SPECIAL OFFER -SAVE £300 PER PERSON FROM THE TURQUOISE COAST TO THE AEGEAN ISLANDS A VOYAGE FROM LARNACA TO ATHENS ABOARD THE MS SERENISSIMA WITH GUEST SPEAKER JEREMY PATERSON 5 TH TO 15TH APRIL 2020 Aspendos amphitheatre Taurus Mountains Kas he Lycians were definitely on to something when they set their empire on Tthe peninsula nestled between Antalya and Fethiye. It is an astoundingly beautiful stretch of azure coastline backed by the luscious forested hills. GREECE Delos & TURE Syros Perge Whilst the Turquoise Coast may appear all sun-and-sea, join us aboard the Aspendos Symi Marmaris Antalya Athens Patmos Alanya MS Serenissima and discover the ancient cities of Perge and Xanthos, floating Kas Myra over the slopes, with the decorative tombs engraved into the cliffs at Myra. Nisyros Kastellorizo Kekova Patara Larnaca Xanthos We begin our spring voyage in Larnaca and from here head to Turkey where we CPRUS will be captivated by ancient relics from Roman and Byzantine eras. Sailing on, we will explore the Aegean in some depth visiting charming islands, many of which are out of bounds to the big ships and where the laid back atmosphere will complement our small ship as we explore delightful towns, sleepy villages and visit some magnificent ancient sites, all in the company of like-minded travellers and informative guides. Every new day brings a different vista and whether you are interested in ancient history or simply enjoy cruising amongst beautiful scenery, this voyage has something to offer for everyone. nature, known for its curative Guest Speaker – Jeremy Paterson The Itinerary effect on asthma. Drive along the Jeremy Paterson studied Classics and Day 1 London to Larnaca, beautiful Turkish Riviera towards Ancient History at Oxford, where he was Cyprus. Fly by scheduled flight. the ancient city of Side which was also President of the University On arrival we will transfer to the one of the leading Pamphylian Archaeological Society. Subsequently he MS Serenissima. Enjoy Welcome cities on the south coast of was Craven Research Fellow at The British Dinner and Drinks as we sail this Anatolia. Visit the Grand Theatre, School at Rome, where he studied the evening. a perfect example of a Roman ancient Roman wine trade. For most of his theatre built on vaults on flat land. career he taught Ancient History at Day 2 Alanya, Turkey. Spend the Walk through the town, view the Newcastle University, where he was also morning at sea as we sail towards old harbour and see the remains Dean of Arts and chaired the University the Turkish coast arriving after of the Apollo Temple. Alternatively Teaching Committee. For many years he lunch. This afternoon, choose to spend the afternoon exploring the chaired the Primary Latin Project, ‘Minimus’, drive through the town, with views town of Alanya with its Medieval which is successfully introducing Latin into primary schools. His of the Taurus Mountains in the fort perched on a rocky peninsula. research interests include economic history, the ancient wine trade, east, then towards Incekum along Cicero, the court of the Roman emperor, the nature of power in the the Turkish Riviera to the west, Day 3 Antalya. Over breakfast we ancient world, and early Christianity. He has travelled extensively where we pass citrus and banana will arrive in Antalya from where throughout the Mediterranean and Europe. plantations and visit Damlatas we explore the principal Roman Cave which is a masterpiece of ruins along Turkey’s southern www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Kastellorizo Mosaic, Monastery of Saint John, Patmos Letoon coast. We pass the modern city a number of beautiful bays and Drive along the Esme River to the (Dalyan River) and include a theatre, of Antalya en-route to the ancient indented waterways. Here we can ancient city of Xanthos, Lycia’s a large rectangular building that may city of Perge which dates back view the half-submerged ruins of prominent capital city built on a have been a temple, a roman bath, to 1000 BC and was founded the ancient city of Simena. We will great cliff overlooking the river. a Byzantine church, and rock-hewn by Mopsus and Calchas after also land at the village of Kalekoy Xanthos boasts several significant tombs. Accessible only by river their retreat from Troy. See the where a strenuous walk will take ruins, including the Nereid we will take local boats to the site. Basilica of Perge, which played us up to the Lycian castle with Monument, an exquisite ionic Return to the ship for lunch and sail an important role in the spread of sarcophagi overlooking the sea. building whose figured friezes are this afternoon arriving at the island of Christianity, the 2nd century AD