Aegean Antiquities
A voyage from Thessaloniki to Istanbul aboard the MS Serenissima with Guest Speaker Nigel McGilchrist
- 5 April 2022
Join us aboard the 95-passenger MS Serenissima as we explore some of the unspoiled islands, timeless villages and ancient sites of the Aegean. This wonderful region has attracted, inspired, and fascinated travellers throughout the centuries and during this voyage we will concentrate on the splendid archaeological sites of the Eastern Aegean, an incomparable region of Greek and Roman architectural treasures. Visiting some of the most historic and scenically beautiful places in Greece and Turkey, our itinerary represents small ship cruising at its best and is timed for April when, in the absence of high summer crowds, 3000 years of history can be viewed in relative peace and quiet.
During our voyage we will explore the history, culture and myths of ancient Greece and Turkey including visits to sacred Delos, the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most famous Graeco-Roman sites in the Mediterranean, and Pergamon which was one of the cultural capitals of antiquity and is one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. In between, we will also visit the quintessential, white-washed villages of the Greek Isles and sail through some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the Mediterranean. There will be some late departures from port, which afford the opportunity to take a stroll in some marvellous places that are particularly atmospheric in the evening and we have also included time at leisure on some of the islands to stroll around the villages and towns and soak up the atmosphere. Whether you are interested in ancient history or simply enjoy cruising amongst beautiful scenery, this voyage has much to offer.
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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 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Serenissima and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.
Day 2 Thessaloniki.
Spend the day in Greece’s second city of Thessaloniki. During our morning tour we will explore the Vergina Royal Tombs Museum which displays the superb decorated facades of the temple-like tombs of King Philip II and a young prince (thought to be Alexander IV), the treasures found within them and a reconstruction of the Great Mound that originally marked the site of the Royal Tombs. The tombs were discovered in 1977-78 by the archaeologist Manolis Andronikos and until their discovery they were covered by a protective tumulus 13 metres high and 110 metres across. Return to the MS Serenissima for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace before we sail this evening.
Day 3 Volos for Meteora.
From our berth in Volos we will drive through the fertile plains of Thessaly towards Meteora (“monasteries in midair”), one of the most extraordinary sights in Greece and in all Europe. Rising from Thessaly’s valley are gigantic rocks on top of which are monasteries built by hermits some 600 years ago and which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the monastery of Varlaam, originally founded in the 14th century and covered in fine frescoes and the monastery of Roussanou. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before we return to the MS Serenissima and sail this evening.
Day 4 Skyros.
Spend the morning at sea as we cruise to Skyros, the most remote and least developed of the Sporades Islands. On an afternoon tour we will visit Chora, the island’s capital and one of the most beautiful villages in Skyros. On a hill above Chora sits an imposing Byzantine castle and the monastery of Saint George, one of the most important landmarks on the island which offers views over the Aegean and the surrounding islands. Also see the statue to British poet Rupert Brooke who died on the island during the First World War.
Day 5 Delos & Syros.
Though the smallest of the Cyclades, Delos 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. Sail over lunch to 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.
Please note that we will be at anchor in Delos and will use the vessel’s Zodiacs to transfer ashore.
Day 6 Patmos.
Of all the Greek islands, Patmos is the most sacred to Christians both Orthodox and Western; it was here that St John received his revelation. This morning we will make our way to the grotto of St John. This small cave, now converted into the beautiful chapel, is where the Saint lived, had his revelation and wrote ‘Book of the Apocalypse’. From here continue to the village of Chora, with its simple houses and Byzantine churches and climb to the Monastery of St John the Theologian. Return to the MS Serenissima for lunch and enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the picturesque town of Skala or maybe enjoy a swim at a nearby beach.
Day 7 Kusadasi & Ephesus, Turkey.
