E-mail a friendShip: Callisto
Itinerary: Emperors, Conquerors, and Saints: Exploring Turkeys Cappadocia & Turquoise Coast
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Xanthos
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||
| Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | ||
| 13 | Oct 22, 2009 | $7,895 | $8,695 | $9,795 | $10,595 |
| A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories B & C at a supplement of $2,995. | |||||
| Destinations : Europe, Greece, Turkey Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Photography |
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Exploring Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts and Cappadocia is undoubtedly one of the most gratifying travel experiences. Southeast Turkey boasts some of the most attractive coastal scenery in the Mediterranean and is also home to splendid ancient sites. Here, great cities rose and fell, leaving behind strong evidence of the many civilizations that coveted these ancient lands. Cappadocia features one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth, with bizarre rock formations (created naturally) appearing like earthen icebergs, or Paleolithic skyscrapers. In this striking moonscape, ancient churches reveal the presence of the earliest saints. For two nights we will stay in the Cappadocian caves themselves at the utterly wonderful Anatolian Houses, a luxury hotel complex built out of the living rock. Our journey will end with two nights in Istanbul, the fabled 3,000-year-old city, with its breathtaking mosques and churches, and the legacy of Constantine, Justinian and Suleiman, the magnificent. This is Turkey, a land of Emperors, Conquerors and Saints: an unbelievably beautiful landscape and coastline with Greek, Roman, Christian and Ottoman relics spanning more than three millennia of human history.
Day 1 : Athens / Piraeus, Greece / Embark
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the port to board Callisto. Sail in the evening.
Day 2 : Kusadasi, Turkey
After cruising in the Aegean, arrive in Kusadasi late in the afternoon. Overnight aboard docked in Kusadasi.
Day 3 : Kusadasi / Ephesus / Kusadasi
Take an excursion to Ephesus, one of the world’s great archaeological sites, renowned for its great mother-goddess, Cybele or Artemis. Tour the sites remarkable remains including the ancient theater and the odeion, the eminent Library of Celsus, as well as the newly excavated homes, with their exquisite frescoes, dating from the Roman period.
Day 4 : Ekincik Bay / Caunos / Ekincik Bay
Arrive this morning at Ekincik, a secluded bay in Turkey’s south coast. Journey aboard a small craft up the Dalyan River to the ruins of ancient Caunos. Once a flourishing port, isolated Caunos has been landlocked by the receding sea. Remains include several buildings from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Continuing upriver toward the small town of Dalyan, we see magnificent temple-tombs carved out of the cliff in the 4th century B.C.
Day 5 : Fethiye / Xanthos / Fethiye, Turkey / Kastellorizo, Greece
In the morning, Callisto glides through stunning clear waters to Fethiye. From here, travel to Xanthos, built on a great cliff overlooking the Xanthos River and the sea beyond. Xanthos boasts significant ruins, including the Nereid Monument, an exquisite Ionic building whose figured friezes are in the British Museum. Visit the acropolis, the theater and the unusual pillar tombs. Over lunch aboard, sail to the small island of Kastellorizo, one of the hidden gems of the Greek archipelago. Spend time at leisure ashore to explore on your own.
Day 6 : Kekova / Myra / Kekova, Turkey
Callisto cruises through the turquoise waters of Kekova Bay, where the narrow island of Kekova forms a series of beautiful bays and fjord-like waterways. The waters here contain half-submerged ruins from the ancient city of Simena. Later, travel to the Lycian city of Myra. What remains is impressive, including its A.D. 2nd century Roman theater and rock-hewn tombs.
Day 7 : Antalya / Perge / Aspendos / Side / Alanya
From Antalya, visit three of Turkey’s most famous ancient sites. Perge’s Hellenistic ruins include its great stadium; colonnaded, marble main street; and theater. At Aspendos, tour the grand 20,000-seat theater commissioned by Marcus Aurelius in the A.D. 2nd century. Side was a leading port until the 7th century. The ruins that remain are 3rd- and 4th- century Roman and include an agora, temples, baths and a theater. Reboard Callisto in Alanya.
Day 8 : Anamur Limani / Anamurium / Mamure Kalesi / Anamur Limani
From Anamur Limani, an excursion leads to Anmamurium. Founded by Phoenicians, Anamurium thrived in the 3rd century A.D. and most of the ruins date from this era. Of special interest are the necropolis tombs, many with murals of mythological scenes. Continue to Mamure Kalesi, a coastal castle with crenellated walls and watch towers.
