| Day 1 | Depart US
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| Day 2 | ISTANBUL, Turkey
Fly to Istanbul and transfer to
your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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| Day 3 | ISTANBUL, Turkey
Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul
– in this city you will find some of
the greatest buildings and works of
art in the world. Your first morning’s
sightseeing will take in the Byzantine
6th century cathedral of Hagia
Sophia, the Topkapi Palace –
residence of the early sultans –
and the Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue
Mosque). In the afternoon you are
free to explore the city – you may
like to visit the Süleymaniye mosque
built for Süleyman the Magnificent
or a late Byzantine masterpiece, the
Church of St Saviour in Chora – or
just relax at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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| Day 4 | ISTANBUL, Turkey
A morning to explore the delights of
Istanbul: this is a good opportunity
to haggle in the Grand Bazaar or take
the optional Bosphorus boat tour. In
the afternoon, transfer to the port to
embark Aegean Odyssey. Depart for
the Dardenelles in the evening.
Meals: Dinner
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| Day 5 | LEMNOS, Greece
In the morning, the ship cruises
through the Sea of Marmara and
the Dardanelles. At lunchtime you
arrive at Lemnos: this volcanic island
controls the approaches to the
Dardanelles and the afternoon
tour will centre on the capital Myrina, which is overlooked by the
fortifications of the impressive kastro.
This was a stronghold in turn fought
over by the Byzantines, Venetians and
Ottomans. Evening departure for
Mount Athos and Skiathos.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 6 | MOUNT ATHOS, Greece/SKIATHOS, Greece
The so-called "Holy Mountain" is
really a long peninsula, which rises
at its southern tip to a 6,000 ft. peak.
Dotted along its length are some
twenty ruling monasteries, some
dating from the 10th and 11th
centuries, and innumerable smaller
monastic settlements and hermitages.
Women are strictly forbidden to set
foot on the Mountain, together
with – at least in theory – all female
animals. Fortunately, most of the
monasteries (several of which are
quite spectacular) are on or near the
coast and will be seen clearly from
our ship. In the early afternoon,
we arrive at Skiathos where you can
spend the rest of the day relaxing in
the picturesque little town. Evening
departure for Izmir.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 7 | IZMIR, Turkey
Aegean Odyssey arrives in Izmir at
lunchtime. Founded around 3000BC,
the port of Izmir has been a major
trading centre since the 3rd century
AD. The afternoon will be spent in
Ephesus, the ancient Roman capital
of the province of Asia and today one
of the greatest sites of the classical
world. Overnight in Izmir.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 8 | IZMIR, Turkey
This morning's tour is to the Hellenistic
ruins of Pergamon. Founded by the
Greeks in the 8th century BC,
Pergamon once rivalled Athens and
Alexandria as a centre of culture and
learning. Here you will see the remains
of the Altar of Zeus, the Temples of
Dionysus and Trajan and the impressive
Greek theatre. Afternoon at leisure in
Izmir. Evening departure for Delos.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 9 | DELOS, Greece/MYKONOS, Greece
Delos is one of the most interesting
archaeological sites in Greece and was
the paramount religious sanctuary of
the ancient Greek world. The morning’s
tour explores the island’s temples,
buildings and, of course, its famous
lions. A lunchtime departure to nearby
Mykonos for some people-watching
and evening drinks. Late departure
for Santorini.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 10 | SANTORINI, Greece
In the morning you arrive at the island
of Santorini and take the short drive to
Akrotiri. This ancient Minoan outpost is a truly remarkable archaeological site
and the excavations include the remains
of a sophisticated civilisation dating
back to the 16th century BC. After
included lunch, you will are free to
relax in Firà or see more detailed relics
from Akrotiri in the Archaeological
Museum. Sunset departure for
Rethimnon, Crete.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 11 | RETHIMNON, Crete, Greece
Rethimnon, along with Chaniá and
Heraklion, was once a major stronghold
of the Venetian Empire. The morning
tour, however, is dedicated to the
Minoan site of Knossos. The heyday
of Minoan civilisation (2000-1600BC)
was marked by the construction of
great palaces, the best known of which
is Knossos. Excavations were begun in
1899 by the British archaeologist Sir
Arthur Evans, who controversially
“restored” the palace with his own
eccentric ideas of Minoan interior
design. In the afternoon, there is an
optional tour to the beautiful town of
Chanía, once the Minoan settlement
of Kydonia which has been fought over
by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and
Turks. Or you are free to explore the
well-preserved Venetian and Ottoman
architecture in Rethimnon. Late
evening departure for Nauplia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 12 | NAUPLIA, Greece
Anchor off the port of Nauplia in time
for breakfast. The morning will be
dedicated to exploring the great
Mycenaean culture that flourished in this area, known as the Argolid plain,
between 1600-1300BC. At its heart is
the ancient city of Mycenae, reputedly
the capital of Agamemnon and the
“well-built citadel” of Homer’s Iliad.
In the afternoon there is the option to
visit Epidaurus, sacred to Asclepios, the
god of medicine, and the site of the best
preserved of all ancient Greek theatres.
Or you may choose to visit the elegant
town of Nauplia where you will find
an excellent Archaeological Museum,
housed in the impressive former Venetian
Arsenal. Return to Aegean Odyssey for a
late evening sailing to Athens.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 13 | ATHENS, Greece
A full-morning’s guided tour of the
ancient citadel of Athens, the Acropolis.
Built during the “Golden Age” of Athens
between 447-438BC under the orders
of the great statesman Pericles, the
Acropolis represents the magnificent
achievements of Athenian culture during
this remarkable era. You will also visit
the recently opened Acropolis Museum
and then transfer to your hotel for check
in. After lunch you are free to relax or
continue exploring the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Day 14 | ATHENS, Greece
A full day in Athens when you are
free to visit the marvellous National
Archaeological Museum, the ancient
Agora and the magnificent Hephaisteion
or simply wander through the streets
of the bustling Plaka district.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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| Day 15 | ATHENS, Greece
Check out of your hotel and transfer
to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
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