Inspirations Travel & Tours
Tel: +27 (0)31 266 0030
info@inspirations-travel.co.za
www.inspirations-travel.co.za
9 Kensington Drive, Westville 3629,
Durban, South Africa
AEGEAN GEMS CRUISE 2014
Day 1 – Monday: Sailing to Mykonos
Board your cruise ship in the morning, for 11.00 departure from Piraeus. Sail through the
Aegean Sea and arrive in Mykonos at 18.00. The evening is yours in Mykonos, to explore.
Welcome to Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of
the Cyclades. Explore the island’s capital town – Hora. Stroll around its narrow marble streets
and admire whitewashed houses with colourful doors and window frames, bougainvillea trees in
purple bloom and hidden churches. Wander around the pedestrian shopping streets of the Hora,
always colourful and busy. The most glamorous of all is Matoyanni Street, lined with brand name
stores, charming cafés and stylish restaurants. Soak up the atmosphere along the lively
waterfront and admire a fleet of fishing boats casting colourful reflections in the azure waters.
Return to your cruise ship for departure from Mykonos at 23.00, sailing to Kusadasi.
Overnight: M/S Olympia or similar. (LD)
Day 2 – Tuesday: Kusadasi – Patmos
You will arrive at 07.00 at Kusadasi, a popular port and holiday town on the Turkish coast. The
main attraction in Kusadasi is the proximity to Ephesus, and we strongly recommend that you
book an optional excursion to see ancient Ephesus. Sail from Kusadasi at 12.00, bound for
Patmos. Arrival mid-afternoon in Patmos, evening at leisure. This island is often called the
“island of the Apocalypse” or “Jerusalem of the Aegean”. Patmos is popular amongst pilgrims
since it was in one of the island’s caves, that John the Theologian - one of Christ’s disciples wrote the “Book of Revelations”. The stunning beauty of Hora, a carefully preserved medieval
settlement with narrow, maze-like alleys and stone-built houses will take your breath away. Be
back on board in time for your ship’s sailing at 21.00.
Overnight: M/S Olympia or similar. (BLD)
Day 3 – Wednesday:
Rhodes
Arrive in Rhodes at 07.00, and spend the day in this beautiful island. Construction of the ancient
city of Rhodes began in 407 BC and Rhodes soon developed into one of the most important
seafaring and trading centres in the Eastern Mediterranean. It became a province of the Roman,
and later the Byzantine Empire. In 1309 the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem conquered
Rhodes. They built strong fortifications to protect the island, turning it into an important
administrative centre and a thriving multinational medieval city. In 1523 Rhodes was conquered
by the Ottoman Turks, and the Greeks had to settle outside the city walls. During the Ottoman
occupation, new buildings were erected within the Old Town, mainly mosques and baths. In 1912
Rhodes and the rest of the Dodecanese, were seized by the Italians. The new rulers embellished
the city with magnificent buildings, wide roads and squares. The Palace of the Grand Master was
rebuilt and the Street of the Knights was reconstructed in order to regain its medieval purity. It
was not until 1948 that Rhodes officially became part of Greece. In 1988 the Medieval City of
Rhodes was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Old Town of Rhodes is a mosaic of different cultures and civilizations. The fascinating
medieval fortress-like buildings, the bastions, walls, gates, narrow alleys, minarets, old houses,
fountains, tranquil and busy squares make it feel like you have stepped back into medieval
times. The Palace of the Grand Master is certainly the highlight of the Old Town. The Palace,
originally a Byzantine fortress built at the end of the 7th century A.D., was converted in the early
14th century by the Knights of the Order of Saint John into the residence of the Grand Master of
the order and the administrative headquarters of their state; now it has been turned into a
museum. The cobblestoned Street of the Knights, one of the best preserved medieval streets in
Europe, is packed with medieval inns that used to play host to the soldiers of the Order of the
Knights. Wandering through the narrow streets you will find many cafés and shops – which leads
down from the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent towards the harbour. Sail from Rhodes at
18.00.
Overnight: M/S Olympia or similar. (BLD)
Day 4 – Thursday: Crete - Santorini
Arrival in Heraklion (Crete) at 07.00. Spend the morning exploring Heraklion on your own. The
town is the largest and most densely populated region on the island. Sail at 11.30, bound for
Santorini where you will arrive at 16.30. Spend the evening in romantic and alluring Santorini.
The whole complex of Santorini islands is still an active volcano and probably the only volcano in
the world whose crater is in the sea. The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a
result of intensive volcanic activity; twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years
approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part
creating a large crater (caldera). Fira is the picturesque capital of the island; perched high up on
the edge of the Caldera, it looks like a marvellous painting. Fira, together with Oia, Imerovigli
and Firostefani located high above on a cliff, make up the so-called “Caldera’s eyebrow”, the
balcony of Santorini, which offers an amazing view of the volcano. Sail at 21.00.
Overnight: M/S Olympia or similar. (BLD)
Day 5 – Friday:
Cruise ends
Your cruise ship docks in Piraeus at 06.00, disembarkation after breakfast. (B)
Package includes:
4 nights’ cruise in cabin category of your choice
Meals as indicated in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Not included:
Port taxes
Optional tours
NOTES (2014):
Departs every Monday 17 March – 27 October 2014. The scheduled cruise vessel is subject to
change.
Per person
sharing
Single cabin
supplement
Standard Inside Cabin (IB): 17 Mar – 4 May; 13 - 31 Oct 14 from:
USD 520
USD 260
Standard Inside Cabin (IB): 5 May – 7 Sep 14 from:
USD 579
USD 290
Standard Inside Cabin (IB): 8 Sep – 10 Oct from:
USD 618
USD 309
Standard Outside Cabin (XA): 17 Mar – 4 May; 13 - 31 Oct 14 from:
USD 618
USD 309
Standard Outside Cabin (XA): 5 May – 7 Sep 14 from:
USD 702
USD 351
Standard Outside Cabin (XA): 8 Sep – 10 Oct from:
Includes: 4-night Cruise in designated cabin category, all meals.
Excludes port taxes which must be prepaid – USD 176 p.p.
USD 741
USD 371
AEGEAN GEMS CRUISE
All rates will be converted at time of final payment according to our Bank’s selling rates for the
Euro. Please check final ZAR amount with us on day of payment.