Turkish Delights
Cruise 598
Turkey, Greece, Cyprus
9-23 Sep 2024
15 days Fares from �3235
| Fares for Cruise 598 | ||
| Cabin Grade: | Price per adult (�): | |
 |
Owners Suite | 6475 |
 |
Suite | 6170 |
 |
Deluxe | 5265 |
 |
Superior | 4615 |
| Standard two
bed: twin occupancy | ||
 |
A Deck outside | 4315 |
 |
A Deck outside aft | 4015 |
 |
B Deck outside | 3925 |
 |
B Deck outside aft | 3670 |
 |
A Deck inside | 3325 |
 |
B Deck inside | 3235 |
| Standard two
bed: single occupancy | ||
|
A Deck outside | 6041 |
|
A Deck outside aft | 5621 |
|
B Deck outside | 5495 |
|
B Deck outside aft | 5138 |
|
A Deck inside | 4323 |
|
B Deck inside | 4206 |
| Minerva deck plans for location of cabins | ||
Professor Martin Biddle OBE
Professor of Medieval Archaeology, University of Oxford, with a particular interest in the medieval history of Europe and the Mediterranean. His talks will give an insight into the classical influences to be seen in the area.
Canon David Isitt
Major scholar in classics, and later Chaplain, at Kings College Cambridge. His special interest is the persistence of the classical tradition in European civilization. The literary and historic associations of the islands of the Aegean will be the focus for his talks.
Dr Christopher Kelly
University lecturer in Classics, a Fellow and Senior Tutor of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. The Roman world will be among the topics covered in his talks.
Sir Richard Parsons KCMG
Having served in the Embassy in Turkey, where he travelled extensively, and in the Foreign Office dealing with Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, Sir Richard is ideally qualified to share his knowledge about past and present events throughout the areas covered on this cruise.
| Sun 9 Sep London - Izmir |
| Fly from London to Izmir to join Minerva. After settling in you could take advantage of our overnight in port and stroll ashore. |
| Mon 10 Sep Izmir - Dikili (for Pergamum) |
| Listen to the first of our Guest Speakers' talks this morning as we sail for Dikili. This afternoon we visit the windswept ruins of Pergamum to view its commanding Acropolis and Asclepieion, a tribute to the god of healing and believed to be the world's first health centre. |
| Tue 11 Sep Kusadasi (for Ephesus or Priene) |
| A full day in the lively port of Kusadasi. This morning visit the spectacular site of Ephesus, where the reconstructed Library of Celsus and Temple of Hadrian can be found. Alternatively explore Priene which is an excellent early example of town planning on a grid system. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Also available is a supplementary full-day excursion to the limestone formations of Pamukkale where you can sample the therapeutic waters. |
| Wed 12 Sep Santorini * |
| After a morning at sea, Minerva drops anchor in the caldera of Santorini. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the cliff top town of Thera with its winding streets of white washed houses. If you prefer, join our supplementary excursions to the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri, or to Pyrgos, a traditional Cycladian village. |
| Thu 13 Sep Rethymnon - Aghios Nikolaos |
| Explore the delightful town of Rethymnon with its mixture of Italian and Turkish heritage creating a charming architectural combination of Venetian houses, compete with wooden balconies, along with a touch of the Orient. Alternatively visit Crete's second city, Khania, a beautiful old harbour town. Sail at lunchtime for an evening ashore in lively Aghios Nikolaos. |
| Fri 14 Sep Aghios Nikolaos (for Knossos) |
| This morning we visit the impressive ruins of the Palace of Knossos, home of the legendary Minotaur, where restorations give an insight into life on Minoan Crete. Or explore the Minoan town of Gournia and the Byzantine Church of Kritsa with its beautiful frescoes. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at sea. |
| Sat 15 Sep Carpathos * |
| We anchor off the remote island of Carpathos. Enjoy an independent visit to this rugged island with its numerous beaches and unspoilt villages. We sail after lunch. |
| Sun 16 Sep Rhodes |
| Spend a full day in the former city of the Knights of St John. Join our walking tour of this unique historic Crusader town. Or join our supplementary excursion to the whitewashed town of Lindos with its dramatic hill-top citadel. We sail late evening so you may like to enjoy dinner ashore. |
| Mon 17 Sep Knidos * |
| We anchor off the beautiful wooded peninsula of Knidos this morning and visit the remote site dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Walk among the ruins located between hillside terraces, planted with olive and almond groves. Enjoy the afternoon on deck with a good book as we sail for our next port. |
| Tue 18 Sep Fethiye (for Xanthos) |
| This morning we visit the great Lycian city of Xanthos, noted for its turbulent history, and the theatre and temples of Letoon. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Or, travel inland on our supplementary full-day excursion by boat to Caunos, a beautiful site rich in bird life. Why not sample some Turkish dishes ashore during our evening in port? |
| Wed 19 Sep Kalkan * - Kastellerizon * |
| We anchor this morning off the tiny hillside town of Kalkan, birthplace of St Nicholas, scattered among marshes and endless sand dunes. In the afternoon we sail to the island of Kastellerizon, a tiny isolated Greek outpost just off the Turkish coast. Take the opportunity to explore its picturesque village at your leisure. |
| Thu 20 Sep Antalya (for Perge, Aspendos and Phaselis) |
| This morning we visit Perge, one of Pamphylia's greatest cities, and one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world at Aspendos. Our supplementary excursion is to the ancient city of Termessos, known as the "Eagles' Nest" because of its commanding position 1,200 metres high in the mountains. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or visit Phaselis, stunningly located around three beautiful bays. |
| Fri 21 Sep Anamur * |
| This morning we see the eerie deserted Byzantine city of Anemurium, its ruins crowning a rocky promontory. Scattered throughout the extensive site are well-preserved ghost-like ancient dwellings, covered with traces of tiles, intricate mosaics and paintings. We also view the enchanting sea-girt castle of Mamuriye. Relax on deck this afternoon as we sail for Cyprus. |
| Sat 22 Sep Limassol - Larnaca |
| Disembark for the beautifully sited theatre at Curium and the Crusader Castle of Kolossi, or you can take our supplementary excursion to Paphos, the birthplace and centre of worship of Aphrodite. Or you may prefer to travel inland on our supplementary excursion to the thick, sun-soaked, cedar and pine forest slopes of the Troodos region. Late afternoon we sail for Larnaca. |
| Sun 23 Sep Larnaca - London |
| A leisurely morning before we fly to London. |
| * Land by ship's boat or local tender |
