Old Town , Rhodes , Greece Santorini , Greece
DAY 8 • At sea We ’ ll spend the day at leisure onboard our ship . Perhaps you ’ ll relax on the Sun Deck , reveling in the warmth of the Mediterranean and falling under the spell that lured so many legendary Greek heroes from their home ports .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Clio
DAY 9 • Larnaca • Explore Nicosia , Cyprus We ’ ll go ashore in Larnaca and travel to Nicosia , Cyprus ’ capital city that is controversially divided between Greek and Turkish authorities . We ’ ll tour both sides of the city , then return to our ship , stopping for a tour
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
Our ship ’ s small size allows us to directly access ports that larger ships can ’ t reach — like the port of Larnaca in Cyprus on Day 9 , our gateway to Nicosia , the island ’ s historic capital of the cathedral of St . Lazarus . The cathedral was constructed in the 9th century , and is purported to be built over the final resting place of Lazarus , who according to Christian legend was resurrected from his first tomb by Jesus . Eastern Orthodox tradition alleges that Lazarus traveled to Cyprus after Jesus ’ crucifixion ( followed by his own resurrection ), fleeing from threats to his life .
We set sail for Haifa , Israel , enjoying a Captain ’ s Farewell Dinner as we cruise .
Meals : B , D | M / V Clio
DAY 10 • Haifa , Israel • Disembark ship • Caesarea
• Lunch in a local kibbutz • Jerusalem
After disembarking in Haifa , we ’ ll travel overland to Caesarea for a walking tour to see remnants of Herod ’ s era and the later Crusades , from Roman ruins to the remains of the walled Crusader ’ s city . Then , visit a local kibbutz for an included lunch and introduction to this unique Israeli settlement . Originally organized as collective agricultural and subsistence communities , modern kibbutzim have diversified into other fields , including industrial endeavors and innovative techoriented businesses . We ’ ll learn more about what life is like on a kibbutz and how their role in Israeli society has evolved as we share a meal with a few members of the community in their dining hall .
Then , continue on to Jerusalem , our final destination . Meals : B , L | Inbal Jerusalem Hotel or similar
DAY 11 • Jerusalem Old City • Mount Zion & Mount of Olives
A walking tour of Jerusalem ’ s Old City begins near the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter . We ’ ll also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , and follow the Via Dolorosa , which some believe is the path Christ walked to his crucifixion . Later , we visit Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives . This evening , toast to your adventure over an included Farewell Dinner .
Meals : B , L , D | Inbal Jerusalem Hotel or similar
DAY 12 • Return to U . S . Transfer to the airport for your flight home , or begin your Holy Jerusalem & the Ancient Ruins of Masada posttrip extension .
Meals : B
See the full deck plan for our 89-passenger M / V Clio on page 118 .
For full itinerary details , visit www . oattravel . com / cth
64 The Aegean & Mediterranean : A Voyage from Athens to Jerusalem & the Greek Islands