Pearls of the Aegean

Cruise itinerary - Pearls of the Aegean

What's included...

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

Sailing Dates

07 Jun 13

05 Jul 13

02 Aug 13

30 Aug 13

27 Sep 13

11 Oct 13

Cities, sights and sensational scenery...

1

Friday, Corfu Town - CORFU 

  • Awash with colourful flowers, Corfu is big on beauty. It’s known as the Emerald Isle, and its golden beaches, lush green landscape and colourful villages will have you constantly reaching for your camera.

  • Soak up the views at Bella Vista, Corfu’s most famous lookout point. From here, you can peer over sleepy seaside villages like Paleokastritsa, and the island’s entire west coast.
  • In Corfu Town itself, stand in the shadow of two gigantic fortresses. See the 16th-century church of Ayios Spyridhon. And then wander round the interesting archaeological museum.
  • Relax on the shimmering sands of Glyfada beach, one of the most popular sunning spots on the island. Top up your tan. Take a dip in the crystal waters. Or simply laze beneath a hot sun.
See shore excursions

2

Saturday, At Sea 

3

Sunday, Aghios Nikolaos - CRETE  08:00 - 18:00

  • Affectionately known as ‘Ag Nik’, this lively holiday hub has come a long way since the early 20th century when just 95 inhabitants were listed on its electoral role. Built around a so-called ‘bottomless’ lake, it’s grown into one of the island’s most popular spots. The area immediately around the lake is the most happening part, with vibrant cafés, restaurants and bars, bustling with chat and bouzouki music.

  • Don’t miss Elouda, a pretty little village with a Blue Flag beach and plenty of shops.
  • Sail over to Spinalonga. This now deserted island was one of the last operating leper colonies in Europe. You can still see where those exiled to the island slept, prayed, collected food and buried their dead.
  • Don’t miss a trip to the Palace of Knossos, where the fearsome Minotaur’s said to have lurked. To give you an idea of its importance, it’s the most famous archaeological site in Crete and the second most visited place in all of Greece after the Acropolis in Athens.
See shore excursions

4

Monday, Thira* - SANTORINI  08:00 - 17:00

  • Prepare to fall head over heels for this sun-blushed beauty. Santorini is the very essence of Greek charm. Sugar-cube houses cling to the cliffs. Vivid blue church domes add a splash of colour. And steep cliff-sides tumble into an impossibly clear sea. Just beautiful.

  • Lose your heart to Oia, one of the world’s most romantic destinations. Dripping in beauty with a pinch of cosmopolitan allure, the town’s steeped in history and, if legend is to be believed, haunted by vampires.
  • Pamper yourself in the hot springs at Palea Kameni. Their waters have been warmed by volcanic activity and they’ll leave your skin silky smooth.
  • Visit the cliff-top capital of Thira, which crowns the island’s crater. Set high above the sea, it offers up spectacular views. Pull up a chair in one of the café bars and enjoy the scene before you.
See shore excursions

5

Tuesday, 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

6

Wednesday, Piraeus (for Athens) - GREECE  08:00 - 15:00

  • 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

7

Thursday, Katakolon - GREECE  09:00 - 18:00

  • Sleepy Katakolon is little more than a tiny port with a handful of dinky shops and tavernas. But more importantly, it’s your gateway to one of the most famous landmarks in Greece - Olympia. It’s the birthplace of the Olympic Games and it all began in the days when the Greek God, Zeus, ruled the roost. Fast forward a few millennia though and people still flock here to see the ruined stadium and temples - and the sacred flame is lit here every Olympic year.

  • Browse the archaeological museum’s collection of classical, Roman and Greek treasures. Among the most famous exhibits are the head of Hera and Hermes.
  • Check out the remains of two Doric temples dedicated to Hera and Zeus. The Temple of Hera dates back to the 7th century BC and three of its columns are still standing. The Temple of Zeus on the other hand was once home to a giant gold statue of Zeus, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
See shore excursions

8

Friday, Corfu Town - CORFU 

  • Awash with colourful flowers, Corfu is big on beauty. It’s known as the Emerald Isle, and its golden beaches, lush green landscape and colourful villages will have you constantly reaching for your camera.

  • Soak up the views at Bella Vista, Corfu’s most famous lookout point. From here, you can peer over sleepy seaside villages like Paleokastritsa, and the island’s entire west coast.
  • In Corfu Town itself, stand in the shadow of two gigantic fortresses. See the 16th-century church of Ayios Spyridhon. And then wander round the interesting archaeological museum.
  • Relax on the shimmering sands of Glyfada beach, one of the most popular sunning spots on the island. Top up your tan. Take a dip in the crystal waters. Or simply laze beneath a hot sun.
See shore excursions

What about Cruise & Stay?

Extend your holiday - add a week's stay

  • Your holiday doesn't have to end just because your ship has docked for the last time. You can extend your holiday with our Cruise and Stay option
  • 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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