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Antiquity to Byzantium - 2011/2012

Cruise Highlights

Discover the treasures of Ancient Greece, such as the Amphitheatre of Epidaurus, the ruins of Agamemnon's Royal palace and ancient tombs at Mycenae, Ancient Olympia, birth place of the Olympic Games and the spectacular Oracle Temple of Delphi.

From the Byzantine period we explore the ruined monastic town of Mystra and the walled coastal town of Monemvassia. Our trip also features excursions to the Dirou caves with their unique stalactites and stalagmites formations and the beautiful Navarino Bay, site of a naval battle that changed the course of European history.

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Cruise Fares

	Category C: From $ 1250 To $ 1375
	Category B: From $ 1590 To $ 1750
	Category A: From $ 1890 To $ 2080
	Category P: From $ 2290 To $ 2520
	Port Charges: $ 200
	Single Supplement: 30%
	3rd Person Reduction (in Cat. C only): 30%
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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

Day 1 (Friday): Marina Zeas (Athens) - Palaia Epidaurus

Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.

Day 2 (Saturday): Palaia Epidaurus (Excursion)

We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius and for its theater, which is once again in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.

Day 3 (Sunday): Nafplion - Mycenae (Excursion)

After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.

Day 4 (Monday): Gythion (Excursion)

Early morning arrival to Gythion. Excursion to Mani peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular DirouCaves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and was used later by the Spartans as a port, since by enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base.

Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60's, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of

Greece

. After visiting the cave we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any other area in

Greece

. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers who is strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Pylos (Excursion)

Pylos, is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. After stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen.

Highlights include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Katakolon - Olympia (Excursion)

Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and travel by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In the ancient Greek world, it was also the greatest panhellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward excavation work, spearheaded primarily by the German government, revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion, lodging place for the athletes who participated in the games.

We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic games. After having time at leisure we will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.

Day 7 (Thursday): Itea - Delphi (Excursion)

Morning excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world.

Indeed, because everything in Greece is connected to mythology, Delphi became the premier site for the worship of the god Apollo. The oracle had the ability to prophecy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle, and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.

Day 8 (Friday): Marina Zeas (Disembarkation)

Disembarkation after breakfast.

Route Map

Destinations

Sailing Dates - Prices

Category C:

Category B:

Category A:

Category P:

23 Mar 12	06 Apr 12	13 Apr 12
$ 1250	$ 1250	$ 1375
$ 1590	$ 1590	$ 1750
$ 1890	$ 1890	$ 2080
$ 2290	$ 2290	$ 2520

Ship info ( M/Y Harmony G)

The Harmony "G" is a modern vessel with a sleek high-tech look very similar to the private yachts to be found in the famous ports of the world. The 53 meter long / 7.2 meter wide Mega Yacht Harmony G was launched in January 2001 and renovated in 2009-10. It complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations ,while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.

Life on board centers around the Indoor / Outdoor lounge and its American bar, on Upper Deck. The classy dining room located on Main Deck is surrounded by large windows. The spacious Sun deck is the ideal place to bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery. The swimming platform on Harmony G stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit.