Deckplan
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
A voyage from Athens to Istanbul aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
The awe-inspiring sites of the Aegean have attracted, inspired, and fascinated travellers throughout the centuries and during this voyage we will explore 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 October when the absence of high summer crowds will contribute towards making this a very memorable journey during which 3,000 years of history can be viewed in relative peace and quiet. By the end of the cruise you will have seen and learnt so much, all from the comfort of the all-suite MS Hebridean Sky which allows us access to ports which the big ships simply can’t reach.
Our time in Greece will focus on unspoiled islands, timeless villages and splendid archaeological sites and we will learn about the great cities that flourished and fell, and the intriguing civilisations that so coveted these ancient lands. When not sailing through some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the Mediterranean, we will explore some truly wonderful sites such as Epidaurus, famed as a place of miraculous healing and Patmos where we will visit the grotto of St John. Continuing to the Turkish Coast we will visit truly magnificent ancient sites including Ephesus, one of the most famous Graeco-Roman sites in the Mediterranean and Pergamon, one of the cultural capitals of antiquity and a city of endless fascination. Our final day will be spent at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bursa visiting the Great Mosque, mausoleum, and other sites from its incarnation as the first Ottoman capital.
After many years of experience of operating cruises in the Aegean, we believe we have the perfectly balanced itinerary with a mix of guided excursions and time at leisure to explore the charming villages independently. With just over 100 fellow passengers, our trips ashore with local guides will be a pleasure and whether your interest lies in ancient history, culture and the myths of ancient Greece and Turkey or simply the joy of experiencing new places, this journey has something for everyone.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky moored in Piraeus and enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Spend a relaxing morning at sea before arriving into Nafplio at lunchtime. From the port we take 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 before returning to the ship. This evening you may wish to take time to wander the twisting labyrinthine streets of Nafplio and view the Venetian and Turkish architecture as we moor overnight.
This morning we drive to the famous citadel of Mycenae which is located high above the confluence of two boulder-strewn ravines and accessed by way of the Lion Gate. Once inside the gate, we will explore the Royal Palace, the shaft graves and the remains of the city walls. An archaeological briefing within the Treasury of Atreus (also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon) will add to our understanding and appreciation of the sights. After lunch ashore we visit one of the most renowned of Greece’s ancient sites. Situated on the slopes of a beautiful, wooded valley, Epidaurus was known throughout the Hellenic world for its unique medical facilities and healing treatments. Dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing, the city was filled with curative spas and baths and only priests had access to certain secret sites. Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, except for the astonishing theatre which is in an admirable state of preservation. Built into the ground, rather than above it, it is known for its fantastic acoustics, which we will observe during our visit.
Sail overnight 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. Over lunch we sail 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. Arriving in the late afternoon, we take a walk in the town of Ermoupolis, the capital of the Cyclades. 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. Please note that we will be at anchor in Delos and will use the vessel’s Zodiacs to transfer ashore.
Of all the Greek islands, Patmos is the most sacred to Christians both Orthodox and Western and 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 a beautiful chapel, is where the Saint lived, had his revelation and wrote ‘Book of the Apocalypse’. From here we continue to the village of Chora, with its simple houses and Byzantine churches and climb to the Monastery of St John the Theologian. Upon entering into the courtyard, admire the intricate pebbled laid floor, decorated arches and frescoes adorning the entrance to the chapel of Christodoulos. This afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the picturesque town of Skala or maybe enjoy a swim at a nearby beach.
Our first call in Turkey will be at Kusadasi, our base to explore 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 and we will see the Church of the Virgin Mary, the most important Christian monument in Ephesus. Also see 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. We will enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Kusadasi.
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 theatre, 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 served ashore.
Spend the morning cruising before we arrive over lunch 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 onsite Troy Museum.
We cruise overnight through the Dardanelles and into the Sea of Marmara towards our berth at Mudanya, our gateway to Bursa. Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and is one of the greatest treasure houses of Islamic architecture dating back to the 2nd century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, we visit the city’s main sites including the prominent Great Mosque with its two towering minarets and 20 domes; it is considered one of the most important mosques in Islam after those in Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, and Damascus. Walk to Koza Han which for centuries was the centre of Bursa’s flourishing silk trade and home of the skilled artisans who produced kaftans, pillows, embroidery, and other silk products for the Ottomans. Our tour will conclude at the Green Mosque and the neighbouring Green Mausoleum, both world-renowned for their superb tile decorations.
Be on deck as we sail into Istanbul this morning and disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
4 to 13 October 2024 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £5395 | £5195 |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £5595 | £5395 |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £6995 | £6795 |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS041024
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Nine nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Shore excursions • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Ernest Rea is a celebrated British broadcaster who specialises in the history of religions and the way that faith impacts on the contemporary world. His regular national radio programme, Beyond Belief, was awarded the prestigious Sony Gold Award for the Best Speech Programme on British Radio.
He worked for the BBC for 22 years in a variety of production and editorial roles. From 1989 to 2001 he was Head of Religious Broadcasting for the BBC responsible for all religious television and radio programmes nationally and locally. During this period, he spent much time in the United States, brokering co-production television deals with leading American broadcasters. He was closely involved in a variety of key national events, including the Funeral Service for Diana, Princess of Wales.
He is in wide demand as a speaker at international inter faith conferences, literary festivals and academic symposia. In 1997 he was personally awarded the Gold Medal of the International Council of Christians and Jews for his contribution to Inter Faith Understanding. He has First Class Honours Degrees in Theology and in History and Politics which helped to fuel his passion for the study of world religions and the way in which they impact on the ancient and modern worlds.
If you would like to spend some time in Athens before embarking MS Hebridean Sky we are offering the opportunity to join our two night extension.
Day 1 London to Athens, Greece.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to your centrally located hotel for a two night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure before we meet for dinner this evening. (D)
Day 2 Athens.
Spend the day at leisure to relax or make independent touring arrangements. (B)
Day 3 Cape Sounion.
After breakfast we drive along the coast to Cape Sounion to see the majestic Temple of Poseidon sitting atop a craggy rock overlooking the sea. Enjoy a local lunch before transferring to the port of Piraeus for embarkation. (B, L)
2 to 4 October 2024 | |
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Category | Price |
Twin | £895 |
Single | £995 |
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.
For those who wish to spend some time discovering Istanbul after disembarking the MS Hebridean Sky we are offering a two night hotel extension with included sightseeing.
Day 1 Istanbul, Turkey.
Disembark after breakfast and 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. After lunch we will check in to our hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure. (B, L)
Day 2 Istanbul.
After breakfast at the hotel, we start our exploration of Istanbul at the Hippodrome, the centre of civic life in the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Next, see 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. After lunch in a local restaurant a short walk brings us to the Basilica Cistern, which dates back to the 6th century and is one of the most magnificent, covered cisterns in Istanbul. Return to the hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 3 Istanbul to London.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
13 to 15 October 2024 | |
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Category | Price |
Twin | £895 |
Single | £995 |
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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Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000