College Study Tours

GREEK ISLAND CRUISE 4 Days | | | | | Crete | Santorini CRUISE DETAILS Mykonos | Samos | Patmos | Rhodes | Crete | Santorini

Cruise company 1. You can purchase several excursions through Celestyal Cruises while on-board the ship (at a fee that they will determine). While EF uses Celestyal Cruises (formerly known as Louis Cruises) for you can pay for these with cash, we highly recommend using a all of our Greek Island cruises. The name of your cruise ship will credit card. be available approximately two weeks prior to your departure. 2. You can choose from one of EF’s two shore excursion packages, which can be purchased before your program. Please note, if you Accommodations and amenities purchase either of the below, you will only have time to go on the Cabins on the ship are smaller than normal hotel rooms. Each cabin excursions that are included within your selected package. Also, has air conditioning and a private bathroom. Groups should expect the excursions are non-exchangeable. to stay in lower-level cabins, which may be interior facing. All student Option 1: EF’s 3 island package ($210) – This includes visits to: travelers will be accommodated in triples or quads. Twin and single cabins are available with a rooming upgrade. Amenities on the 1. Samos: Vathi, Heraion, and Pythagorion ship may include restaurants, pool, casino, library, internet access, 2. Patmos: the Monastery of St. John and Grotto of exercise room, live entertainment, and a discotheque. the Apocalypse 3. Rhodes: Rhodes and Lindos excursion Payments on-board Option 2: EF’s 4 island package ($280) – This includes visits to: The currency used on-board is the Euro (€). A mandatory shipboard account is opened for each traveler at the beginning of the cruise. 1. Samos: Vathi, Heraion, and Pythagorion A credit card or €50 deposit is required in order to open an account 2. Patmos: the Monastery of St. John and Grotto of (debit cards or personal checks are not accepted). While travelers can the Apocalypse use cash, we highly suggest using a credit card for a much smoother 3. Rhodes: Rhodes and Lindos excursion process. All on-board expenses including shore excursions, gift 4. Santorini: Oia Village shop purchases, etc. are charged to your shipboard account. Upon All excursions (including those in EF’s two packages) are detailed on disembarkation, travelers may settle their accounts using MasterCard, the following pages. Here are a few helpful tips for all of them: Visa, or American Express credit cards, or cash. –– Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. –– For visits to religious sites, bare shoulders and shorts Meals and drinks are not permitted. Your cruise includes all meals, with full American breakfasts (6am– –– Bring water. 9am), lunch buffets (12pm–2pm), tea on deck (5pm), and buffet-style and seated dinners (6:45pm or 7:45pm). If any of your travelers have Itinerary details food allergies, make sure to alert your Program Coordinator at least PORT DAY ARRIVAL DEPARTURE four weeks before departure. Drinks are not included, although Piraeus Fri Embark 11am travelers can purchase a drink package at the beginning of the cruise. Mykonos Fri 6pm 11pm –– All-inclusive, non-alcoholic beverages approx. €52 Samos Sat 5:15am* 1:45pm –– All-inclusive approx. €87 (Available to travelers ages 21 and older. Patmos Sat 4pm 9pm Passport required to verify age.) Heraklion Sun 7am 11:30am Santorini Sun 4:30pm 9pm Dress Piraeus Mon 6am Disembark While the dress code on-board is mostly casual, some evening *You’ll disembark the cruise ship at 4:30 a.m., then travel by speedboat to Samos. This activities may require semi-formal attire. Additionally, most cruises schedule was made to reroute the group from Turkey to due to current political include a Greek Night, where travelers are encouraged to dress in events. Itineraries are subject to change. blue and white. Legend Tipping Gratuities for cruise staff are included in your EF program price. Your Religious sites Tour Director will be with you throughout the cruise. With this in mind, please make sure to recognize their service and tip accordingly. We Moderate walking recommend $6 per person per day. Extensive walking Shore excursions Various shore excursions are available throughout the cruise, and feature incredible sights that perfectly complement your comprehensive itinerary. The Mykonos shuttle excursion is included as part of your cruise at no additional cost, while the rest of the excursions can be purchased in one of two ways: MYKONOS stan GREECE One of Greece’s Islands, Mykonos was ruled by the Venetians in the 13th and 14th centuries, and was later TURKEY under Turkish occupation. Today, the quaint, winding streets of the Old Town are perfect for browsing trendy boutiques thens Samos onos and crafts shops. Patmos

