“THE LIGHT OF GREECE OPENED MY EYES, PENETRATED MY PORES, EXPANDED MY WHOLE BEING”

HENRY MILLER

Athens to Athens

For mouthwatering natural beauty and outstanding archaeological sites, there are few journeys in the world that can compare with this two-week cruise of the Greek Islands and the coast of Turkey. The quality of the light, the clear waters of the Aegean and the drama of the landscape have inspired writers, poets and artists since the time of Homer. From the emergence of the Minoans on Crete to the flourishing of Ancient Greek culture and the epic struggle between east and west that raged since King Darius reigned Persia to the age of the Crusades, it is here that much of the history of western civilisation has been played out.
Includes 2 nights pre-cruise stay at Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens

Departure dates:

Oct 16, 2012

date	port	Arrive	Depart
16 Oct TUE	ATHENS, Greece Arrive and transfer to hotel
17 Oct WED	ATHENS, Greece Morning city tour including the ACROPOLIS and Museum, free afternoon to explore
18 Oct THU	PIRAEUS, Greece Free morning in Athens, afternoon transfer to PIRAEUS to board Aegean Odyssey	embark	10.00 pm
19 Oct FRI	NAUPLIA, Greece Tour the ancient city of MYCENAE, afternoon to explore NAUPLIA or EPIDAURUS	7.00 am	10.00pm
20 Oct SAT	MONEMVASIA, Greece Morning town walking tour, including Christos Elkomenos Cathedral. Afternoon to explore	7.00 am	10.00 pm
21 Oct SUN	RETHIMNON, Crete, Greece Morning tour: Minoan site at KNOSSOS. An opportunity for free afternoon in Venetian Chania in the afternoon	7.00 am	6.30pm
22 Oct MON	RHODES, Greece Morning tour to Old Town of RHODES, including Citadel of the Knights of St John	9.00am	8.00pm
23 Oct TUE	DELOS, Greece Morning island tour: Sanctuary of Apollo, Avenue of the Lions, Sacred Harbour	8.00am	1.00pm
23 Oct TUE	MYKONOS, Greece Afternoon at leisure	2.00pm	11.00pm
24 Oct WED	SAMOS, Greece Visit Archaeology Museum in VATHY, Heraion, Museum of Wine	7.00am	noon
24 Oct WED	KUSADASI, Turkey Afternoon sightseeing: the ancient Roman city of EPHESUS	2.00pm	overnight
25 Oct THU	KUSADASI, Turkey Full day excursion to APHRODISIAS		8.00pm
26 Oct FRI	AT SEA Lectures on board
27 Oct SAT	ISTANBUL, Turkey Morning city sightseeing including BLUE MOSQUE, HAGIA SOPHIA, Topkapi Palace. Free afternoon or optional Bosphorus tour.	7.00am	overnight
28 Oct SUN	ISTANBUL, Turkey A choice between the included tours: SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE, Church of St Saviour at CHORA, or Archaeological Museum & CISTERNS		noon
28 Oct SUN	DARDANELLES, Turkey Cruising through the DARDANELLES
29 Oct MON	MOUNT ATHOS, Greece Cruise past MOUNT ATHOS en route to Skiathos
29 Oct MON	SKIATHOS, Greece Afternoon at leisure	3.00pm	6.00pm
30 Oct TUE	PIRAEUS, Greece Disembark and transfer to Athens Airport for the flight home	disembark