SPECIAL OFFER - SAVE £200 PER PERSON LEGENDS OF THE PELOPONNESE A CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE PELOPONNESE ABOARD THE 50-PASSENGER MS MONET 23RD MAY TO 3RD JUNE & 3RD TO 14TH JUNE 2022 Epidaurus theatre he Peloponnese is home to an extraordinary collection of great archaeological sites with TURKEY tangible traces of the many civilisations which have at one point over the course of history Ephesus calledT this region home including classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities and GREECE Itea Ottoman and Venetian fortresses. The islands are of course also the setting for numerous myths Ithaca Kusadasi and legends which will be brought to life during our cruise by our local guides. It was here that Corinth Canal Athens Olympia Nemea Fourni Hercules fought the Nemean lion, the legendary Spartan warriors battled and from where Paris Mycenae Katakolon Patmos of Troy eloped with Helen. Beyond these fascinating sites, there is also beautiful mountainous Nafplio Epidaurus Mystras scenery, mysterious caves, vast gorges, charming villages and superb beaches. Kos Pylos Monemvasia During our 11 night voyage, we will visit the picturesque ports of Nafplio and Pylos, Kalamata Tilos the Byzantine city of Mystras, the stunning coastal scenery of Mani, the sporting history of Diros Caves Olympia and Nemea and the quirky Odontotos railway. Upon leaving the Peloponnese we ensure we stay a little off the beaten track with our visit to the delightful town of Vathy on the legendary island of Ithaca and make the essential visit to Delphi. Finally, ensure you are on deck when we transit the Corinth Canal which, whilst only built in the 19th century, was conceived as long ago as the 7th century BC; a wonderful end to our cruise and an experience only possible on a small ship such as the MS Monet. With a maximum of just 50 guests, our trips ashore will be a pleasure as we explore with local guides who will also join us on board for our cruise, adding immeasurably to our knowledge of the region. Whether you are interested in ancient history, Greek myths or simply the joy of cruising aboard a small ship and experiencing new places and islands in this beautiful region, our island hopping voyage has something for everyone. The Itinerary Day 1 London to Athens, Greece. most renowned of Greece’s ground, rather than above it, it is The mythical origin of the Games is Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive ancient sites. Situated on the known for its fantastic acoustics, sometimes ascribed to Hercules this afternoon and transfer to the slopes of a beautiful and wooded which we will observe during our who, after his first labour in which MS Monet moored in Piraeus. valley, Epidaurus was known visit. Return to Nafplio and enjoy he had to kill the Nemean lion living Sail this evening. throughout the Hellenic world for time wandering the twisting in the caves of Mount Tritos above its unique medical facilities and labyrinthine streets, view the the site, established the athletic Day 2 Nafplio & Epidaurus. Enjoy healing treatments. Dedicated to Venetian and Turkish architecture games in honour of his father, Zeus. a morning cruising arriving into Aesclepius, the god of healing, and maybe enjoy a pre-dinner drink Nemea was not a town or Nafplio at lunchtime. Looking out the city was filled with curative ashore. Moor overnight. settlement but a venue where across the translucent water of the spas and baths and only priests festivities were held during the bay towards the Arcadian had access to certain secret sites. Day 3 Nafplio, Mycenae & games and our tour will include the Mountains, Nafplio’s sheltered Most of the ruins of Epidaurus Nemea. This morning take a scenic Temple of Zeus, the bath house and location below a rocky headland have been reduced to their drive through the Argos Plain to the stadium before spending time and large natural fortress crowned foundations, with the exception of Nemea, the site of a religious in the small but excellent on site by a Venetian castle is perhaps the astonishing theatre which is in sanctuary which hosted the museum. Nemea is also famous for unrivalled in Greece and this an admirable state of pan- Hellenic athletic games every its red wines and we will enjoy a afternoon we will visit one of the preservation. Built into the two years from 573 BC until 271 BC. wine tasting at a local vineyard www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Temple of Zeus, Nemea Corinth Canal Nafplio Ithaca Byzantine Church, Mystras before we continue to the famous and on top there is a fortress. intact Byzantine hillside town that Perhaps explore Kalamata citadel of Mycenae which is However, the real attraction is the once housed a population of 20,000 old town or stroll along the located high above the confluence Medieval town with its narrow people. Here we visit the Cathedral promenade