in the British Museum. Continue Symi this evening. stadium, the baths complex and Day 5 Kas, Turkey & Kastellorizo, to Letoon, a city named after Leto, two magnificent round towers of Greece. Spend the morning in mother Goddess of Lycians. We Day 8 Symi & Nisyros, Greece. the Greek Gate. We drive further Kas, a delightful fishing town in will see the ruins of the temples Today we will explore Symi, a small, east for a visit to Aspendos, whose a beautiful bay at the foot of the dedicated to Leto, Artemis and mountainous and much indented amphitheatre built in the 2nd Taurus Mountains overlooking Apollo and the amphitheatre. pretty island. The harbour of Gialos is century AD is considered the best the turquoise waters of the Enjoy a local lunch before visiting particularly attractive and we have a preserved in the Mediterranean. Mediterranean. As you walk Patara, located amidst sand dunes morning to enjoy some time to stroll After lunch in a local restaurant up from the port you will see and by a long sandy beach. The through the colourful cobbled streets. continue to Antalya to visit the narrow streets lined with beautiful city was conquered by Alexander The Simians were famous boat excellent Archaeological Museum. Ottoman houses with flowered the Great and St Paul stopped builders and are mentioned in the balconies and traditional painted here on his way to Rome in AD Illiad as sending boats to assist the Day 4 Myra & Kekova. From our doors. See the rock-cut tombs that 60. It was also the birthplace of St siege of Troy but are better known anchorage in the Bay of Cayagzi date to the 4th century BC, the Nicholas. See the Grand Theatre today for their sponge diving. Return we will use local boats to visit impressive Lycian Tomb and the and the ruins of the temples. to the ship in the late morning as we the ancient port of Myra, the Hellenistic theatre. This afternoon Please note that we may be at sail to Nisyros, arriving after lunch. former capital of Lycia and the we will head over to the tiny island anchor today in which instance the From the port of Mandraki you may departure point of Paul to Rome of Kastellorizo, a gem of a place. A vessel’s Zodiacs will be used for wish to spend a relaxing afternoon in 60 AD. Surrounded by orchards Greek possession and technically transport ashore. wandering through the village and and miles of greenhouses stands part of the Dodecanese, it is a climb to the Monastery of Panagia a large, well-preserved Roman long way east of Greece and Day 7 Marmaris. After breakfast Spilanior or visit the archaeological theatre backed by splendid Lycian only two kilometres from the we will drive inland to Kaunos museum. Alternatively, join the drive cave-tombs with delicately carved Turkish coast. However, with few which was a city of ancient Caria to the Polyvotis Volcano named after façades. In the town of Myra, the ferry connections it is well off the and said to have been founded the Titan imprisoned under the rock birthplace of St. Nicholas, we main tourist routes. Spend the by Kaunos, son of Miletos and of Nisyros during the battle with the visit the 11th century Church of St afternoon exploring the delightful Kyane. Located at the foot of gods. Here we will learn more of the Nicholas, only recently excavated, harbour, the Crusader Castle and Mount Tarbelos, its acropolis was legends and have the chance to walk with its faded frescoes and the monastery of St George on the called Imbros and it exported into the caldera. beautiful mosaic floors. We will Mountain. highly prized figs chiefly to Rome. return to the MS Serenissima for It was the home of the painter Day 9 Patmos. Of all the Greek lunch and the afternoon is free to Day 6 Xanthos & Patara. From Protogenes and was a member of islands, Patmos is the most sacred relax on board or join a local boat the harbour at Fethiye, we travel the Chrysaorian League. The ruins to Christians both Orthodox and excursion into Kekova Bay where to the south east to discover the of the city are near Dalyan, on the Western; it was here that St John the narrow island of Kekova forms rich Lycian towns of the past. right bank of the ancient Kalbis received his revelation. This morning Syros Pre-Cruise Limassol Extension 2nd to 5th April 2020 Aphrodite’s Rock we will make our way to the grotto archaeological site including of St John. This small cave, now the marble sanctuary of Apollo. converted into the beautiful Sail during lunch to Syros which The Itinerary chapel, is where the Saint lived, was the largest cultural and Day 1 London to Limassol, Cyprus. Fly by scheduled flight and on had his revelation and wrote trade centre of the Aegean arrival transfer to the Mediterranean Hotel.