Itinerary
 

Day	Date (2011)	Port	Arrive	Depart
1	Fri. May 27	Flights from U.S. to Venice	---	---
2	Sat, May 28	Venice, Italy	---	5:00 P
3	Sun, May 29	At Sea	---	---
4	Mon, May 30	Corfu, Greece	8:00 A	3:00 P
5	Tue, May 31	Thira, Santorini Island	1:00 P	10:00 P
6	Wed, June 1	Mykonos,  Greece	8:00 A	6:00 P
7	Thu, June 2	Katakolon, Greece	9:00 A	6:00 P
8	Fri, June 3	At Sea	---	---
9	Sat, June 4	Venice, Italy, return flights	8:00 A	---

Optional post cruise stays are available.  Please see below for information.

Venice Italy - Visitors flock to this canalled wonder for very good reason: Venice is extraordinary, it is magical, and although it is more expensive than most other places in Italy and Europe, it is worth every cent. Lord Byron called Venice "a fairy city of the heart." In Venice, every form of transportation floats, from water taxis and vaporetti (the public "bus" ferries) to ambulance speedboats.  In its position at the crossroads of the Byzantine and Roman -- later Eastern and Western -- worlds, Venice, over many centuries, acquired a unique heritage of art, architecture, and culture. And although hordes of traders and merchants no longer pass through as they once did, Venice nonetheless continues to find itself at a crossroads: an intersection in time between the uncontested period of maritime power that built it and the modern world that keeps it ever-so-gingerly afloat.

Corfu, Greece - Corfu is connected to the history of Greece from the beginning of its mythology.  According to myth, Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra and brought her to the unnamed island and, in marital bliss, gave her name to the place: Korkyra which gradually evolved to Kerkyra, and Corfu today. The island's history is laden with battles and conquests. To protect the island several castles were built, two of which enclose its capital and one of which has been inhabited continuously for 1500 years and is among the most important monuments on the island.

Corfu was long controlled by Venice, which repulsed several Turkish sieges, and unlike the rest of Greece it was never conquered by Turkey giving it a character different than most of Greece.  In many ways it more closely resembles an Italian city.  Today it is an interesting mixture of old taverns, cafes, discos, clubs and shops of all types plus an amazing old city that sits in a protected area between the two fortresses. The Theater of San Giacomo constructed entirely of stone in the style of the Italian Renaissance had it's foundations first laid in1663 and is just one example of then many historical buildings that make walking the streets of this city a pleasure. The city's old town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

OPTIONAL GROUP EXCURSION:

Corfu, Greece.  “Corfu, Kanoni, Paleopolis, & Acheillion” tour.  PRICE: $69 
We drive To Kanoni and enjoy magnificent views to the west. Down below the Pontikonissi islet, Corfu’s landmark. We continue along the road to Paleopolis with a guided tour from the motorcoach. We follow the road to the picturesque village of Gastouri and down its narrow, winding streets to Acheillion Palace. You will admire the terrace, the palace architecture, and the famous statue of Achilles dying.  We continue our drive to visit the town of Corfu. Only by strolling the narrow streets will one actually appreciate the unique flavor of the town. Time permitting, we will visit the Church of St. Spiridon, the patron saint of the island. This is a scenic, panorama half-day tour. Tour length: about 4 hours, starts late morning.

Santorini Island - Santorini is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which is the remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, leaving today what is chiefly a water-filled caldera surrounded by 980 ft high steep cliffs on three sides. The water in the center of the lagoon is nearly 1,300 ft deep, making it one of the most breathtaking views you will ever see!  Jules Verne made Santorini famous with his book "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" where captain Nemo and his crew watch the volcano eruption. He was one of the visitors and scientists that came to Thira during the eruptions of 1866 - 1870 and wrote the well known book just after it.  A popular theory also holds that the eruption that left Sanortini what it is today is the source of the legend of Atlantis. Because of its magnificent beauty and interesting personality today it is one of Greece’s most popular vacation destinations and cruise ports.

Mykonos, Greece - In  Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titans and the island was named in honor of Apollo’s grandson Mykons.  Today Mykonos is perhaps the most famous of the Greek islands and has managed to capture the imagination and attention of travelers worldwide for nearly half of a century. It all began with the picture-perfect  labyrinthine of roads leading circles around the beautiful cubist Cycladic style of architecture (small, often single storey white cubes sprinkled over the landscape like little iced cakes) that attracted the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis in the '60s. With their stamp of approval, Mykonos became the place to be for anybody who was anybody. The sheer contrast of a traditional Greek fishing village and the type of sophisticated visitors it has attracted, including international jet-setters, celebrities and models have made the island a unique place to visit.

