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ATHENS, THE ISLANDS AND , THE ISLANDS & ISTANBUL

12 DAYS •

PROGRAM FEE INCLUDES: ■ Round-trip airfare ■ 8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (plus 2 nights cabin accommodations) ■ daily ■ 5 dinners ■ Full-time EF Tour Director ■ Whisper headsets ■ Select guides and entrances to special attractions as per itinerary

TheThThee BlBlueue MoMosMososqueqquueue inn IsIstantatanbulbbuulul isi ununiqiquiququeie innt thehe worwwooorrlld bebecececausauausseei itth haas sixsisixx miminnanarararetseettsts iinsteteteadad ofof thethehe trtraditiottiionalnanala twtwooo or fourourur. OPTIONAL: ■ 3 -day Greek island and Turkey cruise with The ancient world comes alive as you discover the unique blend of eastern optional excursions: Mykonos Walking Tour, and western cultures in Greece and Turkey. Explore the birthplace of western Rhodes and Lindos, Old City and Philerimos, in Athens as you examine the magnificient structures on the , Lindos, St. John’s Monastery and Grotto of including the grand Parthenon. Next, board your cruise ship for a look into the the , Scenic Island Tour Greek Islands before disembarking in the cradle of the , Turkey. ■ Bosphorous Cruise Gain insight into the history of this land with visits to and Istanbul.

Day 1 Flight were clipped to keep her from ever deserting the Overnight flight to Greece • Relax as you fly city). Athens is named after Athena, the goddess across the Atlantic. of war and wisdom. After seeing the Presidential Guard in their traditional costumes, pass the Day 2 Athens , where the first modern Olympics were Arrival in Athens • Touch down in Athens, held in 1896, as well as lively Omonia and Syn- Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of West- tagma squares. During free time you may have ern civilization. After clearing customs, you are later, use your ticket from this morning’s sight- greeted by your EF Tour Director. seeing to explore other sights in Athens. Visit the Walking tour of Athens • Get acquainted with , ancient Athens’ political, economic and the endearing Plaka district. Stroll past Had- commercial center, which holds the remains of rian’s and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Hephaistos, begun in 449 B.C. which was built beginning in 515 B.C. to honor You might also visit the Athenian Cemetery, a the most powerful of all Greek . who’s who of Ancient Athens. It contains im- pressive tombs, where statesmen, warriors and Day 3 Athens authors were laid to rest. Guided sightseeing of Athens • An expert local Optional Excursion to Cape Sounion • Jour- guide introduces you to the antiquities of Athens. ney to Cape Sounion and view the grand Tem- Climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthe- ple of Poseidon as the sun sets over the Aegean non, perhaps the world’s greatest architectural Sea while you enjoy dinner. feat. See the Temple of Athena Nike, which once housed a gold statue of the goddess (her wings Istanbulul (2)(2

Canakkale (2)

