THE WINE DARK SEA

26 Aug - 2 Sep 1998, 8 Days, visiting Greece, Turkey

Cruise no: 518B

This cruise starts with a bang, and the site of a volcanic explosion four times greater than Krakatoa - but a safe 3,500 years ago, on the island of Santorini. From there we travel to the crusader island of Rhodes and the islands of Kos, Chios and Skopelos where we enjoy a variety of ancient sites, churches and pretty local beaches. Our final port of call is the Turkish port of Kusadasi from where we visit the great site of Ephesus with its reconstructed Library of Celsus and magnificent theatre.

Itinerary:

Wed 26 Aug Fly London to Athens for embarkation on Minerva at the port of Piraeus in readiness for an evening sailing.
Thu 27 Aug Morning arrival at the island of Santorini where you may like to explore the cliff-top town of Thera independently. We sail mid afternoon.
Fri 28 Aug Following a morning arrival in Rhodes we enjoy a walking tour of the old town. There is an alternative excursion to Lindos. After lunch we set sail for the island of Symi.
Sat 29 Aug We spend the morning on Kos, the island of Hippocrates. There is a morning walking tour of the remains of the Graeco Roman town and an alternative excursion to the Asclepieion. We sail in the mid afternoon.
Sun 30 Aug After breakfast we disembark by tender for a visit to the scenic island of Samos where we see the ruins of the Temple of Hera. Afternoon at sea.
Mon 31 Aug This morning we visit the medieval towns of Pirgi and Mesta on the island of Chios. This afternoon there are alternative excursions to Nea Moni and to one of the island's many sandy beaches. We sail in the evening.
Tue 1 Sep This morning we visit the tiny island of Skopelos where we enjoy a walking tour of the town. Skopelos also provides excellent opportunities to swim.
Wed 2 Sep We arrive in Thessaloniki in the early morning and take a sightseeing tour. Alternative excursion to the little Macedonian village of Vergina. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the return flight to London.

GUEST LECTURERS:

DR MIRIAM GRIFFIN: Fellow in Ancient History of Somerville College, Oxford. A Roman historian, she has written standard works on Seneca, Cicero and Nero.
PROFESSOR JASPER GRIFFIN: Professor of Classical Literature and Public Orator at Oxford University, and Fellow of Balliol College.
ODETTE LIVINGSTONE-SMITH: M.A. in Italian Renaissance Art. Taught History of Art and Architecture for London and Surrey Extra-Mural Departments and for the Open University.
PROFESSOR DAVID NICHOLS: Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter since 1969, where he has been Dean of Science and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
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