CLASSICAL LANDSCAPES

16 Sep - 30 Sep 1998, 15 Days, visiting Turkey, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia & Italy

Cruise no: 520

This cruise explores some of the most famous sites of Classical Greece and Turkey as well as Byzantine Ravenna and Venice. Highlights of this fifteen day journey will include the extensive Roman ruins of Ephesus, which boasts the magnificent Library of Celsus; Agamemnon's great citadel of Mycenae and the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, described in ancient times as 'the navel of the world'. We will also call at Dubrovnik where our walking tour will take in the recently restored and highly picturesque medieval streets and squares of the old walled city. Our cruise ends in Venice - a grand finale to this voyage of discovery.

Itinerary:

Wed 16 Sep Fly from London to Istanbul where we transfer to Minerva. You may like to dine ashore tonight?
Thu 17 Sep A full morning of sightseeing in this bustling city visiting the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Santa Sophia and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.
Fri 18 Sep Arrive midday in the port of Dikili for our excursion to the ruins of Pergamum.
Sat 19 Sep From Kusadasi walk through the extensive site of ancient Ephesus or visit the ruins of Priene. After lunch on board we take in the town of Seljuk or Claros.
Sun 20 Sep We anchor off the beautiful wooded peninsular of Knidos for our morning excursion to the remote site of Aphrodite. Sail midday for an afternoon at sea.
Mon 21 Sep From Fethiye visit the old Lycian capital of Xanthos and the theatre and temples of Letoon. The rest of the day is free for independent sightseeing.
Tue 22 Sep A day at sea to enjoy the delights of Minerva. We arrive in Nauplion early evening.
Wed 23 Sep Today from Nauplion we explore the citadel of Mycenae with its famous Lion Gate. Alternative excursion to Epidauros. This evening Minerva transits the Corinth Canal.
Thu 24 Sep Arrive early in Itea for the beautiful sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. After lunch on the ship, visit the Byzantine monastery at Osios Loukas.
Fri 25 Sep Morning at sea. From Preveza either visit the 4th century BC remains of Cassope or the town of Nikopolis.
Sat 26 Sep This morning we arrive at the Albanian port of Saranda. We visit the magical site of Butrint (local conditions permitting).
Sun 27 Sep Minerva anchors in the beautiful bay of Kotor. Here we spend a free morning exploring the town at leisure, before sailing for Dubrovnik at midday.
Mon 28 Sep Disembark in Dubrovnik for our guided walking tour of this picturesque walled city.
Tue 29 Sep This morning is spent in Ravenna with its lovely Byzantine monuments. We then spend the afternoon at sea before arriving in Venice.
Wed 30 Sep Our final morning of sightseeing includes visits to St. Mark's Square and The Doge's Palace. Transfer to the Airport for the return flight to London.

GUEST LECTURERS:

ROBERT HILLENBRAND: Professor of Islamic Art at Edinburgh University.
RICHARD JENKYNS: Reader in Classical Languages and Literature, University of Oxford.
CANON ROBIN PROTHEROE: Director of Education, Diocese of Bristol.
NIGEL SPIVEY: Lecturer in Classical Archaeology at Cambridge University.
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NEXT CRUISE: An Italian Autumn