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The Ancient Shores of Turkey: From the Golden Horn to the Turquoise Coast
Mythic battles, epic love stories, sultans and ancient emperors—Turkey’s coast has been the stage for some the world’s greatest stories and captivating protagonists. Beginning in Istanbul, an exotic fusion of Europe and Asia, with its sublime skyline of minarets and domes, we will visit the great monuments of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. As Callisto makes its way down the stunning turquoise coast, weaving in and out among the inlets and islets, we will call upon the places of legend, such as Troy, the site of history’s most enigmatic romance, and the magical ruins of Ephesus. In Pergamon, discover the remains of one of the great learning centers of the ancient world, and in Bodrum, the birthplace of Herodotus, behold the stones that once formed the grave of King Mausolus.
Itinerary
Day 1 • USA
Day 2 • ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Day 3 • ISTANBUL | EMBARK
Day 4 • CANAKKALE | TROY | CAMAKKALE
Day 5 • DIKILI | PERGAMON | DIKILI
Day 6 • IZMIR | SARDIS | IZMIR
Day 7 • KUSADASI | EPHESUS | KUSADASI
Day 8 • BODRUM | KOS, GREECE
Day 9 • AMORGOS
Day 10 • ATHENS (Zea Marina) | DISEMBARK
View Detailed Itinerary
Callisto
PRIVATE-YACHT INTIMACY
Callisto is the last word in sophistication. The guest list is limited to 34—a group large enough to bring together an interesting mix, but small enough to foster a true spirit of community. Beautifully appointed and filled with amenities one would expect to find in a fine country house, the 17 cabins feature large windows (portholes on the Daphne Deck) that look out on the sea. Cabins also feature:
• Satellite TV, DVD/CD player
• Telephone
• Mini-refrigerator
• Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries
• Plush terry robes and slippers
• Fresh flowers and fruit basket
• 24-hour room service
Decorated with rich fabrics, handsome wood, polished brass, rare antiquities and fine works of art, the yacht’s public spaces are warm and inviting. These include:
• Library with Internet access
• Lounge with audiovisual facilities
• Dining room
• Two sun decks
• Jacuzzi
• Swimming platform
FINE DINING
To delight the gourmet palate, Callisto’s steward and kitchen staff seek fresh provisions from many ports of call. Guests savor just-caught fish and perfectly ripened produce from local markets, resulting in menus of classic regional specialties as well as creative Continental fare. Select regional wines are complimentary with lunch and dinner, and beginning in 2008, there will be open bar service throughout the day. Meals are served at a single, unassigned seating in the elegantly-styled dining room, surrounded by large picture windows. Weather permitting, guests may also dine al fresco on the broad sun decks.
AN UNCOMMON ADVANTAGE
Like Corinthian II, Callisto’s compact size allows visits to unspoiled islets, pristine beaches and intimate coves inaccessible to larger cruise-liners. At once large enough to offer every possible comfort, she is small enough to navigate tiny inlets and berth in exclusive harbors, taking travelers where few have ever gone.
• Cruise as described aboard the 34-guest Callisto
• Overnight hotel stay in Istanbul at the Hilton Hotel
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying study leaders
• Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port dues and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare; visa and passport fees; baggage, cancellation and accident insurance; meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those specified above; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes and e-mail service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel
Thursday, August 21, 2008
USA
Fly from the U.S. to Istanbul, Turkey.
Friday, August 22
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the Hilton Hotel.
Saturday, August 23
ISTANBUL | EMBARK
Founded by Constantine the Great in 324 and capital of the Byzantine Empire for over 1,000 years, Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus, the waterway separating Europe from Asia. Tour the Basilica of St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque. Board Callisto and sail.
Sunday, August 24
CANAKKALE | TROY | CANAKKALE
Arrive in Canakkale, set at the narrowest point of the Dardanelles Strait. Drive to fabled Troy, where excavations began in 1872 and continue to today, and where legend has it that the city fell to Odysseus’ ruse of the Trojan Horse.
Monday, August 25
DIKILI | PERGAMON | DIKILI
From Dikili, travel to Pergamon, which attained power after the death of Alexander the Great, becoming a center of learning and the arts. Its famed library, which rivaled Alexandria’s, is said to have housed over 200,000 books. Explore the the city’s ruins. Return to Dikili and sail.
Tuesday, August 26
IZMIR | SARDIS | IZMIR
Sardis was settled as early as 1200 B.C. and held at various times by Persians, Macedonians and Romans. During the first major excavations here in the 1950s, archaeologists unearthed an ancient synagogue. Later excavations revealed remnants of a flourishing Jewish settlement which coexisted peacefully with Christians. Tour the synagogue, bath complex and Temple of Artemis.
Wednesday, August 27
KUSADASI | EPHESUS | KUSADASI
One of the most powerful cities in antiquity, Ephesus was founded in the 10th century B.C. and flourished between 600 B.C. and A.D. 500. The center of worship of the great mother-goddess Cybele (Artemis), it is also where St. Paul addressed the Ephesians. See the stunning Terrace Houses and façade of the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, great amphitheater and Basilica of St. John.
Thursday, August 28
BODRUM | KOS, GREECE
Arrive in Bodrum, where 4th-century B.C. King Mausolus lay in state in his beautiful Mausoleum tomb. In the 15th century, the Knights of St. John built the castle of St. Peter here, using stones from the Mausoleum. Visit the ancient site, castle and Citadel, housing the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Sail to Kos island, where Hippocrates set the standards of medical ethics. Explore the ancient ruins, including the Asklepeion, dedicated to the god of healing.
Friday, August 29
AMORGOS
Cruise to Amorgos, an island of whitewashed villages set in a rugged landscape. Visit the 11th-century Byzantine Monastery of Khozoviotissa, clinging to cliffs facing out to sea.
Saturday, August 30
ATHENS | DISEMBARK
Fly to the U.S.
