Cruise Itinerary for 28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece |
Destination |
Arrival |
Departure |
Athens (Piraeus) |
10/4/2009 |
10/4/2009 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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/5/2009 |
10/5/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Alexandria (Cairo) |
10/6/2009 6:00:00 AM |
10/6/2009 7:00:00 PM |
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This Mediterranean city, blessed with a mild, pleasant climate and white beaches, is a popular playground and the country's summer capital. Nightclubs, sidewalk cafes and restaurants lining the Corniche add to Alexandria's attractions. There are museums, Roman theater, and catacombs to explore. Alexandria also serves as gateway for excursions to Cairo and the famous El Alamein battlefield. Visitors will find plenty of interest in this "Pearl of the Mediterranean." Good shopping buys include gold and silver jewelry, especially the gold cartouche with your name inscribed in hieroglyphs, cotton goods, carpets, leather articles, copper- and brassware, basketware and papyrus prints. The city boasts a reputation of having the country's best food. Other sights include: Ras at-Tin Palace, with its surrounding gardens; Hussein Sobhy Museum of Fine Arts; and Hotel Cecil, a grand and elegant hotel with romantic and intriguing history. There is a War Museum and Commonwealth War Cemetery.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Port Said |
10/7/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/7/2009 6:00:00 PM |
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Port Said has a lovely view which runs along its attractive beach. The city is located at the northern end of the Suez Canal. Situated largely on man-made land, the city was founded on a low sandy strip separating the Mediterranean from Lake Al-Manzilah. Lying at the junction of Africa & Asia, it is a famous and vital sea route between east & west.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Ashdod |
10/8/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/8/2009 11:00:00 PM |
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Ashdod is one of Israel’s largest ports and a living museum of ancient history. It was one of the five cities of giants, and it was here the Philistines brought the captured Holy Ark, sacred to the Hebrews. Ashdod’s 23-level tel (archaeological dig) lies southeast of the modern city. Among the remains of the 10th century CE Fatimid Fortress, archaeologists discovered an early Arabic document recounting Byzantine ships once brought Muslim prisoners to Ashdod to sell back to their families.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Haifa |
10/9/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/9/2009 11:00:00 PM |
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Holy Land to three of the world's major religions, Israel has a great emotional and spiritual effect on its visitors through its magnificent religious shrines and tenacity of a nation that, against all odds, made the desert bloom. As a center of shipping, banking, foreign commerce and wholesale trading, Haifa boasts institutions for higher education and for scientific research, a theater, a concert hall, museums and places of culture and entertainment. The residential areas and major hotels are situated along the ridge of Mount Carmel, about 900 feet above sea level. Clandestine Immigration & Navy Museum features the ship which ran the British blockade during the Mandatory period. Mane Katz Museum is dedicated to the world-renowned Jewish artist of the same name who left his home, paintings and other works of art to the city. Gan Ha-Pesalim, a lovely garden overlooking the bay, is home to over 20 bronze sculptures by Ursula Malbin. Elija’s Cave, known as the center of the prophet’s activities, is holy to Jews, Christians, Moslems and Druze.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/10/2009 |
10/10/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Antalya |
10/11/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/11/2009 6:00:00 PM |
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This sun-drenched Mediterranean town on the Turkish Riviera is a major resort with a beautiful crescent bay, dramatic cliffs, and jagged mountains. It is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In picturesque old quarter, narrow streets and old wooden houses huddle against ancient city walls. Antalya's visitors come see the old town with its picturesque harbor and excellent Archaeological Museum. Its outstanding exhibits provide fascinating glimpses into the life of the region. In the surrounding area are additional attractions such as Aspendos, Perge and Side. Their remains of antiquity are considered among the most impressive sites. Visit Hadrian's Gate and Main Square, which with its landmark clock tower offers views of the bay and distant mountain peaks. Karatay Medrese (Theological College) exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carving. Ataturk Museum features a collection of interesting memorabilia commemorating the founder of Turkey.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Rhodes |
10/12/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/12/2009 6:00:00 PM |
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Rhodes is one of Greece’s favored vacation centers and was an important cultural center with a well-known School of Rhetoric attended by such greats as Cicero and Caesar. Rhodes' most famous attractions originated with the Knights of St. John, who occupied parts of the island from 1310 to 1522 and left a medieval town, dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters and Knights' Hospital, which houses an Archaeological Museum with interesting exhibits of national archaeological finds. Rhodes has inspired many artists. The Old Town offers shopping opportunities and lively nightlife. At Mount Filerimos a church has been built on the site of an ancient temple. A popular excursion is to the charming village of Lindos. Its premier attraction, the ancient acropolis, stands atop sheer cliffs. Walls of a 13th-century Crusader castle enclose the site. Today, the winding path up to the acropolis is lined by stalls, where locals sell lace tablecloths and souvenirs. Mandraki Harbor's entrance is flanked by stone columns topped by figures of a stag and a hind, the town's heraldic animals.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Kusadasi |
10/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/13/2009 11:00:00 PM |
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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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/14/2009 |
10/14/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Sarande |
10/15/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/15/2009 6:00:00 PM |
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Sarande is a port town located on the southern end of Albania surrounded by spectacularly crystal clear water beaches that are suprisingly uncrowded and perfect for a lazy day in the sun. While in port, enjoy a light lunch at one of many restaurants featuring locally caught seafood. Forty-five minutes outside the city is the archaeological city of Butrint. Some scholars think Butrint is one of the most important excavations in the region due to its lengthy history and varied inhabitants. The surrounding area to the ruins is almost as astonishing as the ancient city itself.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Dubrovnik |
10/16/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/16/2009 5:00:00 PM |
