposing 3600 year old citadel of Mycenae, home of Agamemnon, the heroic warrior of Homer's Iliad. Continue on to the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Olympia, where spectacular remains stand testament to the pursuit of physical excellence in Ancient Greece. Experience the mountain serenity of the sanctuary of Delphi, considered the center of the Ancient World, where countless people would gather to consult Pythia, the Oracle. Pass through the world-famous Corinth canal, hewn from solid rock and admire it by night.
Explore Ancient Corinth, once the rival of Athens for supremacy in mainland Greece and Nemea, a sanctuary famous for the Nemean Games and for being the site where Herakles performed his first labor; killing the Lion of Nemea. Marvel at the magnificent theater of Epidavros, famed for its symmetry and astounding acoustics. Stand on top of the Acropolis, the political and religious heart of Ancient Athens, to see the renowned Parthenon. Amble around Athens' oldest modern district, Plaka, with its winding streets and painted houses.
- Our dock at the port for most of the day and night, only traveling for small lengths of time, giving you the opportunity to fully explore locations of interest.
- Aside from being both scenic and comfortable, it is the most convenient way to see to the most important classical ancient site of Greece, in a space of a week without hassle.
- During the 7-day Cultural Cruise you have the opportunity to select various optional excursions, to follow interesting lectures and discussions throughout the week, study additional material on the Classical World aboard, enjoy the local food and entertainment both on board and ashore.
This is a unique travel concept, aiming to make the Classical world fun and exciting by offering various excursions to the sites and by additional activities on board, such as lectures by expert academics and the ability to delve deeper into an area of interest by taking a book out of our classics library. We are committed to showing why Classics still matter nowadays, and to promoting events whose philosophy coincides with our own.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1:
- Port Piraeus/Athens
Day 2:
- Port Kiato
- Included Excursion: Mycenae
- Duration: Full day with lunch
You will journey to the infamous prehistoric citadel of Mycenae, home of Agamemnon, the Greek Commander-in-Chief during the Trojan War. These sombre and mighty ruins are vestiges of a kingdom which, for 400 years, was the most powerful in Greece. After a leisurely lunch in a restaurant nearby, it will be time to go back to the port of Kiato.
Day 3:
- Port: Patras
- Included Excursion: Olympia
- Duration: Full day with lunch
Throughout the ancient world, the Olympic Games stood as the pinnacle of athletic achievement and civic rivalry. At their birthplace, Ancient Olympia, the richness and quantity of the remaining structures and artifacts stand as a testament to the massive investment and preparation that went into hosting an event open to all the corners of the ancient world –you will not only see temples but the workshops, inns, gymnasium and training grounds. Take a tour around the sanctuary of Zeus to see some of the most imposing remains in Greece; the stoas and treasuries lining the sides of the sanctuary and the museum with its incredibly well preserved ancient sculpture, armor and athletic finds.
Hear the stories of the altar to Zeus which grew so high with the ash of sacrifices in his honor that in the 2nd century AD it stood over 20ft high! It was home to hundreds of statues of athletic victors and dedications by cities and states keen to shout loud about their achievements to the rest of the Greek world. The sanctuary was a notice board, a talking shop, a place of intense competition and prestige and over it all presided one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the gold and ivory statue of a seated Zeus, placed inside his temple, made by the great sculptor Pheidias. The statue was said to be so tall that if Zeus ever decided to stand up, he would take the roof of his temple up with him into the sky.
Day 4:
- Port: Itea
- Included Excursion: Delphi
- Duration: half day, no lunch
Mystical Delphi was regarded by the ancients as the center of the world. It was a sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo and contained his most famous oracle: the Pythian Priestess who would, when consulted, go into a frenzy inspired by the God and give his pronouncements on the future. Delphi was an international political center, where Greeks came to commemorate their victories and celebrate their cities, states and culture. Several bitter wars were fought over its ownership and eventually a compromise was reached in which it was supposedly neutral and independent. Dominated by the Temple of Apollo and set high up on the hill side overlooking the largest olive grove of the Mediterranean, the site has a timeless feel. Above the temple is a well preserved theater and stadium. The museum is magnificent, with beautiful artifacts from every era of the sanctuary’s activity- its treasuries were full to bursting with expensive treasures and offerings.
Day 5:
- Port: Corinth
- Included Excursion: Ancient Corinth and Nemea
- Duration: half day, no lunch
The tour will begin at the site of Ancient Corinth. There, you will see the magnificent remains of a powerful city-state, including its agora and one of the oldest standing temples in Greece. It is at Corinth that Paul came to convert the Ancient Greeks to Christianity. Next comes Ancient Nemea. You will be surprised by what this little known but important site has to offer: Hercules performed his first labour here- slaying the Lion of Nemea. The site also hosted the Nemean Games, one of the 4 Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. Nowadays, the surrounding region is famous for producing some of the finest wines in all of Greece.
Day 6:
- Port: Nafplio
- Included Excursion: Epidavros
- Duration: Half day without lunch
The Sanctuary of Askleipios at Epidavros is famed for its marvelous ancient theater with astounding acoustics. Pausanias, traveling in the 2nd Century AD, was full of praise for its symmetry and beauty. Many a visitor has climbed to the top row of the theater to marvel at the sound that travels from the stage area. Beautifully situated in a lush green landscape, several people set out for Epidavros in the summer months to watch plays, mainly Ancient Greek tragedies and comedies.
Day 7:
- Port: Piraeus (near Athens)
- Included Excursion: Athens Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum
- Duration: Full day with lunch
On to Athens, the “cradle of democracy”. Our visit will take us to the very heart of the ancient city, the Acropolis, the political and religious center of Ancient Greece: there sits the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world. After lunch in Plaka, in the picturesque center of “old” Athens, the tour will end with the National Archaeological Museum. It is full of captivating artifacts, many from sites that you will have visited earlier on in the tour, thus bringing you full circle in your voyage.
Day 8. At leisure in Athens. Overnight Hotel Philippos.
Day 9. At leisure in Athens. Overnight Hotel Philippos.
Day 10. After breakfast, end of tour.
(Remark: If it's more convenient for you ,you can
have the two nights stay in Athens before the cruise)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The price includes:
7 day/nights cruise as per program
Accommodation in twinbedded inside standard cabin (12 m2) w/o window. Private facilities and A/C.
Continental breakfast and one main meal daily.
Shore excursions (6) by coach,archaeological guide/lecturer.
All admission fees to the sites and museums.
Transfer to embarkation port.
Two nights bed/breakfast in Athgens - hotel Philippos (or similar)
Not included:
- Port taxes and fuel surcharge: $244 p.p.
- Supplement for twin bedded superior cabin (20 m2) with window: $260.- p.p.
- Supplement for Panoramic suite (23 m2) with panoramic windows $435 p.p.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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