College Study Tours GREEK ISLAND CRUISE. 4 Days Mykonos Samos Patmos Rhodes Crete Santorini

Transcription

1 College Study Tours GREEK ISLAND CRUISE 4 Days Mykonos Samos Rhodes Santorini

2 CRUISE DETAILS Mykonos Samos Rhodes Santorini Cruise company EF uses Celestyal Cruises (formerly known as Louis Cruises) for all of our Greek Island cruises. The name of your cruise ship will be available approximately two weeks prior to your departure. Accommodations and amenities Cabins on the ship are smaller than normal hotel rooms. Each cabin has air conditioning and a private bathroom. Groups should expect to stay in lower-level cabins, which may be interior facing. All student travelers will be accommodated in triples or quads. Twin and single cabins are available with a rooming upgrade. Amenities on the ship may include restaurants, pool, casino, library, internet access, exercise room, live entertainment, and a discotheque. Payments on-board The currency used on-board is the Euro ( ). A mandatory shipboard account is opened for each traveler at the beginning of the cruise. A credit card or 50 deposit is required in order to open an account (debit cards or personal checks are not accepted). While travelers can use cash, we highly suggest using a credit card for a much smoother process. All on-board expenses including shore excursions, gift shop purchases, etc. are charged to your shipboard account. Upon disembarkation, travelers may settle their accounts using MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit cards, or cash. Meals and drinks Your cruise includes all meals, with full American breakfasts (6am 9am), lunch buffets (12pm 2pm), tea on deck (5pm), and buffet-style and seated dinners (6:45pm or 7:45pm). If any of your travelers have food allergies, make sure to alert your Program Coordinator at least four weeks before departure. Drinks are not included, although travelers can purchase a drink package at the beginning of the cruise. All-inclusive, non-alcoholic beverages approx. 52 All-inclusive approx. 87 (Available to travelers ages 21 and older. Passport required to verify age.) Dress While the dress code on-board is mostly casual, some evening activities may require semi-formal attire. Additionally, most cruises include a Greek Night, where travelers are encouraged to dress in blue and white. Tipping Gratuities for cruise staff are included in your EF program price. Your Tour Director will be with you throughout the cruise. With this in mind, please make sure to recognize their service and tip accordingly. We recommend $6 per person per day. Shore excursions Various shore excursions are available throughout the cruise, and feature incredible sights that perfectly complement your comprehensive itinerary. The Mykonos shuttle excursion is included as part of your cruise at no additional cost, while the rest of the excursions can be purchased in one of two ways: 1. You can purchase several excursions through Celestyal Cruises while on-board the ship (at a fee that they will determine). While you can pay for these with cash, we highly recommend using a credit card. 2. You can choose from one of EF s two shore excursion packages, which can be purchased before your program. Please note, if you purchase either of the below, you will only have time to go on the excursions that are included within your selected package. Also, the excursions are non-exchangeable. Option 1: EF s 3 island package ($210) This includes visits to: 1. Samos: Vathi, Heraion, and Pythagorion 2. : the Monastery of St. John and Grotto of the Apocalypse 3. Rhodes: Rhodes and Lindos excursion Option 2: EF s 4 island package ($280) This includes visits to: 1. Samos: Vathi, Heraion, and Pythagorion 2. : the Monastery of St. John and Grotto of the Apocalypse 3. Rhodes: Rhodes and Lindos excursion 4. Santorini: Oia Village All excursions (including those in EF s two packages) are detailed on the following pages. Here are a few helpful tips for all of them: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. For visits to religious sites, bare shoulders and shorts are not permitted. Bring water. Itinerary details PORT DAY ARRIVAL DEPARTURE Piraeus Fri Embark 11am Mykonos Fri 6pm 11pm Samos Sat 5:15am* 1:45pm Sat 4pm 9pm Heraklion Sun 7am 11:30am Santorini Sun 4:30pm 9pm Piraeus Mon 6am Disembark *You ll disembark the cruise ship at 4:30 a.m., then travel by speedboat to Samos. This schedule was made to reroute the group from Turkey to Greece due to current political events. Itineraries are subject to change. Legend Religious sites Moderate walking Extensive walking