and dip into the of two boulder strewn ravines and cobbled streets and winding of Agios Dimitrios, where the turquoise waters from the beach. accessed by way of the Lion Gate. stairways which lead to a warren two-headed eagle which is the Once inside the gate, we will of stone houses with walled symbol of the Palaeologos Dynasty Day 6 Diros Caves & Mani explore the Royal Palace, the gardens and courtyards, and the is carved into a plaque on the floor. Peninsula. This morning we will shaft graves and the remains of main square dominated by an According to tradition, this is where head to the beautiful Mani the city walls. An archaeological old cannon and the cathedral. Constantine XII stepped when he peninsula. Our day will start at the briefing within the Treasury of On a morning walking tour we will was crowned king. Strolling through impressive Diros Caves, an area of Artreus (also known as the Tomb visit the town and have some free the narrow lanes of the dead city, 16,700 square metres where over of Agamemnon) will add to our time to enjoy there, perhaps climb we will also visit the Church of Agia 2800 water passages have been understanding and appreciation up to the fort to enjoy the views Sophia, the Palace of the Despots discovered. We will board small of the sights. We will enjoy lunch from the plateau before returning and the Monastery of Pantanassa, boats in the cave and enjoy a in a local restaurant before to the ship for lunch. We sail with its brilliant frescoes. Before 2.5 kilometre long, winding returning to Nafplio this afternoon in the afternoon along the coast returning to the vessel for lunch, passageway through an intricate and sailing late this evening. toward Kalamata. refreshments will be served at the network of passages and galleries, picturesque taverna located just decorated with gleaming Day 4 Monemvasia. This is a Day 5 Kalamata & Mystras. From beneath the site offering sweeping stalagmites and stalactites, whose magical place. A massive rock our berth in Kalamata we head views over the local terrain. The reflection in the water accentuates rises dramatically out of the sea inland to Mystras, a remarkably afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure. their natural beauty. The remainder of the morning will be spent on the Mani Peninsula visiting the villages Delphi, Greece and enjoying the wonderful views along the coast and the flowers along the roadside. Visit Aeropoli named after Ares, the God of War, for its role in the War of Independence. Here we find tower houses, constructed with field stones, which are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterise many Greek villages. Meanwhile in Kardamyli we find a seaside village with unique architecture and beautiful views. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch before a scenic drive back to the MS Monet later in the afternoon. Day 7 Pylos. Today we will call into the home of Nestor, the wise king of Pylos who fought for the Greeks at Troy and advised Odysseus’s son, Itea Byzantine Church, Mystras Telemachus, on how best to deal Temple of Zeus, one of the largest for lunch and enjoy a free climbs 750 metres from the with the evil suitors chasing his temples on the Greek mainland afternoon along the waterfront in seaside village of Diakopto to mother, Penelope. From our and the Archaeological Museum Itea before we sail in the late the mountain town of Kalavrita central berth in Navarino Bay, we which houses some fine sculptures afternoon and cruise along the through the Vouraikos Gorge. will drive through the enchanting and artefacts from the site. After Gulf of Corinth. We will moor The train passes through stunning countryside to Methoni, one of the our visit you may choose to return overnight at the port of Corinth. scenery as it travels alongside the most impressive Medieval to the MS Monet for lunch and an river, past waterfalls and through fortresses in Greece. The Venetians afternoon at leisure in Katakolon or Day 11 Corinth & Corinth Canal. tunnels up the mountain. Enjoy built Methoni on the Ionian Sea stay in Olympia to explore further The port of Corinth flourished some time to explore Kalavrita and Koroni on the Gulf of independently. under both Greek and Roman rule before returning to the MS Monet Messenia in the 13th century to due to its significant location on for lunch. Be on deck later this safeguard their newly acquired Day 9 Vathy, Ithaca. Ithaca, the Isthmus of Corinth which afternoon as we transit the Corinth Greek Empire. Also visit the castle one of the most legendary of controlled trade routes as well as Canal. Completed in 1893 and of Neokastro which today houses all Greek islands is unspoiled by being home to the naval power only 6.4 kilometres long and the Centre for Underwater tourism, yet has a fascinating which took colonies in Syracuse 21.5 metres wide, it is only small Archaeological Studies.