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Silversea Cruises Rome to Athens: March 20 – March 29, 2013

Civitavecchia (Rome) – Sorrento – Trapani – La Goulette – Valletta – Crete – Kusadasi – Mykonos – Athens

Cruise Company: Silversea Cruises
Ship Name: Silver Wind
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Travel Dates: 20 Mar 2013 - 29 Mar 2013
Cruise Code: 2308


 DatePort Click to ExpandArrivalDeparture
 
Mar 20 – Wed Civitavecchia (Rome) – Italy 18:00
Individual arrival in Rome ~ embarkation on the Silver Wind.

Civitavecchia, is the modern port of Rome located 80 km north-west of the city. Meaning ‘ancient town’ in Italian, this port town was built over the pre-existing Etruscan settlement and is the gate-way to Rome by sea.
If True Greece has arranged for your pre-cruise experience at a luxury Rome hotel, before meeting your private car transfer to board your cruise at the port of Civitavecchia, enjoy a True Greece guided tour of Rome or as it is also known, the ‘Eternal City’.

Together with your local guide, explore the incredible city that grew to rule a vast empire and became the center of the Christian World. See the Senate and the Basilica of Constantine, ancient ruins including temples, basilicas, and Reggia. Walk the Via Sacra to the Arch of Tito and enjoy the Colosseum; head to the Basilica of St. Peter to see the Holy Chains of St. Peter and the Moses carved by Michelangelo! It is here that artists and architects flocked during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and this is evident at every turn. It is truly remarkable to see the generations of a city right before your eyes, as Rome is a city with an uninterrupted history.
 
Mar 21 – Thu Sorrento – Italy 08:00 18:00
Sorrento is a small town located in southern Italy, in the Gulf of Naples. Thanks to its geographical shape, suspended between green hills and the blue of the sea, this area has always been a great attraction. It is famous for the production of limoncello, a digestif made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar. Some other agricultural production includes citrus fruit, wine, nuts and olives. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri, this small town fascinates its visitors with its breathtaking views and landscapes.
 
Mar 22 – Fri Trapani – Italy 08:00 18:00
We are working on providing a description of this particular port of call - please check back later.
 
Mar 23 – Sat La Goulette – Tunisia 08:00 16:00
We are working on providing a description of this particular port of call - please check back later.
 
Mar 24 – Sun Valletta – Malta 08:00 18:00
No matter how early in the morning your ship arrives in Valletta, be sure to be out on the deck and enjoy sailing into the “Grand Harbor”, the natural deep water port of this unique city that already from far away appears like one huge open-air museum.  

With a population of under 7,000 Valletta is the smallest capital of the European Union, yet at the same time one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. The city was founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem during the 16th century and named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.
One of the city’s most important and popular sights is St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Though not very spectacular from the outside, its interior with intricately carved stone wall designs, as well as the painted vaulted ceiling and side altars with scenes from the life of St John should not be missed. The Cathedral also houses one of Europe’s most impressive and famous art works – Caravaggio’s Beheading of St. John the Baptist.
Also explore the Palace of the Grand Masters, completed in the late 16th century. It contains portraits of the Grand Masters of the Order and European monarchs, interesting furniture and other works of art.
On the way back to the ship stroll through the Upper Barrakka Gardens and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Grand Harbour. Finally, enjoy a drink or look for some souvenirs at Valletta Waterfront, a restored complex of nineteen historical 250-year-old warehouses, stretching along the water’s edge and the historical Quay Wall.
 
Mar 25 – Mon At Sea
 
Mar 26 – Tue Crete (Agios Nikolaos) – Greece 08:00 18:00
Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, and one of the world’s premier destinations. The island has impressive peaks rising beyond the summery coastal cities, beach resorts that rank with the world's finest, spectacular mountain passes and panoramas, the remains of the impressive Minoan civilization, scores of wild flowers, flocks of sheep tended by shepherds in timeless fashion, and above all, the intense and vibrant inhabitants who make each meal or encounter memorable. Crete is something more than an island: It is a world unto itself.  Both its natural history and its human history have produced a distinctive land that has been drawing millions of visitors over the years and rewarding them with both satisfying–and surprising–experiences.

If you have included a True Greece tour or excursion today in Crete, meet your guide or transfer agent upon arrival at the harbor and begin your exploration of this incredible island under the care of True Greece.
 
