Voyages to Antiquity: The Minoan Civilization (15 days)

The Minoan Civilization cruise to Greece (Athens, Crete) Malta and Sicily offers you the opportunity to visit some of the greatest sites of antiquity and enjoy some much needed sunshine after the long winter. Climate played a large part in the development of the great classical civilizations: the short, mild winters and long, warm summers created the perfect conditions for these remarkable societies to thrive. The Minoan Civilization is boutique cruising at its best as you stay in some of the prettiest ports in the Mediterranean. Tour ancient sites and learn about this rich and talented civilization. The Minoan Civilization is a voyage not to be missed.

NOTE: This is a sample cruise offered by Voyages to Antiquity periodically–if unavailable, we can find you a comparable cruise itinerary for the dates you wish to travel.

Day 1 – Depart USA
Depart the USA for Athens, Greece.

Day 2 – Athens (Greece)
Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3 – Athens
Enjoy a morning city tour including the Acropolis and its recently opened museum. Your afternoon is free to explore as you wish.

Day 4 – Piraeus (Greece)Your morning is free in Athens, then afternoon transfer to Piraeus to board the Aegean Odyssey.

Day 5 – Nauplia (Greece)
Tour the ancient city of Mycenae, and in the afternoon explore Nauplia or Epidaurus.

Day 6 – Monemvasia (Greece)
Explore the town on a walking tour. See the Christos Elkomenos Cathedral. Optional tours are to ancient Sparta Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 7 – Heraklion, Crete (Greece)
Morning visit to the Minoan site at Knossos. Your afternoon is free to explore as you wish.

Day 8 – Rethimnon, Crete (Greece)
Morning tour to see Rethimnon’s Venetian and Ottoman architecture. Afternoon you can take an optional tour of Chania, one of the main Venetian strongholds on Crete.

Day 9 – At Sea
Lecture program on board.

Day 10 – Syracuse (Sicily)Morning sightseeing includes the Greek Theater & Archaeological Museum. Afternoon visit to Ortygia and Temple of Apollo.

Day 11 – Valletta (Malta)
City tour includes St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Masters and a trip to Mdina. Your afternoon is free to explore as you wish.

Day 12 – Trapani (Sicily)
Explore the ancient city of Segesta on an afternoon tour.

Day 13 – Palermo (Sicily)
Today enjoy learning about sicily on this Palermo Norman tour: Archaelogy Museum, Palazzo Abatellis, Norman Royal Palace. Your afternoon is free to explore as you wish.

Day 14 – Palermao (Sicily)
Visit the beautiful Monreale Cathedral just outside of Palermo

Day 15 – Depart Civitavecchia (Italy)
Disembark Civitavecchia and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

CALL NOW for more details 415-331-3791