Classical Greece & Aegean Islands Cruise Book

CRUISE GUIDE

CLA S SICAL GREECE & AEGEAN ISLANDS

This fascinating voyage around the Aegean is a true autumn treat. Starting from Athens, you will visit some of the most inspiring monuments of the ancient world

October 7 – 18, 2017 Athens to Athens

YOUR ITINERARY In response to recent feedback, we are now pleased to introduce our new dedicated cruise guides, produced individually for each Voyages to Antiquity cruise.

Kavala

AEG171007

Thessalonica PORT

OCT 7

ATHENS Greece Embark Aegean Odyssey in Piraeus

OCT 8

NAUPLIA Greece

7.00am

6.00pm

In this guide, you will find useful information and expert tips about the destinations you will visit, plus a comprehensive guide to both included and optional shore excursions.

There is also information on your guest speakers and an invaluable reading guide to help you discover even more.

OCT 9

SANTORINI Greek Islands

8.00am

6.00pm

OCT 10

HERAKLION Crete

6.00am

2.00pm

MARMARIS Turkey Technical stop

3.00am

5.00am

OCT 11

Santorini

RHODES Greek Islands

8.00am

6.00pm

DELOS Greek Islands

Heraklion

MYKONOS Greek Islands

8.00am 2.00pm

Noon 11.00pm

OCT 13

PATMOS Greek Islands

8.00pm

5.00pm

OCT 14

KAVALA Greece

2.00pm

8.00pm

OCT 15

THESSALONICA Greece

8.00am

7.00pm

OCT 16

VOLOS Greece

7.00am

8.00pm

Be sure to take this guide with you and we look forward to welcoming you on board.

OCT 17

SKIATHOS Greek Islands

7.00am

2.00pm

OCT 18

PIRAEUS Greece

Disembark Aegean Odyssey

6.00am

OCT 12

ARRIVE

DEPART

GREECE

2017

Volos Skiathos

8.00pm

Nauplia

Ship at anchor

Santorini

2

Mykonos

ATHENS

Delos Patmos Rhodes

INTRODUCTION

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

With the heat of summer abating, this is the perfect time to explore Greece and its glorious islands. Sailing from the port of Piraeus, near Athens, your first call is at Nauplia where you’ll can visit either Agamemnon’s Mycenae or the amphitheatre of Epidaurus.

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Epidaurus

See the Bronze Age artefacts of Akrotiri on Santorini and the Minoan treasures of Crete, including the Palace of Knossos, legendary location of the Minotaur’s labyrinth.

Visit the Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes and the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo. Finally, cruise the Aegean to Byzantine Thessalonica and the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora before soaking up the sunshine on the “Mamma Mia” island: Skiathos.

• Explore the Minoan excavations at Akrotiri on the island of Santorini • On the island of Crete, the Minoans also created the Palace of Knossos, which was restored in the late 19th century • On Rhodes, a chance to visit the Acropolis at Lindos • Sacred Delos and St John’s Patmos • Discover Philippi where St Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe • Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and scale the monasteries in the sky at Meteora

Athens

Knossos

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YOUR CRUISE DAY BY DAY

OCTOBER 7 ATHENS, GREECE Embark Aegean Odyssey in Piraeus, the port of Athens, this afternoon, with time to settle in before an evening sail.

OCTOBER 8 NAUPLIA, GREECE Arrive in the picturesque port of Nauplia at breakfast time, for a choice of excursions: Agamemnon’s Mycenae begins with a scenic 45-minute drive across the Argolid Plain to one of the greatest cities of the highly-developed Mycenaean civilisation, Mycenae. Here you will see the Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest piece of monumental statuary, the Royal Palace and the shaft graves, before learning more about the city’s tragic history in the Tomb of Agamemnon.

Alternatively, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Epidaurus is home to a 14,000-seat ancient Greek amphitheatre, where the acoustics are so perfect it is said you can hear a pin drop from the highest tier. Carved into the hillside and extended in Roman times, the theatre is still in use today.

The afternoon will then be at leisure, before an early evening sail.

OCTOBER 9 SANTORINI, GREEK ISLANDS

Santorini

4

Among the Aegean’s most spectacular sights are the cliffs of Santorini, rising from a great half-moon caldera. The island was also home to the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri; dating from the 16th century BC, this ancient city was wonderfully preserved beneath volcanic ash.

of King Minos gave birth to a half-man, half-bull Minotaur which lurked in the labyrinth. Excavations began in 1899 by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, who controversially “restored” the palace with his own eccentric ideas of Minoan interior design.

After arriving in Heraklion early in the morning, there will be an included guided tour of The Palace of Knossos, followed by a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art. Then return to Aegean Odyssey for an early afternoon sail, with the rest of the day and evening at sea.