Santorini Rhodes rete

Mykonos round-trip shuttle excursion Mykonos walking tour (Now included as part of your cruise) (Approximately €15) Includes: Travel by shuttle bus Time: Approximately 3.5 hours Time: 3 hours Your coach bus will take you to Hora, where you will enjoy a walking tour. As you venture along the town’s cobbled streets, you’ll pass chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs, and whitewashed Mykonos (also known as Hora) is located just 1.5 miles from houses. Continue on to Alefkandra—which, as mentioned your dock. You can take a round-trip shuttle there and explore previously—is known as the “Little Venice” of Mykonos. Take the island’s largest town on your own. Brilliant, whitewashed time to marvel at the surrounding houses, which were built architecture is around every corner, including the iconic starting in the mid-18th century, and were once home to wealthy Mykonos windmills and the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, one merchants and captains. Afterward, you’ll head to Hora, where of the most famous structures in Greece. Be on the lookout for the ship’s shuttle service will take you back to your ship. Three Well Square (Tria Pigadia), where a local legend states that an unmarried woman who drinks from each of the wells will soon find a husband. Mykonian feast (Approximately €40) Includes: Museum entrance; tasting at a tavern Countryside tours of Hora and Little Venice Time: Approximately 3.5 hours (Approximately €45) Includes: Travel by motorcoach Stroll through Hora’s cobbled streets, walking past chic Time: Approximately 3.5 hours boutiques and whitewashed houses. Head to Kastro, home of the famous Church of Panagia Paraportiani. Here, you’ll visit This excursion sets off from Hora, then makes a stop at the some of the smaller chapels, as well as the Mykonos Folklore leeward beach of Ornos, a picturesque fishing harbor and a Museum,* which shows what Mykonian life looked like 100 years popular anchorage. Afterward, you’ll head to the small beach ago. From Kastro, continue to beautiful Alefkandra, where you of Agia Anna, then on to the lovely Kalafatis Beach. During can see charming windmills and magnificent sunsets. Later, your journey back to Hora, you’ll visit the traditional village of head to a local tavern, where you can immerse yourself in Ano Mera and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in genuine Greek culture by enjoying a delicious Greek meal. Here, 1542. The pretty village square is the perfect spot for a short you’ll also get to experience Greek music and dances. picture-taking break. Later, you’ll stop at Paraportiani as well as the Mykonos Folklore Museum, which is located in an old two- *In the event that the Folklore Museum is closed, we will visit the Aegean Maritime storied merchant baron’s house. Finally, you’ll make your way to Museum, which displays scale models of various rowing boats, sailing vessels, and Alefkandra. This charming area is known as the “Little Venice” of steam-powered ships. Mykonos because its houses are built on the sea, with wooden balconies that are reminiscent of the Italian city. SAMOS stan GREECE Ruled by legend and beauty, Samos is located in the eastern . This picturesque Greek island is known as TURKEY the home of Pythagoras, the father of mathematics, and the legendary birthplace of Hera. The excursion below is thens Samos onos included within our optional EF packages, both of which can Patmos be purchased at the prices listed on page 1. However, the excursion can also be purchased separately while on-board, Santorini Rhodes directly through Celestyal Cruises. If you buy it on-board, the rete cruise company will determine the fee.

Group Leaders can also choose to take their travelers onto Samos without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy breakfast followed by free time on the island.

Vathi, Heraion, and Pythagorio (Approximately €66, or included as part of EF’s 3 island and 4 island packages) Includes: Travel by motorcoach; walking tour Time: Approximately 3 hours

Upon disembarking the ship, enjoy breakfast before an orientation walk through the town of Vathi. Here, you’ll see the bustling main square, St. Spyridon church, and the town hall. Afterward, visit the Samos Wine Museum to view wooden casks from the early 20th century as well as traditional wine making tools and exhibits. Continue to the archaeological site of Heraion, a large sanctuary to the goddess Hera. The site was designated a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Pythagoreion, an archaeological site containing ancient Greek and Roman monuments.

