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SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £200 PER PERSON in the footsteps of st paul A voyage through the Mediterranean and Aegean from Larnaca to Thessaloniki aboard the MS Serenissima with Dr Richard Chartres 23rd March to 3rd April 2018 t is sometimes said that if it was not for St Paul there would have Ibeen no . It was through his missionary journeys, Mount from about 44 AD to 60 AD that the Christian message was spread Athos Thessaloniki to the gentile world. St Paul made three journeys from GREECE Kusadasi across the Eastern Mediterranean and , now modern day Didim Turkey, to Thrace and finally onto Rome. In the process he founded Tasucu Xanthos some of the earliest Christian churches. Patmos Larnaca St Paul was born in , around 5 AD, a time when the Eastern Mediterranean was under Roman Rule. In 33 AD, on his way to Damascus in Syria he had a religious experience, or revelation, which he believed to be of the resurrected Christ. From this moment on he became a Christian and was later known as Paul rather than Saul, his Hebrew name. As a Jew, Paul was familiar with the Jewish Diaspora across the Eastern Mediterranean and while on his travels he visited and preached to these Jewish communities. As a Roman citizen he was also able to make use of the excellent communication links of the , so enabling him to travel inland to such places as .

During this cruise and from the comfort of the MS Serenissima we guest speaker will have an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of St Paul, visiting Tarsus, Perge, Patmos and onto Kavala from where he began his travels Dr Richard Chartres in Europe. We will also visit , which at the time of St Paul was Richard Chartres is currently of London second only to Rome in size and importance. During St Paul’s three-year (due to retire in 2017) and Dean of HM Chapels stay in Ephesus he frequently preached on the steps of the Library, and Royal. Before ordination he taught Ancient whilst in Ephesus he wrote four letters, or Epistles; to the Galatians, History in the International School in Seville. Corinthians, Philemon and Philippians. It is also believed that St John the More recently he has served as Gresham Apostle, author of the Fourth Gospel, possibly brought Mary the Mother Professor of Divinity and published a history of Jesus to Ephesus towards the end of her life. We also visit the island of the College. He is the Founder of the St of Patmos where St John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation to the Ethelburga Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Seven Churches of Asia, some of which we will be visiting. and works extensively in the inter-faith field. He was closely involved in the establishment of St Mellitus College which is now the largest The life of St Paul and the early Church was set within the context of Theological College in the country. He also represents the Church the Roman Empire, which in turn succeeded the ancient Greek Empire. of England in its relations with the Eastern Orthodox Church. Most During our visits to the ancient sites we will see evidence of Greek, recently he has been appointed as Ambassador for the World Roman and also history and culture. The Ottomans followed Wildlife Fund and has published in the area of religion, science and the Byzantines and ever since the region has been predominantly the environment. Muslim. Our journey aboard the MS Serenissima takes us through an area the itinerary steeped in history; a history of great empires of conquest and in conflict, a history rich in cultural and religious diversity. It is an area that can lay Day 1 London to Larnaca, Day 3 Tasucu. This morning claim to the foundation of the early Christian Church; a place where not Cyprus. Fly by scheduled we will drive to which only churches were built but where Christian doctrine was first formulated flight. On arrival transfer to the was once ancient at the great Ecumenical Councils of Nicaea, Constantinople and MS Serenissima and sail this founded between 296 and 280 Ephesus. While many of these early churches no longer exist, the sense evening. B.C. by one of Alexander the of place remains and the legacy of St Paul lives on. Great’s generals. Visit the Silifke Day 2 Mersin Turkey. Enjoy a archaeological museum and morning at sea as we make our the underground church of Aya The amphitheatre at way to Mersin, the capital of Tekla, founded by , a Icel province which borrows its disciple of St Paul’s teaching. We name from Myrtle, the evergreen will continue along the shore to vegetation which grows in the Corycos where, in 191 B.C., the area. From here it is a short drive fleet of Antiochus the Great was to Tarsus, the birth place of St defeated by the Romans. See Paul which was an important part the ancient tombs and view the of the trade route to the interiors castle of Kiz Kalesi from of Asia Minor. We will see the the shore. Return to the well dedicated to St Paul and MS Serenissima for lunch and the church built in 1862 to his spend the afternoon at sea. name. Walk through the narrow streets of old Tarsus with typical Day 4 Aspendos & Perge. stone and wooden built houses, Over breakfast we will arrive in see the Roman road in the north Antalya from where we explore of the city and visit the Tarsus the principal Roman ruins along Museum where we see the relics Turkey’s southern coast. We from Gozlukule excavations. pass the modern city of Antalya We end at the Ulu Mosque en-route to the ancient city of and Makami-sherif Mosque, Aspendos, whose amphitheatre, both converted from ancient built in the 2nd century A.D. is churches. considered the best preserved

