" NEW" 16 Day Aegean -Three Continent Cruise - Oct 20, 2023

Itinerary

Day 1, Fri. Oct. 20 -USA / ATHENS: Overnight flight to Athens. Airfare not included.

Day 2, Sat. Oct 21 - ATHENS: We leave the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail on our overnight voyage to one of the most iconic and evocative places in the world, stunning Istanbul. Your first night will give you the opportunity to relax, indulge in our All-Inclusive hospitality and anticipate the adventures ahead on your very own Aegean Odyssey of discovery.

Day 3, Sun Oct 22 - THESSALONIKI: The thick Byzantine walls guarding Thessaloniki give way to an inviting mix of architectural landscapes with winding cobbled streets. Approaching the port, you will be captivated by a city that radiates culture and sophistication bathed in golden Greek sunshine. Palm-lined avenues house glamorous shops and gourmet restaurants, and historic cobblestone streets present traditional tavernas and ouzeria’s to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Beautiful churches appear from every corner, seasonal markets sell colorful
local produce and shaded spots on Aristotelous Square are where you can sit back with a homemade ice cream and watch the world go by. (B, L, D) 

Day 4, Mon Oct 23 - KAVALA: Saint Paul came to this northern city and nearby ancient Neapolis on his first journey to Europe. At ancient Philippi he baptized the first Greek and European Christian convert, Lydia. A church and open-air baptistery stand on the very site. He gave his first sermon, and we visit the archaeological site here including the prison where Paul and St Silas were held. St Paul’s Monument is also on our itinerary. (B, L, D) 

Day 6, Wed Oct 25 - DIKILI: The port city of Dikili in Turkey is our stopping off point for ancient Pergamon. Once one of the most powerful Greek cities. Here was the northernmost
of the seven churches of Asia Minor as cited in the New Testament Book of Revelation. After a visit to the Acropolis, we will visit the remains of Asklepion, a healing temple and the forerunner of what we would know as a hospital. (B, L, D)

Day 7, Thurs Oct 26 - KUSADASI: We arrive in Kusadasi in the morning and enjoy a full day in this colorful Turkish beach town. This is the coastal gateway to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, famed for the fourth of our Seven Wonders, the Temple of Artemis. A complimentary excursion is included, and this is one of the numerous undoubted highlights of our trip. (B, L, D)

Day 8, Fri Oct 27 - PATMOS: Patmos is one of the northernmost islands in the Dodecanese and one of the smallest, most charming, and most spiritual. It has an atmosphere of sacred grandeur. Patmos is most famous for being the location of the vision to St. John in the Book of Revelations and where it was written. When St. John was banished by Rome to Patmos near the end of his life, he was the last remaining of the 12 Disciples. We visit St John’s Monastery and the Holy Grotto of the Apocalypse, both of which have drawn pilgrims for centuries. (B, L, D)

Day 9, Sat Oct 28 - ATHENS: We arrive back in port at around 7am after our epic journey. Day at leisure. We embark in the evening on this exciting and evocative journey incorporating Africa, Asia, and Europe, setting sail for Alexandria. Your first night onboard will give you the opportunity to relax, indulge in our All-Inclusive hospitality and anticipate the many adventures
ahead on your very own voyage of discovery across Three Continents that captures the spirit of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (B, L, D)

Day 10, Sun Oct 29 - AT SEA: Time to enjoy the onboard activities and entertainment that is available to you as you cruise the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas to Port Said, Cairo. (B, L, D  

Day 11, Mon Oct 30 - PORT SAID, EGYPT: Sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean, the city was established in 1859 during the construction of the Suez Canal. It flourished for decades but its glory is a little faded. It still has an allure, but the main attraction is the Suez Canal, with a raised pedestrian boardwalk running along the waterfront. If you want to travel a little further, please join us on a complimentary excursion to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, the only one of Seven Great Wonders still standing. You will rejoin the ship in Port Said. (B, L, D)

Day 12, Tues Oct 31 - ASHDOD, ISRAEL: Today is a fleeting visit to the Holy Land. Diverse, modern-day Ashdod covers the land of two ancient twin towns, it’s the largest port in Israel and one of the oldest cities in the world. It was inhabited by the Philistines in Biblical times and when they captured the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, they brought it here (although they had to give it back.) Ashdod is only 33 miles from historic Jerusalem so a trip to see the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
Via Dolorosa and more of the most celebrated sites and buildings anywhere, can be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 13, Wed Nov 1 - LIMASSOL: This bustling tourist heart of Cyprus is full of character and history, not least the centuries-old Limassol Castle, home to the Cyprus Medieval Museum and its collection of pottery and tombstones. A short drive away is iconic Aphrodite’s Rock and the striking Crusader castle at Kolossi. The center of Limassol buzzes with cafes, bars and restaurants that are as popular with locals as with visitors. You can take an excursion to Pafos to visit the UNESCO archaeological site and Aphrodite’s Rock. (B, L, D)

Day 14, Thurs Nov 2 - RHODES: The Colossus of Rhodes, the third of our Seven Wonders, once bestrode the harbor but he is long gone. You can take in the lovely Old Town, a maze of atmospheric cobbled streets that will transport you back to the Byzantine Empire and beyond. From Rhodes, we recommend you take a half-day tour of the Acropolis of Lindos. We’ll show you what life was like centuries ago. (B, L, D)

Day 15, Fri Nov 3 - KUSADASI: A complimentary excursion is included to Ephesus and Miletus. Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, once the second largest city of the Roman and of course the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is believed that Paul wrote his Letter to the Ephesians here and preached at the Great Theatre of Ephesus, carved into the side of Mt. Pion. It is still renowned for its wonderful acoustics. Our day also features the ancient city of Miletus where Paul stayed on his way back to Jerusalem. (B, L, D)

Day 16, Sat Nov 4 - ATHENS / USA: We arrive back in the Port of Piraeus, Athens at 7am. After early breakfast you will be transferred to Athens International Airport for your early afternoon flight home. (B)

Package Includes:

Ø 15 Days Stateroom accommodations on the ship. Cat IC – inside cabin

Ø Airport – Ship roundtrip transfers. Note transfers are included only when Classic Holidays Issues international tickets

Ø 45 Meals included:  15, Breakfast 15 Lunches 15 Dinners 

Ø 6 Sightseeing shore excursions Included – Veria Thessaloniki, Ancient Ephesus Miletus, Ancient Pergamon, Neapolis Philippi, Istanbul’s Agia Sophia, Palaces, Grand Bazaar, Classic Cairo. Other shore excursions available for purchase on ship. 

Ø English speaking guides throughout 

Ø Complimentary house wine, beer, soft drinks, teas, coffees, cocktails, and brand spirits while onboard  

Ø Onboard entertainment and activities daily

Ø Port charges, fees and taxes including gratuities on cruise - $459.00 per person

Ø Porterage of one suitcase per person. 

Ø Classic Holidays Escort throughout

 Pre Call us for more information 1-800-385-3650and Post extensions in Athens are available to you.