following in the footsteps of st paul SPECIAL OFFER - SAVE 500 PER PERSON From the Golden Horn to Cyprus with Ernie Rea Aboard the MS Island Sky 29 th October to 9 th November 2016
Apollo Temple, Side Aspendos Theatre Patmos It is sometimes said that if it was not for St Paul there would have been no Christianity. It was through his missionary journeys, from about 44 AD to 60 AD that the Christian message was spread to the gentile world. St Paul made three journeys from Antioch across the Eastern Mediterranean and Anatolia, now modern day Turkey, to Thrace and finally onto Rome and in the process he founded some of the earliest Christian churches. St Paul was born in Tarsus, around 5 AD, a time when the Eastern Mediterranean was under Roman Rule. In 33 AD, on his way to Damascus in Syria he had a religious experience, or revelation, which he believed to be of the resurrected Christ. From this moment on he became a Christian and was later known as Paul rather than Saul, his Hebrew name. As a Jew, Paul was familiar with the Jewish Diaspora across the Eastern Mediterranean and while on his travels he visited and preached to these Jewish communities. As a Roman citizen he was also able to make use of the excellent communication links of the Roman Empire. During this cruise and from the comfort of the all-suite MS Island Sky we will have an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of St Paul, visiting Alexandria-Troas, Patmos, Perge and Tarsus. We will also visit Ephesus, which at the time of St Paul was second only to Rome in size and importance. During St Paul s three-year stay in Ephesus he frequently preached on the steps of the Library, and whilst there wrote four letters, or Epistles; to the Galatians, Corinthians, Philemon and Philippians. It is also believed that St John the Apostle, author of the Fourth Gospel, possibly brought Mary Ulu Mosque, Tarsus the Mother of Jesus to Ephesus towards the end of her life. We also visit the island of Patmos where St John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation to the Seven Churches of Asia, some of which we will be visiting. The life of St Paul and the early Church was set within the context of the Roman Empire, which in turn succeeded the ancient Greek Empire. During our visits to the ancient sites we will see evidence of Greek, Roman and also Byzantium history and culture. The Ottomans followed the Byzantines and ever since the region has been predominantly Muslim. Our journey takes us through an area steeped in history; a history of great empires of conquest and in conflict, a history rich in cultural and religious diversity. It is an area that can lay claim to the foundation of the early Christian Church; a place where not only churches were built but where Christian doctrine was first formulated at the great Ecumenical Councils of Nicaea, Constantinople and Ephesus. While many of these early churches no longer exist, the sense of place remains and the legacy of St Paul lives on. Canakkale Istanbul Pergamon TURKEY Kusadasi GREECE Mersin Didim Antalya Alanya Tasucu Patmos Xanthos guest speaker CYPRUS Larnaca ERNIE REA Ernie Rea is one of BBC Radio 4 s leading broadcasters. He has had a long and distinguished career with the BBC as a producer, editor, Head of Department, and now freelance broadcaster. He has First Class Honours Degrees in Politics and History and in Theology. In 1978 he joined the BBC as a Producer in the Religious Broadcasting Department of the BBC. For the next 23 years he worked for the BBC in a variety of production capacities. In 1989 he became Head of Religious Broadcasting, responsible for all of the BBC`s religious output across both radio and television. In 2001 he resigned from the BBC to pursue a career as a freelance broadcaster and writer. He presents Beyond Belief, a weekly series on Radio 4 on issues of faith in today s complex world. During our voyage, Ernie s lectures will add much to your understanding and will include; St Paul: Hero of Western Civilisation?; We never saw such beauty. The Life off the Orthodox Church and An Arab Spring in the Mediterranean. www.noble-caledonia.co.uk
Celsius Library, Ephesus Pergamon Kiz Kalesi Castle The Itinerary Day 1 London to Istanbul, Turkey. Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and sail. Day 2 Cannakale. After breakfast join a full day tour to Troy which is associated with the sagas of Trojan War and its description by Homer (750 B.C.) in his two epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. Archaeological digs have revealed nine cities and various ruins of the city walls, typical house foundations, a temple and a theatre. En-route we will visit the Archaeological museum. After a local lunch drive towards Alexandria Troas which has a large unexcavated ancient site. It was founded by Antigonos, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great, in 310 B.C. During the time of St. Paul it was known as Alexandeia-Troas and Paul stayed and sailed from here. Day 3 Pergamon. On a full day tour, drive inland, past fertile fields and olive trees, to the present day modern town of Bergama, once known as Pergamon, a great centre of culture. Today Pergamon is one of Turkey s finest archaeological sites. We will visit the Asclepion, a healing centre from the 4th century B.C. as well as the Temple of Asclepios and the amphitheatre. Walk through the sacred corridor and down the ancient, arcaded, marble paved boulevard. Continue