3 MYKONOS One of Greece s Cyclades Islands, Mykonos was ruled by the Venetians in the 13 th and 14 th centuries, and was later under Turkish occupation. Today, the quaint, winding streets of the Old Town are perfect for browsing trendy boutiques and crafts shops. Santorini Rhodes Mykonos round-trip shuttle excursion (Now included as part of your cruise) Includes: Travel by shuttle bus Time: 3 hours Mykonos (also known as Hora) is located just 1.5 miles from your dock. You can take a round-trip shuttle there and explore the island s largest town on your own. Brilliant, whitewashed architecture is around every corner, including the iconic Mykonos windmills and the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, one of the most famous structures in Greece. Be on the lookout for Three Well Square (Tria Pigadia), where a local legend states that an unmarried woman who drinks from each of the wells will soon find a husband. Countryside tours of Hora and Little Venice (Approximately 45) This excursion sets off from Hora, then makes a stop at the leeward beach of Ornos, a picturesque fishing harbor and a popular anchorage. Afterward, you ll head to the small beach of Agia Anna, then on to the lovely Kalafatis Beach. During your journey back to Hora, you ll visit the traditional village of Ano Mera and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in The pretty village square is the perfect spot for a short picture-taking break. Later, you ll stop at Paraportiani as well as the Mykonos Folklore Museum, which is located in an old twostoried merchant baron s house. Finally, you ll make your way to Alefkandra. This charming area is known as the Little Venice of Mykonos because its houses are built on the sea, with wooden balconies that are reminiscent of the Italian city. Mykonos walking tour (Approximately 15) Your coach bus will take you to Hora, where you will enjoy a walking tour. As you venture along the town s cobbled streets, you ll pass chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs, and whitewashed houses. Continue on to Alefkandra which, as mentioned previously is known as the Little Venice of Mykonos. Take time to marvel at the surrounding houses, which were built starting in the mid-18th century, and were once home to wealthy merchants and captains. Afterward, you ll head to Hora, where the ship s shuttle service will take you back to your ship. Mykonian feast (Approximately 40) Includes: Museum entrance; tasting at a tavern Stroll through Hora s cobbled streets, walking past chic boutiques and whitewashed houses. Head to Kastro, home of the famous Church of Panagia Paraportiani. Here, you ll visit some of the smaller chapels, as well as the Mykonos Folklore Museum,* which shows what Mykonian life looked like 100 years ago. From Kastro, continue to beautiful Alefkandra, where you can see charming windmills and magnificent sunsets. Later, head to a local tavern, where you can immerse yourself in genuine Greek culture by enjoying a delicious Greek meal. Here, you ll also get to experience Greek music and dances. *In the event that the Folklore Museum is closed, we will visit the Aegean Maritime Museum, which displays scale models of various rowing boats, sailing vessels, and steam-powered ships.

4 SAMOS Ruled by legend and beauty, Samos is located in the eastern Aegean Sea. This picturesque Greek island is known as the home of Pythagoras, the father of mathematics, and the legendary birthplace of Hera. The excursion below is included within our optional EF packages, both of which can be purchased at the prices listed on page 1. However, the excursion can also be purchased separately while on-board, directly through Celestyal Cruises. If you buy it on-board, the cruise company will determine the fee. Santorini Rhodes Samos without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy breakfast followed by free time on the island. Vathi, Heraion, and Pythagorio (Approximately 66, or included as part of EF s 3 island and 4 island packages) ; walking tour Time: Approximately 3 hours Upon disembarking the ship, enjoy breakfast before an orientation walk through the town of Vathi. Here, you ll see the bustling main square, St. Spyridon church, and the town hall. Afterward, visit the Samos Wine Museum to view wooden casks from the early 20 th century as well as traditional wine making tools and exhibits. Continue to the archaeological site of Heraion, a large sanctuary to the goddess Hera. The site was designated a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Pythagoreion, an archaeological site containing ancient Greek and Roman monuments. You ll then return by bus to Pythagorio village, namesake of the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, Pythagoras. Encircled by crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, Pythagorio provides classic postcard views of life along the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a walking tour through the narrow streets and alleyways before enjoying free time to explore the town on your own.

