Voyage to the Lands of Gods and Heroes

June 29-July 10, 2008 or
July 9-20, 2008*

*July 9th departure operates from Rome to Athens

Day 1 • FLY FROM USA

Day 2 • ATHENS, GREECE
Upon arrival, transfer to Piraeus to board Corinthian II.

Day 3 • PIRAEUS|ATHENS|PIRAEUS
Adults visit the majestic Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum and children have the option to participate in a youth-themed exploration of Athens. Cruise by the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion.

Day 4 • KUSADASI|EPHESUS|KUSADASI Turkey
Take and excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus, with extensive Hellentistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins. Visit the theater, Library of Celsus and Temple of Serapis.

Day 5 • RHODES|LINDOS|RHODES Greece
Enjoy a walking tour in Rhodes, where the Crusader Knights of St. John left their mark in the 14th Century. In lovely Lindos, meander through cobblestoned lanes on foot or by donkey. Ascend to the Acropolis. Enjoy free time or have a swim.

Day 6 • SANTORINI
Santorini's bay provides dramatic scenery as we sail toward Phira village, perched on a cliff.  Adults visit Phira’s Archaeological Museum while Young Explorers travel by sailboat to Nea Kameni
to hike to the top of its volcano, circumnavigate the island, and ascend the caldera by donkey. Adults and children reunite for lunch and free time.

Day 7 • RETHYMNO|KNOSSOS or IMBROS GORGE|RETHYMNO
Travel to the fabled Minoan Palace at Knossos, a maze of chambers with frescoes. Enjoy lunch at an authentic Cretan farm, free time in Resthymno and a swim.  Or, walk the 7-kilometer Imbros Croge tot he coast, near a 14th-Century Venetia castle, and enjoy swimming and a taverna lunch. This activity is for children over 12, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Day 8 • GYTHEIO|MYSTRA or DIROS|GYTHEIO|KOTRONAS BAY
Adults explore Mystra, a ruined Byzantine city whose abandoned buildings contain fine medieval frescoes. Young explorers discover the stalactite caves of Diros by gondola. Time at leisure in charming Gytheio. Swim in Kotronas Bay.

Day 9 • KATAKOLO|OLYMPIA|KATAKOLO
From Katakolo, travel to Olympia. See the temples of Hera and Zeus, the Council House, and the Treasuries. Visit the stadium, where Young Explorers may run a footrace as ancient Olympians did.

Day 10 • NAXOS BAY | TAORMINA | NAXOS BAY, SICILY, ITALY
Anchor in Naxos Bay. Visit the Greek Theater before leisure time in Taormina or relax on the Naxos Bay beaches.

Day 11 • SORRENTO | POMPEII | SORRENTO
From Sorrento, visit Pompeii, both destroyed and preserved by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in A.D. 79.

Day 12 • CIVITAVECCHIA | DISEMBARK | ROME | USA