EXCURSÕES EM TERRA

The old port of Mandraki, where this tour begins, is believed to be the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Historic sites abound in Rhodes, as you will soon discover after enjoying a panoramic view of the city and Rhodes Bay from atop Monte Smith.

Visit the fully restored 14th-century Grand Masters Palace, which contains beautiful alabaster windows, French and Venetian furniture, and floor mosaics with scenes from Greek mythology. It served as a fortress in times of war, and a residence for the Grand Master and a meeting place for senior knights during times of peace. As you continue down the Avenue of the Knights, where the knights lived, the cobblestoned street seems to exude a noble and somewhat forbidden aura, as its lofty buildings stretch in an unbroken wall of honey-colored stone, punctuated by huge doorways and arched windows. At the conclusion of this tour, you can either return to ship, or remain in the old town to explore further on your own.

A ilha de Míconos é mundialmente famosa por sua beleza panorâmica composta de moinhos de vento, baías cintilantes, praias magníficas, casas brancas e igrejas com suas cúpulas azuis e vermelhas coloridas. You'll pass by Ornos Beach, one of the most cosmopolitan beaches on the island with an abundance of luxurious hotels, tavernas and yachts mooring offshore.

You'll make a short photo stop at the beach of Kalafatis to experience one of the island's beautiful beaches and to enjoy the breathtaking view. As you head to the center of the island, you'll visit the village of Ano Mera and the Monastery Panayia Tourliani. You'll also have a chance to enjoy ouzo and Greek appetizers in the peaceful little square of the village.

Discover the best of Corfu on this tour. You’ll tour the island, visit a stunning palace and enjoy a traditional lunch with live entertainment at a local taverna. Drive through Corfu and arrive at Mon Repos Palace built by order of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and completed in 1891. The empress had fallen in love with the natural beauty of the island during her 1861 visit and also developed a great appreciation for Greek history and mythology.

After a guided visit of the grounds and palace, you’ll continue to the traditional village of Kinopiastes. Enjoy a rich and traditional lunch at the famous Tripas Tavern accompanied by live Greek music and dancers. Board your coach for the drive back to the Old Town of Corfu where you’ll have the opportunity to either be dropped off, to walk through the narrow lanes and browse on your own, or return with the coach directly to your ship.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santorini, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures in the future.

As you walk and ride through Santorini, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Aroma Avlis restaurant
• Oia’s Blue-Domed churches
• Three Bells of Fira church

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample local specialties at Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views.
• Pose in front of the blue-domed churches in Oia and explore the coastal town.
• Stand above the Three Bells Fira Church and capture the ultimate shot of the city Fira.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Admire the city’s marquee attractions, stopping for photos at the key landmarks before visiting St. Demetrius Church and the Archaeological Museum.

After departing from the pier, you will soon enter the heart of Thessaloniki, a thriving metropolis that is the second largest city in Greece. Considering its size and the importance of Thessaloniki in the ancient world, there are plenty of fascinating attractions. The most recognizable is the White Tower, a 15th-century fortress that has become the city’s symbol.

Even older are the Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, which the emperor built in the 4th century to commemorate his victory over Persia. Although many of the supporting buildings have now crumbled, these two structures have stood the test of time. Similarly, the citadel and Thessaloniki’s defensive walls are reminders of its tumultuous history. The best views are from Upper or Old Town, one of the few areas that survived the great fire of 1917.

Of course, not all of the attractions are ancient. You will also pass the International Trade Fair grounds and the campus of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Still, the tug of history is irresistible, especially as you meander through St. Demetrius Church admiring the Byzantine mosaics that depict the story of the saint. More historical artifacts await you at the Archaeological Museum, which includes exhibitions on subjects such as prehistoric Macedonia and the use of gold in jewelry, coins and clothing. After browsing the museum, you will return to the pier.

Settle in for a panoramic drive through Athens and the port of Piraeus on a double-decker sightseeing bus, passing key landmarks that tell the story of both cities. Feel free to ride inside the bus or on the second-level, which is open air to provide spectacular 360° views. You will hear commentary about the destinations that explains their historical importance and points out significant architectural features. Highlights include icons such as the Acropolis and Parthenon and sites that may be lesser known such as Omonia Square. Although one of Athens’ oldest square, Omonia had been somewhat forgotten until it was beautifully renovated in 2020. The bus will also drive through several characteristic neighborhoods, including historical Plaka and lively Monasteraki, home to attractions as diverse as flea markets and Roman ruins. Depending on the traffic, stops will be made along the way for photos and to stretch your legs.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See the landmarks in Athens and Piraeus from a double-decker sightseeing bus.
• Drive by must-see ancient icons such as the Acropolis and Parthenon
• Travel through neighborhoods that highlight the diversity of Athens and Piraeus.
• Pause on occasion for photos of the attractions.

Audio commentaries in 12 different languages to learn about Athens & Pireaus' culture and history: English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish, Greek, Arabian, Japanese, and German.

Gain an understanding of how local craftsmen make traditional Greek musical instruments and take in the island’s natural beauty. Pyrgos is known for its 13th-century Venetian castle, the classic Cycladic design of its homes and the panoramic views from its hilltop location. It will be an ideal setting to pause for a cup of coffee and a Greek sweet. Megalochori is equally picturesque, as you will discover while meandering the village’s atmospheric cobbled streets lined with neoclassical houses. The intriguing Museum of Musical Instruments honors the history of the instruments that make Greek music so recognizable. You will learn how classic instruments such as the bouzouki and laouto are handmade and have the chance to play some of them. Afterwards, you will visit the family-owned Gavalas Winery, which has been producing traditional wines such as Katsano and Nykteri since the 19th century. There you will sample wines indicative of Santorini’s terroir and snacks that pair perfectly with them.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Pause for a snack and to revel in the village of Pyrgos’ classic Cycladic setting.
• Discover how some of the most recognizable Greek musical instruments are hand-crafted.
• Sample a selection of traditional wines and local delicacies at a family-owned winery.