5 PATMOS Reunited with Greece in 1948, is one of the 12 Dodecanese Islands that extend off the western coast of Turkey. Despite many centuries of foreign rule, has long retained its Greek language and culture. The excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island. Santorini Rhodes St. John s Monastery and Grotto of the Apocalypse (Approximately 65, or included as part of EF s 3 island and 4 island packages) ; walking tour Time: Approximately 2 hours 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 toward the entrance of the monastery, marvel at this magnificent Byzantine structure, which was built 900 years ago. View the courtyard, the monks dining room, and the old bakery before you visit the Byzantine Church of St. John, noted for its outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. Next, visit the small museum where priceless books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, and textiles are housed. Continue on to the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of the Apocalypse above it. Walk down the steps to the Grotto where 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. The crack in the rock is said to be made by the voice of God honoring the Holy Trinity. (Visitors wearing shorts may not enter the Monastery or Grotto. Female visitors to the Monastery must wear clothing that covers their shoulders. Also, a strenuous uphill walk is required to reach the Monastery.) Agriolivado beach (Approximately 20) Time: Half day Disembark the ship and travel by motorcoach to Agriolivado, one of the most beautiful and clean family beaches located at the northern part of the village of Scala. There you can swim in crystal-clear waters and relax on the tranquil beach for approximately two hours. Your motorcoach will then bring you back to the port of Scala, where you can either return to the ship or enjoy a casual stroll around the picturesque port town. countryside tour (Approximately 65) Time: Approximately 2 hours This is a captivating, scenic island tour designed for those travelers who prefer to discover the beauties of from the comfort of a motorcoach. Start the tour from the port of Scala and drive to Chora in the central part of the island. Your sightseeing will first bring you to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, and then to the windmills of Chora, once the landmark of all Aegean Islands, from where you will enjoy a beautiful view and have the chance to take photos. Afterward, continue around the island to see its beautiful landscape of rocky hills, tranquil beaches, and stunning inlets. After this excursion through the island, the tour will conclude in the port of Scala where you will enjoy some free time in the picturesque town; you may wish to stop at the Arion Café, the oldest and most beautiful café in town. (Visitors wearing shorts may not enter the Monastery or Grotto. Female visitors to the Monastery must wear clothing that covers their shoulders. Also, a strenuous uphill walk is required to reach the Monastery.) Traditional feast in (Approximately 56) Time: Half day Board an air-conditioned bus in Scala and enjoy a picturesque drive into the hills of. You ll ride through many of the island s beautiful villages, and gain stunning views of the Aegean. After leaving the bus, you ll take a scenic walk to the tavern. Here, you ll meet friendly hosts, enjoy a hearty meal of Patmian delicacies, and be treated to a performance from a local orchestra and dance troupe.