Mar 27 – Wed Kusadasi – Turkey 08:00 22:00
Kusadasi – meaning “bird island” – is a lively resort town located on Turkey’s Aegean Coast. The area’s history dates back as far as 3000 B.C. and has been a center of art and culture of many civilizations since. Before becoming a popular vacation spot in the 1980’s, Kusadasi itself was a modest town with a population consisting mostly of farmers and fishermen, while today’s Kusadasi resembles a modern European city.

Head out for some shopping into the maze of pedestrian roads in the old quarter, where you can find some traditional Turkish goods, like leather, carpets, jewellery, ceramics, etc. On the way there, just outside the port you will pass the The Öküz Mehmet Pasha caravanserai. Built in the early 17th century, it once served as a roadside inn for travelers to rest and recover from the day's journey. Alternatively, take a walk along the bay and visit the peninsula Guvercin Adası ("Pigeon Island") that hosts a castle and several beaches, including a private beach with a café facing the town and the port, and public beaches facing the open sea.

If you have included a private guided tour of Ephesus, you will meet with your guide and driver and head toward this breathtaking ancient site. Ephesus boasts a rich and vibrant history and has become famous for its incredible historical landmarks, such as the Library of Celsus, the magnificent ancient theater, and the famous Terrace Houses. Explore this wonderful archaeological site with the assistance of your guide and marvel at one of the best preserved cities of the Ancient world. Reaching its climax during the Roman period, when it was regarded as the second largest city in the world, it is here where St Paul stayed for nearly three years preaching his beliefs. Considered as one of the seven Churches of Asia by Saint John in the Book of Revelations, Ephesus was also the site of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world.
 
Mar 28 – Thu Mykonos – Greece 08:00 18:00
Cosmopolitan Mykonos, with its wonderful beaches, impressive restaurants, and energetic nightlife, offers a more adventurous yet genuinely Greek experience. In Mykonos, freedom of expression is visible in every corner, and the combination of such a tranquil setting with a vibrant social scene has elevated the island to a premier destination for travelers from around the world. Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets lined with white washed houses, shops, cafes, and bars. Enjoy an exciting evening on this island and as the sun-sets, watch the island literally come alive!

If you have included a True Greece tour or excursion today in Mykonos, meet your guide or transfer agent upon arrival at the harbor and being your exploration of this incredible island under the care of True Greece.
 
Mar 29 – Fri Athens – Greece 07:00
Arrival Athens ~ individual departure.

Disembark your cruise ship at Athens’ main port of Piraeus - Greece's largest port and gateway to the Mediterranean since 482 BC! If True Greece has arranged for your post-cruise experience, upon arrival at the Piraeus cruise terminal meet your private driver who will transfer you to your luxury hotel in Athens; then enjoy a True Greece guided tour of Athens and the Acropolis.

Together with your local True Greece guide, the highlights tour will expose you to this diverse city - birth place of modern democracy and cradle of western civilization. Follow your True Greece guide up the steps once taken by ancients like Socrates, Pericles and Plato, and gaze at the ‘sacred’ Acropolis, home to the magnificent and architecturally unique Parthenon. Allow your True Greece guide to bring the city of Athens and this exceptional experience to life, with a wealth of historical and cultural information. As part of your tour, you will also have the opportunity to visit significant and historically important sites, such as the Parliament Building, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, the Columns of Olympian Zeus, and the Presidential Mansion.

If you have already had the opportunity of exploring Athens and its historically significant monuments, it would be our pleasure to arrange a guided tour to one of the many famous ancient sites outside of the city – perhaps Ancient Delphi or the Temple of Zeus at Sounio. Whatever your preferences, we can fulfil exactly what you are looking for…and more!


Cruises are subject to availability. Itineraries and times are subject to change. Click on ports for detailed information
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Since each individual’s accommodation preferences differ and cruise fares constantly change based on availability, to learn more about this cruise please contact a True Greece Concierge to begin planning a cruise trip customized to your needs.


The below True Greece Private Guided Tours and Activities are available at an additional cost. For more information, please contact a True Greece Concierge

Crete

  • TrueGreece Elounda Authentic Cooking Lesson

    Crete is famous for its varied and colorful cuisine, encompassing ingredients from its rich and varied natural environment. Dive straight into your private cooking class and learn how to prepare traditional Cretan dishes ranging from various appetizers to a magnificent main course. While your food is cooking the time will pass with a tour of the local vineyard and a multimedia presentation that offers a unique journey into the history of Crete. Wet your appetite before lunch with a tasting of various local wines. The time has come to enjoy the delicious dishes that you created during your cooking lesson, accompanied by a local wine. This gastronomic experience will last for approximately 3 hours (including lunch), and will surely provide you with food for thought for when you return back home!