Knossos Mycenae

Arrive on the island in the morning for a full-day of included sightseeing to archaeological Akrotiri, featuring a wealth of material dating back to the Bronze Age housed within an amazingly well-preserved city of houses, streets, squares and workshops. Afterwards you will drive to the dramatic settlement of Oia, perched on the edge of the caldera overlooking the sea, followed by the old capital of Pyrgos and its large Venetian castle. Finally, enjoy some free time in the scenic capital of Fira, before returning to ship for an early evening sail.

OCTOBER 10 HERAKLION, CRETE, GREEK ISLANDS The heyday of Minoan civilisation (2000-1600 BC) was marked by the construction of great palaces, with the best known being Knossos on the island of Crete, where legend has it the wife

OCTOBER 11 MARMARIS, TURKEY – RHODES, GREEK ISLANDS Very early this morning there will be a short technical stop at Marmaris in Turkey, where passengers will not be able to disembark, before we arrive in Rhodes, where the Colossus once stood, for a choice of included morning sightseeing tours: Explore Rhodes’ Old Town and the Grand Master’s Palace, citadel of the Knights of St John, which was modelled on the great Papal Palace of Avignon. Step into the 15th-century Knights Hospital, now an archaeological museum housing treasures including the Aphrodite of Rhodes. You may then return to the ship or continue to wander this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alternatively, gain inspiration from the natural setting of the Acropolis at Lindos, a Doric town that rose to power hundreds of years before Christ, where sites of interest include the Acropolis, surrounded by contrasting 12th-century crusader

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DESTINATION TIP RHODES After a morning of exploring Rhodes’ Gothic highlight or the Doric remains at Lindos, the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure.

The port is well located for heading into the old town with docking positions just a short stroll from the main gates.

The town is voted as one of the best places to shop for crafts in the Aegean – especially for jewellery, art and pottery.

Shopping in Rhodes is a cultural experience with the myriad of shopping streets being more like a Turkish bazaar.

fortifications, and the Doric Temple of Lindian Athena, an archaeological jewel dating from the 4th century BC. The afternoon will then be at leisure, before an early evening sail.

OCTOBER 12 DELOS GREEK ISLANDS

,

Arrive on this tiny, deserted isle at breakfast for an included morning guided tour to Sacred Delos, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Greece, where columns lie glistening in the sun, and the Lions of Delos guard the Sacred Way. Walk along the spectacular Avenue of the Lions. Pay homage to the guardians of the Sacred Lake, where Leto gave birth to the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo, and above all, savour the almost-mystical silence that pervades this haunting site of antiquity.

You will then sail at noon to the nearby island of Mykonos, where the cafes and shops provided the perfect contrast to the rich historical site of Delos. Spend a free afternoon and evening here before returning to Aegean Odyssey for a late-night sail.

A helpful hint – our local guides always joke that should you get lost in the maze of medieval streets, just take a street that heads downhill and you will find the harbour again.

Patmos may be one of the smallest islands in the Dodecanese, but it compensates for size with beauty and history. Called the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” the island has long been a place of pilgrimage. After arriving here at breakfast there will be an included morning sightseeing tour to the important sites of St John’s Patmos, who is said to have written the Book of Revelation here. Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, where he received his revelation, the medieval village of Chora and the 10th-century Monastery, featuring an El Greco icon, that together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There will then be some free time to explore Chora before a return to the ship for a late afternoon sail.

OCTOBER 14 KAVALA, GREECE Morning at sea, before an early afternoon arrival in Kavala for an included afternoon excursion to Philippi, where the apostle St Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Founded by Philip of Macedonia in 356 BC, this extraordinary archaeological site has extensive ruins, including a large Roman forum, sacred gates, baths, wrestling rings and even a public latrine with marble seats.

On your return to the ship, stop at the stream where St Paul’s first European convert, a merchant-woman named Lydia, was christened along with the rest of her household. The site is marked by a Greek Orthodox basilica.

Delos

6

– MYKONOS

OCTOBER 13 PATMOS, GREEK ISLANDS

OCTOBER 15 THESSALONICA, GREECE Arrive in Thessalonica at breakfast time. Also known as Salonica, the city became part of the Byzantine Empire in 395 AD and today is Greece’s second city. Here there will be a choice of included morning sightseeing tours with the afternoon at leisure: Explore Byzantine Thessalonica, concentrating on the city’s Eastern Roman Empire heritage, including the 5th-century basilica Agios Dimitrios, the Rotonda that was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Galerius in the 4th century, the mosaics of the Agia Sofia and the Museum of Byzantine culture. En route, you will also see the 15th-century White Tower and the International Trade Fair grounds, built on the site of an old Jewish cemetery razed by the Germans in World War II.

Thessalonica

Alternatively, explore the 5th-century site of Ancient Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus, home to the gods of classical Greece, featuring the Archaeological Park, Roman theatre and Hellenistic theatre, which is still in use today, as well as a museum housing an array of artefacts from across the site’s history.

