Top New Trips for 2012: Lindblad Expeditions -- Inaugural Voyage to Turkey and Greece
Explore Aegean treasures old and new on a journey aboard the legendary 58-guest Sea Cloud.
Lindblad Expeditions: Inaugural Voyage to Turkey and Greece
An exclusive expedition, this special itinerary includes fascinating sites in Turkey and Greece not included on our seasonal voyages, including Rhodes, Antalya, Fethiye, Amorgos and Chios. Here’s an overview of this extraordinary voyage:
APRIL 23: DEPART
APRIL 24: ATHENS, GREECE/EMBARK
Gather for lunch at the Electra Palace Hotel, then transfer to Piraeus; embark Sea Cloud.
APRIL 25: SKYROS
Whitewashed houses in the quintessential old town overlook the sea. Greek myth has it that Achilles, disguised as a girl, lived here for a time.
APRIL 26: DAY AT SEA: SAILING THE AEGEAN
APRIL 27: RHODES
Explore beautiful Lindos. Walk among Hellenistic ruins in the acropolis, and visit the 14th century Castle of the Knights of St John. In the town of Rhodes, see the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, rebuilt for Italy’s Victor Emmanuel III.
APRIL 28: ANTALYA, TURKEY
Sail the rugged coast, punctuated by 9,000-foot peaks. Explore Aspendos, one of the ancient world’s wealthiest cities. Then, see Perge for its impressive gates, stadium with sculptured friezes, colonnaded street and innovative fountain system.
APRIL 29: ANTALYA
Choose the steep walk to Termessos’ evocative ruins, or explore the historic district and the outstanding Archeology Museum. This afternoon, Sea Cloud sails the Turkish coast.
APRIL 30: FETHIYE
You may either explore Xanthos, Lycia’s greatest city; the UNESCO site Letoön, the main shrine of Leto, Apollo and Artemis; or Telmessos for its tombs carved into cliffs, before visiting the Archaeological Museum.
MAY 1: DALYAN RIVER/SAILING
Board local boats to voyage up the Dalyan River to see the facades of the remarkably imposing Lycian tombs carved into the massive cliff face some 2,300 years ago.
MAY 2: BODRUM/SAILING
In Bodrum we explore the 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, built by Crusader knights and now home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which we visit by special arrangement.
MAY 3: EPHESUS/KUSADASI
Arrive in Kusadasi and drive to Ephesus. Few archaeological sites convey such a vivid sense of classical civilization. Visit the Great Theater, which still holds 25,000 spectators, the restored Library of Celsus, and see mosaics and frescoes at a Roman villa.
MAY 4: CHIOS, GREECE
Sail to Chios and explore the medieval village of Mesta and the gorgeous black-and white patterned town of Pyrgi.
MAY 5: AMORGOS
Visit Amorgos’ beautifully preserved island capital of Hora to explore on foot, and see the monastery of Hozoviotissa.
MAY 6: SANTORÍNI
Sail into the Santoríni caldera, the center of the single volcano that erupted 3,600 years ago. Explore whitewashed Oia, and stroll the main town of Thira, perched high, with unrivaled views.
MAY 7: DAY AT SEA
MAY 8: PIRAEUS/U.S.
Transfer to Athens airport for flights home.
Inaugural Voyage to Turkey and Greece: April 23-May 8; from $13,980.