EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

The island of Mykonos is world famous for its stunning scenic beauty comprised of windmills, sparking bays, superb beaches, white houses and churches with their colorful blue and red domes. 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.

Visit the site of the first Olympic Games and learn about its glorious history. Then head to the beach and spend the rest of the day basking in the sun and swimming in the warm, sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea. Even though the temples and monuments have disappeared and only the ruins are left, you can’t help but to envision the grandeur of the Temple of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The site was a sanctuary even before the stadium was built and the games took place.

The famous stadium, the largest of its day, is entered through a long, tunnel-like passage constructed in Roman times. Today, you can stand at the starting line and imagine the roar of the spectators seated on the marble benches, as the athletes took their marks. Reboard your coach and head to the beach to bask in the sun and swim in the sparkling Ionian Sea. Enjoy use of a sun bed and umbrella at the main beach, as well as a complimentary refreshment. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

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 tutor 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
• Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample a local glass of wine 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 Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira 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.

Enjoy extra time to unwind and savor the ship at your own pace – no rushing, no waiting at the airport, just more time to relax and soak in the experience.

• Relaxed, stress-free departure.
• Enjoy the ship at your own pace with leisurely lunch and extra time onboard.
• Complete with the added convenience of included shuttle transfer to airport.

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.

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.

Drive through the picturesque marinas of Zea and Microlimano in Piraeus as your tour heads to the center of Athens. You’ll have the opportunity to admire some of the most important sites of Athens such as Constitution Square, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, Temple of Zeus, Royal Palace, and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium. The Acropolis is one of the most photographed and recognizable hills in the entire world. Sights include the Propylaea, Temple of Apteros Niki, Erectheum and Architectural Triumph of the Parthenon.

Afterwards, you’ll have free time to wander around the picturesque streets of Plaka, the old preserved district of Athens with numerous art and craft shops, restaurants and cafes. You’ll have plenty of free time for shopping or to independently enjoy Greek specialties at one of the traditional colorful taverns. After your wanderings at the old district of Athens, board your coach from a designated point at a set-up time for your return to the pier.

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.

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.

This tour visits the amazing Knossos archaeological site, proving the existence of the Minoan civilization. The Palace of Knossos was the largest and most spectacular of Minoan palaces. It was the court of the legendary King Minos, father of the mythological Minotaur, half-bull, half-man. The original palace was built around 2,000 B.C., and after being destroyed by an earthquake, was replaced with a more complex one, which strongly resembled a labyrinth. Your guided tour will take you through the marvelous ruins of the ancient complex, restored by Sir Arthur Evans. His work has been criticized by some for its modernity, but it does help you visualize the palace as it was, when it served as the administrative center for the region. There will be over an hour of free time for you to stroll at leisure in the town of Heraklion. Perhaps visit the Fountain of Morosini near the colorful fruit and vegetable market, or shop for some Cretan souvenirs.

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.

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.