A full-day optional tour is also available, following the Traces of Alexander the Great to the archaeological museum near Pella and the town of Veria, where Paul the Apostle famously preached, before descending underground to the remarkable Royal Tombs of Vergina, burial site of Macedonia’s kings, including the father of Alexander.

Patmos

We will then return to Aegean Odyssey for an evening sail.

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OCTOBER 16 VOLOS, GREECE

Thessalonica

Arrive in the port of Volos this morning, from where you will travel by road for an included full-day tour to the truly remarkable Byzantine Monasteries at Meteora, which means “suspended in air”. These sandstone “columns in the sky” soaring up over a thousand feet above sea level are crowned with monasteries built by anchorite monks from the 11th century onward. There are twenty-four in all, and although many have fallen into ruin, some of the remaining ones are adorned with beautiful frescoes. Perhaps the highlight of any trip to Greece, few sights are more iconic or unmissable.

Following the visit, the tour will then continue through this unearthly landscape, descending slowly to the plain before returning to ship for an evening sail.

OCTOBER 17 SKIATHOS, GREEK ISLANDS Breakfast time arrival in Skiathos of “Mamma Mia” fame; this delightful Greek island is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing stroll, or simply watch the world go by from a harbour side cafe. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore at leisure in the morning, before an early afternoon sail, with the rest of the day and evening at sea to enjoy the many facilities Aegean Odyssey has to offer.

OCTOBER 18 PIRAEUS, GREECE Disembark after breakfast in Piraeus, the port of Athens. .

8

Volos

For those passengers who have opted for the pre-cruise hotel stay in Athens, please go online to www.voyagestoantiquity.com for more information.

Full itinerary details will be sent with your Final Documents.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS NAUPLIA

PATMOS

Agamemnon’s Mycenae

St John’s Patmos - Half Day

- Half Day Epidaurus - Half Day

KAVALA Philippi - Half Day

SANTORINI Santorini and Akrotiri

THESSALONICA

- Full Day

Byzantine Thessalonica - Half Day

HERAKLION Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological Museum - Half Day

Ancient Dion - Half Day

VOLOS Remarkable Monasteries at Meteora

RHODES Old Town and Grand Master’s Palace - Half Day Acropolis at Lindos - Half Day DELOS

- Full Day

For details of these excursions, please see itinerary on preceding pages or for more in-depth descriptions, visit us online at: www.voyagestoantiquity.com

For details of the optional excursion available on this cruise, please refer to pages 10/11.Excursions listed are half day, either morning or afternoon, depending on time in port, or full day as shown. One excursion is included in each port of call; where more than one excursion is shown, you will be able to choose.

All our excursions require a basic level of fitness, although some are more strenuous than others. The symbols next to each excursion will give you an idea of specific things to be aware of. When there is a significant amount of walking involved in an excursion, the walking symbol has been indicated. Generally, this applies when at least 1.5-2 hours of the excursion is made up of continuous walking.

Many archaeological sites are visited on this itinerary and so uneven terrain (which can be difficult in places) should be expected. Some guests may want to carefully consider before opting to participate in excursions where extensive walking is involved. For example, the tours from Thessalonica all feature lots of walking and so some guests may wish to take a break from sightseeing on this day.

KEY TO SYMBOLS Extensive walking Cobbled streets Archaeological ground Significant steps Uphill sections Cable car Lunch included Gravel Terrain

Sacred Delos - Half Day

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OPTIONAL EXCURSION THESSALONICA, Greece Traces of Alexander the Great - Full Day - $79 During this tour to the archaeological museum near Pella, the ancient city of Macedon, we will see many residences of the ancient aristocrats, alongside findings from various excavations, including exceptional floor mosaics from the 4th century BC. The daily life of Pella has been wonderfully brought to life in this museum, where the restoration of period furniture, models and clothes has been carefully designed to provide an insight into every facet of the ancient city, from administration and production to commerce.

Alexander the Great

10

After finishing at Pella, we will have some free time before we move to the town of Veria, where Apostle Paul famously preached, for a traditional Macedonian lunch.

We will then visit the burial site of Macedonia’s kings, including the father of Alexander the Great.

The Royal Tombs of Vergina are among antiquity’s greatest treasures, although for centuries they lay hidden beneath a mound known as the “tumulus” where local children played football. The small village of Vergina, once known as Aegea, is renowned for its remarkable temple complex, which has only been open to the public since 1993. Here we will visit the unique museum and descend underground to see the tombs, including a newly constructed exhibit of ancient artefacts, all of which are masterpieces of ancient Greek art, including golden laurel wreaths, silver vessels, miniature sculpture and paintings. Of special note are the crown, armour, shield and magnificent gold casket of Philip II. Note: The price of this excursion already allows a credit for the unused half day excursion.