  • TrueGreece Knossos Palace & Archaeological Museum Tour

    Legend has it that in a labyrinth on the grounds of Knossos Palace, roamed a creature that was half bull and half man. Follow your Truegreece guide through the Palace of Knossos and travel back to a time when these mythical creatures existed and when the Minoan Civilization ruled supreme throughout the Aegean. As you wander around the stone corridors, passing through the countless private and public rooms, pillars, and frescoes, you will quickly understand why the ancient peoples believed that this was the labyrinth in which the Minotaur lived. A visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum will provide you with a brief insight into the fascinating history of Crete which spans almost 5,500 years. From the Neolithic period to Roman times you will be able to see priceless artifacts and genuine masterpieces.

  • TrueGreece Lasithi Plateau & Dikteon Andron Tour

    Surrounded by the Lasithiotika Mountains, the Lasithi Plateau is an impressive plain “populated” by thousands of windmills. Once reputed to be almost 12,000 in number, the windmills bring the plateau to life with their white sails spinning in the breeze. Follow the breeze to the Northern side of the Lasithiotika Mountains, where your TrueGreece guide will lead you into a large and mysterious cave, covered with stalactites and fascinating rock formations. It is in this imposing cave that according to mythological tradition, Zeus, the father of all the ancient Greek Gods was born. All who visit this cave will leave with the feeling that they have a fuller sense of the power of Greek mythology.




Kusadasi

  • Ephesus Tour

    Located close to the coast in the Aegean Region, Ephesus boasts a rich and vibrant history and has become famous for its incredible historical landmarks, such as the Library of Celsus, the magnificent ancient theater, and the famous Terrace Houses. Explore this wonderful archaeological site with the assistance of you TrueTurkey guide and marvel at one of the best preserved cities of the Ancient world. Reaching its climax during the Roman period when it was regarded as the second largest city in the world, it is here where St Paul stayed for nearly 3 years preaching his beliefs. Considered as one of the seven Churches of Asia by Saint John in the Book of Revelations, Ephesus was also the site of the Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world.

 


Mykonos

  • True Greece Delos Tour

    During ancient times, according to Greek mythology, Delos was a moving island that freely roamed the sea. Today it is quite stable and only a short boat ride from Mykonos. Your True Greece guide will show you this fascinating archaeological site, and guide you through the numerous statues, pillars, temples and mosaics. Walking amongst the ruins you will undoubtedly feel the spiritual ambiance of this island, which is regarded as one of the most important and sacred sites of the ancient world.
 

  • True Greece Mykonos Town Tour

    An archetype of Cycladic architecture, Mykonos Town or Hora is protected by Greek law in order to sustain its beauty and elegance. Follow your True Greece guide and get a local’s perspective of this architecturally exceptional location. Visit a rare jewel of traditional Greek Architecture, the Church of Panayia Paraportyanni which dates back to the 15th century. Learn the history and significance of the trademark windmills of Mykonos and visit a local bakery where you can sample some of their fresh produce. You will also have a chance to visit the quaint local archaeological museum and walk around “Little Venice.”


Athens            

  • True Greece Acropolis & Athens City Tour

    Meaning “peak of the city” in Greek, the Ancient Acropolis stands proudly above the city of Athens; birth place of modern democracy and the cradle of western civilization. Follow your True Greece guide up the steps once taken by ancients like Socrates, Pericles and Plato, and gaze at the “sacred” Acropolis, home to the magnificent and architecturally unique Parthenon. Allow your True Greece guide to bring the city of Athens and this exceptional experience to life, with a wealth of historical and cultural information. Visit significant and historically important sites, such as the Parliament Building, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, the Columns of Olympian Zeus, and the Presidential Mansion.

 



Let our True Greece Concierges do what they do best ~ take care of you!

Our Concierges are experts in creating a travel experience that is exactly what you’re looking for. Take advantage of our expert knowledge and work together with one of our Concierges to plan your pre/post cruise experience or perhaps even extend your travel experience to include a True Greece customized trip or a True Turkey customized trip add-on. Experience our renowned ‘on-the-ground’ service and allow us the opportunity to create an authentic and memorable experience for you.
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