Ancient Empires

Cruise itinerary - Ancient Empires

What's included...

  • Gratuities - no need to tip!
  • Top class onboard activities/entertainment
  • 24 hour dining
  • Port taxes

Sailing Dates

16 Oct 13

Cities, sights and sensational scenery...

1

Wednesday, Limassol - CYPRUS 

  • Set on Akrotiri Bay, Limassol is the island’s biggest seaside town with plenty to offer its visitors. Whether you’ve come here in search of age-old sights or bubbling bars, the town’s a mixed bag of delights that never fails to impress.

  • Head to Paphos to tick off some of Cyprus’ most famous sights. First off, there’s the Petra tou Romious – also known as Aphrodites Rock – where the goddess of love is said to have risen from the sea. The Odeion amphitheatre is well worth a look, too. It was made entirely from limestone and dates back to the 2nd century. Nowadays, it’s used for theatre and music performances.
  • Head for Curium, a major archaeological site that was one of the old kingdoms of Cyprus. Sights to capture on film include a Greek temple and an impressive cliff-top theatre.
  • Experience the old and new faces of Limassol. Stand in the shadow of the Medieval castle, then head for the modern Yermasoyia quarter and sample a few of the bars and restaurants.
See shore excursions

2

Thursday, At Sea 

3

Friday, Bodrum - TURKEY  08:00 - 17:00

  • Modern Bodrum is a bit like St-Tropez, only with belly dancers. Mega-yachts slide into the town’s twin harbours. Celebs lunch in trendy waterfront eateries. And bronze-limbed beauties lounge at wood-decked beach clubs. What’s the draw? For a start, the stop-and-stare scenery – think whitewashed houses dripping in bougainvillea, and olive-green hillsides melting into the Aegean. Then there’s the history – this place is home to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. And, of course, there’s its traditional Turkish charm. Bodrum’s jet-set following and blow-out night scene may have catapulted the place into the 21st century, but bazaars, belly dancing and backgammon are still the mainstay of life.

  • If you head out of town, you can visit Bodrum’s iconic windmills. These top hat-shaped buildings serve up bird’s-eye views of the Bodrum peninsula.
  • In centuries gone by, traditional Turkish gulet ships were used to transport citrus fruit around the Aegean. Today, the vessels carry sunseekers to the best swim and snorkel spots on Turkey’s coast.
  • For a real treat, pay a visit to a Turkish hammam. Soak in the steam, then head to a treatment room for a traditional soap massage.
See shore excursions

4

Saturday, Kusadasi - TURKEY  08:00 - 17:00

  • Laze away the day on the silky sands of Kusadasi or head for the ruins of Ephesus for more sights than you can point a camera at. It’s your holiday, your call.

  • Take a trip to Ephesus, the Mediterranean’s best-preserved classical city. The marble pillars of the Library of Celsus support intricate friezes and sculptures, while the enormous theatre offers up superb views over the city.
  • Make tracks for St John’s Church. St John is said to have lived here with the Virgin Mary after being cast out of Jerusalem. Legend has it he’s also buried here. Close by, the pretty hillside village of Sirince is also worth a visit – it’s famous for its homemade wines, and plenty of places offer tasting sessions.
  • Saddle up and discover Kusadasi on horseback, or swim with the horses at Pamucak Beach.
  • Try your hand at quad biking to see another side of the city. You’ll speed along the coast, soaking up incredible sea views as you go.
See shore excursions

5

Sunday, Piraeus (for Athens) - GREECE  08:00 - 16:00

  • Trip over reminders of the past in ancient Athens, where cultural treasures twinkle back at you at every turn. It’s a real gold medal winner of a city.

  • Scale the heights of the sun-bleached Acropolis for awesome views, then take a look at the Parthenon, perched atop Athens’ most famous hill.
  • Explore Plaka, the Medieval quarter at the foot of the Acropolis. The 19th-century lanes are crammed with tavernas, and twist and turn to meet the equally atmospheric Monastiraki street markets.
  • From old to new – take a wander round the up-market Kolonaki district, which is packed with chic boutiques and ritzy restaurants.
  • Be in Syntagma – or Constitution - Square in time to see the skirted soldiers perform the changing-of-the-guard.
  • Check out the Corinth Canal, which connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. This waterway was considered one of the greatest technological achievements of its time.
See shore excursions

6

Monday, Patmos Town* - PATMOS  08:00 - 17:00

  • One of the most northerly Dodecanese islands, Patmos has plenty in the way of traditional Greek charm. We’re talking whitewashed villages, pine-clad hills and a swathe of sandy beaches. Plus, if you’re a big fan of history, you’ll love Patmos Town. St John was said to have taken refuge here back in biblical times, when he penned the Book of Revelation.

  • Step inside the Monastery of St John, a maze of interconnecting courtyards and chapels. The remains of an ancient temple are hidden within the walls, which are decorated with frescoes dating back to the 12th century.
  • As you walk back down the cobbled path from the monastery, take a look inside the Cave of the Apocalypse. This ancient grotto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s said to be where St John saw visions of Christ – you can still see the spot where the evangelist slept every night.
  • Pull up a chair at a pavement café in Patmos Town. It’s the best way to soak up the scenery – a quirky mixture of huge, ornate mansions and traditional whitewashed houses.
See shore excursions

7

Tuesday, Rhodes Town - RHODES  08:00 - 13:00

  • Basking in more hours of sunshine than any other Greek island, Rhodes is loved for its fascinating past, not to mention its glittering sandy beaches.

  • Wander your way around the pretty village of Lindos. The architecture here is a fusion of Gothic, Byzantine, Greek and Middle Eastern, and the most famous monument is probably the ancient acropolis.
  • Spend some time getting to know Rhodes Town. Go yacht-spotting in Mandraki harbour and venture inside the ancient walls of the citadel to discover the Medieval city left behind by the Knights of St John.
  • Take your pick from banana boat rides, parasailing and jet-skiing on the lively Falaraki Beach. Alternatively, just enjoy the music coming from the beachside bars as you laze the day away.
  • Get snapping at Filerimos Hill. Just 12 kilometres outside Rhodes Town, this elevated area of land offers up great views of the countryside and a selection of historical buildings, including a Byzantine Church.
See shore excursions

8

Wednesday, Limassol - CYPRUS 

  • Set on Akrotiri Bay, Limassol is the island’s biggest seaside town with plenty to offer its visitors. Whether you’ve come here in search of age-old sights or bubbling bars, the town’s a mixed bag of delights that never fails to impress.

  • Head to Paphos to tick off some of Cyprus’ most famous sights. First off, there’s the Petra tou Romious – also known as Aphrodites Rock – where the goddess of love is said to have risen from the sea. The Odeion amphitheatre is well worth a look, too. It was made entirely from limestone and dates back to the 2nd century. Nowadays, it’s used for theatre and music performances.
  • Head for Curium, a major archaeological site that was one of the old kingdoms of Cyprus. Sights to capture on film include a Greek temple and an impressive cliff-top theatre.
  • Experience the old and new faces of Limassol. Stand in the shadow of the Medieval castle, then head for the modern Yermasoyia quarter and sample a few of the bars and restaurants.
See shore excursions

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  • It means you spend a week cruising and another week at one of our hotels and apartments.
  • Or you can do it the other way round if you like - the hotel first and the cruise second.

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