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Visit the impressive ruins at Ephesus

Arethusa: Voyage to the Lands of Gods and Heroes

Example 11 Day Cruise
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History comes alive on this 11-day voyage of discovery to Greece, Italy, and Turkey aboard the Arethusa. Rich in history, activity, and culture, this itinerary is sure to delight.
The sprawling ruins of PompeiiA romantic view from the cliffs of SantoriniThe ruins of AthensThe ancient city of Ephesus.Visit the impressive ruins at Ephesus
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Athens / Piraeus / Embark

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive in the historical city of Athens. Transfer to Piraeus and embark on the Arethusa.

Day 2: Piraweus / Athens

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the day in Athens, an incomparably dramatic and influential city. Explore the Arcopolis, perhaps the most important ancient monument in the Western world, where the concept of democracy was born over 2,500 years ago. Disembark and transfer to your deluxe hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 3: Kusadasi / Ephesus

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail to the port city of Kusadasi, then travel to Ephesus. Renowned as the center of worship of the goddess Artemis; it was also the site where St. Paul addressed the Ephesians. Excavations continue as archaeologists are restoring the Terrace Houses, which offer a glimpse of daily Ehpesian life. See the facade of the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Amphitheater.

Day 4: Santorini

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the second millennium B.C, volcanoc eruptions shrouded Santorini in pumice and ash, which caused the island to collapse into a fractured caldera. This ultimately produced Santorini's wild beauty and sent the Minoan civilization into irreversible decline. Visit Phira's Archaeological Museum then ascent to its volcano by traditional donkey. Reunite for lunch and spend some free time in Phira Town.

Day 5: Rethymnon / Knossos or Imbros Gorge

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Crete, home of Europe's earliest developed civilization. From Rethymnon, travel to Knossos and its fabled Minoan Palace, a maze of frescoed corridoors and chambers showing life as it was 4,000 years ago. Spend some free time exploring and take a swim at a nearby beach. Alternatively, walk part of the rugged, scenic Imbros Gorge and end at the coast hear the 14th century Venetian caste of Frangokastello for a swim. In the afternoon, sail along Crete's northwest coast.

Day 6: Kyparissia / Olympia

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail to Olympia, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Zeus and one of four sites where the Pan-Hellenic games were once held. Enjoy an afternoon of staged Olympic games before spending the afternoon at sea.

Day 7: Ithaca

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Ithaca, the legendary home of Odysseus from Homer's Odyssey, is a stunning island of pristine beaches and forest. Visit the Bay of Dexia and admire the Cyclopean Walls, a ruins site known locally as Odysseus' Castle. Here stand atop the Plateau of Marathia. In the afternoon, sail along the Corinth Canal.

Day 8: Crotone

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Ancient Crotone was one of the most prominent cities of Magna Graecia and home to Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher. Visit the impressive Archaeological museum and drive to the small town of Santa Severina, dramatically located on an isolated crop of sheer rock.

Day 9: Messina / Taormina

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Taormina, a picturesque village on the east coast of Sicily, offers stunning views of the sea, the island, and the cone of Mount Etna - the largest active volcano in Europe. Visit the Greek theater here and amble along Taormina's quaint streets and gardens. In the evening, sail between the legendary location of the six-headed monster Scylla and the treacherous whirlpool Charybdis, today the easily traversed Strait of Messina.

Day 10: Sorrento / Pompeii

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, visit Pompeii, the Roman city destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. No other location so completely captures the life of the ancient Roman empire as this lost - and then found - city does. Visit the Forum, Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Stabian Baths, the best-preserved and most complete in Pompeii.

Day 11: Rome / Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
In the morning, transfer from your hotel to the airport for your independent flights onward.

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  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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