Rhodes , Greece Santorini , Greece learn about the island ’ s sponge-diving tradition , and how it has impacted Symi ’ s people . Our tour will also include a brief stop at the Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis , a famous site of pilgrimage for the Greeks . You ’ ll then have time for independent discovery in Symi .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Clio
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 8 , explore picturesque Symi , for a close look at the island ’ s whitewashed Venetian mansions , and an introduction to its sponge-diving legacy
DAY 9 • Patmos Explore the Greek island of Patmos , where St . John the Evangelist is said to have dictated the Book of Revelation . Visit the eleventh-century Monastery of St . John , built by the monk Christodolous on the ruins of the Temple of Diana . Fortified over the next two centuries to protect it against marauding pirates , this imposing monastery is visible virtually everywhere on the island and has remained in continuous operation for more than 900 years . You ’ ll also explore the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse , where he lived and worked . If you see cracks in the walls of the cave , consider that they are said to have appeared when the apostle heard the voice of the Lord .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Clio
DAY 10 • Santorini • Akrotiri archaeological site Drop anchor in Santorini and take a funicular ( cable car ) to Fira Town and visit the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri . This settlement was once one of the most important cities in the Aegean , serving as a central trade port for the ancient Minoan civilization . Archaeological evidence indicates that Akrotiri serviced merchants and traders from all across the Mediterranean , as far as Egypt and Syria . Like Pompeii , Akrotiri fell victim to a volcanic eruption in the 17th
century BC , which coated the city in a thick layer of ash , preserving it in remarkable condition .
Meals : B , D | M / V Clio
DAY 11 • Athens • Disembark ship Disembark your ship in the port of Piraeus , then travel to Athens for a walking tour , including the Acropolis Hill and its ancient monuments , located atop a rocky outcropping . The crown jewel of the Acropolis is one of the most iconic symbols of the ancient western world : the Parthenon . We ’ ll also wander the Plaka district , Athens ’ oldest neighborhood .
Meals : B , L , D | Titania Hotel or similar
DAY 12 • Return to the U . S . Transfer to the airport for your flight home . Or begin your Athens & the Peloponnese post-trip extension .
See the full deck plan for the M / V Clio on page 284 .
For departure dates & prices , visit www . oattravel . com / cth2024pricing
226 The Aegean & Mediterranean : A Voyage from Athens to Jerusalem & the Greek Islands