Arriving at Kusadasi at breakfast time we will drive to the nearby ancient city of Ephesus, a stunning and partially excavated site where digging has been taking place for over a century. Broad streets are lined by impressive buildings including the Library of Celsus and the temples of Serapis and Hadrian. Once the capital of Ionia, St Paul preached here on his second missionary journey. We will see the Church of the Virgin Mary, the most important Christian monument in Ephesus and the spectacular Grand Theatre, originally built in the 3rd century BC by the Greeks, and later expanded by the Romans to its present capacity of 24,000. St Paul used to give his sermons from this theatre which has a row of seats 30 metres above the orchestra. The afternoon is free to explore Kusadasi at your own pace.
Day 8 Pergamon.
From our berth in Dikili we will drive inland, past fertile fields and olive trees, to the present day modern town of Bergama, once known as Pergamon, a great centre of culture. Today Pergamon is one of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. We will visit the Asclepion, a healing centre from the 4th century BC and one of the most important sites of Pergamon. Discover the Temple of Asclepios, the amphitheatre, and walk through the sacred corridor and down the ancient, arcaded, marble-paved boulevard. Continue into the town of Bergama and visit the Archaeological Museum which houses relics discovered during the excavations of Pergamon. En-route we will see the Basilica which was one of the earliest of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Take a cable car up to the Acropolis to explore the remains of the citadel and the city walls, the foundations of the Zeus Altar, and the Royal Palace. Lunch today will be enjoyed in one of the local restaurants.
Day 9 Canakkale for Troy.
Arrive this morning into the port of 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. Return to the ship for lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon at sea as we sail to Istanbul.
Day 10 Istanbul to London.
Be on deck this morning as we sail into Istanbul. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
5 to 14 April 2022 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
2 Standard Stateroom | £4295 | £4095 |
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 | £4895 | £4695 |
Tour Reference Code: SCSE050422
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 on board • 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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Nigel McGilchrist
Nigel McGilchrist has lived and worked in the Mediterranean – Italy, Turkey and Greece – for nearly forty years. After graduating from Oxford with a starred First in English, he began teaching at the University of Rome and subsequently worked for the Italian Superintendence of Fine Arts. All his spare time was spent in exploring the lands, coasts and the cultures of the Mediterranean world. He has lectured for many years on the art and history of the area for museums and institutions in Europe and America – among them, the Getty Museum and the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. He has taken many specialist tours to Italy, Greece, Sicily and Malta; and has been a Guest Speaker for several Noble Caledonia cruises. He was formerly Dean of European Studies for a consortium of American universities. He is the author of a twenty-volume series of survey/guides of the archaeology, history and art of the sixty inhabited Aegean Islands. He lived previously in Umbria, where he produced wine and oil; he now lives in Greece.
Nigel McGilchrist will be on the following tour dates: 5 to 14 April 2022
Tour Extensions
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For those who wish to spend some time discovering Istanbul after disembarking the MS Serenissima we are offering a two night hotel extension with included sightseeing.
Istanbul
The Itinerary
Day 1 Istanbul, Turkey.
Disembark after breakfast and start our exploration of Istanbul at the Hippodrome, the centre of civic life in the capital of the Ottoman Empire and the site of speeches, chariot races, and riots. Next, visit the nearby Blue Mosque, named for its glorious 17th century painted tiles; and the Hagia Sophia, first a Byzantine patriarchal basilica and now an imperial mosque. Known for its massive domed roof and colourful mosaics, this structure is widely regarded as the world’s finest example of Byzantine architecture. 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. After lunch we transfer to our hotel and have the remainder of the day and evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 2 Istanbul.
After breakfast we spend the morning at 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. Since 1924 it has been preserved as a museum, and it is noted for its beautiful shaded courtyards and elegant architecture. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon, maybe visit the spice market or find a bargain at the Grand Bazaar before we meet for dinner tonight. (B, D)
Day 3 Istanbul to London.
Check out of the hotel this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
14 to 16 April 2022 Category Price Twin £695 Single £895 Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation, meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner), tours as described, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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