into the town of Bergama where we will have some free time to explore. En-route we will see the Basilica which was one of the earliest of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Take a cable car up to the Acropolis to explore the remains of the citadel and the city walls, the foundations of the Zeus Altar, and the Royal Palace. A local lunch will be served ashore. Day 4 Kusadasi & Ephesus. Arriving at Kusadasi at breakfast time we drive to the nearby ancient city of Ephesus, a stunning and partially excavated site where digging has been taking place for over a century. Broad streets are lined by impressive buildings including the library of Celsus and the temples of Serapis and Hadrian. Once the capital of Ionia, St Paul preached here on his second missionary journey and we will see the Church of the Virgin Mary, the most important Christian monument in Ephesus. We will see the spectacular Grand Theatre, originally built in the third century B.C. by the Greeks, and later expanded by the Romans to its present capacity of 24,000. From this theatre, which has a row of seats 30 metres above the orchestra, St Paul used to give his sermons. Enjoy a free afternoon strolling in Kusadasi or take an excursion to Seljuk to see the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and see ruined Basilica of St John. Day 5 Patmos, Greece. Of all the Greek islands, Patmos, is the most sacred to Christians both Orthodox and Western; it was here that St John received his revelation. This morning we will make our way to the grotto of St John. This small cave, now converted into the beautiful chapel, is where the Saint lived, had his revelation and wrote Book of the Apocalypse. From here continue to the village of Chora, with its simple houses and Byzantine churches and climb to the Monastery of St John the Theologian. Upon entering into the courtyard, admire the intricate pebbled laid floor, decorated arches and frescoes adorning the entrance to the chapel of Christodoulos. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch. This afternoon and evening is free to explore the picturesque town of Skala or maybe enjoy a swim at a nearby beach. Day 6 Didim, Miletus & Priene, Turkey. From the port of Didim we will drive to Priene an ancient Greek holy city and the home of an important temple of Athena. Priene s picturesque ruins include several columns of the Temple of Athena, much of the city wall, a well-preserved theatre and a council chamber. We will continue to Miletus one of the most important cities in ancient Greek world and visited by St Paul on his third missionary journey. Here is a fine theatre, well laid out chessboard street plans, two agoras (market places), baths, a council chamber, fortifications, a stadium and harbour workings. After lunch onboard we will have time to explore the colossal temple and oracle to Apollo in Didim. Please note that we may be at anchor today in which instance the vessel s Zodiacs will be used to access the shore. Day 7 Xanthos & Patara. From our berth at Fethiye we travel to the south east to discover the rich Lycian towns of the past. Drive along Esme River to the ancient city of Xanthos which was Lycia s prominent capital city built on a great cliff overlooking the river. Continue to Letoon, a city named after Leto, mother Goddess of Lycians. See the ruins of the temples dedicated to Leto, Artemis and Apollo and the amphitheatre. Enjoy a local lunch before visiting Patara located amidst sand dunes and by a long sandy beach. The city was conquered by Alexander the Great and St Paul stopped here on his way to Rome in A.D 60. It was also the birthplace of St. Nicholas. See the Grand Theatre and the ruins of the temples. Please note that we may be at anchor today in which instance the vessel s Zodiacs will be used to access the shore. Day 8 Aspendos & Perge. Over breakfast we arrive in Antalya from where we explore the principal Roman ruins along Turkey s southern coast. We pass the modern city of Antalya en-route to the ancient city of Aspendos, whose amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century A.D., is considered the best preserved in the Mediterranean. Dating from 1000 B.C., the city of Aspendos was a major port and the most important centre in the region during the 5th century B.C. We will also visit Perge which dates back to 1000 B.C. and was founded by Mopsus and Calchas after their retreat from Troy. St Paul visited here on at least two occasions mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. See the Basilica of Perge, which played an important role in the spread of Christianity, the 2nd century A.D. stadium, the baths complex and two magnificent round towers of the Greek Gate. After a local lunch continue to Antalya to visit the excellent Archaeological Museum. Day 9 Alanya & Side. On a morning excursion, drive through the town, with views of the Taurus Mountains in the east, then towards Incekum along the Turkish Riviera to the west, where we pass citrus and banana plantations and visit Damlatas Cave which is a masterpiece of nature, known for its curative effect on asthma. Drive along the beautiful Turkish Riviera towards the ancient city of Side which was one of the leading Pamphylian cities on the south coast of Anatolia. We will enter the ancient city through the large main gate built during the Hellenistic period. Visit the Grand Theatre, a perfect example of a Roman theatre built on vaults on flat land. Walk through the town, view the old harbour and see the remains
