Voyage to the Classical World: Exploring the Greek Islands and Turkey

9 Days/8 Nights: 2012 Departures:•May 30 There is nothing quite like a voyage to the Aegean Sea. Each day we revel in new vistas, the royal blue sea, bleached cliffs, the whitewashed cubes of Cycladic villages, and most breathtaking the ancient ruins, exquisite statues, and proud columns of Classical temples. On this custom-designed voyage from Athens, we will explore myriad facets of ancient Greek society and consider how elements of this culture formed the crucible of our Western civilization. Day 1 ATHENS | PIRAEUS, GREECE | EMBARK Arrive in Athens and transfer to the port to board Callisto. Day 2 SANTORINI From the sea, enjoy a beautiful view of the village of Phira on Santorini. In the second millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded the island in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many buildings in the town of Akrotiri. At the time of the eruptions, Akrotiri was inhabited by a sophisticated Bronze Age society. Visit the Nomikos Exhibition, where excellent reproductions of the frescoes at Akrotiri are on display, and the Prehistoric Museum of Thira. Then visit the unspoiled town of Oia and enjoy time at leisure. Day 3 RETHYMNON | CHANIA or KNOSSOS | RETHYMNON, Crete Land in Crete, the island that was home of the Minoan civilization, Europe’s first. In the morning, visit Chania, perhaps Crete’s loveliest city, with its historic walled town and picturesque Venetian harbor. Alternatively, you may explore Knossos, the most imposing Minoan palace of the island, or explore Crete’s magnificent southern country. In the afternoon, tour the town of Rethymnon, with its unmistakable Venetian character. Day 4 DIAFANI | OLYMPOS | DIAFANI, Karpathos Travel to the traditional village of Olympos, named after Mount Olympos on the mainland, which Zeus and other principal Greek gods called home. So isolated is Olympos that its unique dialect is said to maintain traces of its Doric and Phrygian origins. Here, women can still be found wearing the traditional local dress, marked by its striking color. Enjoy time at leisure in Diafani. Day 5 RHODES | LINDOS | RHODES The historic island of Rhodes was known in antiquity for its schools of philosophy, rhetoric, and sculpture. Explore Old Town, one of the largest medieval towns in Europe. Walk along the Street of the Knights, overflowing with mosaics, finely carved portals, balconies, and coats of arms. Then visit the Archaeological Museum, housed in the former Knights’ Great Hospital. Also travel to picturesque Lindos. Set high above the village, with spectacular views of the Aegean, are the remains of the Acropolis and the Doric columns of Athena’s Temple, among other structures. Day 6 PATMOS The rugged volcanic island of Patmos is to the Christian world what Delos was to the ancients: the most sacred island in the Aegean. This is where St. John the Evangelist was banished to during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian and is said to have received the visions of Apocalypse, which later became the Book of Revelation. Peek inside the 11th-century Monastery of the Revelation with its enormous towers, domed roofs, belfries, and battlements. Admire the artistry of the icons, manuscripts, and fine embroideries. Day 7 KUSADASI | EPHESUS | PRIENE | KUSADASI, Turkey Drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, renowned for its great mother goddess, Cybele, later identified as Artemis, or Diana of the Ephesians. Ephesus was for a time the most important commercial city in Asia Minor. The immense Hellenistic and Roman excavation site includes the ancient theater, the imposing Library of Celsus, the hill houses with their fantastic mosaics and frescoes, and early Byzantine remains. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Kusadasi or alternatively, tour Priene, a 4th-century B.C. city in a spectacular setting. Day 8 DELOS, Greece | SYROS Callisto calls at the pristine island of Delos, which legend identifies as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. A walking tour leads to the excavation of the main shrines of Apollo and Artemis, as well as to the Terrace of the Lions, guardians of the Sacred Lake. For centuries, Delos was considered so sacred that giving birth, and dying, were prohibited on the island. Later, it became the base of the confederacy of Aegean and Ionian states known as the Delian League. In the afternoon Callisto calls at the picturesque island of Syros, whose main town is built against two hills, and where graceful neo-classical buildings line the waterfront. Day 9 PIRAEUS | ATHENS | DISEMBARK Disembark in Piraeus and transfer to the airport in Athens.

SINGLE RATES:
A limited number of cabins are available for solo travelers at the following rates: Category D: $9,495; Category CC: $10,995; Category B: $11,695.

RATES INCLUDE
• 8-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 34-guest Callisto
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Young Explorers Program, a series of educational and recreational activities for children ages 7 - 18, led by youth education counselors
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE
• Airfare; visa and passport fees (if applicable)
• Luggage and trip cancellation insurance
• Meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those specified above
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service
• Gratuities to shipboard personnel

BOOKING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
At the time when/if you decide to go ahead with your cruise on board the Callisto Yacht we will send to you our booking confirmation document. Our booking confirmation document includes detailed terms and conditions applicable to your cruise.
The deposit of USD 1,500.00 per person will secure your reservation. Payment for the reservation is to be accomplished within one week from the day when we issue and send to you by email our booking confirmation document. Final payment due will be no later than 95 days prior to your embarkation.


CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations of confirmed reservations are subject to a $US 400,00 per person administrative fee. Additionally, passengers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines or hotels used in the itinerary.
Cancellations received 71-95 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person.
Cancellations received within 70 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate.
Service fees may apply to deviations and are non-refundable.