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Cruise the Aegean Sea visit the Greek Islands and Turkey on this 3 day cruise with Aegean Thesaurus and Louis Cruise Lines

3 day cruise - SHORE EXCURSIONS 2006
MYKONOS - RHODES - PATMOS - KUSADASI

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MYKONOS

• Mykonos Walking Tour (MYK – 01)
  Duration approx 3 hours.
  
  Mykonos is world famous. It is the most cosmopolitan of all Greek islands and attracts many visitors from all over the globe, including large numbers of artists and intellectuals. Your coach will take you to “Hora” the island’s capital where you’ll enjoy a walking tour in the narrow cobbled streets of the town, passing by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs and white–washed houses till reaching Alefkandra.
  
  Alefkandra is a charming corner of Hora, known also as the "Venice" of Mykonos. The houses are built on the sea, with wooden balconies that evoke Venice. These were built from the mid 18th century onward and were homes of wealthy merchants and captains. At one of the famous restaurants of Alefkandra you’ll enjoy the atmosphere while drinking your refreshment accompanied by Greek ‘meze’. You’ll return then to Mykonos Town (Hora) from where you’ll take the ship’s shuttle service back to the port to meet your ship.
  
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RHODES

• Rhodes & Lindos Combined (RHO – 01)
  Duration approx 4.5 hours.
  
  Drive along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill, to the great staircase leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. Should you wish to make your way up by mule, a fee must be paid to the local muleteer. After the guided tour of the Acropolis, enjoy some free time on your own in Lindos village before meeting up with your motor coach.
  
  Return to Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of the city before continuing to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium. Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Porte d’Amboise , the start of the walking tour through the medieval city of Rhodes Follow your guide through the northern part where once lived the knights and their attendants. View the Palace of the Knights and continue your walk down Chevaliers Road to meet up with your motor coach at the marine gate and return back to the ship.
  
   

• Old City & Philerimos (RHO – 02)
  Duration approx 4 hours.
  
  Drive along the medieval walls to the summit of Mount Smith, the Acropolis of ancient Rhodes. From the tumbled massive pillars of the Temple of Athena, the view encompasses the nearby Temple of Apollo, the stadium of Diagoras and the port, once protected by the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The drive continues across the island to Philerimos. The summit of Philerimos was the site of Ialysos, one of the three ancient cities of Rhodes. Later sites include the restored Byzantine church of our Lady of Philerimos, a chapel with 15th century frescoes, and the ruined Castle of the Knights.
  
  After the visit and some free time, return to Rhodes and begin a guided walk of the old walled city to the Porte D`Amboise. It is a pleasure to stroll the street of the Knights with its medieval buildings, winding alleys, towers, turrets and emblazoned facades. You will then visit the impressive Grand Master’s Palace and have the chance to see the superb mosaics. The pleasant walk passes through the marine gate to meet up with your motor coach and return to the ship.
  
   

• Lindos with lunch by the beach (RHO – 03)
  Duration approx 8 hours.
  
  Enjoy a relaxing drive along the south eastern coastline on the way to Lindos. On arrival, follow your guide and proceed on foot uphill to explore the Acropolis of Lindos, which overlooks the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay and marvel at the breathtaking views. Afterwards there is free time to discover this lovely town at your own pace before meeting up again with your guide. Continue to Hotel Blue Sea, a modern luxury hotel, where you will be able to swim either in the crystal clear waters of the sea in front of the hotel or in the swimming pool. A buffet lunch with a variety of traditional Greek dishes is served in the hotel. You can use the hotel’s changing facilities and sun beds.
  
  Return to Rhodes and drive alongside the walls of the medieval city stopping at Port d’ Amboise where you start your stroll through the old town. Walk down Chevaliers Road and view the Palace of the Knights and the medieval houses of the knights. Continue passing by the hospital of the Knights of St. John, before meeting up with your motor coach at the marine gate to return back to the ship.
  
  REMARKS: Clients will have to bring their own beach towel.
  
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PATMOS

• St. John’s Monastery & Grotto of the Apocalypse (PAT - 01)
  Duration approx 2 hours.
  
  Depart from the port of Scala and enjoy a short drive to the village of Chora, where the monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this magnificent structure, which was built 900 years ago . View the courtyard, the monks’ dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noted for its outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. Next, visit the small museum where priceless ecclesiastical treasures, books, manuscripts, mosaics,
  
  Icons, splendid medieval textiles, vestments and jewellery are housed. Return to your motor coach and continue to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of the Apocalypse above it. Walk down the steps to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of the Revelation and the crack in the rock made by the voice of God honouring the Holy Trinity.
  
  Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque town.
  
  REMARKS: Tour not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties.
  
   

• Scenic Island Tour (PAT - 02)
  Duration approx 2.5 hours.
  
  An interesting scenic island tour has been designed for those passengers who prefer to discover the beauties of Patmos from the comfort of an air-conditioned motor coach. Start the tour from the port of Scala and drive to the central part of the island “Chora” which is the location of the Majestic Byzantine Monastery of St. John the Divine, built in 1088. Your sightseeing will first bring you to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, and then to the windmills of Chora, once upon a time the landmark of all Aegean islands. Enjoy the view, take photos and continue your drive to visit the modern convent of Evangelismos (Annunciation) in the south part of island, where nuns follow the old traditions.
  
  Afterwards, continue around the island to see its landscape of outstanding natural beauty comprising of rocky hills, dozens of tongues of land reaching out into the sea, tranquil beaches and many picturesque inlets. Before arriving at the port, a stop of 10 minutes is made at the square at Kambos in the north part of island. The tour ends at the port of Scala to enjoy free time in the quaint and picturesque little town.
  
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KUSADASI

• Ephesus & the House of Virgin Mary (KUS - 01)
  Duration approx 3.5 hours.
  
  Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley where the humble chapel lies on the site of the little house where The Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the Christian World still favours this belief and the site has been officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus accompanied by your guide; walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus.
  
  Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats where St. Paul preached.
  
  Walk back to the motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in Kusadasi.
  
  REMARKS: Tour not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties.
  
   

• Ancient Ephesus (KUS - 02)
  Duration approx 3 hours.
  
  Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi, and along the coast to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - and later the home of St. John. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor.
  
  Upon arrival at Ephesus follow your guide to enter the ancient site through the Magnesian Gate. Discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in the ancient Greek language. Walk back to your motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Anthony and Cleopatra rode in procession.
  
  As you drive back to Kusadasi, on a hill above Selcuk, just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time for shopping in Kusadasi.
  
  REMARKS: Tour not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties.

 3 DAY CRUISE  :  DECKS & CABINS  :  LIFE ON BOARD  :  FAQ  :  VESSEL DATA  :  TERMS & CONDITIONS