6 RHODES The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes was fortified by the Knights of the order of St. John in the 14 th century and is rich in history and culture. Unless purchased as part of EF s shore excursion packages, the excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. Rhodes without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island. Santorini Rhodes Philerimos and the Palace of the Knights (Approximately 70) ; site visits; walking tour Time: Approximately 4 hours Transfer to Tsampika Beach (Approximately 24) Time: Half day The Acropolis of ancient Rhodes stands proudly on the hill of St. Stephanos, also called Monte Smith. You will wander through the ruins of the Hellenistic Temple of Apollo, with its amazing columns. Farther below, see the restored Ancient Stadium of Diagoras, which once hosted games in honor of the sun god Helios. Continue northwest to Philerimos, one of the great attractions of the island. The hill of Philerimos, above the bay, once hosted ancient Ialyssos, one of the three Rhodian cities that participated in the Trojan War. Stone steps surrounded by cypresses lead to the Gothic Monastery of Our Lady of Philerimos, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You will also visit the Byzantine Church of St. George Hostos, with rare frescoes from the 14 th -15 th century depicting knights. Here also resides the Golgotha, a path of 12 copper reliefs showing the Passion of Christ. End the excursion in the city of Rhodes where you will have time to stroll through the Street of the Knights, all the way up to the Palace of the Grand Master. Medieval Rhodes walking tour (Approximately 46) Includes: Walking tour Time: 3 hours Departing from the port of Rhodes on foot, you ll arrive at the Old Town of Rhodes. Walk along the paved Street of the Knights, one of the best preserved medieval roads. Continue through the narrow cobblestone streets to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. The site was previously a Byzantine citadel that functioned as a headquarters and fortress. The palace was built in the 14 th century by the Knights of Rhodes who occupied Rhodes from 1309 to You will also spend time in the area of Bourgos, passing by the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Turkish baths, the Hospital of the Knights, and the Church of Our Lady of the Castle. (Walking in the sites can be on uneven gravel surfaces. Travelers may not be allowed to enter the site with large bags/backpacks.) Disembark the ship and travel by motorcoach to Tsampika beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on Rhodes. Enjoy the fine, golden sand and crystal-clear water as you admire the imposing rock with the Monastery of the Virgin of Tsampika, from which the beach has taken its name. Rhodes and Lindos (Approximately 70, or included as part of EF s 3 island and 4 island packages) ; walking tour; free time Time: Approximately 6 hours Drive along the picturesque southeastern coastline, dotted with whitewashed villages, to Lindos. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13 th 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 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. Return to Rhodes city and enter through the D Amboise Gate to walk along the Street of the Knights. Here you will find the residences of the knights, which still bear their corresponding crests.

7 CRETE (HERAKLION) Said to be the birthplace of Zeus, is Greece s largest island with a culture and history of its own. Docking at the central port of Heraklion, you can explore some of ancient Greece s most interesting archaeological sites as well as the stunningly situated Tomb of Kazantzakis, honoring the influential 20 th -century writer Nios Kazantzakis. Unless purchased as part of EF s shore excursion packages, the excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island. Santorini Rhodes Minoan Palace of Knossos (Approximately 70) ; walking tour Time: 3 hours Archanes, which has many restored sandstone houses dating back to the Turkish period. At a local tavern in the village s tree-shaded square, you can sample an assortment of Cretan snacks while mingling with many of the locals. Enjoy free time before the return drive to the port of Heraklion and the ship. Enjoy a short drive through the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion to the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of. Based on the wealth of artifacts that were found, Evans theorized that this was the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. His findings will be viewed in detail, as your guide leads you on a journey of discovery to learn of the sophisticated culture that flourished thousands of years ago on this island. The Palace, decorated with frescoes and shields, houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King s Chamber with the alabaster throne, the Queen s Apartment, beautiful courtyards, and shrines. Finally, your coach will take you back to Heraklion to rejoin your ship. (Walking in the archaeological site of Knossos will be on uneven gravel surfaces. Passengers may not be allowed to enter the site with big bags/backpacks.) Experience the Cretan countryside (Approximately 70) ; winery tour; local visits; free time Venetian Heraklion and the Archaeological Museum (Approximately 65) ; city tour; museum entrance; free time Departing from port by bus, enjoy a 45-minute tour of Heraklion, the largest urban center in, the capital of the region, and the economic hub of the island. The first European civilization, the Minoan civilization, flourished on this land 5,000 years ago. The city is also the commercial and scientific center of the island. It has a strategic geopolitical position in the southeast basin of the Mediterranean Sea, connecting three continents and many different cultures. Continue with a visit to the archaeological museum, which contains the most important artifacts from the Minoan civilization. Afterward, enjoy free time for shopping in Heraklion center before returning to port. The tour begins from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion with a drive south through the city to the famous wine-producing area of Peza. Drive through breathtaking landscapes of countryside and vineyards as old as Minoan times. The first stop is a modern winery, where you will see the updated methods of making delicious Cretan wines. The drive continues through rural villages and includes a photo stop in Vathypetro to view one of the oldest farmhouses of, dating back to the 16 th century B.C. Arrive in the quaint market town of