www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Mount Athos

Mosaic from the Monastery of St John, Patmos Roman Road, Tarsus Temple of Trajan on the , Pergamon

in the Mediterranean. Dating from located amidst sand dunes and by explore the colossal temple and oracle metres above the orchestra, St Paul 1000 B.C., the city of Aspendos was a long sandy beach. The city was to Apollo in Didim. Please note that used to give his sermons. Enjoy a free a major port and the most important conquered by we may be at anchor today in which afternoon strolling in Kusadasi or join centre in the region during the and St Paul stopped here on his way instance the vessel’s Zodiacs will be an excursion to the site of the Temple 5th century B.C. We will also visit to Rome in A.D 60. It was also the used to access the shore. of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders Perge which dates back to 1000 B.C. birthplace of St. Nicholas. See the of the Ancient World, and see the and was founded by Mopsus and Grand Theatre and the ruins of the Day 7 Patmos, Greece. Of all the ruined Basilica of St John. Calchas after their retreat from . temples. Please note that we may Greek islands, Patmos, is the most St Paul visited here on at least two be at anchor today in which instance sacred to both Orthodox Day 9 Pergamon. On today’s full day occasions mentioned in the Acts the vessel’s Zodiacs will be used to and Western; it was here that St tour we will drive inland, past fertile of the Apostles. See the Basilica of access the shore. John received his revelation. This fields and olive trees, to the present Perge, which played an important morning we will make our way to the day modern town of Bergama, once role in the spread of Christianity, the Day 6 Didim, & . grotto of St John. This small cave, known as Pergamon, a great centre 2nd century A.D. stadium, the baths From the port of Didim we will now converted into the beautiful of culture. Today Pergamon is one of complex and two magnificent round drive to Priene an ancient Greek chapel, is where the Saint lived, had Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. We towers of the Greek Gate. After a holy city and the home of an his revelation and wrote ‘Book of the will visit the Asclepion, a healing centre local lunch continue to Antalya to important temple of Athena. Apocalypse’. From here continue to from the 4th century B.C. and one of visit the excellent Archaeological Priene’s picturesque ruins include the village of Chora, with its simple the most important sites of Pergamon. Museum. several of the Temple of houses and Byzantine churches and Discover the Temple of Asclepios, the Athena, much of the city wall, a climb to the Monastery of St John amphitheatre, and walk through the Day 5 Xanthos & . From our well-preserved theatre and a council the Theologian. Upon entering into sacred corridor and down the ancient, berth at Fethiye we travel to the chamber. We will continue to Miletus the courtyard, admire the intricate arcaded, marble paved boulevard. south east to discover the rich Lycian one of the most important cities pebbled laid floor, decorated arches Continue into the town of Bergama towns of the past. Drive along Esme in ancient Greek world and visited and frescoes adorning the entrance to and visit the Archaeological Museum River to the ancient city of Xanthos by St Paul on his third missionary the chapel of Christodoulos. Return which houses relics discovered during which was ’s prominent capital journey. Here were Minoans, to the MS Serenissima for lunch and the excavations of Pergamon. En-route city built on a great cliff overlooking Mycenaeans and one-time allies enjoy an afternoon and evening at we will see the Basilica which was one the river. Xanthos boasts several of the Trojans. The city foolishly leisure to explore the picturesque town of the earliest of the Seven Churches significant ruins, including the led a revolt of the Ionian Greek of Skala or maybe enjoy a swim at a of Asia Minor. Take a cable car up to , an exquisite cities against the powerful Persian nearby beach. the Acropolis to explore the remains Ionic building whose figured friezes Empire who ruled until the arrival of the citadel and the city walls, the are in the . Continue of Alexander in the 4th century Day 8 Kusadasi & Ephesus, Turkey. foundations of the Zeus Altar, and to , a city named after , BC. Here is a fine theatre, well laid Arriving at Kusadasi at breakfast time the Royal Palace. A local lunch will be mother Goddess of . We out chessboard street plans, two we will drive to the nearby ancient city served ashore. will see the ruins of the temples agoras (market places), baths, a of Ephesus, a stunning and partially dedicated to Leto, Artemis and council chamber, fortifications, a excavated site where digging has Day 10 Philippi & Mount Athos, Apollo and the amphitheatre. Enjoy stadium and harbour workings. After been taking place for over a century. Greece. The ancient port of , a local lunch before visiting Patara, lunch on board we will have time to Broad streets are lined by impressive modern day Kavala, was where St buildings including the library of Paul first stepped on European soil Celsus and the temples of Serapis and following his journey from Troas in . Once the capital of , Turkey. This morning we will arrive at St Paul preached here on his second the port and like St Paul make our missionary journey and we will see the way to nearby Philippi, a Roman town Church of the Virgin Mary, the most where he preached and sowed the important Christian monument in seeds of Christianity in Europe. We will Ephesus. We will see the spectacular visit the ruins of the ancient city, the Grand Theatre, originally built in the two Basilicas, the Forum, the Octagon, 3rd century B.C. by the , and St. Paul’s church, the so - called jail of later expanded by the Romans to its St. Paul and the classical theatre. On present capacity of 24,000. From this our way back to the pier we will stop Ancient Perge theatre, which has a row of seats 30 and visit Lydia site, the stream where pre-cruise cyprus extension 20th to 23rd March 2018