Post-Cruise Limassol Extension 9th to 12th November 2016 If you would like to extend your stay in Cyprus we are offering a three night extension at the Royal Apollonia Beach Hotel in Limassol. Enjoy a number of excursions during your time here and the hotel facilities or simply choose to relax on the beach. Paphos Harbour THE ROYAL APOLLONIA The Royal Apollonia is a landmark hotel in the heart of Limassol. There are a total of 204 rooms, all with a private bathroom and balcony or terrace, direct dial telephone, flat screen cable TV, radio, minibar, hair dryer, safety deposit box, Wi-Fi internet connection, bathrobes and slippers. of the Apollo Temple. From the MS Island Sky s central berth, you can enjoy a free afternoon and evening to explore the town of Alanya. Day 10 Tasucu. Drive up into the Taurus Mountains to Uzuncaberc, a typical village built amongst the ruins of the ancient temple city of Olba, its main temple dedicated to Zeus. After lunch onboard we drive to Silifke, once ancient Seleucia founded between 296 and 280 B.C by one of Alexander the Great s generals. Here we visit the underground church of Aya Tekla, founded by Thecla, a disciple of St Paul s teaching. Continue along the shore to Corycos where, in 191 B.C, the fleet of Antiochus the Great was defeated by the Romans. See the ancient tombs and view the castle of Kiz Kalesi from the shore Day 11 Mersin & Tarsus. Mersin, the capital of Icel province borrows its name from Myrtle, PRICES PER PERSON Based on double occupancy the evergreen vegetation which grows in the area. From here it is a short drive to Tarsus, the birth place of St Paul which was an important part of the trade route to the interiors of Asia Minor. See the well dedicated to St Paul and the church built in 1862 to his name. Walk through the narrow streets of old Tarsus with typical stone and wooden built houses, see the Roman road in the north of the city and visit the Tarsus Museum where we see the relics from Gozlukule excavations. We end at the Ulu Mosque and Makami-sherif Mosque both converted from ancient churches. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and this afternoon enjoy some free time in Mersin before we sail this evening. Day 12 Larnaca, Cyprus to London. Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to London. SPECIAL OFFER SAVE 500 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY Alanya, Turkey Deck Suite Category Brochure Price Special Offer Magellan Standard Forward 4895 4395 Magellan Standard 5095 4595 Columbus Superior 5495 4995 Marco Polo Premium 5795 5295 Marco Polo Corner 5995 5495 Erikson Deluxe Balcony 6495 5995 Explorer Owner s Balcony 6895 6395 Magellan Standard for sole use 6895 6395 Columbus Superior for sole use 7495 6995 Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 11 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard, shore excursions, Noble Caledonia onboard team, guest speaker, transfers, port taxes, gratuities. Not Included: Travel Insurance, Turkish Visa. The Itinerary Day 1 MS Island Sky to Limassol, Cyprus. Disembark after breakfast and enjoy a morning tour of Larnaca. We will visit the 11th century church of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis, situated in the north-western end of the village of Kiti, which was built over the ruins of a 5th century early Christian basilica. We continue to the Hala Sultan Mosque, the main Muslim pilgrimage site of Cyprus and amongst the most important holy places of Islam. Our tour will end at the church of Agios Lazaros built on the coastal zone of the city of Larnaca. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel for check in. Remainder of the day is at leisure before dinner in the hotel this evening. Day 2 Nicosia & Lefkara Village. Today we visit Nicosia. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and visit Saint John s Cathedral which was built in 1662 and is the only church in Nicosia in which the internal wall paintings have survived in their entirety. Continue to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum. At Laiki Gitonia, discover an example of an old Cypriot neighborhood, where we will have lunch before driving to the village of Lefkara, which is famous for its handmade lefkaritika laces and silverware. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for some free time before dinner. Day 3 Paphos. Today we will visit Paphos and make a brief stop on the way at the most famous landmark in Cyprus, Aphrodite s Rock, the birthplace of the Goddess of Love and Beauty. In Paphos we will visit the 13th century Chrysopolitissa Church which is shared by the Anglican and Catholic congregation. Within the compound one can see Saint Paul s Pillar. Saint Paul visited Paphos in 45 A.D. in an attempt to convert the ruler of the time to Christianity. He was successful in his efforts, but not before being tied and whipped to this otherwise unremarkable lump of stone. The Pillar of Saint Paul is one of several popular stops for pilgrims who come to see the religious sites of this early bastion of the Christian faith. In the picturesque fishing harbour of Paphos we continue to the archaeological park, known as the House of Dionysos with the fabulously preserved mosaics. After lunch we return to the hotel for a free afternoon before meeting for dinner this evening. Day 4 Larnaca to London. Our first stop this morning is the Temple of Apollo, one of the