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Classed as a world heritage treasure by UNESCO, Dubrovnik is a place of ancient streets lined with stone palaces, Venetian-style buildings and bell towers. The city is enclosed by stone walls, and the highlight is a leisurely walk atop these massive walls for a great view of the city and the sea. Entering Dubrovnik, you are greeted by an impressive pedestrian promenade, the Placa, which extends before you all the way to the clock tower at the other end of town. The Orlando Tower here is a favorite meeting place. Just inside the city walls near the Pile Gate is the Franciscan Monastery housing the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, operating since 1391. For a fantastic panorama of the city, take a cable car ride to the summit of the 1,340-foot Mount Srdj.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/17/2009 |
10/17/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Rome (Civitavecchia) |
10/18/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/18/2009 5:00:00 PM |
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Civitavecchia is the port city for Rome. Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. With its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, Rome is one of the world’s most attractive cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum where spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once a political and commercial center. Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Awe at Christendom’s most magnificent church, the Sistine Chapel. The busy square Piazza Venezia is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Take a stroll to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is the site of lovely St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, where for 200 years, Renaissance masters worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Visit Vatican Museum.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/19/2009 |
10/19/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Katakolon |
10/20/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/20/2009 5:00:00 PM |
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Katakolon is a port admired for beautiful beaches. Equally important, Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, the great Panhellenic sanctuary. The site of ancient Olympia is situated at the foot of wooded Mount Kronos in an area of gentle hills; excavations began in 1875 and are considered one of archaeology’s great achievements. A direct consequence was the revival of Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin; the first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. Today, visitors to Olympia are overwhelmed by the impact of ancient remains and their significance. The site’s most important excavations include numerous monuments, such as Temple of Zeus in the Sacred Precinct, Treasuries, and Stadium. There is an excellent Archaeological Museum with a large collection of bronzes, pottery and sculptures unearthed during the excavations. The main reason for a visit to Katakolon is the trip to Olympia. Those guests who wish to remain in Katakolon will enjoy its unhurried atmosphere and the friendliness of the people.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Nafplion (Nauplia) |
10/21/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/21/2009 3:00:00 PM |
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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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Istanbul |
10/22/2009 4:00:00 PM |
10/22/2009 |
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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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Istanbul |
10/23/2009 |
10/23/2009 11:00:00 PM |
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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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/24/2009 |
10/24/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
|
28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Sochi |
10/25/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/25/2009 8:00:00 PM |
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With the Caucasus Mountains as its backdrop, the Black Sea town of Sochi is the jewel of the Russian Riviera. Sand and pebble beaches stretch nearly 20 miles along the Black Sea coast. With its subtropical climate, warm seas and adjoining trendy resort complex of Dagomys, the resort has long attracted heads of state, foreign tourists, and Russians alike. Botanical Gardens, therapeutic pools, and the dachas (country houses) of the powerful and famous are all local landmarks. Historical and architectural monuments, unique flora and fauna, magnificent panoramas, mysterious canyons and caves, and dramatic waterfalls are all found in Sochi.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Batumi |
10/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/26/2009 5:00:00 PM |
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Batumi is located on the Black Sea Coast and is close to the Turkey border. The town has a great beach and a small city center that can be seen on foot. There a some houses that date back to the 19th century that are great to see!
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Trabzon |
10/27/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/27/2009 5:00:00 PM |
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Trabzon is a historical port city in Turkey that lines the eastern side of the Black Sea. Founded by the colonists of Miletus in the 8th century BC, this port is now known for its St. Sophia Church and the magnificent Sumela Monastery. The St. Sophia Church was constructed in the 13th century and is now a museum. The Sumela Monastery was built on the side of a cliff. This spectacular structure houses a library, a church, priests living quarters, a chapel and a sacred spring of water. The surrounding area is now a national park and is just as beautiful as the monastery.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Sinop |
10/28/2009 8:00:00 AM |
10/28/2009 5:00:00 PM |
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No information currently available.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Sevastopol |
10/29/2009 6:00:00 AM |
10/29/2009 3:00:00 PM |
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Nestled between the sea and beautiful green valleys, Sevastopol, meaning “majestic city” in Greek, sits on hills forming a natural amphitheater overlooking magnificent Bakhtiarsky Bay. This city is laden with bays of astonishing beauty, impressive architectural ensembles, unique museums, charming gardens and attractive squares and boulevards. At Malakhov Kurgan, the command post of the first defense of Sevastopol, are remains of bastions which protected the city during its 200-year old history. An eternal flame burns in honor of Crimean and Soviet naval heroes. The city has a great military and naval history, and its people are proud of the title of Hero City earned for their valiant stand against Nazis during World War II. The State Historical and Archaeological Museum houses the heritage of a 2,500-year-old civilization, with relics of the city’s past. Among numerous other attractions is Balaklava, scene of long and bitter clashes in the Crimean War. Sevastopol Aquarium displays a vast array of fish and marine life from the waters of the Black Sea.
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
At Sea |
10/30/2009 |
10/30/2009 |
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Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!
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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Kusadasi |
10/31/2009 7:00:00 AM |
10/31/2009 7:00:00 PM |
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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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
Athens (Piraeus) |
11/1/2009 7:00:00 AM |
11/1/2009 |
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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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28-night Holy Lands & Black Sea Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Holland America Prinsendam |
