Ancient Wonders of the Classical World
A voyage from Istanbul to Malta aboard the MS Serenissima
- 8 May 2022
The seas between Istanbul and Malta offer access to a wealth of ancient sites, unspoiled islands and traditional towns and with the 95-passenger MS Serenissima we can take you on a voyage through the playground of the Greek Gods learning of the myths and legends that surround these enchanted lands. Our journey is perfectly timed to take advantage of the gentle temperatures and for us to witness the coast and islands at their springtime best before the crowds of summer arrive.
From Istanbul, one of the world’s most captivating cities, we will sail through turquoise waters, call into white washed villages, admire rugged landscapes and see some of the Ancient world’s most fascinating sites including Troy where our tour will follow the excavations made by Heinrich Schliemann and Pergamum, one of the cultural capitals of antiquity and one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. We continue to Greece where from Nafplio, one of the most beautiful towns on mainland Greece, we will visit Epidaurus and Mycenae. We also visit Mystras, a Medieval ghost town set on a cliff overlooking the site of ancient Sparta and one of the best preserved Byzantine towns in Greece, with excellent examples of 14th and 15th century architecture. Our final call in Greece is for Olympia, the principal shrine of Zeus and Hera and the site of the original Olympic Games. Before our journey ends in the impressive port of Valletta, we spend an afternoon exploring beautiful Syracuse in Sicily.
Our itinerary has been carefully designed to combine some ‘must see’ sites together with some smaller places that are totally unsuitable for vessels larger than ours and in addition to our guided excursions, we have also included time at leisure for individual exploration enabling you to soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. We have the added benefit of excellent local guides and our knowledgeable Guest Speaker who will add much to your experience and knowledge of this fascinating region.
Useful links & Travel Advice
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Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Extensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her life as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our longstanding associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and we have chartered her for the majority of each year since knowing her to be perfect for small ship cruising. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Istanbul, Turkey.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Serenissima and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner and be on deck this evening as we depart our berth and sail down the Bosphorus.
Day 2 Canakkale.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at sea arriving in the early afternoon at Canakkale, our gateway for Troy. Ongoing archaeological excavations have revealed nine different layers of cities superimposed in rings on a massive mound rising above the Plain of Ilium. It was at one of these cities, as legend has it, that the Greeks fought the Trojans as told by Homer in the Iliad. Our tour follows the excavations made by Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeologist who discovered Troy and ‘Priam’s Treasure’, the jewels that, Schliemann claimed, were worn by Helen of Troy. We will walk the walls that held Helen of Troy and look down at the plain where Achilles dragged the dead body of Hector. We can also visit the on-site Troy Museum.
Day 3 Pergamum.
From the port of Dikili we will drive inland to Pergamum with its splendid Acropolis towering above the valley of the Caicus River. This city, built by Alexander’s warring generals became one of the cultural capitals of antiquity, its library rivalling those of Athens and Alexandria. Today Pergamum is one of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. We will take a cable car up to the Acropolis to see the remains of the citadel and the city walls, the foundations of the Zeus Altar and the Royal Palace. Enjoy a local lunch and time in the archaeological museum before returning to the MS Serenissima and sailing this evening.
Day 4 Syros & Delos, Greece.
Our first call in Greece is at the island of Syros which was the largest cultural and trade centre of the Aegean in the 19th century and the capital Ermoupolis was Greece’s principal port. Enjoy a leisurely morning to stroll through the town where the prosperity of the island in the 19th and early 20th century, created through commerce and shipping, is reflected in the architecture with a beautiful square, town hall and theatre. Overlooking Ermoupoli stands the hill-top Ano Syros, the original Medieval district with narrow lanes and whitewashed houses. Over lunch we sail to Delos, which though the smallest of the Cyclades was once the political and religious centre for the whole of the Aegean. Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it boasted an oracle second only to that of Delphi. Explore the magnificent archaeological site including the marble sanctuary of Apollo.
Please note that we will be at anchor in Delos and will use the vessel’s Zodiacs to transfer ashore.
Days 5 & 6 Nafplio.
Nafplio’s sheltered location below a rocky headland and large natural fortress crowned by a Venetian castle is perhaps unrivalled in Greece. We have a day and a half to explore and will include a tour to Epidaurus. Situated on the slopes of a beautiful and wooded valley, Epidaurus was known throughout the Hellenic world for its unique medical facilities and healing treatments. Dedicated to Aesclepius, the god of healing, the city was filled with curative spas and baths. Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, with the exception of the astonishing theatre. We will also enjoy a scenic drive through the Argos Plain to Nemea, the site of a religious sanctuary which hosted the pan-Hellenic athletic games every two years from 573 BC until 271 BC. The mythical origin of the Games is sometimes ascribed to Hercules who, after his first labour in which he had to kill the Nemean lion living in the caves of Mount Tritos above the site, established the athletic games in honour of his father, Zeus. Nemea was not a town or settlement but a venue where festivities were held during the games and our tour will include the Temple of Zeus, the bathhouse and the stadium before spending time in the small but excellent on-site museum. Nemea is also famous for its red wines and we will enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard. There will also be the opportunity to see the famous citadel of Mycenae where we will explore the Royal Palace, the shaft graves and the remains of the city walls. An archaeological briefing within the Treasury of Artreus (also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon) will add to our understanding and appreciation of the sights. We will also ensure there is time to wander Nafplio’s twisting labyrinthine streets to view the Venetian and Turkish architecture.
Day 7 Kalamata & Mystras.