Letoon. Sanctuary of Leto, Xanthos

Lydia, St. Paul’s first European wrote two epistles to the ancient convert was baptised, as well as Thessalonians. Our morning the modern baptistery. Return to tour will explore the Vergina Paphos Harbour the MS Serenissima for lunch as Royal Tombs Museum, which we sail this afternoon arriving this displays the superb decorated evening off the Athos Peninsula, facades of the temple-like tombs The Itinerary dominated by the peak of Mount of King Philip II and a young Day 1 London to Limassol, Cyprus. Fly by scheduled flight Athos which rises to 2033 metres. prince (thought to be Alexander to Larnaca. On arrival transfer to the Mediterranean Hotel in Also known as Holy Mountain, IV), the treasures found within Limassol for a three night stay. The remainder of the day is at a monastic community was them and a reconstruction leisure before we meet this evening for dinner in the hotel. established here in 963 when the of the Great Mound that monk Athanasios established originally marked the site of Day 2 Paphos. After breakfast in the hotel we will embark on a the monastery of Great Lavra, the Royal Tombs. The tombs full day tour to Paphos and its surroundings where St Paul and which is still the largest and most were discovered in 1977-78 St Barnabas introduced Christianity. On the way we will stop at prominent of the 20 monasteries by the archaeologist Manolis Petra tou Romiou (the birthplace of the Goddess Aphrodite), located here. We will use the MS Andronikos. Until their discovery before continuing to Ayios Neophytos Monastery (the 12th Serenissima to cruise along the they were covered by a protective century Enclistra Hermitage and the nearby 16th century coastline viewing the monasteries tumulus 13 metres high and 110 monastery). In Paphos, we will visit St. Paul’s Pillar and the ruins from the sea and this afternoon, metres across. Return to the MS of the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa before enjoying lunch in a local Reverend Chartres will lead an Serenissima for lunch and enjoy restaurant. This afternoon we will continue to the archaeological Easter Sunday service on board. an afternoon at leisure. park where we visit the House of Aion and Theseus and the Palace of Proconsul Sergius Paulus where St Paul performed a Day 11 Thessaloniki. Our final Day 12 Thessaloniki to London. miracle and the Proconsul converted to Christianity. We will enjoy call will be in Greece’s second Disembark this morning and some free time in the picturesque harbour of Paphos before city of Thessaloniki where St transfer to the airport for your returning to our hotel for dinner this evening. Paul preached in 49-50 A.D. and scheduled flight to London. Day 3 At Leisure. A relaxing day to enjoy the hotel facilities or maybe make your way into Limassol and explore independently. PRICES PER PERSON Dinner is included this evening in the hotel. Based on double occupancy Day 4 & Embark MS Serenissima. Enjoy breakfast in SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £200 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY the hotel before checking out and driving to the Strovilia check point, from where we will pass to the northern part of Cyprus. Cat Cabin Description Brochure Price Special Offer Price Here we visit the archaeological site of Salamis including the 1 Inside Twin/Double £4995 £4795 theatre and ruins of the Roman baths before continuing to the 2 Standard Stateroom £5295 £5095 Tomb of Saint Barnabas and its monastery, built on an ancient 3 Standard Stateroom Plus £5495 £5295 basilica. After lunch we will visit the fort of Famagusta and 4 Superior Stateroom £5595 £5395 Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, formerly known as St. Nicholas 5 Deluxe Stateroom £5895 £5695 Cathedral. After our visit we will transfer to the MS Serenissima 6 Junior Suite £6295 £6095 moored in Larnaca. 7 Executive Suite £6595 £6395 8 Owner’s Suite £6595 £6395 Inside Single 9 £4995 £4795 Prices per person Based on double occupancy 10 Standard Single £5295 £5095 Twin – Sea View Room: £595 2 Standard Stateroom for sole use £6395 £6195 Single – Sea View Room: 3 Standard Stateroom Plus for sole use £6895 £6695 £695 Price Includes: Three nights accommodation in a sea view room at the Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 11 nights aboard the Mediterranean Hotel in Limassol on a half board basis (breakfast and MS Serenissima on a full board basis, house wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner daily), lunches on days 2 & 4, Tour Manager, transfers, gratuities. lunch and dinner on board, shore excursions, Noble Caledonia on board team Not Included: Travel insurance. including Guest Speaker, transfers, gratuities, port taxes. Not Included: Travel insurance, Turkish visa.

