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Optional Shore
Excursions:
All prices are
approximate per person rates and are subject to change
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MYKONOS - Walking Tour (3 hour duration, $58) |
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Mykonos is world famous. It is the most cosmopolitan of the
Greek Islands and attracts many visitors from all over the
globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals.
Your coach will take you to “Hora” the island’s capital
where you will enjoy a walking tour in the narrow cobbled
streets of the town, passing by chic boutiques, elegant
nightclubs and white–washed houses until reaching Alefkandra.
Alefkandra is a charming corner of Hora, known also as the
“Venice” of Mykonos. The houses are built on the sea, with
wooden balconies that evoke Venice. These were built from
the mid. 18th century onward and were homes of wealthy
merchants and captains. At Louis Theoxenia Hotel, you will
enjoy the atmosphere while drinking your refreshment
accompanied by Greek ‘meze’. You will return then to Mykonos
Town (Hora) from where you will take the ship’s shuttle
service back to the port to meet your ship. |

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RHODES - Lindos with Lunch by the Beach (8 hour duration,
$105) |
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Enjoy a relaxing drive along the southeastern coastline on
the way to Lindos. On arrival, follow your guide and proceed
on foot uphill to explore the Acropolis of Lindos, which
overlooks the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay and marvel at
the breathtaking views. Afterwards there is free time to
discover this lovely town at your own pace before meeting up
again with your guide. Continue to Louis Colossos Hotel, a
modern luxury hotel, where you will be able to swim either
in the crystal clear waters of the sea in front of the hotel
or in the swimming pool. A buffet lunch with a variety of
traditional Greek dishes is served in the hotel. You can use
the hotel’s changing facilities and sun beds. Return to
Rhodes and drive alongside the walls of the medieval city
stopping at Port d’Amboise where you start your stroll
through the old town. Walk down Chevaliers Road and view the
Palace of the Knights and the medieval houses of the
knights. Continue passing by the hospital of the Knights of
St. John, before meeting up with your motorcoach at the
Marine Gate to return back to the ship. A short visit to a
ceramic factory is included. REMARKS Clients will have to
bring their own beach towel.
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RHODES - Old City and Philerimos (4 hour duration, $65) |
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Drive along the medieval walls to the summit of Mount Smith,
the Acropolis of ancient Rhodes. From the tumbled massive
pillars of the Temple of Athena, the view encompasses the
nearby Temple of Apollo, the stadium of Diagoras and the
port, once protected by the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the
Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The drive continues
across the island to Philerimos. The summit of Philerimos
was the site of Ialysos, one of the three ancient cities of
Rhodes. Later sites include the restored Byzantine church of
our Lady of Philerimos, a chapel with 15th century frescoes,
and the ruined Castle of the Knights. After the visit and
some free time, return to Rhodes and begin a guided walk of
the old walled city to the Porte d’Amboise. It is a pleasure
to stroll the street of the Knights with its medieval
buildings, winding alleys, towers, turrets and emblazoned
façades. You will then visit the impressive Grand Master’s
Palace and have the chance to see the superb mosaics. The
pleasant walk passes through the marine gate to meet up with
your motorcoach and return to the ship.
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RHODES - Rhodes and Lindos Combined (8 hour duration, $73) |
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Drive along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted
with white-washed villages, to Lindos, one of the most
important of the three great cities of ancient times. See
how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were
constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century.
Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the
brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the
Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the
great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay, where
the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to
Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill, to the great staircase
leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and
Temple of Athena. Should you wish to make your way up by
mule, a fee must be paid to the local muleteer. After the
guided tour of the Acropolis, enjoy some free time on your
own in Lindos village before meeting up with your motorcoach.
Return to Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive through
the new part of the city before continuing to Mount Smith to
see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and
Diagoras Stadium. Afterwards your motorcoach will drop you
off at Porte d’Amboise, the start of the walking tour
through the medieval city of Rhodes. Follow your guide
through the northern part where once lived the knights and
their attendants. View the Palace of the Knights and
continue your walk down Chevaliers Road to meet up with your
motorcoach at the Marine Gate and return back to the ship. A
short visit to a ceramic factory is included. |

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PATMOS - Scenic Island Tour (2.5 hour duration, $47) |
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An
interesting scenic island tour has been designed for those
passengers who prefer to discover the beauties of Patmos
from the comfort of an air-conditioned motorcoach. Start the
tour from the port of Scala and drive to the central part of
the island “Chora” which is the location of the Majestic
Byzantine Monastery of St. John the Divine, built in 1088.
Your sightseeing will first bring you to the Grotto of the
Apocalypse, and then to the windmills of Chora, once upon a
time the landmark of all Aegean islands, from where you will
enjoy a beautiful view and have the chance to take photos.
Afterwards, continue around the island to see its landscape
of outstanding natural beauty comprising of rocky hills,
dozens of tongues of land reaching out into the sea,
tranquil beaches and many picturesque inlets. Before
arriving at the port, a stop of 10 minutes is made at the
square at Kambos in the north part of island. The tour ends
at the port of Scala to enjoy free time in the quaint and
picturesque little town. A refreshment or a coffee will be
offered at Arion café, the oldest and most beautiful café of
the town.
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PATMOS - St. John's Monastery and Grotto of Apocalypse (2
hour duration, $68) |
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Depart from the port of Scala and enjoy a short drive to the
village of Chora, where the monastery of St. John is built
within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk
uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this
magnificent structure,which was built 900 years ago. View
the courtyard, the monks’ dining room and the old bakery
before you visit the main church noted for its outstanding
frescoes and interior decoration. Next, visit the small
museum where priceless ecclesiastical treasures, books,
manuscripts, mosaics, icons, splendid medieval textiles,
vestments and jewellery are housed. Return to your
motorcoach and continue to the nearby Grotto of the
Apocalypse and the Monastery of the Apocalypse above it.
Walk down the steps to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here
you will see the niches in the wall that mark the pillow and
ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of the
Revelation and the crack in the rock made by the voice of
God honouring the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to
the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint
and picturesque town. REMARKS Tour not suitable for
passengers with walking difficulties. |

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KUSADASI - Ancient Ephesus (3 hour duration, $82) |
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Drive
through the colourful town of Kusadasi and along the coast
to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of
Diana - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - and
later the home of St. John. During the years of the Roman
Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city
in Asia Minor. Upon arrival at Ephesus follow your guide to
enter the ancient site through the Magnesian Gate. Discover
innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the
Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the
Great Theatre built in the Greek era and reconstructed in
the Roman period, which is still noted for its remarkable
acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the
fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in the
ancient Greek language. Walk back to your coach along the
Arcadian Way, where once Mark Anthony and Cleopatra rode in
procession. As you drive back to Kusadasi, on a hill above
Selcuk, just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John,
which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by
Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free
time in Kusadasi or get a cultural taste of Turkey by
enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets and jewellery.
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For passengers whose
tour package offers Day Tour Excursions,
the following options are
available:
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Delphi-(full day, $120) |
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Those taking this tour will travel to lovely mountain region
of Delphi-the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Here you will
gain a greater understanding of the Greek religious heritage
and their influence on the early Christian church. We also
visit the museum where we will marvel at the site of the
Charioteer, a bronze statue so delicate we will see his
eyelashes.
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Cape Sounion - (half day, $55) |
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This afternoon you travel along a coastal road past many wonderful beaches to the southernmost point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand.
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