Thesssalonica

Pella

11

YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS A quintessential part of the Voyages to Antiquity experience is our worldclass programme of celebrated guest speakers, all of whom are carefully chosen to provide high quality lectures designed to enrich your time aboard Aegean Odyssey, adding texture and depth to your journey.

With topics ranging from art and history to archaeology and architecture, from wine and cuisine to theology and nature, you will find a Voyages to Antiquity talk informative and accessible.

Here are the experts who will be providing an array of enlightening talks during your voyage.

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Gillian Hovell Archaeologist, NADFAS Accredited Lecturer After graduating in Latin and Ancient History at Exeter University and a career in BBC Television, Gillian became deeply involved in archaeology. As an author, historian, archaeologist, tour guide and NADFAS accredited public speaker of considerable experience and astonishing range, the Reithian mantra of ‘educate, inform and entertain’ remains central to her work; she specialises in lively, passionate and engaging history that connects with our lives today, enabling audiences to relate to archaeology and to find depth and colour in our modern lives through the past’s continuing influence on us today.

She has lectured to audiences including the national media, Classical Associations, art galleries, museums and literary festivals and her books include Visiting the Past: finding and understanding Britain’s archaeology and Roman Britain, while Latin All Around Us: Why the Romans still matter today came out in 2014 (CUP) and she is currently working on her next book on the history of the Mediterranean. She also shares her love of ancient

history by teaching Latin and Roman History to adults and by continuing to work with community archaeology projects. She embraces all media for spreading the word about archaeology and was most recently heard on Radio 4.

Knossos

John Osborne Classicist, NADFAS Accredited Lecturer John Osborne graduated in Classical subjects at Cambridge University and taught Latin and Greek language and Ancient History – now revamped as Classical Civilisations – for over thirty years at Marlborough College, Wiltshire, where he was Senior Master. His main interests are in Roman imperial history and the architecture of religious buildings.

He worked for several years teaching English for the British Council in Iran and Turkey, which gave him a now long-standing interest in Islamic culture as well as the ancient civilizations of these two countries.

Since 2015 he been a NADFAS Accredited Lecturer, lecturing regularly in the UK and abroad, including Australia and New Zealand. He has run courses on Ancient Rome and on Islam at the University of Bath, runs an annual course on Mediaeval Parish Churches at Marlborough College Summer School and guides at Salisbury Cathedral.

He has lectured on classical tours to Italy, Greece and Tunisia and has also led specialist tours to various

SING AT SEA WITH BOB PORTER Bob Porter’s experience as a choir master, conductor and artistic director is back by popular demand.

This voyage will include singing workshops and a final performance at the end of the voyage, arranged by Bob Porter and the Brandenburg Choral Festival of London.

Athens

countries in SE Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, including Croatia, Romania and (especially) Bulgaria, where he runs his own cultural and historical tours. He has taught himself Bulgarian and is writing ‘A Traveller’s History of Bulgaria’. He and his wife, Karen, have led several highly successful tours to Turkey and Iran in recent years and took a group to Georgia in 2014.

After studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Bob worked as a musician and teacher, returning to Guildhall to teach and becoming Head of Wind and Percussion in 1985 – a position he still holds today. In the early 1980s, Bob founded the Brandenburg Sinfonia, the first of a group of orchestras under his artistic direction and later in 2010, the Brandenburg Choral Festival of London.

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READING GUIDE There’s nothing like a good book to accompany you on your travels.

Our associates at Blackwell’s – the famous Oxford bookseller – have put together a selection of books that we feel would provide the perfect accompaniment for this magnificent voyage.

For a description of each book, please go online to www.voyagestoantiquity.com, or for a more comprehensive description, please visit Blackwell’s website www.blackwell.co.uk and enter the ISBN number shown.

Sofka Zinovieff Eurydice Street ISBN: 9781862077508, Paperback

James Davidson Courtesans and Fishcakes ISBN: 9780006863434, Paperback

Thucydides The Peloponnesian War ISBN: 9780192821911, Paperback

Cathy Gere Knossos

Colin McEvedy New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History ISBN: 9780141977164, Paperback

David S H Abulafia The Great Sea ISBN: 9781904955771, Paperback

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Edith Hall Introducing The Ancient Greeks ISBN: 9780099583646, Paperback

Dr Matthew Nicholls 30-Second Ancient Greece

ISBN: 9780192842114, Paperback

Judith Herrin Byzantium ISBN: 9780141031026, Paperback

Barbara Graziosi The Gods of Olympus: A History ISBN: 9781846683220, Paperback

Leonard Cottrell The Bull of Minos

Harry Mount Harry Mount’s Odyssey Ancient Greece in the Footsteps of Odysseus

ISBN: 9781845119423, Paperback

ISBN: 9780571201655, Paperback

Rodney Castleden Minoan Life in Bronze Age Crete

Timothy Ware The Orthodox Church

ISBN: 9780226289540, Paperback

N O N -F I C T I O N

Robin Cormack (Lecturing on Board) Byzantine Art

ISBN: 9780415088336, Paperback

ISBN: 9780141980638, Paperback

Eduard Verhoef Philippi: How Christianity Began in Europe

Simon Price and Peter Thonemann The Birth of Classical Europe: A History from Troy to Augustine

