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Adventure Life VOYAGES
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1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

Ship:  Clelia II

Itinerary:  Garden of the Gods

click to enlarge
  Santorini

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

Spring provides the perfect setting for a cruise to the fabled Greek islands, when wildflowers blanket the craggy hillsides and enchanting ancient sites. With over 6,000 wildflower species (about 1,000 of which are found nowhere else), Greece’s flora is the richest in Europe. Exploring the countryside and venerable ancient sanctuaries at this time of the year is an unforgettable experience. Located in exceptionally striking settings, Greece’s ancient temples and ruins bring to life the spirit of the civilizations that created them. Our handcrafted itinerary is notable for its variety of sites, which include places such as Knossos and Ephesus, well-known for their grandeur, as well as lesser-known sites, which are nonetheless as evocative and important. Discover the remote island of Kythira, the reputed birthplace of Aphrodite; Brauron, and its celebrated sanctuary of Artemis; and Syros, one of the most striking Cycladic islands. Our “home” for this voyage of discovery is Clelia II, which accommodates only 100 guests in spacious staterooms. Spring is indeed a miraculous time to cruise the Aegean Sea and its islands and shores. Join us to discover ancient and contemporary wonders in their splendid settings.

Day 1 : Arrive Athens, Greece

Arrive in Athens and transfer to the King George Hotel, with welcome cocktail reception this evening.

Day 2 : Athens or Brauron / Piraeus / Embark

The birthplace of western civilization, Athens retains numerous monuments that illustrate its brilliant heritage. Enjoy a tour of the Acropolis, crowned by the majestic ruins of the Parthenon, perhaps the most architecturally perfect structure in the West. In the afternoon, visit the National Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, take an excursion to Brauron to the Sanctuary of Artemis and visit the Kerameikos, the main cemetery of Ancient Athens. Transfer to the pier, and sail this evening.

Day 3 : Kythira

Wild and undeveloped, Kythira was the reported birthplace of Aphrodite, with scrubfilled moorlands and deep ravines covering much of the island. Once a possession of Venice, which called it Cerigo, Kythira still bears evidence of its Venetian influence. A Venetian castle towers over Kapsali, the island’s main town. Visit the castle ruins and the small Archaeological Museum. From here, take a drive to the Byzantine village of Paleochora, its former medieval capital, whose splendid remains are set spectacularly at the head of a gorge, and to Livadhi to tour the Byzantine Museum.

Day 4 : Heraklion / Knossos / Heraklion, Crete

Crete, Zeus’s legendary birthplace, was home to the Minoan civilization, Europe’s first. A morning tour visits the excavations at Knossos, where the brilliance and refinement of the Minoans are revealed in the excavations found here. The largest palace of the period on Crete, Knossos is a labyrinth of corridors, stairways and chambers decorated with frescoes illustrating life as it was 4,000 years ago. Continue to the Heraklion Museum, where a vast number of treasures and artifacts from Knossos and other Cretan sites are on display. There will also be the opportunity to visit other sites, including Phaestos and Gortyn.

Day 5 : Santorini

Today we sail into the dramatic caldera above which rises Santorini. In the second millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded the island of Santorini in a blanket of
pumice and ash, and collapsed the island into a fractured caldera. This ultimately produced the wild, otherworldly, multihued beauty of the island, while sending the Minoan civilization into irreversible decline. Take a cable car ride up to the whitewashed homes, shops, cafes and churches of Phira. Then visit the Nomikos Foundation, where excellent reproductions of Akrotiri’s Minoan frescoes are on display, and continue to the Prehistoric History Museum of Thera.

Day 6 : Rhodes / Lindos / Rhodes

Rhodes reached its pinnacle during the Hellenistic period when it was a major center of commerce, learning and the arts. Arrive this morning and ascend Monte Smith, the site of the ancient acropolis of Hellenistic Rhodes. See the restored 2nd-century B.C. stadium, the theater and the remains of temples dedicated to Zeus, Athena and Pythian Apollo. Also explore the Old Town, one of Europe’s best-preserved and most impressive medieval towns. In lovely Lindos, enjoy lunch at Mavrikos, one of Greece’s top restaurants, after which you may take a donkey ride up to the acropolis and spend time relaxing at Lindos’s fine-sand beach.

Day 7 : Patmos

Patmos, where St. John received his revelations, is one of the most beautiful islands in the Aegean. Our tour includes the 11th-century Monastery of the Revelation with enormous towers, domed roofs, belfries and battlements. The monastery also contains priceless icons and manuscripts, as well as fine embroideries and other objects.

Day 8 : Kusadasi / Ephesus / Priene / Kusadasi, Turkey

From the seaside town of Kusadasi, visit the great ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most important cities in the ancient world, with extensive ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Visit the large theater in which the Ephesians rioted against St. Paul, the Library of Celsus with its imposing facade, the Temple of Serapis and other remains. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Kusadasi or drive to Priene, founded by Greek colonists in 350 B.C., commanding a beautiful location on a promontory. The well-preserved ruins include the Temple of Athena, a theater and others.

Day 9 : Delos / Syros, Greece

Situated in the heart of the Aegean, the pristine island of Delos is the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. A walking tour leads to the excavation of the main shrines of Apollo and Artemis, as well as to the Terrace of the Lions, which guards over the Sacred Lake. Continue to the little island of Syros, whose main town, Ermoupolis, is noted for its neoclassical architecture. Enjoy time at leisure.

Day 10 : Piraeus / Disembark / Athens / Return Home

Disembark in Piraeus and transfer to the Athens airport for return flights to the U.S.

Ship Description: Clelia II

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  Clelia II

To be launched in early 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II will offer the finest in small-ship cruise travel. This private yacht-like cruise ship accommodates only 100 guests in 50 suites, each of which affords ocean views, measures 215 square feet or more and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen-size beds, spacious closets, air conditioning.

Clelia II complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of Zodiacs. Clelia II is staffed by 60 European officers and crew. Taken together with her limited guest capacity, excellence of design, craftsmanship and material, Clelia II's spaciousness and intimate ambiance combine to make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.

Category E Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto decks with windows and sitting area. 215 sq. feet. Suites 342-345, 428, 429, 433.	Category D Deluxe suites on Ariadne Deck with windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower . 215 sq. feet. 334-335.
Category C Deluxe suites on Athena deck with three portholes, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 275 sq. feet. Suites 246-252.	Category B Deluxe suites on Ariadne deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 225 square feet. Suites 336-341.
Category A Deluxe suites on Leto deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 235 square feet. Suites 420-427, 430-431.	Category AA Deluxe suites on Leto deck with forward and side windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 285 square feet. Suites 505-506.
Category VS Deluxe Veranda suites on Cleo deck with private balcony, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 245 sq. feet. Suites 507-518.	Category PHS Deluxe Penthouse suites on Phoebe deck with private balcony , sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 260 sq. feet. Suites 601-604.