Eastern Mediterranean Cruise - from Piraeus / Athens - 124643

Piraeus, today a modern port town, has been Athens' port since ancient times and used to be connected with the capital by means of city walls. Only remnants of these wall remain. Piraeus has made a name for itself primarily on account of its appealing nightlife and the romantic fish restaruants by the sea. Sights include: the ancient harbour Zea Marina, the remnants of the long walls (5th century B.C.), the Archaeological Museum with ancient shipwrecks, statues of Apollo and Athena, the Hellenic Marine Museum and the Veakio Theatre.

Rhodes, the island of the Sun God Helios, is the largest and most popular island in the south-eastern Aegean. Due to its favourable geographic position it was once an important link between the Orient and the Occident. The 220 km long coastline is a mix between coves with beautiful flat sandy beaches and steep cliffs. The landscape inland is dominated by mountains, valleys and plateaus. Rhodes' history goes back more than 3,000 years. There are many archaeological excavation sites of ancient buildings, bearing witness to Rhodes' eventful past. Sights include: ruins from the Mycaean era, the ancient theatre, the gothic buildings, the round fort dating from the time of the Knights of St. John, the Turkish mosque and the Turkish baths.

The former pirate's stronghold Kusadasi has developed into a well-known holiday destination in Turkey. The many fish restaurants by the harbour, the tempting boutiques, oriental antiques shops, bars and pavement cafés at the beach promenade are characteristic of this town. Sights include: the old "Mehmet Pascha Karawanserei" which dates from the 17th century, the beautiful marina, one of the most modern yacht marinas in Turkey and the fort on the little island known as 'bird island'.

Patmos is a small island measuring around 12 kilometres in length in the Dodecanese Islands not far from Turkey and is called the "Jerusalem of the Aegean". This is because the island is home to many beautiful monasteries as well as the cave where St. John the Apostle wrote his "Apocalypse". The port of Skala, the capital of the island, can be reached by sea via a long, narrow inlet. The city lies in the shadow of the medieval castle-convent of St. John. It can be seen from all directions from sea and many pilgrims travel here each year. A visit to the village of Chora with its narrow streets is also a must. Some of the taverns provide a breathtaking view right down to Skala. Other sights include: the monastery of St. Christodoulos, the holy cave of the revelation and Agia Anni chapel.

Piraeus, today a modern port town, has been Athens' port since ancient times and used to be connected with the capital by means of city walls. Only remnants of these wall remain. Piraeus has made a name for itself primarily on account of its appealing nightlife and the romantic fish restaruants by the sea. Sights include: the ancient harbour Zea Marina, the remnants of the long walls (5th century B.C.), the Archaeological Museum with ancient shipwrecks, statues of Apollo and Athena, the Hellenic Marine Museum and the Veakio Theatre.