ISBN: 9781782403883, Paperback

Jill Dudley Lap of the Gods ISBN: 9780955383465, Paperback

ISBN: 9780567331045, Paperback

James H McGregor Athens

ISBN: 9780140274851, Paperback

Richard M Berthold Rhodes in the Hellenistic Age

Mark Mazower Salonica: City of Ghosts

ISBN: 9780674047723, Hardback

ISBN: 9780801475979, Paperback

ISBN: 9780007120222, Paperback

FICTION

MAPS, GUIDES & REFERENCE

Jose Carlos Somoza The Athenian Murders

Title

Publisher

ISBN Number

ISBN: 9780349116181, Paperback

Mediterranean Cruise Map

Freytag and Berndt

9783707912906

Leo Kanaris Codename Xenophon

Cruise Guide to Europe

Eyewitness Travel Guide

9781409370222

Greece & The Islands

Marco Polo Map

9783829767095

Athens

Marco Polo Pocket Guide with Map

9783829707077,

The Greek Islands

Eyewitness Travel Guide

9780241181324

ISBN: 9780099547075, Paperback

Greece: The Aegean Islands

-

9781905131358

Davis Bunn The Patmos Deception

Corfu

Marco Polo Pocket Guide with Map

9783829706643

ISBN: 9781846973130, Paperback

Madeline Miller The Song of Achilles ISBN: 9781408821985, Paperback

Zachary Mason The Lost Books of the Odyssey

Corfu Town

ISBN: 9780764211393, Paperback

Paul Sterry Birds of the Mediterranean ISBN: 9780713663495, Paperback

Lawson Wood Sea Fishes of the Mediterranean Including Marine Invertebrates ISBN: 9781472921789, Paperback

Rhodes

Philippi

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AEGEAN ODYSSEY

16

Carrying around 350 passengers, the size of our ship allows access to ports other vessels cannot reach, meaning we can offer a greater breadth of itinerary and range of destinations.

We sail up the Guadalquivir River into the heart of Seville as well as the Gironde River in France to Bordeaux, and are ideally sized to access smaller ports and islands, too.

SHIP’S SPECIFICATION Ship’s Tonnage

11,563

Length

461 Feet

Beam

67 feet

Draft

20.5 feet

Cruising Speed

16 knots

Our on-board experience is also a little different: you’ll discover an intimate and relaxed atmosphere that enables you to get to know your like-minded fellow travellers. Whether it’s over dinner, in conversation about a lecture or on shore excursions, friendships are easily formed.

Passenger Decks

7

Stabilisers

2

Passengers also appreciate our smart, casual dress code – cutting down on the amount of luggage you need.

Ship’s Registry

Passenger Staterooms/Cabins

216

Passengers, lower beds

386

Classification

Lloyd’s Register Society London Panama

ON-BOARD FACILITIES • Two restaurants

• Internet Centre

• Three lounges

• Outdoor pool

• Four bars

• Athena Spa and Gym

• Lecture theatre

• Beauty Salon

• Library

• Medical Centre

• Shop

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What passengers love most about Aegean Odyssey is the warm and intimate atmosphere. Ships, like people, have personalities. Some are proper and formal. Others offer the anonymity of a large hotel. On board Aegean Odyssey you are greeted as a returning family member even if it’s your first time on board.

DINING DELIGHTS - INDOORS OR OUT! We are very fortunate that the areas we sail to have a strong culinary tradition. The gastronomic culture of using the very best fresh local ingredients cooked in a simple but delicious style is the inspiration for the menus on board Aegean Odyssey.

THE MARCO POLO RESTAURANT: The most formal of the ship’s restaurants, the Marco Polo has full waiter service and a casual country-club elegance.

THE TERRACE CAFE: With a combination of indoor and outdoor seating, sophisticated Mediterranean interior design and cooking on the open grill, the Terrace Cafe replicates the charm and ambiance of a seaside trattoria.

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Dinner al fresco: In the evenings, the Terrace Cafe recreates the informal yet sophisticated atmosphere of a bistro, the perfect place to start your evening.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE Ask any world traveller where they receive the best service and they will undoubtedly answer the Far East.

REFRESHING THE MIND - AS WELL AS THE BODY! During your cruise you will enjoy a programme of lectures and discussions held in the Ambassador Lounge, designed to bring to life the wonderful sites you visit on your journey. There will normally be a number of guest speakers on your cruise, each with different areas of expertise.

Our library is beautifully appointed and houses a well-stocked collection selected by the experts at the Oxford-based bookseller, Blackwell’s. Newspapers are delivered by satellite and are available in the library.

