Ephesus, Turkey
SMALL THE MEDITERRANEAN SHIP ADVENTURES
M / V Arethusa, Santorini, Greece Carpet factory, Ephesus, Turkey
Itinerary
DAY 1 • Depart U. S. Fly from the U. S. to Athens, Greece.
DAY 2 • Athens, Greece At your Athens hotel, meet your fellow travelers, including those from our Athens & the Peloponnese: From Homer to the First Olympics pre-trip extension. Divani Palace Acropolis or similar
DAY 3 • Acropolis • Embark ship Visit the Acropolis this morning followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we’ ll embark our small ship in the port of Piraeus. Tonight, enjoy a Captain’ s Welcome Dinner in the ship’ s dining room. Later, our ship sails to the Greek island of Syros.
Meals: B, L, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 4 • Syros • Mykonos Explore the administrative capital of the Cyclades Islands on a walking tour of Ermoupolis on Syros. We’ ll also visit a bustling local market. Then, cruise to Mykonos to spend the afternoon and evening exploring the charming Aegean port town. Our ship will set sail for Paros overnight. Meals: B, L, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 5 • Paros Today our discoveries in Paros include a visit to the historic capital of Lefkes, the fishing village of Naoussa, and the artistic hub of Parikia. In Lefkes, we’ ll set off on a walking tour to wander the narrow streets and pass by the iconic white and blue homes. In Naoussa, admire the colorful fishing boats as we walk down cobbled streets. Meals: B, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 6 • Santorini • A Day in the Life of a Santorini farm Spend a full day on the island of Santorini. We’ ll take tenders to Santorini’ s port and then drive to the nearby Akrotiri Archeological Site, before enjoying our A Day in the Life experience with a local island family. Later, we’ ll visit the cliffside village of Oia for a walking tour. We’ ll visit local shops, soak in views of the Santorini caldera, and explore the blue-and-white Church of Panagia Platsani. Meals: B, L, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 7 • Kalymnos • Sponge fishing conversation Meet a sponge workshop owner and a marine biologist to hear both sides of the issue of Kalymnos’ sponge fishing industry, and its impact on the area’ s delicate ecosystem. Then, set off on a tour of the island of Kalymnos, known for its majestic mountains, including a visit to the Traditional House museum, for a glimpse into how people lived on this island in ages past. Meals: B, L, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 8 • Patmos • Kusadasi, Turkey The volcanic island of Patmos is where St. John the Evangelist is said to have dictated the Book of Revelation. Visit the Monastery of St. John and the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse to see where the holy man lived and worked, followed by a walk through Patmos Town. The ship arrives in Kusadasi this evening.
Meals: B, L, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
Adventure Highlight
On Day 6, experience A Day in the Life of a local family on Santorini who produce their own wine and collect edible flowers native to this region of the Mediterranean for culinary use.
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www. oattravel. com / grt 43