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Day 4 • Athens Day 6 Cruise Arrival in Canakkale • Continue to Çanak- Optional guided excursion to Delphi • Spend Rhodes • The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, kale, whose shores touch both and , a a free day in Athens or travel to Delphi to pon- Rhodes is one of Greece’s most popular resort ar- highly strategic area to control. The city is known der the mysteries of what lies in your future, as eas. According to ancient myth, this island erupt- for its crucial role during the eight-month Battle did Greece’s ancient military leaders, who left ed from the sea to appease Helios, the sun , of Galliboli in WWI, when Turkish soldiers de- gifts for the Oracle in hopes of good fortune in after Zeus overlooked him while distributing the fended the Strait and prevented the battle. Then, visit the Temple of where, earth among the other gods. Rhodes once stood Allied army from entering the country. Today the according to legend, the god communicated with as a bastion of against the Turks. Its Galliboli peninsula is a national park dedicated to mortals. Your visit concludes with a stop at the three major archaeological sites, Ialyssos, Lindos those who lost their lives here. Keep your eyes out Delphi Museum, whose collection boasts many and Kamiron, date back to the 7th century B.C. for the tribute carved on one of Canakkale’s cliff artifacts dating back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of walls: “O Passer-by: The quiet earth on which the mythical past of . Day 7 Cruise • Kusadasi you tread unaware is the place where a generation Patmos • Patmos, which united with Greece in was lost. Bow and listen, for this ground is where Day 5 Athens • Cruise 1948, is one of the 12 Dodecanese Islands that the heart of a nation throbs.” Island cruise • From Athens, embark on a extend off the western coast of Turkey. Despite three-day voyage through the beautiful white- many centuries of foreign rule, Patmos has long Day 9 Troy washed isles of Greece and Turkey (Please note retained its and culture. The Guided excursion to Troy • Journey today that the cruise is seasonal, and itinerary is subject cruise company will offer an optional visit to St. to Troy, the city from which the beautiful Helen to change.) Ports of call include Mykonos, Rho- John’s Monastery, a fortress-like retreat named incited the Trojan War in the 12th century B.C. des, Patmos, and Kusadasi with optional land after St. John the Evangelist, who came to Pat- Author of The Illiad and The Odyssey, Homer excursions at most ports. (Please note: Optional mos in the 1st century after his exile from Ephe- alleges that , the Prince of Troy, eloped excursions are offered by the cruise line and not sus. From the monastery, you’ll have a panoramic with Helen, the wife of Menelaus of Sparta. The EF.) In between ports of call, you’ll have plenty view of the whole island and the surrounding sea. best remembered part of the 10-year war was its of time to enjoy the amenities on board ship. In a nearby grotto, which you will also visit, St. conclusion, when the hid in a wooden Free-time options while you’re at sea include John wrote the Book of Revelation. At this port horse that the Trojans mistakenly thought was a shopping, games, fitness activities, swimming and of call, the cruise line will also offer a scenic island peace offering. The Greeks then emerged from sunning. tour. (Please note: Due to scheduling, you will the horse and ransacked the town. Tour the Mykonos • The first island you’ll visit is Myko- have time to participate in only one optional.) ancient site, where the remains of nine civiliza- nos, one of Greece’s Cyclades Islands. It was Kusadasi • Set sail for Kusadasi, a picturesque tions dating back 5,000 years were excavated only ruled by Venetians in the 13th and 14th centu- Turkish village that lies on the Aegean coast. 120 years ago. ries, and more recently was under Turkish oc- Disembark your cruise ship and transfer to Free time in Troy • Enjoy free time this after- cupation. In the center of Mykonos’ Selcuk, where you will visit and explore noon in Troy. Opt to relax on a local beach! is Mando Mavrogenous Square, named after the the ruins of Ancient Ephesus and the House of woman credited with saving the island from the the Virgin Mary, where it is said she lived her Day 10 • Istanbul Muslims during Greece’s War of Independence. last years. Transfer via guided sightseeing in Bursa Nearby is the Church of Agia Kiriaki, which • En route to Istanbul, stop in Bursa, the first contains some of Mykonos’ most fascinating and Day 8 Kusadasi • Canakkale capital of the Ottoman empire. A local guide beautiful religious icons. The quaint winding Transfer via guided sightseeing in - shows you the highlights of this city, known streets of the Old Town are perfect for browsing mon • En route to Canakkale, travel north along for its Ottoman art and architecture, including trendy boutiques and crafts shops. And be on the the Aegean coast to , where your local the Grand and the Covered , lookout for Three Well Square (Tria Pigadia), guide shows you the sights. A stronghold of the the Turkish automobile industry and bubbling where a local legend states that an unmarried Greek Attalid dynasty, this was, at one time, Turkish baths. Continue on to Istanbul. woman who drinks from each of the wells will one of the world’s most magnificent cities. Here soon find a husband. The cruise line will also you’ll visit the impressive Acropolis. offer an optional Mykonos walking tour at this port of call. Day 11 Istanbul Day 12 Home Guided sightseeing of Istanbul • A local Return home • Your tour director assists with guide introduces you to Istanbul’s major sites the transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in on this morning’s sightseeing tour. Discover for your return flight home. the ancient Hippodrome, which once served as the public center of for over a thou- sand years. Then behold the breathtaking For complete fi nancial and registration details, Mosque, built by Ahmet and decorated please refer to the Booking Conditions. with exquisite blue . Continue to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman . Your tour concludes with a stop at Istanbul’s legendary Grand Ba- zaar, where you can browse and barter for trea- sures of all kinds, from brassware to spices. Optional Bosphorous cruise • Join an option- al half-day cruise through the Bosphorus Straits, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia.

YOUR CURRICULUM ON A GLOBAL SCALE efcollegestudytours.com

Cert no. SW-COC-002508

ITN1108ATIA Itinerary subject to change. 2010/Spring Greek Islands Cruise Information

General Cruise Information

Cruise company • EF uses two cruise compa- Dress • While the dress code on board is Tipping • Gratuities for cruise ship staff are nies for the Greek Islands cruise: Louis Cruise mostly casual, some evening activities may not included in your program fee. Travelers Lines and easyCruise. The name of your cruise require semi-formal attire. Additionally, for should expect that $10 per day will be charged ship will be available 14 days prior to your Greek Night, travelers are encouraged to dress to their shipboard account to cover cruise departure. Please contact your EF Tour Con- in blue and white. When going ashore, com- staff gratuities. Your EF Tour Director will sultant with questions or for more information fortable walking shoes are recommended. For be with you throughout the duration of the about your cruise. visits to religious sites, bare shoulders and cruise. With this in mind, please make sure to shorts are not permitted. recognize this service and tip accordingly. We Accommodations and Amenities • Cabins recommend $6 per person per day. on the ship are smaller than normal hotel Payments on Board • The currency on board rooms. Each cabin has air conditioning and is the Euro. A shipboard account is opened for Shore Excursions • Various optional shore a private bathroom. Groups should expect to each traveler at the beginning of the cruise. A excursions are available throughout the cruise. stay in lower level cabins and are not guaran- credit card or cash deposit is required in order These excursions are offered by the cruise teed a porthole. Adults will be accommodated to open an account – no debit cards are ac- company and not by EF. For this reason, we in double cabins and students in triples or cepted. All on-board expenses including shore cannot offer group leaders Global Points for quads. Amenities on the ship may include excursions, gratuities, gift shop purchases etc. shore excursions. They must be booked and restaurants, pool, casino, medical facilities, are charged to your shipboard account. Upon paid for during the cruise. library/internet access, exercise room, live disembarkation, travelers may settle their ac- entertainment and a discotheque. counts using major credit cards or cash. Per- sonal checks are not accepted. Meals and Drinks • Your cruise includes all meals. The cruise ship serves an abundant vari- ety of food including full American , lunch buffets, tea on the deck, buffet style and seated dinners. Drinks are not included. How- ever, participants can choose a drink package which can be purchased at the beginning of the cruise.