Day 9 : Mersin / Disembark / Nevsehir / The Villages of Cappadocia / Nevsehir
Disembark Callisto in Mersin. Transfer by motor coach to Nevsehir, where we check in to the Anatolian Houses for a two-night stay in luxury suites created out of caves in this famed region of Cappadocia. The region was covered by volcanic ash that hardened into a porous stone called tufa (tuff) that was then slowly eroded by wind, water and sand into elaborate shapes. Since the 6th century, Christians have carved hermitages, churches and entire monastic complexes into the rock, making Cappadocia one of the main centers of Byzantine monasticism. Visit the open-air museums at Goreme, whose churches house fascinating frescoes, and Cavusin, site of the Church of St. John the Baptist. Later, tour the underground city of Kaymakli and stroll through the villages of Urgup and Ushicar.
Day 10 : Nevsehir / The Fairy Chimneys / Zelve / Nevsehir
Visit the renowned Fairy Chimneys, a landscape populated with conical formations of tufa. Continue to Zelve, spectacularly set at the head of two canyons and the site of a now deserted monastic retreat.
Day 11 : Nevsehir / Cappadocia / The Fairy Chimneys / Zelve / Nevsehir
Visit the renowned Fairy Chimneys, a landscape populated with conical formations of tuff. Continue to Zelve, spectacularly set at the head of two canyons and the site of a now-deserted monastic retreat.
Day 12 : Istanbul
In Istanbul, the traditions of East and West commingle, which is especially evident in the diverse architecture. Explore the city’s main Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks, including the Blue Mosque; the 6th-century Church of Hagia Sophia, known for its intricate mosaics; and the Topkapi Palace, the elaborate residence of the sultans. Also tour the lively Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
Day 13 : Istanbul / Return Home
Transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.
Program Inclusions
• 8-night cruise aboard the 34-guest Callisto
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• 2-night stay in Nevsehir at the Anatolian Houses
• 2-night stay in Istanbul at the Hilton Hotel
• Group flight from Kayseri to Istanbul
• All meals throughout the trip, both on land and aboard Callisto, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner aboard ship
• Open bar aboard the ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Professional Callisto tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers
Ship Description: Callisto
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Callisto
The finest, most memorable voyages take place aboard a luxurious private yacht. On a private yacht one is part of a small, select, sociable community. Cabins are more like guest rooms in a fine home -- beautifully furnished, comfortably arranged, and complete with the little extras one would expect from a thoughtful host. The yacht's public areas, whether indoors or out on deck, are warm, inviting places where friends meet for conversation, a drink, or to pass a pleasant hour with a good book. The cuisine is superb. And the service is considerate and congenial.
This is the kind of exceptional experience you'll enjoy aboard the Callisto, a beautiful oceangoing yacht that is the fulfillment of a traveler's dream.
Like a fine country house, Callisto is furnished with rich fabrics, handsome woodwork, gleaming brass, rare antiques, and fine works of art. The guest list is limited to no more than 34 individuals -- a group large enough to bring together an interesting mix of travelers, but small enough to foster a genuine spirit of camaraderie.
In addition to all of the other pleasures of the Callisto, the ship's guests enjoy an advantage that eludes travelers aboard big ships: because Callisto is a yacht, it can visit those unspoiled islets, pristine beaches, and intimate coves and harbors that have been familiar to fishermen and other sailors of small craft for thousands of years, but which are inaccessible to large commercial cruise liners.
Callisto was designed with the comfort of her guests in mind. All staterooms are exterior with large windows (portholes on Daphne Deck) that look out on the sea and the yacht's various ports of call; they are air conditioned and feature generous storage space, a telephone, two-channel radio, and a marble bath with shower. The yacht's public areas include a spacious lounge; a dining room in which all guests are accommodated at a single unassigned seating; two broad decks for sunbathing and dining alfresco; and a swimming platform at the yacht's stern. The Callisto flies the Greek flag and is served by a crew of 18.
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Cat D Stern outside cabins on Daphne Deck with portholes |
Cat C Outside cabins on Daphne Deck with portholes |
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Cat B Outside cabins on Leto Deck with picture window |
Cat AOutside cabins on Leto Deck with two picture windows |
