Shadow, ex Athens Return
Cruise Line Silversea Cruises
Ship Silver Shadow
Destination EU Mediterranean
Nights 11
Departure Date 16 Aug 2021
Description 11 Night Cruise sailing from Athens roundtrip aboard Silver Shadow.

Regardless of whether you are a keen historian or not, a trip to the Holy Land is a once in a lifetime voyage. Bookended by in the hub of history – Athens – this voyage begins and ends in the shadow of the Acropolis. In between you’ll be swimming the blue seas of Crete, paying homage to the historical sites in Nazareth and Jerusalem and enjoying the archaeology of Antalya. Rhodes’ colossus and Amorgos’ tranquility top off this seminal trip.

Highlights of this cruise:

Athens
A city of legend, civilisation and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece's capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus' giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of the Athens' urban area. From there it's a simple jaunt to the centre. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon - which date back to the 5th century BC - stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens' best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city's enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it's an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry - try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation.

Haifa
Israel's easy-breezy Mediterranean city is an effortlessly cool place of beach worship and night-time revelry. Tel Aviv has it all - dynamic culture, characterful food and the trademark sweeps of pristine sand that are perfect for soaking up lashings of ever-present sunshine. Arrive on Israel's shores at Haifa, which sits below Mount Carmel, and is surrounded by elaborate places of worship, as well as the Baha'i Hanging Gardens - a terraced green UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you reach the bright lights of Tel Aviv, you'll find a relaxed, energetic and youthful city waiting for you. Crowded with afternoon strollers, joggers, and beach revellers, a walk along the Tayelet promenade - from Tel Aviv's skyscrapers to Jaffa's historic charm – is a fantastic introduction to this dynamic city. Jaffa's watchtower is the perfect landmark to orientate around, as the cobbled streets of the old town unravel, and flea markets flog exotic goods. Head to Neve Tzedek, to explore the city's oldest neighbourhood, which has been successfully rejuvenated and re-energised as an artsy warren. Dilapidated old houses have been repurposed into lively galleries and creative spaces. Nearby Carmel Market's stalls overflow with exotic spices, jams and dried fruit. Wade in, but be prepared to strike a hard bargain. The White City, meanwhile, is a 4,000 strong collection of UNESCO protected Bauhaus style buildings, built for German immigrants fleeing persecution in the 1930s, and designed to mirror Europe's cafe culture. New and exciting restaurants open on a nightly basis all over Tel Aviv, and you can enjoy street food and Middle Eastern staples - like fresh Hummus and fluffy pitas stuffed with spiced falafels.into a cosmopolitan city whose port served the entire Middle East. The climate is gentle, the beaches beautiful, and the locals friendly. You won't see the religious garb of Jerusalem or the tattoos and piercings of Tel Aviv in this diverse but fairly conservative city. In fact, you can't always tell at a glance who is part of an Arab or Jewish Israeli family, or if someone is a more recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union. Israel’s "city on the hill" is divided into three main levels, each crisscrossed by parks and gardens: the port down below; Hadar, a commercial area in the middle; and Merkaz Carmel (known as "the Merkaz"), with the posher hotels and many restaurants, on the crest of Mt. Carmel. Thanks to the beneficence of the Baha'is, you can enjoy a walking tour that takes you through the stunning terraces that lie like multicolored jewels from the crest of the city at Mt. Carmel to the German Colony below.

Rhodes
With an endless sun-soaked season, earthy history and vibrant culture, the island of Rhodes has it all. At the crossroads between continents, and sandwiched between Crete and Turkey’s coastline, Rhodes has swayed between many mighty civilisations throughout its tumultuous history. Part of the Dodecanese Islands, which are sprinkled across the blissfully blue Aegean Sea, dive into this island of dazzling beaches, historic medieval towns, and whitewash villages. Crusted with turrets and walls, alluding to its strategic significance over the years. Incredible history has been left behind, and the cobbled streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site listed Old Town are some of Europe’s best. Wander back through time, with occasional minarets from Ottoman-era mosques rising from the tangle of Medieval history, and the smells of cinnamon, cumin and pepper lingering above stone-paved streets. Discover inviting outdoor restaurants, which spill across flower-filled courtyards, and enjoy fresh Greek cuisine with an eastern influence. The preserved columns of Lindos's spectacular Ancient Greek Acropolis watch out over electric blue water, while the Gothic Medieval stronghold of the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes, adds more fascinating history to explore. Fragrant, pine tree coated hills, and gorgeous beaches of eye-watering blue water, offer your choice of unbridled relaxation or thrilling action, and you can raise the pulse with water sports, or shelter in coves with shocks of turquoise water and monolithic rock formations.
Sailing Dates
  • 16 Aug 2021
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 16/08 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 07:00 PM
2 17/08 Patmos, Greece 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
3 18/08 Aghios Nikolaos, Greece 08:00 AM 07:00 PM
4 19/08 At sea    
5 20/08 Haifa, Israel 07:00 AM overnight
6 21/08 Haifa, Israel 11:00 PM
7 22/08 Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel 08:00 AM 07:00 PM
8 23/08 Limassol, Cyprus 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
9 24/08 Antalya, Turkey 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
10 25/08 Rhodes, Greece 08:00 AM 10:00 PM
11 26/08 Amorgos, Greece 07:00 AM 07:00 PM
12 27/08 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 07:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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