Relax on the sun deck and cool off in the outdoor pool. Pamper yourself at the Athena Health Spa,

where you will find wonderful therapies and treatments to revive you. Our hairdressers and beauty centre is also on hand, and there’s a full fitness studio and early morning yoga sessions to set you up for the day.

Of all the nationalities in this part of the world, it is the Filipinos who carry the highest reputation for attention to detail. Fluent in English and always ready with a smile, our Filipino crew will win your heart.

Before dinner, enjoy a drink in the Charleston Lounge or watch the sun go down from The Terrace. After dinner, perhaps take in a lecture about the places you’ll visit the next day, or enjoy the string trio, pianist and vocalist performance.

In some ports we organise local entertainment to perform on board.

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Category B - Junior Stateroom with balcony

Category H - Premium Outside Cabin

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Category F - Deluxe Stateroom

DECK PLANS

KEY  Single Cabins  Third Pullman berth in these cabins 

Third/Fourth Pullman berth in these cabins

#

Cabin for guests with disabilities

Double Accomodation

Elevator 404# 403

405

707

708

714

711

716

713

718

713

718

715

720

715

720

717

722

717

722

721 723

815

815 816 817

818

819

820 822

816

537 CHARLESTON LOUNGE

CHARLESTON LOUNGE

539 543

541

531

549

429

427 ▲

▲ 530 431 435

532

535

536

537

538 539

HAIR DRESSER

545

540543 547 542549

541

INTERNET

817 819

820

739

742 739

742

TERRACE CAFE

822

741

744 741

744

823

824

823

824

743

746 743

746

826

825

826

745

748 745

748

BAR

BAR

827

828

827

828

747

750 747

750

THE TERRACE

THE TERRACE

476

478

478

• •

• •

554 556

567

560 567

560

569

562 569

562

571

564 571

564

573

566 573

566

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568 575

568

577

570 577

570

•

476

477

552

558

460

544 477

561 554

• •

456

474

561

• •

TERRACE CAFE

454

460

475

550

556 563

456451

475

542

559 552

558 565

451

474

557 550

565

453

471

559

563

452

471

557

740

446

450

464

546

738

448

452447

464 ATHENA HEALTH 466 SPA 470

548

740 737

446443

467

546

738 735

448445 450449 454453

ATHENA 459 HEALTH SPA 463

555 548

733 736

443 447

459

553

737

440

540 467

555

735

432 436 ▲

445

455

553

SHOP

438

428

449 536 455

730

SHOP 736

434

424

442

727

734

430

444

730

731 734

426

420

442

727

LIBRARY

422

416

444

544

LIBRARY

418

439

551

732

437

414 ▲

441

551

729 732

433

413 416

418415 420 417 422 419 421 424 426 425 428423 430 429 432427 ▲ 434 ▲ 431 ▲ 436433 438 435 440437

412

441

463

INTERNET

408 409 410

412 411

534 439

538 HAIR DRESSER

408 407

••

• 423

RECEPTION

547 545

419

425

728

818

821

• •

• • 535

518 421 522

534

RECEPTION

825

821

530527 528

532 533

520

725

• •

813 814

527 528 529 531

417

728

•

811 812

813

524 523 524 521 522 526 ▲ 525 ▲ 526 ▲

414 ▲

413 415

725

729 812 731 814 733

• •

• 811

723

520519 518 517

523

533

721

• •

POOL

719

517

525 ▲

529

712 • 710 •

709

716

726 •

POOL

521

•

714

711

719

519

726 •

ION

AMBASSADOR LOUNGE

• •

LIDO BAR

•

709

•

LIDO BAR

AMBASSADOR LOUNGE

409 410

•

708

514

513 516

411

•

707

510

515514

• •

706

810 •

809 •

704

705

509 512 511510 509 512 513 516

702

724 •

806 808

703

706

• •

805 807

704

705

712 • 710 •

806 808

810 • 809 •

805 807

703

•

804

803

701

724 •

804

803

515

702

■

701

407

508

■

802

801

• •

511 802

801

504 505 506

507508

406

■

503 504 505 506

■

503 507

404#

406405

•

BRIDGE

•

403 BRIDGE

466 470

MARCO POLO RESTAURANT

MARCO POLO RESTAURANT

M

STANDARD INSIDE

L

PREMIUM INSIDE

K

PREMIUM INSIDE

J

STANDARD OUTSIDE

I*

STANDARD OUTSIDE

H

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

G

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

F

DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE

E

DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE

D

DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY

C

DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY

B

JJUNIOR SUITE BALCONY

A

OWNER'S SUITE BALCONY

Single Accomodation MEDICAL

MEDICAL

MM

STANDARD INSIDE

JJ

STANDARD OUTSIDE

II*

STANDARD OUTSIDE

HH*

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

GG*

PREMIUM OUTSIDE

EE

DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE

CC

DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY

*Categories GG, I, II and some HH cabins

PROMENADE DECK LIDO DECKLIDO DECK BRIDGE DECK PROMENADE DECK BRIDGE DECK

MARCO POLO DECK MARCO POLO DECK BELVEDERE DECK DECK have partially restricted view BELVEDERE DECKCOLUMBUSCOLUMBUS DECK