+44 (0)20-7752 0000 ms serenissima he handsome MS Serenissima began her career as Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. TExtensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her career as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our long-standing associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and since then we have chartered her for multiple voyages. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships. She appears an impressive sight when moored, and is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.

Your Cabin/Suite style works particularly well on a vessel of this Accommodating no more than 100 passengers, vintage, providing intimacy and classic nautical the cabins are attractively designed for comfort sensibility often lacking in larger vessels. and convenience. All cabins are fully air conditioned with an en-suite bathroom with Your Dining shower and a selection of toiletries in addition to The free seating Venice Restaurant accommodates a hairdryer, robes and slippers. All cabins come all guests in one sitting. Being on deck 5, it has equipped with telephone, flat screen television, great views from all tables. The picture windows safety deposit box and other thoughtful mean the restaurant is light and airy. Breakfast is appointments. Bottles of still and sparkling water served buffet-style with cooked dishes available are replenished daily. There are ten different and eggs to order by the ship’s accomplished chef. grades of cabin arranged over five decks, and Lunch is also served buffet-style with hot and cold with the exception of the inside cabins, all Herald Lounge dishes available. Dinner is served a la carte and is 4 staterooms feature either windows or portholes. courses, except for at the Captain’s Dinner, which Because of the very nature of the ship, the Your Space is a 6 course affair. Where possible, local produce cabins do vary in shape and size, adding to the The facilities on board include two lounges – is sourced for an authentic dining experience. vessel’s overall charm. Choose from the cosy the larger Andrea Lounge is comfortable and A choice of red or white wine, beer, soft drinks, inside cabins of approx 10 square metres, to spacious and the smaller Harald Lounge is and water are included at lunch and dinner. In the sumptuous newly built executive suites of more intimate. There is also a small library with good weather there are al fresco dining facilities 25 square metres boasting private balconies, a computer for internet access and Wi-Fi is available and tea and coffee is available around the minibar and all the mod cons. available at an extra cost throughout the vessel. clock in the Andrea Lounge. The outside areas really are something special. A spacious observation deck allows 360 degree views of the passing scenery. From here, step down to the lido area with Jacuzzi and outside bar. The newly built covered seating area at the back of deck 6 is ideal for relaxing with a drink in hand. Perhaps, one of the best known and loved features of this vessel is its unique style. During the major refit in Sweden the then owners commissioned Swedish interior designers to create a Gustavian style interior. This bright Restaurant Swedish 18th century influenced, country house Cruising DECK 7 BRIDGE 704 702