Not far from Mykonos lies the island of Delos, the mythical birthplace of the Goddess Artemis and God Apollo - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like Delphi, Delos was a major sanctuary dedicated to Apollo, the Olympian god of prophecy, music, healing and more. Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece, creating one of the wealthiest and most revered shrines of antiquity.

Here you'll find traces of Aegean civilizations, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeo-Christian era. The archaeological site is exceptionally extensive and rich, and conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port. The island's landscape consists solely of ruins systematically excavated since 1872 and a museum.

After reaching the island by ferry boat, you'll discover among the ruins, one of the island's most spectacular relics, the Avenue of the Lions, where perfect replicas of the 7th century Naxian marble beasts crouch in silent vigilance at the sacred lake where Leto gave birth to her twins. Beyond, a path leads to Mt. Kynthos, where Zeus observed the event.

A beautiful drive along the east coast of Rhodes to Lindos will take you past picturesque little villages and through a splendid landscape of orange and lemon groves, gnarled olive trees, and lovingly tended vineyards.

An ancient Doric town, Lindos is dominated by a magnificent acropolis, located atop a strategic hill overlooking the bay. The views are absolutely breathtaking on the walk to the summit, especially of the waterscape below where St. Paul is said to have landed in 58 A.D. Other highlights of the famed archaeological site are the ruins of a walled fortress built in the 15th century and the remains of the ancient Temple of the Lindian Athena. It was was consecrated to the goddess Athena and also named for Lindia, a pre-Hellenic divinity.

Upon descending from the acropolis, you can meander freely through the narrow streets and past clusters of whitewashed houses that lend Lindos its distinct look. A haunt of artists for years, the village also boasts a myriad of shops carrying locally made jewelry, leather goods and ceramics.

OVERVIEW

Explore Olympia, a former sanctuary and site of the first Olympic Games, where you will use augmented reality software to view the ruins as they originally stood. The games were eventually outlawed, earthquakes wreaked havoc and over time river silt covered Olympia. Fortunately, the silt preserved the site until excavations began in 1829. What has been unearthed within this UNESCO World Heritage site is extraordinary. You will see the remains of the Olympic stadium, rows of Doric columns from the gymnasium and the Temple of Hera, Olympia’s most intact structure. Still, the highlight is the Temple of Zeus, which once held the Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. To enhance your understanding of Olympia, you will use an electronic tablet with augmented reality software. Simply point the tablet’s camera at the ruins, and the buildings will appear on the screen in 3D, just as they looked in ancient times.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the first Olympic Games were held.
• See the remains of temples, a gymnasium and the Olympic stadium.
• Use the provided augmented reality software to view the buildings as they once stood.
• Enjoy free time to shop in a nearby village.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sail a sleek catamaran through the enchanting waters between Corfu and the mainland, stopping on occasion to swim, while taking in the spectacular scenery. Once you settle into the 42-foot catamaran, the Mediterranean, you will sail past Corfu’s imposing 15th-century Venetian-built fortress and defensive sea walls before anchoring off the luxurious Mon Repos Palace hotel. The water should be immensely refreshing, crystal-clear and teeming with all sorts of colorful marine life. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity for a similar experience by swimming off teeny Mouse Island. According to legend, Ulysses shipwrecked here and Poseidon turned his ship into the island. The captain will also anchor off heavily wooded Vidos Island, which has the added attraction of being a wildlife sanctuary. While enjoying a buffet lunch of classic Greek dishes on deck, you might watch for birds such as pheasants and even wild goats along the beach-blessed shoreline.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the waters off Corfu in 42-foot catamaran with a sun deck and shaded areas.
• Anchor at three different locations to swim in the crystal-clear sea.
• Admire the gorgeous scenery, while hearing about Corfu’s history and mythology.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, including a swimsuit.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Behold the architectural landmarks that have defined Thessaloniki over the centuries and then enjoy a leisurely drive through a verdant forest that lies on the outskirts.

After departing from the pier, you will drive along the city’s seaside boulevard, where you will soon come upon Aristotelous Square. Designed following the great fire of 1917, the mansion-flanked square has become a revered symbol of the city. Nearby, you will also find the iconic White Tower, a 15th-century fortress on the waterfront.

Continuing on, one landmark after another will come into view, including the Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, which the emperor built in the 4th century to commemorate his victory over Persia. Then, there is the city’s esteemed Archaeological Museum and St. Demetrius Church, the site where the saint was imprisoned and eventually martyred.

Saint Sophia Church is another highlight that reveals much about Thessaloniki’s past. Based on its masonry, it may date from the early 8th century. Over the centuries it has been converted into a mosque, rededicated for Christian worship, partially destroyed in World War II, and severely damaged by an earthquake. Yet, it still stands, a beautiful representation of Thessaloniki’s resiliency

As a counterpoint to the city tour, you will take a short drive through Sheikh Sou forest on the outskirts. As there are very few green spaces within Thessaloniki, this lush wonderland is revered for its serenity. It makes for a welcome respite. Following a refreshment stop, you’ll return to the pier.