Dikkili, Turkey

Dikkili is a sleepy little beach town, authentically Turkish. The harbour is lined with open air restaurants and shops selling local delicacies. Nearby Berama is well worth a visit especially for its two main monuments: the Acropolis perched at a height of 280m and the Asklépéion. 

Pergamon

Located in Bergama county in the province of Ismir, Pergamon is one of the major classical sites in Turkey, considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world.

On arrival in Pergamon, you will leave the coach and board a cable car to reach the Pergamon Acropolis perched at an altitude of 350 m. The Upper Acropolis was the official city and home to the royal family and aristocracy as well as housing a garrison. Practically all the monuments date from the Hellenistic period except the temple of Trajan which is from the Roman period. You will see the foundations of the Royal Palace, the arsenal where weapons and stores were stocked, the Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena, the majestic theatre with its tiered seating built into the south slope of the acropolis, the Temple of Dionysus and the remains of the great library, the biggest in Asia minor, second only to the famous library in Alexandria. Ancient authors tell us that at one time Pergamon library contained 200.000 volumes. Mark Anthony had them taken over to Egypt as a gift for Cleopatra to replace the books that had been lost when the Alexandrian Library was burned down during Caesar’s campaign.

After this visit you will board the coach for a short trip to Asklépéion, a site of thermal baths & pilgrimage which attracted visitors from all over the Empire.

You will follow the same route as that taken by the pilgrims and discover ruins that date back from the Roman period and the Emperor Hadrian. The name Asklépéion derives from Asklépios, the Greek god of medicine. This place of pilgrimage included a school of medicine, a philosophical centre a temple and even a theatre.

By coach and on foot – the drive to Pergamon is approx. 30mins
Minimum 12 participants, no maximum
Duration: 4 hrs 30
Euro 65

Myrina, Greece

According to the poet Hesiod, Zeus, the King of the Gods, threw Hephaestus (the Greek equivalent of the Roman God of Fire, Vulcan) off Mount Olympus, because he had come to the aid of his Mother Hera, who had incurred Zeus’s wrath. Hephaestus fell for some time before landing on the island of Limnos, and the fall left him with a permanent limp. The story does not say whether he was restored to health by drinking the excellent red and white wines that are produced on the island, but they may well have helped to reconcile him to his fate! The town of Myrina is dominated by the white ramparts of the Kastro, built in 1186, and even earlier ruins (some of the most ancient in Greece) are located in nearby Poliohni. 

The time machine tour: Poliochni Kotsinas & Moudros

The tour begins with a drive to Poliochni on the East coast of Lemnos, the site of the island’s most significant archaeological discoveries. In 1930 a group of Italian archaeologists discovered no less than seven different layers of civilisation here, one on top of the other. Poliochni is considered to be one of the largest urban centres of the Early Bronze Age and the very first city in Europe with a basic social and civic structure. The Neolithic town predates the Egyptian dynasties, the Minoan Kingdoms of Crete and even the earliest level of Troy.

The next stop is Kotsinas, a small village situated on the north coast of Lemnos which, in the Middle Ages, was an important commercial port belonging to Hephaistia (the capital of the island from the 8th to 6th centuries BC). The seafront is lined with tavernas and on a hilltop overlooking the village the church of Zoodochos Pigi (The Life-Giving Spring) watches over the inhabitants and the Statue of Maroula, the legendary heroine of Lemnos who forced Turkish invaders to flee the island in 1478, bears witness to their proud spirit.

Following your visit to Polochni you will board your coach and head for Moudros, the second biggest town of the island and the first capital of Lemnos. There you will have some free time for a stroll along the seafront before returning back to your port. 

Please wear comfortable walking shoes as the ground is uneven at Poliochni. Visits may take place in a different order

In Poliochni cameras (non-professional) and video-cameras can be used. There are 50 steps to climb if you wish to visit the church.

By air-conditioned coach
Minimum 20 participants, maximum 60
Duration: 3hrs
Euro 45

Skiathos, Greece

Boat & Beach tour

Skiathos is part of the Sporades archipelago. Its pine clad hills, coves and beaches lapped by a cobalt blue sea, make this fashionable Aegean island a place of great natural beauty. Skiathos town boasts a pretty harbour, filled with graceful yachts, and its narrow streets and sunlit waterfront are crowded with bars, restaurants and boutiques. In and around the walled town of Skiathos are many monasteries dating from the 17th to the 19th century. 

Leaving the port of Skiathos behind us, we will sail along the Eastern coast to reach our first stop – Lalaria beach situated on the northern part of the island and accessible only by boat. It is covered with grey pebbles and is famous for its crystal clear water and a huge arched rock forming a natural bridge between the beach and the sea.

After some leisure time on Lalaria we will get back on board and visit another beach, not too far away, called Castro. Above the beach you can see the remains of the old medieval city of Skiathos (1100-1600) which was once the island’s capital.

You can either spend your time relaxing on the beach and swimming or take a walk uphill and explore the old town (15 minutes’ walk) admiring the frescoes in the small Byzantine churches and soaking up the unique medieval atmosphere. If you climb to the summit you will be rewarded by breath-taking scenic views from the castle with the opportunity to take some wonderful photos.

From Castro beach we return to the port.

Lalaria beach has no facilities (deckchairs sun umbrellas, restaurant), and pebbles instead of sand. You can take along your snorkelling equipment from the ship if you wish.

Castro beach has a stand where you can buy snacks and drinks.

There are a limited number of deck chairs and sun umbrellas (these cost extra) but they are subject to availability. In high season the beaches may be overcrowded

On the boat guests are entitled to one soft drink free of charge.