703 701

DECK 7 COVERED SEATING AREA DECK 6 702 BRIDGE 704 TENDER ZODIAC 604 602 703 701 PRIVATE 605 603 601 WALKWAY COVERED SEATING AREA TENDER ZODIAC Deck Plan & CabinsDECK 6 DECK 7 TENDER ZODIAC RECEPTION 604 602

DECK 7 BRIDGE DECK 5 702

704 LOUNGE HARALD

BRIDGE PRIVATE 702 ANDREA 704 605 603 601 WALKWAY BAR 703 LOUNGE 701 TENDER ZODIAC VENICE 703 RESTAURANT in the 701 COVERED SEATING AREA 507RECEPTION JACUZZI FITNESS 505 503 501 ROOM DECK 6 COVERED SEATING AREA DECK 5

DECK 6 LOUNGE HARALD TENDER ZODIAC ZODIAC ANDREA TENDER 604 602 DECK 4 BAR 604 602LOUNGE VENICE PRIVATE RESTAURANT 418 412 410 408 406 PRIVATEWALKWAY 424 OWNER’S SUITE 414 422 404 402 605 603 601 420 TENDER WALKWAY (approx.JACUZZI 22 square metres)FITNESS ZODIAC 605 603 601507 505 503 501 TENDER ZODIAC ROOM

419 footsteps 421 407 417 401 409 403 RECEPTION 405 DECK 5 DECK 4 RECEPTION DECK 5 LOUNGE HARALD

LOUNGE HARALD 412 410 ANDREA 418 408 406 ANDREA 424 414 422 404 402 420 BAR LOUNGELOUNGE VENICE BAR VENICE DECK 3 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 306 RESTAURANTRESTAURANT 304

421 419 407 417 401 302 JACUZZI FITNESS 409 405 403 336 334 507507 505 503 501 JACUZZI FITNESS H of st paul 505 503 501 ROOMROOM 333 301 303 305 319 311 309 307 A voyage through the Mediterranean and Aegean from DECK 4 315 313 DECK 3 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 418418 412412 410410 408 306 304 424424 414414 408 406406 Larnaca to Thessaloniki aboard the MS Serenissima 422 422 404404402402 420 420 302 INSIDE TWIN/DOUBLE336 334 H 333 301 421 419 407 with Dr Richard Chartres 417 421 419 407 401 417 409 STANDARD401 STATEROOM 409 405405 403403 EXECUTIVE303 SUITE 319 307 305 315 313 311 309 (approx. 25 square metres) rd rd STANDARD STATEROOM PLUS 23 March to 3 April 2018 INSIDE TWIN/DOUBLE SUPERIOR STATEROOM DECK 3 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 DECK 3 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 306 304 306 304 302 336 334 302 STANDARD336 334 STATEROOM H DELUXE STATEROOM 333 H 333 301 STANDARD STATEROOM PLUS 303 301 305 303JUNIOR SUITE 319 315 313 311 309 307 305 319 315 313 311 309 307 SUPERIOR STATEROOM EXECUTIVE SUITE INSIDE TWIN/DOUBLE INSIDE TWIN/DOUBLE DELUXE STATEROOM OWNER’S SUITE STANDARD STATEROOM STANDARD STATEROOM JUNIOR SUITE INSIDE SINGLE STANDARD STATEROOM PLUS STANDARD STATEROOM PLUS EXECUTIVE SUITE STANDARD SINGLE SUPERIOR STATEROOM JUNIOR SUITE SUPERIOR STATEROOM OWNER’S SUITE (approx. 21 square metres) DELUXE STATEROOM DELUXE STATEROOM INSIDE SINGLE JUNIOR SUITE JUNIOR SUITE STANDARD SINGLE EXECUTIVE SUITE EXECUTIVE SUITE OWNER’S SUITE OWNER’S SUITE INSIDE SINGLE

STANDARDINSIDE SINGLE SINGLE STANDARD SINGLE

DELUXE STATEROOM SUPERIOR STATEROOM STANDARD STATEROOM PLUS (approx. 15 to 25 square metres) (approx. 11.5 to 18 square metres) (approx. 14 to 19 square metres)

STANDARD STATEROOM INSIDE TWIN/DOUBLE STANDARD SINGLE (approx. 10 to 11.5 square metres) (approx. 10 square metres) (approx. 7 to 12.5 square metres)

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All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: Celsius Library, Ephesus.

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