Ancient Greece & Egypt

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. Admire the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns tickle your taste buds. Don’t miss anything of the city’s cultural past. Pay a visit to the National Archaeological museum, or the Cycladic Art Museum.

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, northwest of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. Visit the Delphi Sanctuary, located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometers from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains, and their Archaeological Museum is chock-full of cultural delights.

Optional Excursions: 

The Monastery of St. Lucas and Arachova Village - From the pier, embark your coach for the one-hour drive to the St. Lucas Monastery. On the way, pass by Delphi and Arachova villages. The historic walled monastery is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art, and is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in Greece. Continue your journey with a visit to Arachova village. From the first moment feel a different wind blowing up here, and understand why the locals work so hard to upkeep the area's natural beauty. This town is famous for its carpets and blankets woven by hand and for its wines and cheeses. After a short walking tour and time to browse through the narrow streets with the numerous souvenir and local product shops, return to the ship.

Sacred Site of Delphi - Leave the pier by bus and enjoy a picturesque drive through olive groves before reaching the Archaeological Site. Take the Sacred Way that was followed by ancient pilgrims and visitors to the site. The path begins at the southeast corner of the site and winds its way up the hillside, past ancient treasuries and monuments, to the Temple of Apollo. Continue your walk and pass the spare ruins of the Senate of Delphi, followed be a pile of rocks, marking the site of the early Delphi Oracle which according to legend was guarded by the snake Python. For those who wish to visit the Theatre, continue for another 15-minute walk. A few steps from the sanctuary of Apollo, the Delphi museum exhibits for over a century the objects found at the archaeological site. It is one of the four largest museums in Greece, with Athens and Olympia. At the end of your visit, join your coach and enjoy magnificent views over the Bay of Itea before reaching the charming town of Delphi. Enjoy some free time left to browse the shops before your return to Itea.

The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometers long and enables merchant vessels and passengers to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty meters. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. For instance, see the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square, as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Optional Excursions:

Epidaurus and Mycenae - At a distance of 30 kms / 20 miles east from Nafplion lies Epidaurus, known for its stunning ancient theater. One of the most important sanctuaries in the ancient world, Epidaurus was dedicated to the God of Medicine, Asklepios. The world-famous Theatre of Epidaurus, built in the 4th century BC, is a marvel of harmony and acoustics and the best preserved ancient theater in Greece. Built in limestone, it seats 12.000 spectators. Attending the performances of Ancient drama operating during summer period is an unforgettable experience. Next, board your coach for a drive to the archaeological site of Mycenae. The first in-depth excavations were carried out by the German archaeologist Schlieman in 1876 who was obsessed with finding the grave of King Agamemnon. His diligent work exposed the famous Lion's Gate, the entrance to the city which contains the shaft burial graves of some ancient nobles. A short distance away is the Beehive Tomb, so called due to its unusual shape. Following your visit to Mycenae return to the pier.

Ancient Corinth & Corinth Canal - Departing from the port of Nauplion and after one hour and a half drive reach the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years. Back in ancient times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge Agora (Market Place) and Apollo's Temple (6th BC century). The systematic excavations of the area, initiated by the American School of Classical Studies in 1896, are still continuing today and have brought to light the agora, temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths, and various other monuments. The Canal is 4 miles long, 70 feet wide and has sloping sides, which reach 170 feet. The depth is at 26 feet. Its construction commenced in 1881, although the idea of connecting the Ionian and Aegean seas in order to provide a short cut seems to date back to at least Roman times. You have the opportunity to take some wonderful panoramic photos from atop. Following your short stop at the canal board your coach for a drive back to Nafplion.

Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint-John-the-Theologian Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas. Be drawn to the bustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fish soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with fresh Patmos cheese.

Optional Excursions: 

Safari Photo in Patmos - This tour, covering the south side of the island, not only gives you the opportunity of discovering hidden places but also an opportunity to photograph the most amazing land and seascapes along with developing your creative eye, composing images from geometric form and abstract pattern. After disembarking, embark your minibus to the old village of Chora, the island’s capital and a photographer’s paradise! Your first experience is a panoramic view right over the island and over the 11th-century monastery built like a fort, standing with proud dominance. Be guided through Chora’s labyrinth of winding cobbled streets and maze of arched alleyways which offer you a feast of inspiration. The settlement of houses dating from the fifteen hundreds with their white-washed walls reflect the light casting shadows and creating geometric patterns. The alleys, arches, and doorways display a harmonious balance revealing subtle architectural details which, through your lens, can become exciting atmospheric images trapped in time.

Continue with a 10-minute drive to the top of the mountain of Profit Illias, the highest point of the island - 269 meters above sea level. Next make your descending drive to Diakofti stopping off to photograph the view of the mystical rock of Petra and then on to a boatyard. Here you have the opportunity to photograph the local islanders at work and the streamline shapes of vessels in dry dock before enjoying refreshment. Fulfilled with great images and pictures in your photo camera return to Skala port.

St. John Monastery and Apocalypse Cave - Your ship calls into the island’s central port of Skala in a sheltered bay. From here be taken to the Saint John Monastery. Overlooking Skala port and the island’s southern region, this medieval monastery looks more like a fortress than a house of prayer, and was built to repel attacks by pirates. In 95, Saint John the Evangelist was banished from Ephesus and exiled to Patmos, which in the days of the Roman Empire was where those who were exiled were sent. After visiting the monastery, the coach takes you back down the route you took earlier, stopping half way at the Apocalypse Cave where the final chapter of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle. The Book of Revelation prophecy came to him through a symbolic vision and was written in Greek. The evangelist lived in this cave which today is surrounded by a monastery and school of theology. You can see the resting place outlined in beaten silver where St. John laid his head every night. To the right the rock is shaped like a pulpit and is where the disciple, Prochoros, wrote the revelation as dictated by John.