In case of adverse weather conditions and strong winds the beaches may not be accessible in which case with no prior notice these stops will be replaced by visits to Tsougria and Vromolimnos.

By boat
Minimum 30 participants, maximum 70
Duration:  4hrs 30
Euro 55

Skopelos, Greece

Skopelos is the largest of the Sporades islands and the capital of the archipelago. Its wealth is derived principally from the fine locally produced wine. The “chora” or main town of Skopelos is considered by many to be one of the prettiest harbourside towns in the Greek islands: the houses are built in tiers ascending the hillside and the port is lined with mulberry and plane trees.

Most of the town’s tavernas and cafés are located on the waterfront; relax and enjoy traditional Greek refreshment as you watch the world go by. It is fun to wander down narrow cobblestone streets, discovering hidden courtyards filled with flowers and Byzantine churches, or just browse around the small craft shops and boutiques. 

Mamma Mia – Highlights tour 

The minibus will be waiting for you at the port, ready to set off for Kastri on the northern part of the island. Here you will see the little church of John the Baptist located at the top of 130 steps carved into the rock face. Climb to the top and you will be rewarded with stunning views of the archipelago.

This modest but picture-perfect chapel shot to fame in 2007 thanks to the box office hit Mamma Mia which was filmed in Skopelos . It was the location chosen for Sophie’s wedding in the film. On the same spot, at the bottom of the rock, Donna (Meryl Streep) and Sam (Pierce Brosnan) sang “The Winner Takes it All”.

The tour continues to Kastani Beach, one of the best on Skopelos. The beach was the location of the beach bar and jetty featured in the film. It was here that Tanya sings “Does your Mother know” and Sophie and Sky sing “Lay All your Love on Me” . The hit song “I have a dream” was also performed here.

You will not see Donna’s bar nor the jetty, as these were constructed for the film and taken down afterwards. However, there is a nice beach bar and you can have a drink or go for a short swim.

On the way back to the port, there will be a short stop at Agnondas beach, and from there you will just glimpse the fantastic

peninsula of Amarandos with the three trees.

Once you are back in Skopelos, you can enjoy time at leisure strolling around or shopping before returning on board. 

The drive to Agios Ioannis church takes approx. one hour There are 130 steps up to the church

You will spent one hour on site.

Kastani beach is a 30 minute drive (changing facilities are available)

By air-conditioned minibus
Minimum 15 participants, maximum 50
Duration: 4 hrs 15
Euro 40

Poros, Greece

It is barely a hop, skip and a jump from the Argolid Peninsula to the island of Poros. The island is home to the Greek Naval Academy and in the morning visitors can enjoy the cadet’s marching band. The views from the temple of Poseidon are hauntingly beautiful which may explain why the doomed orator Demosthenes chose to end his life here. 

Epidaurus 

Transfer by ship’s tender to the port of Galatas on the Argolid Peninsula. Here you will meet your guide and board the coach for the short drive to Epidaurus. Epidaurus was the site of a shrine devoted to Aesculapaius, the Greek God of Medicine. Patients would flock to the sanctuary seeking a cure for their ailments and Aesculapius would either effect a cure during their sleep or appear in a dream to the priests who would then treat the patient according to his instructions.

Apart from praying to be restored to health, Patients could indulge in thermal baths and hydrotherapy as well as “taking in a show”!
Indeed, as soon as you arrive at the site you will walk through a beautiful grove to discover the famous theatre, one of the best preserved monuments of the ancient world. The theatre can seat 14.000 spectators and is famous for its acoustics. It is still in use today and modern visitors enjoy musical productions and performances of Greek drama there.
You will have some time to wander around, so you can test the wonderful acoustics for yourself.

The nearby museum houses fragments from the Asclepeion sanctuary. 

The drive to Epidaurus takes 45 minutes each way. You will spend 1h30 on site before returning to the ship
By air-conditioned motor coach and on foot
Minimum 20 participants, no maximum
Duration: 3hrs 30
Euro 59

Athens, Greece

Athens and the new Acropolis museum 

After leaving Piraeus you will drive past the charming yacht harbour of Zea, where the foundations of the 5th century BC dock are clearly visible.
Next comes the Mikrolimanon waterfront, lined with tempting al fresco fish restaurants. From here it is but a short drive to cosmopolitan Athens, where modern buildings cohabit with ancient monuments. You will pass the Temple of Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Parliament at Syntagma Square (Constitution Square), the National Academy, the University, the Library and Hadrian’s Arch, before arriving at the New Acropolis Museum located 300m south east of the Rock of the Acropolis.
The museum was designed by Bernard Tschumi and was opened to the public in 2009. It has a surface area of 14.000 m2 and houses nearly 4000 exhibits displayed on three levels. You will see findings from the Acropolis archaeological site as well as artefacts from the Greek Bronze age right through to Roman and Byzantine Greece. For those passengers staying in Athens, the tour ends in the city centre, while the rest of the passengers will be transferred to the airport. 

The tour will end at Syntagma Square in Athens . The guide will then leave the tour and the coach will drive on to the airport arriving around 13h00/13h30. 

A minimum of 6 guests is required for the tour to continue to the airport.

The duration of the tour depends on the traffic situation. If the traffic is fluid, arrival at the airport will be somewhat earlier You will spend about 2 hours in the museum

The use of cameras and video cameras is free of charge, but flash photography is forbidden in the museum. 

By air-conditioned coach
Minimum 10 participants, no maximum
Duration: 5 hrs, ending at the airport
Euro 89