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Known as the party island, Mykonos has a personality bigger than life! One of the most picturesque islands due to the white streets, village alleyways and colorful shops, Mykonos is a fun island to visit. The overnight path from Santorini to your next stop is so brief, you can soak in the nightlife in Santorini considering the ship doesn’t leave until after midnight! One of these Santorini beach bars would be perfect for the evening. Most everything you’ll want to see in a day is within walking distance of the port. Staterooms on the ship come with turndown service, offering a late night snack and the next day’s activities and itinerary, which is super helpful.
Athens
The monumental grid of medieval walls provides a picturesque setting as we pull into the port of Skala on the idyllic Greek island of Patmos. Locally known as the ‘island of the Apocalypse’, Patmos boasts a spiritual vibe thanks to the legends of St. John. Take time to explore the lush, forest-like hills that encircle the capital, Chora or join our local guide for an exciting adventure. Shore excursions vary depending on the itinerary, but may include city tours, archaeological and cultural experiences, and even a few adventure activities. Check out these shore excursions through the cruise line, but always keep in mind that if not enough people sign up for a specific tour, you may have to switch to another tour or explore on your own.
What shore excursions are available on Celestyal Cruises?
As popular as Santorini is, there is no dock for cruise ships to pull up to and unload their passengers on this volcanic island. Instead, you will go by tinder boat to the dock, and then have to either walk, ride a donkey (which we do not endorse- there are issues with how the donkeys are treated), or take the cable car to the top. There are options for excursions into the ancient capital of Athens. For me, I took the transfer back to the city, exhausted but having enjoyed the most outstanding, once-in-a-lifetime experience. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour.
The Amazing beaches Tour
We started with a tour of the old town, stopping off at various landmarks. Overall, I was incredibly impressed with all of the crew from the moment we boarded the ship until we disembarked on our final day. The rooms were well equipped and had plenty of storage space, as well as a hairdryer, safe, and TV which all made for a very comfortable cruise for 4 nights.
Milos (a gem while cruising Aegean Sea)
Paul is the patron saint of Veria, which was named for one of the daughters of the mythological King Veris. Established in the foothills of Mt. Vermion, fortified Veria flourished behind its massive walls. One of the first cities to surrender to the Romans, in 168 BC, it became the area’s second most important city after Thessaloniki. Under the Ottomans, Veria was an important commercial and cultural center – it was during this period that many mosques, mansions and the old market were built.
Because the whole island is less than 28 square miles, it's not difficult to take in most of the sights from the looming cliffs and still have time for shopping, eating and some down time on the Aegean Sea. Visit the neighboring island of Delos to admire mosaics, statues, and columns dating back 2,500 years. Head into the countryside for a cooking class, and feast on your creations of spinach pie, stuffed peppers, and garlicky tzatziki. Or while away an afternoon in Little Venice, where bars and restaurants in former fishermen’s houses sit right on the water, with views of the iconic windmills.
Celestyal to offer cruise-and-land packages with new partner - TTG
Celestyal to offer cruise-and-land packages with new partner.
Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
There are also tons of little shops to explore and local artisans to meet. You will want to save at least an hour to hike up to the Temple of Isis to see the town of Delos from above. The island isn’t huge, just over one square mile, so you can easily explore the highlights.
A Geological wonder 4×4 adventure
Cruising the Aegean with Celestyal Cruises: A Complete Review - solosophie
Cruising the Aegean with Celestyal Cruises: A Complete Review.
Posted: Sun, 16 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Delicate art treasures, including vivid frescos, furniture and vessels, tell magnificent stories of the ancient life and society of the Minoan civilization. We will end our immersion in Santorini’s astounding history with free time in the town of Akrotiri, beautifully located close to the famous Red Beach and overlooking the southeastern side of the island. This is a remarkable, historic, full-day excursion combining the glories of Pella with those of Vergina, and it includes lunch overlooking the stunning Aliakmon Valley. We begin with a 45-minute drive by air-conditioned motor coach to Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great and the second capital of ancient Macedonia. Alexander, Emperor in the 4th Century BC, was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of history’s most successful military commanders. For 250 years Pella was the cultural centre of the Ancient Greek world and as the seat of the royal family, enjoyed its greatest prosperity during the reign of Alexander.
I’d certainly like to come back and explore more of the towns of Crete in a lot more depth sometime. I had visited Crete once before on a family holiday as a child, but I don’t remember much of it. The one thing I do remember though was the Ruins of Knossos – my obsession with temples and ruins is evidently quite deep-rooted. I was super excited to have the opportunity to go back to this site. One of the benefits of visiting during shoulder season is that I was able to appreciate the pretty cobblestoned streets flanked by white sugar-cube-like buildings.
Before reboarding the ship, take time to enjoy the scenic seafront promenade and the town’s impressive Grand Bazaar. We begin our bus tour from the port of Heraklion, guarded by its Venetian Lions, and continue beyond the city’s landmarks and limits, on a panoramic drive to Peza, the wine valley of Crete. Over 20% of Greece’s wine production originates from the sun-kissed island of Crete and our drive will impress you with beautiful sights of Crete’s countryside and its 4,000 year old vineyards. As we arrive in Stironas, a small traditional Cretan village located at an altitude of 550m, you will embark upon a complete sensorial experience. Following the Cretan hospitality, we will be invited to experience a traditional Cretan meal, with all the best natural products, while a group of traditional dancers will make you feel right at home.
It had an almost ‘try before you buy’ effect, and is a great way to sample the diversity of the islands. Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure. Explore the blend of ancient history and modern life and view the city’s iconic White Tower. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. An exciting contrast to the idyllic island beauties are the lively metropolises of Istanbul and Athens, which are the starting or ending point of our sailing cruises.
Ephesus is not as well kept as Parthenon in Athens, for example, but it’s still a work in progress! When you first walk through there’s quite a bit of columns and piles of ruins. It’s hard to tell what most of it was, except for the signage and tour guide. Learn about the impact Alexander the Great had on the city, visit a Greek winery, go on a food tour or see the city’s highlights. I’ve seen some 4-night cruises for less than $500, which just seems like a spectacular deal based on the places you’ll go for that much. Celestyal Cruises offers great value for the money, considering you’re seeing the Greek islands, dining on board and have built-in accommodations.
Enjoy dramatic sunsets across translucent waters while exploring the white cliffs of Milos, or transport yourself to the ancient past at ruins found on nearly every Greek island. The Temple of Aphaia looms over Aegina, while Delos Island hosts the incredible Terrace of the Lions. You'll find the world-famous Acropolis on Rhodes Island and the Akrotiri on Santorini.
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