Greece: The Highlights
Cruise 600
7-21 Oct 2024
15 days
Fares from �3315
| Fares for Cruise 600 | ||
| Cabin Grade: | Price per adult (�): | |
 |
Owners Suite | 6630 |
 |
Suite | 6320 |
 |
Deluxe | 5390 |
 |
Superior | 4730 |
| Standard two
bed: twin occupancy | ||
 |
A Deck outside | 4420 |
 |
A Deck outside aft | 4110 |
 |
B Deck outside | 4020 |
 |
B Deck outside aft | 3755 |
 |
A Deck inside | 3405 |
 |
B Deck inside | 3315 |
| Standard two
bed: single occupancy | ||
|
A Deck outside | 6188 |
|
A Deck outside aft | 5754 |
|
B Deck outside | 5628 |
|
B Deck outside aft | 5257 |
|
A Deck inside | 4427 |
|
B Deck inside | 4310 |
| Minerva deck plans for location of cabins | ||
George Hart
The expansion of Mycenaean civilisation and the Golden Age of Classical Athens will be the highlights of his talks. Working at the British Museum since 1973, he has given many talks on the extensive Greek Bronze Age and Classical collections which in many cases closely relate to the sites on this cruise.
Lady Sophie Laws
Living in Greece and London and formerly a lecturer in theology at King's College, London, she is interested in Greek island life, the social aspects of women in history, classical Greek architecture and present day culture.
The Revd Professor Colin Morris
Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at the University of Southampton. The region covered on the cruise was for centuries the scene of conflicts between the Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian empires, he will talk about the effects of this upon the history and character of the places we visit.
Alicia Salter
Architectural historian, she is a co-founder of Art Circle, a lecturer for NADFAS, and has lectured extensively in the UK, USA and Australia. She specialises in Italian history within the Mediterranean and in particular in the westward diffusion of Greek art and architecture through southern Italy and Sicily.
Enjoy the beauty of Greek landscapes as you step back into the past at Knossos, Mycenae, Delos and Delphi.
Spend evenings ashore watching another country's world go by and make the most of idyllic cruising on Minerva
during blissful afternoons at sea.
| Sun 7 Oct London - Heraklion | |
| Fly from London to the beautiful island of Crete to join Minerva in Heraklion. | |
| Mon 8 Oct Heraklion | |
| Spend the morning exploring the partially restored Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. The afternoon is at sea so time to settle in to your floating country house hotel - perhaps listen to our Guest Speakers' talks, setting the scene for your voyage to come. Welcome Cocktail Party this evening. | |
| Tue 9 Oct Delos * | |
| This morning we anchor off the sacred island of Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Join our walking tour of this deserted island, once an important religious and commercial centre, including the famous Avenue of Lions. Sail in the afternoon for Piraeus. | |
| Wed 10 Oct Piraeus (for Athens) | |
| From the busy port of Piraeus we have a full day in the Greek capital. Visit its most famous landmark, the Acropolis, or enjoy a walking tour of this city's classical highlights including the agora and the Tower of Winds. Or, take our full-day supplementary excursion to the ancient city of Eleusis and remains of the seven-gated city of Thebes. | |
| Thu 11 Oct Nauplion (for Mycenae) | |
| A full day in the attractive port of Nauplion. We will see Agamemnon's city
of Mycenae, with its Lion Gate and remarkable beehive tombs. In the afternoon take our
supplementary excursion to the superb theatre at Epidauros or perhaps while away the rest of your day
wandering through the narrow streets of Nauplion viewing its elegant Venetian houses. An evening
in port so an opportunity to try some Greek specialities ashore.
There is a supplementary 2-day excursion along the coast and through the Parnon Mountains to Monemvasia, topped by a massive fortress. We overnight in this atmospheric town before continuing to Mistra and Gythion. | |
| Fri 12 Oct Gythion (for Mistra or Mani) | |
| A morning at sea offering the chance to browse through Minerva's well-stocked library. In the afternoon, drive inland to visit the extensive hillside Byzantine town of Mistra, several of its churches still showing brilliant frescoes. Alternatively, explore the Mani peninsula viewing some of the deserted fortress-like villages that litter the landscape. | |
| Sat 13 Oct Kalamata (for Messene) | |
| A morning visit inland to the sprawling site of Messene with its huge well-preserved Arcadian gate. Built in the hopes of checking the power of Sparta, the defence wall with its two-storey towers and turreted gates is the best-preserved classical fortification in this region. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at sea as we sail for Katakolo. | |
| Sun 14 Oct Katakolo (for Olympia) | |
| Spend your morning wandering among the groves of pine, olive and oak trees, discovering the fine remains of ancient Olympia. Or you may wish to join our supplementary excursion to the Mercouri Estate that has a long family tradition in the production of wines, dried currants and olive oil. | |
| Mon 15 Oct Itea (for Delphi or Osios Loukas) | |
| This morning we visit Delphi, believed by the ancient Greeks to be the centre of the world and home of Apollo, magnificently sited on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Alternatively head for Osios Loukas to see the elaborate Byzantine monastery with its many splendid mosaics. In the afternoon laze on deck as we sail through the Gulf of Corinth. | |
| Tue 16 Oct Preveza (for Cassope or Nikopolis) | |
| This morning we visit the picturesque cliff top site of Cassope, or Nikopolis, founded by Caesar Augustus following his victory at the historic Battle of Actium. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Preveza. Or if you prefer, take our supplementary full-day excursion through the mountains to Ioannina and to remote Dodona. As we sail late, enjoy some Greek cuisine ashore this evening. | |
| Wed 17 Oct Saranda * | |
| Explore the little visited site of Butrint with its atmospheric ruins and exquisite mosaics (subject to local conditions). An afternoon at sea - perhaps listen to a talk by our Guest Speakers. | |
| Thu 18 Oct At Sea - Dubrovnik | |
| Enjoy a gentle tone up in the gymnasium or simply relax on deck and enjoy the magnificent Dalmatian coast. We arrive in Dubrovnik late afternoon, giving a chance to sample some traditional Dalmatian cuisine. | |
| Fri 19 Oct Dubrovnik | |
| A morning's stroll around this walled medieval city characterised by its marble paved squares, cobbled streets and elaborate fountains. Alternatively visit the oldest and finest Renaissance park in the region at Trsteno. An afternoon at sea and a chance to take a dip in the pool or perhaps pamper yourself in the beauty salon. | |
| Sat 20 Oct Venice | |
| An unforgettable climax to the cruise as Minerva makes her approach across the lagoon to one of Europe's most beautiful cities this morning. We transfer by launch for our afternoon's city sightseeing in and around St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. You may wish to spend your time at leisure enjoying the sights of this elegant city. You could even take a romantic supplementary evening gondola serenade. | |
| Sun 21 Oct Venice - London | |
| Transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. | |
| * Land by ship's boat or local tender | |
WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?
- Explore magical places - Athens, Olympia, Dubrovnik - when the heat's turned down and the crowds have gone home
- See one of the world's most spectacular sights - Venice approached from the sea
- Take your marks on the starting stones in Olympia's stadium, where Greek athletes ran in the first Olympic Games over 2024 years ago
