June 4, 2009
USA
Fly from the U.S. to Athens, Greece.
June 5
ATHENS | PIRAEUS, GREECE | EMBARK
Arrive in Athens and transfer to Piraeus, Athens’ ancient and modern port, to board the Corinthian II. Overnight aboard docked in Piraeus.
June 6
PIRAEUS | MARATHON | ATHENS | PIRAEUS
Drive in the morning to Marathon. Explore the site, visit the Archaeological Museum and then continue to Athens to visit the Acropolis and its great monuments, which were built at the height of Athenian power, following the Persian wars. Departing Piraeus, we sail near Salamis, the small island in whose waters the Athenian navy destroyed Persia’s fleet (480 B.C.)
June 7
STYLIDIA | THERMOPYLAE
Morning is at sea. From the port of Stylida, drive to Thermopylae, the famous narrow pass defended under the leadership of Leonidas during the Persian invasion of 480 B.C. Using Herodotus’ Histories as a guide, follow the vivid and dramatic depiction of the battle as recorded in his account of the Persian Wars and tour the grounds of this historic struggle. Also visit the archaeological Museum in Lamia.
June 8
MILOS
Morning is spent at sea with an afternoon call at the island of Milos, which played an important role in the Peloponnesian War. Tour the ancient site.
June 9
HERAKLION | KNOSSOS | HERAKLION | SOUDA BAY, CRETE
From Heraklion, an excursion leads to the Palace at Knossos. Also visit the Heraklion Museum, with its treasures from Crete’s long history. For those who have visited Knossos, there will be an alternative excursion to the Minoan sites of Vathypetro. Spend the afternoon at sea cruising along Crete’s northern coast to Souda Bay, where we arrive in the evening.
June 10
SOUDA BAY | CHANIA | MALEME | SOUDA BAY
From spacious Souda Bay, explore sites that are connected with the World War II Battle of Crete (May 20 - June 1, 1941). Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery and then drive to Maleme and explore the nearby German War Cemetery. Continue to Chania, with its strong Venetian architecture, for a tour that will include the Maritime Museum. Its exhibits illustrate Crete’s seafaring history, and several of its rooms are devoted to the German invasion of the island.
June 11
AT SEA
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea cruising toward Malta.
June 12
VALLETTA, MALTA
“If the Turks should prevail against the isle of Malta, it is uncertain what further peril might follow the rest of Christendom,” wrote Queen Elizabeth I about the Great Siege of Valletta (1565) by an armada of 181 Ottoman ships, which the islanders were successful in repelling. The second great siege of Malta started in June 1940, when Mussolini’s forces attacked the island, and ended in 1943, with the Allies victorious. Explore Valletta’s monuments, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master’s Palace and the Museum of Archaeology.
June 13
SYRACUSE, SICILY, ITALY
Our tour begins with a drive to the Anabus River and to a hilltop overlooking the harbor. Discover the spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theater and nearby Latomia del Paradiso quarry. After a visit to the Archaeological Museum, stroll through Syracuse’s old town, situated on the island of Ortygia, and explore the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Aretusa and the Cathedral.
June 14
SALERNO, ITALY
One of Italy’s oldest cites, Salerno witnessed the landing of the Allied forces during World War II, and much of the city was destroyed during the heavy fighting that followed. Explore the sites associated with the war and also partake in one of two excursions: to Paestum, the ancient Greek city with its well preserved Doric Temples, or to celebrated Amalfi and the attractive hill town of Ravello.
June 15
GAETA
Arrive in Gaeta, a fortress-town on a headland. Travel to Monte Cassino to visit its famous abbey, the site of the notorious Battle of Cassino (October 1943-May 1944). The abbey was destroyed in the battles, but subsequently rebuilt to the original plans, and once again it crowns the summit of Monte Cassino.
June 16
CIVITAVECCHIA | DISEMBARK | ROME | USA
Disembark in Civitavecchia and transfer to Rome’s airport for return flights to the U.S
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