8 SANTORINI Santorini is often considered the quintessential Greek Island, and for good reason. Its iconic whitewashed houses perched on steep hillsides and its landscapes of plunging cliffs and black-sand beaches make it one of the world s most breathtaking destinations. Unless purchased as part of EF s shore excursion packages, the excursions below can be purchased on-board directly through Celestyal Cruises, for a fee that they will determine. Santorini without purchasing an excursion, where they will enjoy free time on the island. Santorini Rhodes Oia Village (Approximately 70, or included as part of EF s 4 island package) ; walking tour Time: Approximately 3 hours After Akrotiri, you ll head to Fira. Here, you ll visit the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Church of Ypapantis, which is famous for its elegant construction and beautiful frescoes. Afterward, you can choose to shop or get a snack in Fira. You can also ride the Santorini Cable Car, where you ll descend more than 200 meters toward the deep blue waters of the caldera. Admire the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring islands on your way to Oia Village. First you will head up to the monastery of Prophet Ilias for a breathtaking view before continuing north. You will see various layers of lava fixed on the face of the rock, each being another phase of the activity of the volcano. You will pass through Fira, as well as the traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, before arriving in Oia. Built on the Caldera rim, Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture. Walk along the cobblestone streets and explore the village, known for its whitewashed houses with blue shutters. You will have free time to walk along the marblepaved alleys and poke around in the cute shops. Akrotiri village excavations (Approximately 69) Includes: Travel by tender and motorcoach; entrance to ruins; entrance to the the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral Time: Approximately 3 hours The people who lived on prehistoric Santorini called the island Strongyle (round). In 1650 B.C., the massive Thira volcano erupted, causing the center of Strongyle to sink. This left behind an incredible caldera. On your visit, you ll marvel at its towering cliffs as boats take you to the port at Athinios. From there, you ll drive south, stopping at the ruins of a famous windmill. Up next, you ll head to the ancient village of Akrotiri, Santorni s most significant archeological site. Long ago, Akrotiri had been a bustling town. However, its inhabitants abandoned it before Thira erupted. The ash from the volcano buried the city, preserving many of its structures and some of its incredible frescoes. Could Akrotiri be the lost city of Atlantis? We ll let you decide. Santorini sailing and volcano (Approximately 65) ; motorboat cruise; walking tour; free time; cable car ride Available April to September Time: Approximately 3 hours Enjoy a motorboat cruise around the active crater of Nea Kameni islet. Sail along the strange formations of its volcanic shores, where black lava rocks and white pumice are combined beautifully with the red color of lava. Take a walk to the top of the volcanic island where sulfur is spewed into the air by one of the craters. Enjoy this surreal landscape as your guide narrates the creation and history of the volcano and the last eruption leading to the destruction of the island of Santorini. The tidal wave created by the eruption was of such an immense magnitude, it destroyed the thriving city of Knossos on the island of. As you enter the narrows of the two lava islets, Palea and Nea Kameni, the color of the water changes from dark blue to sulfur green. In the distance, admire the breathtaking sight of Fira town with its whitewashed houses clinging precariously on the rim of the Caldera. Take time to swim in the warm waters heated by hot springs on the sea floor. Your excursion ends in Fira, where your guide will show you the way to the cable car and you will make your own way back to the ship. You may wear your swimwear under your clothes or you may wish to change on board the boat. It is recommended to bring a towel and sunscreen.