www.voyagestoantiquity.com 21

EXCURSION INFORMATION Voyages to Antiquity’s cruises include shore excursions in most ports of call. Some ports offer multiple opportunities for sightseeing, and in these instances, Voyages to Antiquity offers carefully selected excursions – some as an alternative to the main included excursion, some at an additional cost.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TOUR These sightseeing programmes are outstanding but can be challenging. Visits to archaeological sites require walking over uneven surfaces, up and down multiple steps, and therefore a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Some passengers may decide to take a break on certain days and explore the environs around the port.

Look for the symbols alongside each tour description to get a good idea of what can be expected on each excursion.

Tour durations are approximate and, to be sure you get the most out of the excursion and to avoid overcrowding, the sequence of site visits and operating times may vary. The on-board staff will brief you nightly on the expected plans for the following day.

All departure times and meeting points will be advised in the Daily Journal on board. Some countries require you to carry certain documents ashore and this will be advised on board at the appropriate time. Please note that we reserve the right to change, cancel or substitute an included excursion at any time.

Patmos

22

OUR SHORE EXCURSION TEAM Our Shore Excursion Manager and Graduate Assistants are on hand to make sure you get the most out of your shoreside experience. Informative briefings will be given regarding the excursions and ports of call, and the team will be on hand at the Reception Desk to answer any further queries you might have. During the excursions, although we endeavour to have a representative on each bus as much as possible, this cannot be guaranteed. The role of our ship’s excursion staff when ashore, is primarily to ensure the smooth operation and delivery of our excursion product in conjunction with the local guide and operator. This often means rotating between groups and working with the local guides. Kindly note that, although keen to assist when required, our team are not responsible for providing walking support or making sure everyone in the group is present.

OUR GUIDES It is one thing to see the Lions of Delos and quite another to see it in the company of a good guide who can share his/ her knowledge and passion for history. All of our shore excursions feature qualified English-speaking guides who seek to enlighten your visit with their expertise.

SHOPPING From Greek pottery to olive oil and woodcarvings, the crafts of this part of the world have evolved over the centuries. While these shore excursions focus on the history, culture and archaeology of the area, some offer the chance

to visit local workshops and observe demonstrations.

Voyages to Antiquity has no connection with any shopping establishment and does not assume responsibility for purchases made ashore. We also recommend insurance on anything you choose to ship home.

TRANSPORTATION Various modes of transportation are used, depending on the excursion. Most motorcoaches are deluxe, air-conditioned vehicles unless unavailable in that port.

VISITS TO SITES/MUSEUMS On occasions, substitutions need to be made due to opening/ closing times of some sites/museums, but all possible is done to ensure schedules operate as described. If a change is made, guests will be advised with their final documents or at the shore excursion briefings on board.

Note: For passengers on Grand Voyages, availability of included and optional excursions in Piraeus will be advised on board.

CLOTHING TIPS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Sunhats and sunscreen are recommended when participating in excursions – especially when walking through towns and villages. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for most of the excursions on this itinerary.

Itinerary Changes The cruise and tour programmes featured in this brochure are planned many months in advance. Occasionally changes have to be made to the itineraries due to circumstances beyond the control of Voyages to Antiquity.

Respectful dress is required for the following excursions as sites of a religious nature are included: St John’s Patmos and the Remarkable Monasteries at Meteora. As a rule, this means that shoulders and knees should be covered – yet the monasteries will often hand out additional material to wear.

Further details will be advised in the on-board briefings, along with weather predictions.

Responsibility The responsibility of Voyages to Antiquity and the operator of the vessel is strictly limited according to the Terms and Conditions set forth in the Passage Contract that you receive prior to embarkation. You are urged to read the Passage Contract carefully. A sample is available to be mailed on request or can be viewed and printed from the Voyages to Antiquity website at any time. Transportation on board the ship is provided solely by the ship operator and pursuant to the Passage Contract. Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a guest for any reason. Voyages to Antiquity shall not be responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the Voyages to Antiquity vessel. Voyages to Antiquity acts only as an agent for the supplier of off-ship services such as airlines and other off-ship transportation carriers, meals, shore excursions, accommodations, air ambulance and shoreside physicians. Guests agree not to hold Voyages to Antiquity, its owners, agents or representatives liable for any loss, injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, of any third party person or firm which is to, or does, provide goods or services in connection with the trip or any available option.