You’ll then return by bus to Pythagorio village, namesake of the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, Pythagoras. Encircled by crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, Pythagorio provides classic postcard views of life along the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a walking tour through the narrow streets and alleyways before enjoying free time to explore the town on your own. PATMOS stan GREECE Reunited with Greece in 1948, Patmos is one of the 12 Dodecanese Islands that extend off the western coast of TURKEY Turkey. Despite many centuries of foreign rule, Patmos has thens Samos long retained its Greek language and culture. onos Patmos The excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. Santorini Rhodes rete Group Leaders can also choose to take their travelers onto Patmos without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island.

St. John’s Monastery and Patmos countryside tour Grotto of the Apocalypse (Approximately €65) (Approximately €65, or included as part Includes: Travel by motorcoach of EF’s 3 island and 4 island packages) Time: Approximately 2 hours Includes: Travel by motorcoach; walking tour Time: Approximately 2 hours This is a captivating, scenic island tour designed for those travelers who prefer to discover the beauties of Patmos from

the comfort of a motorcoach. Start the tour from the port of Depart from the port of Scala and enjoy a short drive to the Scala and drive to Chora in the central part of the island. Your village of Chora, where the Monastery of St. John is built within sightseeing will first bring you to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill toward the and then to the windmills of Chora, once the landmark of all entrance of the monastery, marvel at this magnificent Byzantine Aegean Islands, from where you will enjoy a beautiful view and structure, which was built 900 years ago. View the courtyard, have the chance to take photos. Afterward, continue around the monks’ dining room, and the old bakery before you visit the the island to see its beautiful landscape of rocky hills, tranquil Byzantine Church of St. John, noted for its outstanding frescoes beaches, and stunning inlets. After this excursion through the and interior decoration. Next, visit the small museum where island, the tour will conclude in the port of Scala where you will priceless books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, and textiles are enjoy some free time in the picturesque town; you may wish housed. Continue on to the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the to stop at the Arion Café, the oldest and most beautiful café in Monastery of the Apocalypse above it. Walk down the steps to town. (Visitors wearing shorts may not enter the Monastery or the Grotto where you will see the niches in the wall that mark Grotto. Female visitors to the Monastery must wear clothing that the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book covers their shoulders. Also, a strenuous uphill walk is required of the Revelation. The crack in the rock is said to be made by to reach the Monastery.) the voice of God honoring the Holy Trinity. (Visitors wearing shorts may not enter the Monastery or Grotto. Female visitors to the Monastery must wear clothing that covers their shoulders. Traditional feast in Patmos Also, a strenuous uphill walk is required to reach the Monastery.) (Approximately €56) Includes: Travel by motorcoach Time: Half day Agriolivado beach (Approximately €20) Board an air-conditioned bus in Scala and enjoy a picturesque Includes: Travel by motorcoach drive into the hills of Patmos. You’ll ride through many of the Time: Half day island’s beautiful villages, and gain stunning views of the Aegean. After leaving the bus, you’ll take a scenic walk to the tavern. Here, you’ll meet friendly hosts, enjoy a hearty meal of Disembark the ship and travel by motorcoach to Agriolivado, Patmian delicacies, and be treated to a performance from a one of the most beautiful and clean family beaches located at local orchestra and dance troupe. the northern part of the village of Scala. There you can swim in crystal-clear waters and relax on the tranquil beach for approximately two hours. Your motorcoach will then bring you back to the port of Scala, where you can either return to the ship or enjoy a casual stroll around the picturesque port town. RHODES stan GREECE The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes was fortified by the Knights of the order of St. John in the 14th century and TURKEY is rich in history and culture. thens Samos onos Unless purchased as part of EF’s shore excursion packages, Patmos the excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. Santorini Rhodes Group Leaders can also choose to take their travelers onto rete Rhodes without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island.