We arrive in Kalamata this morning but our destination is Mystras, a remarkably intact Byzantine hillside town that once housed a population of 20,000 people. Here we visit the Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios, where the two-headed eagle which is the symbol of the Palaeologos Dynasty is carved into a plaque on the floor. According to tradition, this is where Constantine XII stepped when he was crowned king. Strolling through the narrow lanes of the dead city, we will also visit the Church of Agia Sophia, the Palace of the Despots and the Monastery of Pantanassa with its brilliant frescoes. Before returning to the vessel for lunch, refreshments will be served at the picturesque tavern located just beneath the site offering sweeping views over the local terrain. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and perhaps explore Kalamata old town or stroll along the promenade and dip into the turquoise waters from the beach.
Day 8 Katakolon for Olympia.
Arrive this morning at the port of Katakolon, our base for an excursion to Olympia. Pastoral and lush, Olympia’s plentiful ruins are shaded by Aleppo pines and olive trees. The fame of Olympia rests upon the Olympic Games and we will see the gymnasium, the stadium and the palestra or wrestling school. We will also explore the Altis, or sacred precinct of Zeus, which houses structures including the Temple of Zeus, one of the largest temples on the Greek mainland, and the Archaeological Museum which houses some fine sculptures and artefacts from the site. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at sea as we sail to Sicily.
Day 9 Syracuse, Sicily.
After a morning at sea we arrive in Syracuse which was founded by the Greeks in 734 BC and by the 5th century was a political and military power throughout the Mediterranean which rivalled Athens as the largest and most beautiful city in the Greek world. On leaving the vessel we visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park where we will find a well-preserved Greek theatre with seats carved from limestone. Paradise Quarry, now an attractive garden and orange grove, was the primary source of that limestone and is the site of the curious ‘Dionysus’ Ear,’ a vast grotto with an amplifying resonance. We will continue to explore the island of Ortigia where we find the Temple of Apollo, considered to be Sicily’s most ancient Doric temple and the Baroque Cathedral, erected over the remains of the Temple of Minerva. We will sail late this evening for anyone wishing to take an after dinner stroll from our central berth.
Day 10 Valletta, Malta to London.
Be on deck this morning as we sail into the impressive port of Valletta. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
8 to 17 May 2022 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
2 Standard Stateroom | £4395 | £4195 |
3 Classic Stateroom | £4595 | £4395 |
4 Superior Stateroom | £4895 | £4695 |
5 Deluxe Stateroom | £5295 | £5095 |
6 Junior Suite | £5695 | £5495 |
7 Owner’s Suite | £5995 | £5795 |
8 Serenissima Suite | £6195 | £5995 |
10 Standard Single | £5195 | £4995 |
Tour Reference Code: SCSE080522
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel • Nine nights aboard the MS Serenissima on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Deckplan
Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Extensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her life as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our longstanding associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and we have chartered her for the majority of each year since knowing her to be perfect for small ship cruising. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Travelling with You
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Dr Steve Kershaw
Dr Steve Kershaw is a tutor in Classics for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society (ex- NADFAS), and lectures for the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Early Medieval: 300 - 1250 and The Classical World and Classical Revivals courses. His publications include The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, A Brief Guide to the Greek Myths, A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization, A Brief History of the Roman Empire, A Brief History of Atlantis: Plato’s Ideal State, Barbarians: Rebellion and Resistance to Rome, and Mythologica (a children’s book on the Greek myths). Steve is the author and tutor for Oxford University’s online courses in Greek Mythology, The Fall of Rome, and Minoans and Mycenaeans. In 2016 he appeared as an Expert Contributor to The History Channel’s ‘Barbarians Rising’ series, and he has travelled widely in the world of the Greeks and Romans, both physically and intellectually. Steve is also an honors graduate of the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, and is regarded as one of the finest jazz double bass players in the UK.
Dr Steve Kershaw will be on the following tour dates: 8 to 17 May 2022
Tour Extensions
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For those who wish to spend some time discovering Istanbul before embarking the MS Serenissima we are offering a two night hotel extension with included sightseeing.
Hagia Sophia
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Istanbul, Turkey.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this evening and transfer to the hotel for our two night stay. Meet tonight for dinner in the hotel restaurant. (D)
Day 2 Istanbul.
After breakfast at the hotel we start our exploration of Istanbul which will include the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque named for its glorious 17th century painted tiles and the Hagia Sophia, first a Byzantine patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque and today a museum. A short walk brings us to the Basilica Cistern, which dates back to the 6th century and is supported by 336 Corinthian columns making it one of the most magnificent covered cisterns in Istanbul. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and the remainder of the day at leisure. (B, L)
Day 3 Istanbul.
Take some time to explore independently or to relax in the hotel before we check out in the late morning. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to the impressive Topkapi Palace, a complex of buildings and annexes that was used as the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years. In the late afternoon we will transfer to the MS Serenissima for embarkation. (B, L)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
6 to 8 May 2022 Category Price Twin £695 Single £895 Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation in Istanbul, meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner), drinks with lunch & dinner, tours as described, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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If you would like to extend your time in Malta after disembarking the MS Serenissima we are offering a two night stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.
The Itinerary
Day 1 Valletta, Malta.
Disembark after breakfast for a walking tour of Valletta, the 16th century ‘Fortress City’ built by the Knights of St John. We will explore Merchants Street, containing the surviving auberges built by the Knights, together with the palace where Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have stayed in 1798. Our final stop will be at St John’s Cathedral. After lunch we transfer to our hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 2 Mdina.
A morning tour will take us to Mdina. Known as ‘Silent City’, Mdina is Phoenician in origin and was the fortified capital of the island before the arrival of the Knights. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure before we meet for dinner this evening. (B, D)
Day 3 Valletta to London.
Check out this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
17 to 19 May 2022 Category Price Twin £695 Single £945 Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation at the Grand Hotel Excelsior (or similar), meals as indicated (B -Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner), drinks with lunch & dinner, tours as described, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000