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Three Continents & The Mediterranean
8 Day/7 Night Cruise & 3 nts. Istanbul | View Itinerary Map
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Day 1 Fri Depart USA Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board. Day 2 Sat Istanbul/Cruise Morning arrival into Istanbul Airport, where you'll be met and transferred to the pier to board the M/V Cristal to begin the fascinating Three Continents Cruise. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy the many facilities of the ship and sail out of Istanbul in the early evening. (D) Day 3 Sun Mykonos Spend the entire morning at sea and early afternoon arrival at Mykonos, known for its white-washed buildings, sidewalk cafes and shops. Optional excursion to the once sacred island of Delos and legendary birthplace of the Sun God, Apollo. Sail later in the evening. (B,L,D) Day 4 Mon At Sea Full day cruising southbound on the Mediterranean, relaxing and taking advantage of the many facilities and amenities on board ship. (B,L,D) Day 5 Tue Ashdod (Israel) Early morning arrival in Ashdod. Two full day optional excursions are available. One to Jerusalem for a glimpse of Israel, old and new. In West Jerusalem, see the Knesset, the Supreme Court and the Museum of Israel with the Shrine of the Book. Then visit Gethsemane Garden and other locations of the Christian tradition. In the Old City you will find the Temple Mount and its Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque. The second excursion goes to Nazareth, including St. Gabriel Church and Mary's Spring, Jardenit, place of baptism of the first Christians then drive through ancient Tiberias and Capernaum, by the shore of the Sea of Galilee. See the ancient synagogue, followed by Tabgha, with the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes. The Mount of the Beatitudes will be your final landmark. Resume sailing in the evening (B,L,D) Day 6 Wed Port Said/Alexandria (Egypt) Early morning arrival in Port Said. You may remain on board ship or take one of two optional excursions, both ending in Alexandria, where you re-board the ship. The first optional tour is to Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza and a cruise on the Nile. In Cairo, visit the National Archaeological Museum. Among the museum's many treasures is the priceless collection of King Tutankhamen. Continue with a Nile cruise along the timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs. During the cruise enjoy a folkloric presentation and belly dancing. Subsequently drive to the Giza Plateau to admire the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the mighty Sphinx. Visit a Papyrus Institute and re-embark your ship in Alexandria. The second excursion includes Saladin Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, Sakkara and the Bazaar, then drive to Egypt's first capital Memphis with its ancient cemetery of Sakkara, where the Step Pyramid built 5,000 years ago is located. Visit colourful Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a shopper's Paradise. Reboard your ship in Alexandria. (B,L,D) Day 7 Thu Crete/Agios Nikolaos (Greece) Cruise during the entire morning. Afternoon arrival at Agios Nikolaos, the capital city of Eastern Crete. An optional excursion is available. Drive to Elounda, located in a natural bay, then continue to an Olive Oil Farm, where oil production still follows traditional methods. You will be welcomed with a Raki the traditional drink of Crete and 'meze', a selection of appetizers. Enjoy Cretan traditional music and dance by local performers. Return to Agios Nikolaos with free time for browsing about and to re-board your ship. Resume sailing in the evening. (B,L,D) Day 8 Fri Athens Early morning arrival in Piraeus, where you have an optional visit of the Acropolis, entering the top of the hill through the Propylea, then the temple of Athena Niki (the Wingless Victory). The Parthenon, symbol of classical architecture, was built in honour of Goddess Athena. Also see the smaller Temple of Erechtheion with its famous Porch of the Caryatids. Leaving the Acropolis see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the 'evzones' dressed in their traditional costume, the Parliament, the Panathinaikon Stadium (1896 site of the first Olympics of modern times). Drive by the Library, the University, Omonia Square, Syntagma Square and have time to browse and shop at the base of the Acropolis. A second optional excursion takes you to Athens driving past the Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament, the Panathinaikon Stadium, the Library, the University, Omonia Square, Syntagma Square, and continue to the old part of the city called Plaka. Here you can explore its mainly pedestrian streets with picturesque houses, shops and numerous cafes. The Acropolis will only be viewed from a distance. A refreshment or a coffee will be offered at a cafe located at the base of the Acropolis. You may also join a full day optional tour to Corinth to view the Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth. During the 6th century B.C., Corinth was one of Greece's richest cities. Excavations, begun in 1896 and still ongoing, revealed the Temple of Apollo and Roman ruins. Continue to Mycenae, an ancient city which gave its name to an entire civilization. History tells us that Mycenae was a great power in the 12th century B.C., when King Agamemnon commanded the Greek forces in the Trojan War. Resume sailing in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) Day 9 Sat Istanbul After sailing the entire morning in the mid-afternoon you will arrive in Istanbul, where you will be met at the pier and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure so you may begin to explore this historical city. (B,L) Day 10 Sun Istanbul Today discover Istanbul's remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Start with the Hippodrome (ancient site of chariot races), the magnificent Blue Mosque and then St. Sophia Museum. Enjoy an included lunch at a restaurant with authentic Turkish recipes. In the afternoon visit the Topkapi Palace and the exotic Grand Bazaar. (B,L) Day 11 Mon Istanbul Full day at leisure to explore more of Istanbul or join an exciting optional sightseeing tour of the historic Spice Market, followed by a cruise along the Bosphorus. Other optional tours are available. (B) Day 12 Tue Istanbul/USA (or extend your stay) This morning transfer to Istanbul Airport for your return flight to the USA, arriving the same day. (B) |
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