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info@inspirations-travel.co.za
www.inspirations-travel.co.za
9 Kensington Drive, Westville 3629,
Durban, South Africa
AEGEAN TREASURES CRUISE 2014
Day 1 – Monday: Sailing to Syros
Board your cruise ship in the morning, for 14.30 departure from Lavrion port near Athens. Sail
through the Aegean Sea and arrive in Syros at 19.00. The evening is yours in Syros, to explore.
Syros is a gorgeous island with an outstanding culture, whose capital, Ermoupoli, is also the
Cyclades’ capital. It's a small island that attracts far fewer tourists than the more well-known
Greek Islands, but it has pretty much everything you might want on a Greek island: seductive
beaches, nightlife, history, old churches, a thriving port, and great food at reasonable prices.
There are no large, beachfront resorts but it's a great place to experience Greek culture and
hospitality. Return to your cruise ship for departure from Syros at 23.00, sailing to Cesme in
Turkey.
Overnight: M/S Cristal or similar. (D)
Day 2 – Tuesday: Cesme – Bodrum
Cesme is a coastal town and the administrative centre of the district of the same name in
Turkey’s western-most region, on a promontory on the tip of the peninsula which also carries the
same name. The name "Cesme" means "fountain" and possibly draws reference from the many
Ottoman fountains scattered across the city. The Genoese fortress, whose dramatic walls
dominate the town centre, was built in 1508 and repaired by Sultan Beyazıt to defend the coast
from attack by pirates. Later, the Rhodes-based Knights of St John of Jerusalem also made use
of it. The battlements offer excellent views of Cesme, and it's good to walk around inside – under
arches, up and down steps, and through towers with exhibits on subjects including the area's
naval history. Your ship sails at 13.00, heading for Bodrum where we arrive at 20.30.
Spend the evening and night in Bodrum - a world renowned holiday and entertainment
peninsula, Bodrum is a paradise for its climate, sea, natural beauty, magnificent coves and
history, as well as for its modern nightlife where the show goes on until sunrise. Handicrafts in
Bodrum are well developed. The beads, leather clothes, tapestry, silver jewelry, embroidery,
decorations and many other items made in Bodrum are sold on the streets.
Overnight: M/S Cristal or similar. (BLD)
Day 3 – Wednesday: Bodrum – Kos
We sail from Bodrum early morning (05.00) and arrive in Kos at 07.00. Kos is located in the
south-eastern Aegean Sea just 5 km from Asia Minor coast. It is the third largest island in the
Dodecanese island group. Kos is the birthplace of the father of medicine, Hippocrates, which was
born on the island around 460 B.C. and founded the Great School of Medicine of Kos. The island
is famous for its rich vegetation and its temperate climate and it was characterized by the Roman
doctor Gallino as "the most temperate place in the world". Shopping for local articles, relaxing at
a pavement café or taverna, or walking through the town stopping at some of the many ancient
sites – the day is yours to enjoy in Kos. We sail at 18.00.
Day 4 – Thursday: Ios – Santorini
We arrive in Ios early morning and spend some hours here. Ios is a hilly island with cliffs down to
the sea on most sides, situated halfway between Naxos and Santorini. The Port of Ios is at the
head of the Ormos harbor in the northwest. From there the bus or a 15-minute walk up the steep
donkey path takes you to the village, known as Chora. Excavations on Skarkos hill unearthed a
prehistoric settlement, proving that Ios has been inhabited since the early Cycladic period. Sail at
14.30, bound for Santorini. 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 21.30.
Overnight: M/S Cristal or similar. (BLD)
Day 5 – Friday:
Cruise ends
Your cruise ship docks 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 7 July – 1 September 2014. The scheduled cruise vessel is subject to
change.
Per person
sharing
Single cabin
supplement
Standard Inside Cabin (IB): 7 Jul – 1 Sep from:
USD 579
USD 290
Standard Outside Cabin (XA): 7 Jul – 1 Sep from:
Includes: 4-night Cruise in designated cabin category, all meals.
Excludes port taxes which must be prepaid – USD 176 p.p.
USD 700
USD 350
AEGEAN TREASURES 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.