Idyllic Aegean 2021
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
IDYLLICATHENS | KUSADASI |RHODES | CRETE (HERAKLION) AEGEAN | SANTORINI | MILOS | MYKONOS Seven night All-Inclusive cruise aboard Celestyal Crystal Come and be serenaded by the romance of the Aegean on this exciting new cruise.Visit the most enchanting Greek island destinations dotted around the Aegean Sea,where culture, history, pristine beaches, and fishing villages suspended in time all await. Voyage highlights What’s included • Over-night stay in glamorous Santorini All meals onboard • 24 hours in Mykonos • A full day to explore Rhodes Unlimited drinks package Select excursions Entertainment onboard Gratuities Your itinerary Athens Kusadasi Mykonos Milos Santorini Rhodes Heraklion DAY PORTS ARRIVE DEPART Sat Athens, Greece 19:00 Sun Kusadasi, Turkey 08:00 19:00 Mon Rhodes, Greece 08:00 18:00 Tue Crete (Heraklion), Greece 08:00 23:59 Wed Santorini*, Greece 07:00 Thu Santorini*, Greece 02:30 Thu Milos*, Greece 08:30 13:30 Thu Mykonos*, Greece 19:00 Fri Mykonos*, Greece 19:00 Sat Athens, Greece 09:00 *Tendering weather permitting. Why not start your cruise in Kusadasi 2021 SAILING DATES: April 03, 10, 17, 24 August 07, 14, 21, 28 May 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 September 04, 11, 18, 25 June 05, 12, 19, 26 October 02, 09 July 03, 10, 17, 24, 31 Idyllic Aegean 2021 Day 1: Athens - We leave the historic and classical capital Day 5: Santorini - Santorini is instantly recognisable and we of Greece aboard the Celestyal Crystal and set sail on our are sure she will take your breath away, with her soaring overnight voyage to Turkey. Your first night will give you the landscapes, clusters of whitewashed houses in the capital opportunity to relax, indulge in our All-Inclusive hospitality Fira, incredible sunsets and of course the iconic blue- and anticipate the adventures ahead on your very own domed church at Oia. And don’t forget to try one of the Aegean Odyssey of discovery. many restaurants jostling for position at the edge of the caldera. In the evening you can explore at leisure or simply Day 2: Kusadasi - Our morning arrival gives us all day in relax on deck sipping cocktails or a glass of fine wine. Kusadasi, plenty of time to explore the colourful beach town that is the coastal gateway to the Hellenistic ruins Day 6: Santorini/Milos/Mykonos - You may be asleep when of Ephesus, famed for one of the Seven Wonders of the we depart Santorini but we will be in Milos, the Island of Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. A complimentary Colours, at breakfast time. You will have time to explore excursion is included and is not to be missed. the capital Plaka, 2,000 year old catacombs or simply soak up the sun on the flat rocks of stunning Sarakiniko Beach. Day 3: Rhodes - If Kusadasi gave us just a glimpse of The real beauty of this truly gorgeous island is to be found the Ancient World, then this destination leaves it to our in its stunning landscapes, wind and sea sculptured rock imagination. The Colossus of Rhodes once bestrode the formations, soft sandy beaches, secluded coves and crystal harbour but he is long gone. So you can take in the lovely clear aquamarine waters. The island’s most famous export Old Town, a maze of atmospheric cobbled streets that will is the Venus de Milo. transport you back to the Byzantine Empire and beyond. We have a whole day here, giving you plenty of time to Day 7: Mykonos - The Island of the Winds awaits. We discover the crystal clear waters, wonderful beaches and have a full day for sightseeing or just strolling through the lush wooded valleys. Complimentary excursion to Lindos is atmospheric Old Town with its immaculate whitewashed included. houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches and delightful restaurants. You will undoubtedly recognise the picture Day 4: Crete (Heraklion) - Welcome to Greece’s largest postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking island, a place of mystery, myths and legends. There’s the the sea. You may want to see the ancient temples on chance to take in the bustling capital Heraklion and some neighbouring Delos. of Crete’s extraordinary archaeology and history. You can also learn more of the art and creativity of the Minoans. Day 8: Athens - We arrive back in Athens at 9am. We have included a complimentary visit to the Palace of For more information on all our excursions, please visit Knossos, once the home of Europe’s oldest civilisation and celestyal.com or ask your travel agent. the setting for the legend of Greek hero Theseus and the Minotaur. For reservations visit celestyal.com, email: [email protected] or visit your local travel agent. Included excursions Knossos Palace and the Archaeological Museum The ancient city of Knossos, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. The first excavations were begun in 1878 by the Heraklian Minos Kalokairinos. A bit later (1900-1913 & 1922-1930) the excavations by the British Sir Arthur Evans were to complete the scientific research, bringing to light the Minoan palace in its entirety, which was, according to tradition, the residence of the wise King Minos. The palace of Knossos spreads around the large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”, the imposing Grand Staircase, the Queen’s Megaron in the east. Walking through the apartments of the Knossos palace and observing the finds even as passers-by, you will feel part of this cultural heritage. Our next stop will be at the Archaeological Museum of the city. Through the exhibits of the Museum, the history of the Cretan culture will unfold and be visualized before you. The tour will come to an end at the Heraklion, where we will stop on the way back to the ship. Heraklion was founded in 824 and is an important homeland of many contributors to Literature and Art, some examples of which are the Nobel winning poet Odysseas Elytis, the Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) and the writer Nikos Ka- zantzakis.Heraklion is also endowed with some wonderful edifices: the “Koules” fortress, the award winning Venetian structure of the Loggia, the Morosini Fountain, the Basilica of Saint Mark, the Church of Agios Titos, the medieval monastery of Saint Catherine, the Cathedral of Agios Minas are some exceptional examples. Starting the walk from Liberty square of Heraklion guests will pass by the shopping streets of Dedalou and 25th August and see the aforementioned sights along the way. Acropolis of Lindos - Rhodes Lindos is situated 55 km (40 miles) from the city of Rhodes and “bears” above it the Acrop- olis of Lindos, with the ancient Temple of Athena, built in 300 B.C. Here and there you will come across the captains’ mansions, built between the 16th and 18th century. In the centre of the village lives and breathes the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Lindos, with frescoes from the 15th century. Ascend to the Acropolis of Lindos. Here lies the Temple of Athena, of Doric order, which was erected on the location of an older monument. The ancient city-state of Lindos was for many centuries the most important on the island. It reached its heyday in the 6th century B.C. At the old city of Rhodes you will go through D’Amboise Gate to walk on the Street of the Knights. Along this street you will find the residences of the Knights, separated accord- ing to Order, which bear until today their corresponding crests. Ephesus - Kusadasi At Ancient Ephesus you find Immortal relics of the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian era. At the archaeological site you will be given a guided tour among the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of Kouretes, the Baths of Scholastica, Trajan’s Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Residences of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, the Temple of Hadrian… The Great Theatre, built in the 4th century B.C., could accommodate 24,000 spectators and it is famous even nowadays for its acoustics. The finds from the excavations, which have yet brought to light only 13% of ancient Ephesus, reside in the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus, in the city of Selcuk. During the excursion you will have the opportunity to do some shopping such as carpets, jewelry, leather and other souvenirs..