main religious centres of ancient Cyprus, where Apollo was worshipped as god of the woodlands. We then visit the ruins of Kourion, a city built in 1200 B.C. Of interest are the public baths, the necropolis, the Fountain House, House of Gladiators and House of Achilles. The most spectacular site at Kourion is the Greco-Roman theatre that has been completely restored and is used today for open air musical and theatrical performances. Continue to Kolossi Castle, which was built in the 15th century on the ruins of a former fortress dated to the beginning of the 13th century. We will pass through the wine growing region around Limassol and through the fragrant citrus plantations. We arrive to the old centre of Limassol for lunch and some free time to browse round the local shops before we transfer to Larnaca Airport for our return scheduled flight to London. PRICES PER PERSON Based on double occupancy Twin: 575 Single: 685 Price Includes: Three nights at the Royal Apollonia Hotel in a sea view room on a half board basis, all excursions, lunches daily, transfers, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities. Not Included: Travel Insurance, drinks with dinner. +44 (0)20-7752 0000
MS Island Sky The much loved MS Island Sky is one of the finest small ships in the world. With a maximum passenger capacity of only 114, a vessel of her size is capable of carrying many more but instead the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks. Standard Forward Suite The Club Dinner on the Lido deck Onboard there is a high ratio of crew to passengers. Our friendly crew of 75 are mainly Filipino and Eastern European and our Scandinavian captains are experienced mariners, having been in service aboard large 2000 plus passenger vessels and who now prefer a less frantic life aboard a small ship. If, like them and us, you prefer a more peaceful life at sea, you will find the MS Island Sky the perfect ship. When choosing the vessel for your next voyage of discovery, you can select a ship with endless entertainment and impersonal service or come with us where peace, high quality service and attention to detail are the order of the day. There will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. The atmosphere onboard is more akin to a private yacht or country hotel. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, informative port briefings and presentations from our expedition team and of course good food which may be enjoyed leisurely in the attractive dining room, all contribute to making any voyage aboard the MS Island Sky a memorable experience. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly comfortable ship. Your Space The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The onboard library is the perfect place to relax with a book. Daily newspapers and magazines are placed in the library depending on local availability. Outside there is a rear sun deck, a bar and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck.
Coffee Station Staff Cabin Staff Cabin Restaurant Library Owner s Balcony Suite Your Dining Another benefit of a small ship is the quality of the cuisine. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the galley is able to provide delicious meals. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, the chef will obtain local produce in markets. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast and a buffet-style lunch are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. Your Suite Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood panelling and brass, which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring marble-topped vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower, large wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool and excellent storage. There is a mini-fridge, flat screen television with inbuilt DVD/CD player and a telephone in each suite. Bottled water, Molton Brown toiletries, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Other facilities include a programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries and air-conditioning and heating. Deck Plan Explorer Deck Erikson Deck Marco Polo Deck Library Columbus Deck Magellan Deck Lido Deck Restaurant The Club Lounge Buffet Galley Pantry Public bathrooms Hair dresser & Beauty Center Hotel manager s office Cruise Cruise Director office Entrance Hall Reception Purser s Office Explorer Deck Erikson Deck Marco Polo Deck Columbus Deck Magellan Deck Owner s Balcony Suites 603 601 604 Owner s Balcony Suites 602 Deluxe Balcony Suites 511 509 507 505 512 510 508 506 Deluxe Balcony Suites Standard Suites Chief Engineer Officer Hospital Radio Chart room room Captain Bridge Doctor Open Deck Corner Suite 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 428 426 424 422 420 418 416 414 347 345 343 341 339 Corner Suite 335 333 331 329 348 346 344 342 340 338 336 334 332 330 261 259 257255 262 260258 256 254 252 250 Standard Suites Standard Suites Standard Suites (forward) Officer s Quarters Friendly Staff Standard Suites (Forward) Standard Suites (For ward ) Standard Suite Suites s Superior Suite Suites s Premium Suite s Deluxe Corner Balcony Suites s Owners Balcony Suite s Deluxe Balcony Suites Single Suites Corner Suites Owner s Balcony Suites 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 info@noble-caledonia.co.uk noble-caledonia.co.uk All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: Monastery of Saint John, Mosaic, Patmos. 240216_P