Philerimos and the Palace of the Knights Transfer to Tsampika Beach (Approximately €70) (Approximately €24) Includes: Travel by motorcoach; site visits; walking tour Includes: Travel by motorcoach Time: Approximately 4 hours Time: Half day

The Acropolis of ancient Rhodes stands proudly on the hill of St. Disembark the ship and travel by motorcoach to Tsampika Stephanos, also called Monte Smith. You will wander through beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on Rhodes. Enjoy the ruins of the Hellenistic Temple of Apollo, with its amazing the fine, golden sand and crystal-clear water as you admire columns. Farther below, see the restored Ancient Stadium of the imposing rock with the Monastery of the Virgin of Tsampika, Diagoras, which once hosted games in honor of the sun god from which the beach has taken its name. Helios. Continue northwest to Philerimos, one of the great attractions of the island. The hill of Philerimos, above the bay, once “hosted” ancient Ialyssos, one of the three Rhodian cities Rhodes and Lindos that participated in the Trojan War. Stone steps surrounded (Approximately €70, or included as part by cypresses lead to the Gothic Monastery of Our Lady of of EF’s 3 island and 4 island packages) Philerimos, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You will also visit the Includes: Travel by motorcoach; walking tour; free time Byzantine Church of St. George Hostos, with rare frescoes from Time: Approximately 6 hours the 14th-15th century depicting knights. Here also resides the “Golgotha,” a path of 12 copper reliefs showing the Passion of Christ. End the excursion in the city of Rhodes where you will have time to stroll through the Street of the Knights, all the way Drive along the picturesque southeastern coastline, dotted up to the Palace of the Grand Master. with whitewashed villages, to Lindos. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Medieval Rhodes walking tour Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From (Approximately €46) the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views of the Aegean Includes: Walking tour Sea and St. Paul’s Bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his Time: 3 hours historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill, to the great staircase leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. Return to Rhodes city and enter through the D’Amboise Gate to walk along the Street of the Knights. Here Departing from the port of Rhodes on foot, you’ll arrive at you will find the residences of the knights, which still bear their the Old Town of Rhodes. Walk along the paved Street of the corresponding crests. Knights, one of the best preserved medieval roads. Continue through the narrow cobblestone streets to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. The site was previously a Byzantine citadel that functioned as a headquarters and fortress. The palace was built in the 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes who occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1522. You will also spend time in the area of Bourgos, passing by the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Turkish baths, the Hospital of the Knights, and the Church of Our Lady of the Castle. (Walking in the sites can be on uneven gravel surfaces. Travelers may not be allowed to enter the site with large bags/backpacks.) CRETE (HERAKLION) stan GREECE Said to be the birthplace of Zeus, Crete is Greece’s largest island with a culture and history of its own. Docking at the TURKEY central port of Heraklion, you can explore some of ancient Greece’s most interesting archaeological sites as well as thens Samos onos the stunningly situated Tomb of Kazantzakis, honoring the Patmos influential 20th-century writer Nios Kazantzakis. Santorini Rhodes Unless purchased as part of EF’s shore excursion packages, rete the excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. Group Leaders can also choose to take their travelers onto Crete without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island.

Minoan Palace of Knossos Archanes, which has many restored sandstone houses dating (Approximately €70) back to the Turkish period. At a local tavern in the village’s tree-shaded square, you can sample an assortment of Cretan Includes: Travel by motorcoach; walking tour snacks while mingling with many of the locals. Enjoy free time Time: 3 hours before the return drive to the port of Heraklion and the ship.

Enjoy a short drive through the Venetian lion-guarded port of Venetian Heraklion and Heraklion to the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s the Archaeological Museum archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back (Approximately €65) to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Includes: Travel by motorcoach; city tour; Crete. Based on the wealth of artifacts that were found, Evans museum entrance; free time theorized that this was the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. Time: Approximately 3.5 hours His findings will be viewed in detail, as your guide leads 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 Departing from port by bus, enjoy a 45-minute tour of Heraklion, Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King’s Chamber the largest urban center in Crete, the capital of the region, and with the alabaster throne, the Queen’s Apartment, beautiful the economic hub of the island. The first European civilization, courtyards, and shrines. Finally, your coach will take you back to the Minoan civilization, flourished on this land 5,000 years ago. Heraklion to rejoin your ship. (Walking in the archaeological site The city is also the commercial and scientific center of the of Knossos will be on uneven gravel surfaces. Passengers may island. It has a strategic geopolitical position in the southeast not be allowed to enter the site with big bags/backpacks.) basin of the Mediterranean Sea, connecting three continents and many different cultures. Continue with a visit to the archaeological museum, which contains the most important Experience the Cretan countryside artifacts from the Minoan civilization. Afterward, enjoy free time (Approximately €70) for shopping in Heraklion center before returning to port. Includes: Travel by motorcoach; winery tour; local visits; free time Time: Approximately 3.5 hours