With its particularly agreeable climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk its pathways and discover its immaculate villages and sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the center of the island the mountains are covered in forest and on the western slopes find vineyards and crops. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and its character to the Knights of St John who reigned over the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated with majestic gateways. Do not miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches, its large walkways and its lively nightlife, perpetuating the myth of the famous Colossus, the legendary statue that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Optional Excursions: 

Panoramic Views of Rhodes - Discover the island of Rhodes during a scenic drive. On leaving the port, drive along the ramparts that surround the city before heading up Mount Smith (named after the English Admiral Sydney Smith who kept an eye on the Napoleonic fleet from here). The views over Rhodes and the castles are magnificent from this point and if the weather is good you may even catch a glimpse of the Turkish coast and the neighboring islands. Reach Lindos by a route which passes through some lovely scenery. From one promontory you can see the whole of the famous Acropolis. Built between the 7th and 6th centuries BC, the Lindos Acropolis was a place of worship from the Mycenaean age. It was enlarged in the Hellenistic period before the Knights of St John established a fortress here, with a castle and garrison, a role it retained until the Ottoman era. Continuing on the panoramic route arrive at Haraki, a traditional fishing village where you can enjoy some local snacks washed down with a glass of Greece's trademark Ouzo. The road back to your ship goes through the pretty villages of Faliraki and Kalithea.

Lindos - From the dock head out towards Lindos which is about 50 kilometers from Rhodes on the east coast. Along the route you pass through several small villages with their startlingly white houses scattered among the orchards and olive groves. Built between the 7th and 6th century BC, the Lindos Acropolis is a sprawling complex of structures from various historic periods perched dramatically above the town. A place of worship from the Mycenaean age, it was enlarged in the Hellenistic period before the Knights of St John established a fortress here, a role it retained until the Ottoman era. As in ancient times, access is via a rough-hewn path with many stairs. Note that the climb is quite steep and you can ride part of the way on a donkey with supplement. The first medieval gate, with steps down to the Knights' administrative building, is cut into the rock face. To one side sculpted into the same rock is a relief of a ship's stern which served as the base of a statue of one of Poseidon's priests. Also waiting to be discovered are the ruins of the Knights Castle and an adjacent Byzantine church, a chaotic mix of stones from various periods. The acropolis' most sacred building is the Athena Lindia sanctuary (end of the 4th century) on the highest terrace. From here the view over the sea and a large part of the lower town resplendent in bright white is truly spectacular. After your visit to the acropolis, enjoy some time at leisure to stroll round the alleyways of the lower town before boarding your coach to return to your ship.

Rhodes Walking Tour - From the ship, discover the Knights City on a guided walking tour. Walk down through the cobbled streets to the impressive Palace of the Grand Masters which dates back to the 14th century and contains some Greek and Roman mosaics originating from the Island of Kos. After visiting the palace, walk along the famous Avenue of the Knights lined with the old Knights' inns from the Order's various nationalities. It is unusually straight for a medieval street, and the somber buildings present a majestic and forbidding face to the world, their Gothic (15th century) walls and arcades worn smooth over the centuries. Retracing an ancient route, the straight line of this street cuts through the maze of windy alleyways which surround it. After your guided tour, you can return directly to your ship or continue to wander round the streets and shops in Rhodes.

Without the waterway linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean this part of the world would be an arid sandy desert inhabited by a few nomads. The Suez Canal slices through 162 km of desert and was inaugurated in 1869 in the presence of Empress Eugenie, then nationalized by Nasser in 1956.

Optional Excursions:

Red Sea Monasteries - Explore the long and the rich Legacy of the Coptic life of Egypt during this full day excursion. After disembarking, board your coach and start your tour with a two hours’ drive towards St Anthony Monastery. The Monastery of St Anthony is a Coptic Orthodox monastery standing in an oasis in Eastern Egypt. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. Then drive to Saint Paul Monastery where you are able to enjoy your lunch box on the bus during this one-hour drive. The Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite dates to the fifth century AD. After visiting St Paul Monastery, it is time to return to Ain Sokhna port to rejoin the ship.

Sakkara & Mastaba - After disembarkation, board your coach and start your day with a drive for around two hours and half to Dahshour area, located in South Saqqara where stand the pyramids of Dahshur: The Red and the Bent Pyramids. Following the visit of Dahshour drive toward Memphis, the Capital of ancient Egypt. The Alabaster Sphinx and the ruins of the temple of Ptah can also be viewed during your visit. From Memphis proceed to Sakkara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis. After lunch, visit the famous step Pyramid of Zoser built 5,000 years ago by the engineer Imhotep. The Pyramid and its surrounding complex was designed to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary. At the "cemetery city" of Sakkara, experience an inside visit to one of the Mastabas or funerary chambers. Finally, a quick visit is made at a Carpet School before driving back to join your ship.

Ain Sukhna, which means “hot spring,” is located in the Gulf of Suez, facing the Red Sea. Around fifty kilometers from the entrance to the Suez Canal, and less than two hours from the Egyptian capital, it is an elegant seaside town that is popular with wealthy families from Cairo. Ain Soukhna is an ideal base for discovering the marvels of Ancient Egypt. Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent trip back home.