OPTIONAL GROUP EXCURSION:

Mykonos, Greece.  “Panoramic Island & Mykonos Town” tour.  PRICE: $89
Mykonos is the cosmopolitan center of the Cyclades and sun drenched summer beaches.  White-washed cube-shaped houses are scattered about. In the narrow streets of the town, chapels, and taverns hide among folk art shops, specialty houses, jewelry stores and more.  We drive to Ano Mera with its cozy village square and visit the monastery anagia Tourilani” that houses the patron icon of the island along with beautiful works of art.  Next is Kalafatis beach with a short stop, famous for its relaxed atmosphere.  We now head to Agios Tiannis beach offering more views of Delos Island. We continue to Mykonos town passing by Ornos beach with its beautiful little fishing harbor.  We leave our motorcoach at the Yacht Club and start a walking tour through Mykonos town. We walk through Matogiann Square. Walk through Matogianni, the main shopping street, to Paraportiani Church, one of the most famous samples of Cycladic architecture and one of the most photographed places on the island. Tour length: about 3-½ hours, starts in the morning.

Katakolon, Greece - Your ship ports at the sleepy port of Katakolon the gateway to Olympia, where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus. Here you can visit the ruins of the Sanctuary, with its athletic quadrangles, stadium, temples and treasuries; then browse in the modern Archaeological Museum, a treasure house of Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki Winged Victory. Olympia has cultivated ideals since ancient times. It was never just the games, but also the honor, the peace, the struggle and the body - all in one. Visiting the archaeological site and museum, you will walk in one of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Greece. Situated in the landscape of Elis, by the foot of Mt. Kronion, Olympia invites you to take part of the history of Greece.

OPTIONAL GROUP EXCURSION:

Katakolon, Greece:  PRICE $89
Katakolon is a small seaside village that is quite impressive with its lighthouse and is the starting point for our excursion to Olympia.  Olympia is a unique place, featuring a vast array of monuments and landmarks. On this excursion you’ll visit the sanctuary of God Zeus as well as Altis and the original stadiums of the Games where you can admire the grandeur of the environment and setting. Here Greeks assembled for more than 1,000 years to celebrate strength, beauty and capabilities and honor Zeus the father of all gods. Ancient Olympia has been the center of attention during the ancient years, and still today is the starting point of the Olympic Flame that is born her every four years prior to the new festival.  The starting line is still visible; take your position and run this historical course, competing with the athletes of the past. You’ll also visit the Olympia Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Olympic Games, where artifacts and collections related to both ancient and modern Games are housed. The Statue of Niki and Hermes are also found in the museum.

Venice Post Cruise Program 

Experience the magical city of Venice

Venice
Visitors flock to this canalled wonder for very good reason: Venice is extraordinary, it is magical, and although it is more expensive than most other places in Italy and Europe, it is worth every cent. Lord Byron called Venice "a fairy city of the heart." In Venice, every form of transportation floats, from water taxis and vaporetti (the public "bus" ferries) to ambulance speedboats.  In its position at the crossroads of the Byzantine and Roman -- later Eastern and Western -- worlds, Venice, over many centuries, acquired a unique heritage of art, architecture, and culture. And although hordes of traders and merchants no longer pass through as they once did, Venice nonetheless continues to find itself at a crossroads: an intersection in time between the uncontested period of maritime power that built it and the modern world that keeps it ever-so-gingerly afloat. 

NH Laguna Palace Venice
NH Laguna Palace is characterized by its attractive contemporary design, great location on the mainland close to Venice, and top-quality service and amenities. The hotel itself is made up of two main buildings, linked together by a flat and transparent glass roof making the NH Laguna Palace hotel one of the largest covered structures in Europe. A marina sits between the two hotel buildings, offering water access to the canals that take you to to the heart of Venice.

Venice Post Cruise Price and Inclusions

1 Night $329
2 Nights $529

• Transfer by private chartered motorboat from cruise pier to Venice city center 

• Walking tour of Venice with local English speaking guide including head-sets

• Accommodations at the four star NH Laguna Palace (on mainland)

• Breakfast at hotel in Venice

• Transfer from hotel to Venice Marco Polo Airport  

• Prepaid gratuities for luggage at hotels