Cruise Itinerary for 10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece |
Destination |
Arrival |
Departure |
Athens (Piraeus) |
8/1/2009 |
8/1/2009 6:00:00 PM |
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Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summi has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Nafplion (Nauplia) |
8/2/2009 |
8/2/2009 |
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A former capital of Greece and a popular port on the eastern Peloponnese coast, Nafplion impresses visitors with grand, medieval architecture erected by Venetians during the 15th century. The most dominant structure is Palamidi Fortress towering high above town. The port is a lively town with a scenic harbor, a picturesque center to explore on foot and pebble beaches. Several monuments remain from its Turkish past, including mosques and parliament building. Handicrafts and local costumes are on display at the Folk Art Museum. Palamidi Castle has an incomparable view from the fortress’ lofty position. Spend time strolling along the waterfront, exploring around main square and narrow streets of Old Town. Platia Sintagmator, the city’s main square, is fronted by a former mosque, now the meeting place of Greek Parliament. Here is also the Archaeological Museum, which features an outstanding collection of Mycenaean finds. The entrance to Akronafplia Citadel has a gate built of Roman bricks, a Byzantine gatehouse with frescoes dating from 1291, and Venetian bastions.
From the port, don't pass up a tour to Mycenae. There is evidence that the site has been inhabited since 4000 BC, but reached its peak of civilization during 1500 - 1000 BC. It was here that the mighty Agamemnon ruled and the site still contains massive structures which give visitors a glimpse of what this magnificent city once was.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Elafonisos |
8/3/2009 |
8/3/2009 |
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Elafonisos is one of the lesser known islands of Greece but its small size is deceiving. It does not have the spectacular beauty of its island cousins, but it issurrounded by the most beautiful turquoise seas and features some of the finest and longest sandy beaches in Greece.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Chania |
8/3/2009 |
8/3/2009 |
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No information currently available.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Chania |
8/4/2009 |
8/4/2009 |
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No information currently available.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Santorini |
8/5/2009 |
8/5/2009 |
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Santorini is everything that has made the Greek islands legendary. The world famous island of Santorini is the southern most island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located north of Crete. Its population is distributed among thirteen villages and just exceeds nine thousand. The marvelous dry climate and unbroken sunshine create year around conditions which are perfect for observation, photographs and videos under an extraordinary variety of natural lights and colors.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Kos |
8/6/2009 |
8/6/2009 |
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The island of Kos, just off the coast of Turkey, was the birthplace of Hippocrates, father of modern medicine. Byzantine and Hellenistic ruins, glorious beaches and natural beauty make this island a favorite. There really is so much to see on the island, visitors will have trouble deciding which site to see if there is limited time. There is the Asklepeion Sanctuary, which was built in 357 BC and was to ancient Greeks what a spa is to us today. There are also temples of Aphrodite and Dionysus, the Palace of the Knights of Rhodes which is a quite impressive medieval structure with double walls and a moat and Casa Romana. Other attractions include a museum, Turkish mosques, the Roman Odeon and fountains and Roman baths. If time permits, also visit the ruined Byzantine fortress and 14th-century church in Palio Pili as well as the medieval castle at Antimahia.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Didim |
8/7/2009 |
8/7/2009 |
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No information currently available.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Kusadasi |
8/8/2009 |
8/8/2009 |
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Visitors come to Kusadasi for beaches and nearby ruins of Ephesus. The major attraction is the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be most important in Turkey. The history of this ancient city dates back to 10th century BC; many remarkable structures seen today are result of an excavation and restoration program. Along a white marble road grooved by ancient chariot wheels, the two-story Library of Celsus presents a striking sight. There are temples, houses of noblemen, and community buildings lining ancient streets. Nestled in the mountainside is a 25,000-seat amphitheater, still used for performances during Festival of Culture and Art. Bible buffs may know Ephesus as inspiration for St. Paul’s Epistle to Ephesians and the site of one of the first seven churches of Asia Minor. Treasures are kept in the Seljuk Archaeological Museum. Among the better-known ancient sites near Kusadasi are ancient Miletus and Dydima. Remains include a well-preserved Roman theater at Miletus and Dydima's sacred temple of Apollo.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Samos |
8/8/2009 |
8/8/2009 |
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The mountainous Aegean island of Samos was the legendary birthplace of the goddess Hera. The capital is Limen Vatheos. During the sixth century BC, the powerful Tyrant Polycrates built shipyards on Samos and organized a fleet of 100 ships to raid the surrounding islands. During his reign, an advanced aqueduct was built inside a tunnel designed by architect Eupalinos and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Highlights of Samos include the Pithagorian, Temple of Hera and the Vathi Museum.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Kusadasi |
8/9/2009 |
8/9/2009 |
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Visitors come to Kusadasi for beaches and nearby ruins of Ephesus. The major attraction is the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be most important in Turkey. The history of this ancient city dates back to 10th century BC; many remarkable structures seen today are result of an excavation and restoration program. Along a white marble road grooved by ancient chariot wheels, the two-story Library of Celsus presents a striking sight. There are temples, houses of noblemen, and community buildings lining ancient streets. Nestled in the mountainside is a 25,000-seat amphitheater, still used for performances during Festival of Culture and Art. Bible buffs may know Ephesus as inspiration for St. Paul’s Epistle to Ephesians and the site of one of the first seven churches of Asia Minor. Treasures are kept in the Seljuk Archaeological Museum. Among the better-known ancient sites near Kusadasi are ancient Miletus and Dydima. Remains include a well-preserved Roman theater at Miletus and Dydima's sacred temple of Apollo.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Mytilene |
8/10/2009 |
8/10/2009 |
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The birthplace of Sappho, a famous poet in ancient Greece, Lesbos is a charming island of picturesque villages like Agiassos. The Byzantine Monastery of Limonos and its beautiful frescoes are of special interest.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |
Istanbul |
8/11/2009 7:00:00 AM |
8/11/2009 |
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This exotic capital guards the slender waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is the doorway between the West and the East. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Sarai await-as does the Grand Bazaar, laden with carpets, beaten brass and spices from far-off lands. A walk down any backstreet gives the feeling of entering a completely different environment. Traders with handcarts, stevedores carrying burdens twice their size, limbless beggars and shoeshine boys all frequent the streets around the city center. Men monopolize public bars and teahouses, while many women cover their heads, their gaze downcast. In summer, dust tracks take the place of pavements, giving way in winter to a slurry of mud. Where there are pavements, they are punctuated at intervals with unmarked pits large enough to swallow you without trace. And this is before you even begin to cross any bridges into Asia.
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10-night Mediterranean Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Seadream SeaDream I |