Without limiting the foregoing, Voyages to Antiquity shall have no liability to passengers for the quality of services at, and the condition, cleanliness or safety of a hotel, housing facility, or conveyance, or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened

vacation time, additional expenses, or any other kind of damage. Voyages to Antiquity expressly disclaims all responsibility of any nature whatsoever for any loss, damage or injury to property or person resulting from air, rail, motorcoach or any other form of transportation other than that actually provided by the Voyages to Antiquity vessel.

Services provided by Independent Contractors All shoreside tours and services described in this brochure or on the website are provided by independent contractors. Voyages to Antiquity acts solely as ticketing agent for all shoreside activities and has no legal obligation or liability of any kind to guests for acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground/tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Voyages to Antiquity.

Guests with Special Needs The tour programmes featured in this brochure include extensive sightseeing and to fully participate each guest must be reasonably fit and have no walking difficulties. Whenever possible Voyages to Antiquity will try to accommodate guests with special needs as long as the mobility issues are not an impediment to others on the guided tours. For further details, refer to the Essential Travel Information leaflet or to that section of the Voyages to Antiquity website.

Errors & Omissions While Voyages to Antiquity makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in this booklet, its promotions and as displayed on the website, Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right not to honour any published fares that it determines were erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error. Voyages to Antiquity is not responsible or liable for any typographical errors, omissions or misprints.

www.voyagestoantiquity.com 23

THE 2017 CRUISE COLLECTION MADEIRA,

May 3 2017

M OR O C C O & SEVILLE

Madeira’s magnificent flora begins this springtime voyage to the Canary Islands, Morocco’s great cities and the charms of Moorish Seville and Cordoba

IBERIA,

HISTORIC SPAIN, SICILY & ITALY

May 11, 2017

ICELAND,

May 25, 2017

FRENCH MOORISH

A springtime voyage combining a two-night hotel stay in Rome, visits to the islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Elba, Renaissance Florence and the French Riviera

June 29 & August 8, 2017

ENGLAND,

Enjoy the sunshine on a two-week voyage from the French Riviera down the western Mediterranean coast to Spain’s historic cities, and the tip of mainland Europe

July 13, 2017

CELTIC

FRANCE &

FAROES &

IRELAND &

S COTLAND &

ENGLAND

SHETLANDS

S COTLAND

IRELAND

Join our magnificent voyage to the edge of the Arctic Circle and the incredible landscapes and nautural wonders of Iceland

From the catles and caves of Scotland to the Isles of Scilly, get to know more about the British Isles and Ireland on this fascinating summer sailing

Two nights in Edinburgh begin this voyage from Scotland to the spectacular west of Ireland and the beautiful Isles of Scilly

Sail from Seville along the Guadalquivir River and onto the Atlantic on a voyage to Portugal’s historic cities, France’s Bordeaux wine region and England’s South Coast

THE BEST OF

August 22, 2017

FRANCE &

MEDITERRANEAN

September 1, 2017

ODYS SEY

ITALIAN &

September 13, 2017

ADRIATIC

PORTUGAL

Sail through the Strait of Gibraltar and accross the Mediterranean as this splendid voyage takes you to charming ports and historic cities

DALMATIA

July 24, 2017

September 27, 2017

& ANCIENT

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy the summer sun as you sail south to France’s Chateaux Country and on to Portugal’s historic cities

June 6, 2017

RIVIERA & SPAIN

Moorish cities, monumental Sicily, the mysteries of Pompeii, and the grandeur of Rome - all in one magnificent journey

June 15, 2017

THE RENAIS SANCE & RIVIERA S

GREECE

This leisurely-paced cruise around Italy allows time to enjoy the pleasures of beautiful Sorrento, explore the ruins of Pompeii and Sicily, and sail along the glorius Adriatic coast to Venice

THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING CRUISE LINE

Cruise through the beautiful Adriatic Sea and the serene splendour of Kotor Bay en route to the classical sites of ancient Greece

UK CRUISERS’ CHOICE

CLA S SICAL

October 5, 2017

ANCIENT

GREECE &

GREECE,

AEGEAN

SICILY &

ISLANDS

SPAIN

This fascinating voyage around the Aegean is a true autumn treat. Starting from Athens, you will visit some of the most inspiring monuments of the ancient world

Sail across the southern Mediterranean to the fascinating island of Sicily and the sites of Moorish Spain

October 16, 2017

ANDALUSIAN

October 29, 2017

SEVILLE,

SPAIN &

MOROCCO

MOROCCO

& CANARY ISLANDS

November 9, 2017

2017

Voyages to Antiquity Aegean Odyssey Best Small Ship: Shore Excursions

WINNER Andalusia’s great cities – Seville, Cordoba and Granada – combine with exotic Morocco on this fabulous voyage

Discover the lkesser-known teasures of the canary Islands and enjoy a tour of the very best of Morocco

These Cruise Guides are available to download from our website www.voyagestoantiquity.com

AWARDS

2015 VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY BEST FOR ENRICHMENT