The tour begins from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion with a drive south through the city to the famous wine-producing area of Peza. Drive through breathtaking landscapes of countryside and vineyards as old as Minoan times. The first stop is a modern winery, where you will see the updated methods of making delicious Cretan wines. The drive continues through rural villages and includes a photo stop in Vathypetro to view one of the oldest farmhouses of Crete, dating back to the 16th century B.C. Arrive in the quaint market town of SANTORINI stan GREECE Santorini is often considered the quintessential Greek Island, and for good reason. Its iconic whitewashed houses perched TURKEY on steep hillsides and its landscapes of plunging cliffs and black-sand beaches make it one of the world’s most thens Samos onos breathtaking destinations. Patmos

Unless purchased as part of EF’s shore excursion packages, Santorini Rhodes the excursions below can be purchased on-board directly rete through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. Group Leaders can also choose to take their travelers onto Santorini without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island.

Oia Village After Akrotiri, you’ll head to Fira. Here, you’ll visit the Orthodox (Approximately €70, or included as part Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Church of Ypapantis, which is famous for its elegant construction and beautiful of EF’s 4 island package) frescoes. Afterward, you can choose to shop or get a snack Includes: Travel by motorcoach; walking tour in Fira. You can also ride the Santorini Cable Car, where you’ll Time: Approximately 3 hours descend more than 200 meters toward the deep blue waters of the caldera.

Admire the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and the Santorini sailing and volcano neighboring islands on your way to Oia Village. First you will head up to the monastery of Prophet Ilias for a breathtaking (Approximately €65) Includes: Travel by motorcoach; motorboat cruise; view before continuing north. You will see various layers of lava walking tour; free time; cable car ride fixed on the face of the rock, each being another phase of the Available April to September activity of the volcano. You will pass through Fira, as well as the Time: Approximately 3 hours traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, before arriving in Oia. Built on the Caldera rim, Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture. Walk along the cobblestone streets and explore the village, known for its whitewashed houses with Enjoy a motorboat cruise around the active crater of Nea blue shutters. You will have free time to walk along the marble- Kameni islet. Sail along the strange formations of its volcanic paved alleys and poke around in the cute shops. shores, where black lava rocks and white pumice are combined beautifully with the red color of lava. Take a walk to the top of the volcanic island where sulfur is spewed into the air by one of the Akrotiri village excavations craters. Enjoy this surreal landscape as your guide narrates the (Approximately €69) creation and history of the volcano and the last eruption leading Includes: Travel by tender and motorcoach; entrance to to the destruction of the island of Santorini. The tidal wave ruins; entrance to the the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral created by the eruption was of such an immense magnitude, Time: Approximately 3 hours it destroyed the thriving city of Knossos on the island of Crete. As you enter the narrows of the two lava islets, Palea and Nea The people who lived on prehistoric Santorini called the island Kameni, the color of the water changes from dark blue to sulfur Strongyle (round). In 1650 B.C., the massive Thira volcano green. In the distance, admire the breathtaking sight of Fira town erupted, causing the center of Strongyle to sink. This left behind with its whitewashed houses clinging precariously on the rim of an incredible caldera. On your visit, you’ll marvel at its towering the Caldera. Take time to swim in the warm waters heated by hot cliffs as boats take you to the port at Athinios. From there, springs on the sea floor. Your excursion ends in Fira, where your you’ll drive south, stopping at the ruins of a famous windmill. guide will show you the way to the cable car and you will make Up next, you’ll head to the ancient village of Akrotiri, Santorni’s your own way back to the ship. You may wear your swimwear most significant archeological site. Long ago, Akrotiri had under your clothes or you may wish to change on board the been a bustling town. However, its inhabitants abandoned it boat. It is recommended to bring a towel and sunscreen. before Thira erupted. The ash from the volcano buried the city, preserving many of its structures and some of its incredible frescoes. Could Akrotiri be the lost city of Atlantis? We’ll let you decide.