An archeology and history-themed cruise with an Expert Guest Lecturer
MARCH, APRIL & NOVEMBER 2020 | ON BOARD THE M/S GALILEO
OCTOBER 2020 | ON BOARD THE M/S PANORAMA
Fridays – From Athens to Athens, Greece
A cruise voyage unraveling the world famous Corinth Canal and the most important monuments and historic sites of Greece. Highlights include:
Mycenae · Delphi · Olympia · Corinth Canal Crossing · Ancient Epidaurus · Nafplion · Pylos
M/S GALILEO MOTOR SAILER
The 48 meter M/S Galileo is a classic steel hull motor sailer, with spacious and well-appointed interiors renovated in 2016.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Length: 48 m (157 ft)
Launched:1997 |Rebuilt:2007 |Renovated: 2016
Cabins: 24
Capacity: 49 passengers
Crew: 16-18
The M/S Galileo, built with the most stringent safety regulations, was launched in 1992 and was fully rebuilt in 2007. The latest renovation works of the M/S Galileo took place between November 2015 and March 2016 and included significant upgrading of the guest accommodations as well as the indoor & outdoor public areas.
The elegant Galileo has operated cruises in the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Galileo is always sailing under motors. Sails are occasionally used when weather and route allow
Service on board is provided by your Captain, the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced Marine and Hotel crew members.
CABIN SPECIFICATIONS:
The Galileo’s 24 outside guest cabins are located on Upper and Lower Decks, all with large portholes. Elegantly decorated, they have either twin or double sized beds and bathrooms with showers en suite. Category B cabins have flexible bedding arrangement. All cabins are comfortably arranged and beautifully furnished with wooden furniture and light fabrics. Cabins have individually controlled A/C, offer storage space, and are fitted with flat-screen TVs, mini fridge, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, central music, public address system and safe boxes.
LIFE ON BOARD
During the day, life on board centers around the indoor lounge area and dining room, as well as the outdoor areas at the Main, Upper and Sun decks. The Captain will drop anchor at secluded bays and beautiful uninhabited islands where, weather permitting, guests enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking.
MAIN DECK LOUNGE & DINING ROOM
Renovated in 2016, the main deck lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and carpet flooring, and beautiful soft fabrics. The spacious dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and allows for spectacular views around you, while dining in an elegant environment. Food is served at the table or displayed on the state of the art hot & cold buffet which also includes an “a la minute cooking” section.
UPPER DECK OUTDOOR LOUNGE AREA
Guests on Galileo very much enjoy the shaded outdoor area with an outdoor bar where they can relax enjoying the most breathtaking sea views.
SUN DECK
The vessel features a Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views and with ample Sun loungers’ space to sunbathe under the Mediterranean sun. In the evening you can watch the sunset, enjoy a drink overlooking the stars. Guests on the Galileo enjoy the shaded outdoor Bar area at the Upper Deck as well as the Sun Deck.
THE PANORAMA MOTOR SAILER
The M/S PANORAMA is a 54 meter elegant motor sailer accommodating just 49 passengers in 24 outside cabins.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Length: 54 m
Launched: 1993 |Last Renovated: 2014
Cabins: 24
Capacity: 49 passengers
Crew: 16-18
The M/S PANORAMA is a 54 meter/24 cabin elegant motor sailer that was launched in 1993 and was renovated in 2001, 2008 and 2014. This state of the art sail cruiser has performed several Atlantic Ocean crossings, has sailed from the Seychelles to Monte Carlo and from the Black Sea to Cuba and offers the highest standard of accommodation, comfort and safety. The vessel complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations.
Service on board is provided by your Captain, the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced Marine and Hotel crew members. Service will be attentive or unobtrusive according to your preference and priority is always given to the safety and comfort of passengers. Organized excursions are available for most ports of call and can be pre-booked or reserved 24 hours in advance.
CABIN SPECIFICATIONS:
The PANORAMA’s 24 cabins are located on 3 decks and are finished with wooden furniture and light fabrics. Cabins on the Upper and Main decks are equipped with windows while cabins on the lower deck have portholes. The fully equipped bathrooms are finished with marble or corian materials. All cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with flat-screen TV, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system and safe boxes.
LIFE ON BOARD
During the day, life on board centers around the Lounge and Dining Room at the Main Deck as well as the Upper deck indoor and outdoor bar area and the sun deck. In the evening you can relax in one of the ship’s lounges, and enjoy a drink while listening to piano music. The swimming platform on PANORAMA’s stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit. The Captain will drop anchor at secluded bays and beautiful uninhabited islands where guests enjoy swimming, snorkeling.
MAIN DECK DINING ROOM
The classy dining room is surrounded by large windows providing beautiful views of the ports of call. The spacious dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and food is served at the table or displayed on the state of the art hot & cold buffet which also includes an “a la minute cooking” section.
MAIN DECK & UPPER DECK LOUNGE AREAS
The interior lounges have relaxing couches and comfortable lounge chairs where you can have a drink and gaze out of the large windows into the breathtaking sceneries you are cruising to, read a book, watch television on the satellite TV or one of our documentaries on the next place you are visiting. Also located on the Upper Deck, the outdoor area provides beautiful views of the ports of call visited.
SUN DECK
The vessel features a Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views and with ample Sun loungers’ space to bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery.
Antiquity to Byzantium Cruise Itinerary
7 night / 8 day cruises from Athens – Marina Zea
Day 1: Friday – Marina Zea
Embarkation between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Palaia (old) Epidaurus. Evening arrival and dinner on board.
Day 2: Saturday – Palaia Epidaurus (optional excursion)
We leave our ship early in the morning to drive to Ancient Epidaurus for our optional excursion. Epidaurus was known throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary. It was reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius – and for its theater, which is once again in use today. The sanctuary was looted by the Roman general Sulla by pirates and later by Goths in 395 A.D. and very little remains of it today. The prosperity brought by the Asclepieion enabled the residents of Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including a huge theater (approximately 300 B.C.) renowned for its symmetry and beauty. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Nafplion. Overnight at port.
Day 3: Sunday – Nafplion/Mycenae (optional excursion)
After a short walking tour of Nafplion, drive through the colorful city and the beautiful countryside of Argolis towards Mycenae for an optional excursion. The importance of the city, which Homer calls “rich in gold” begins in 1650 B.C and ceases around 1100 B.C with the fall of the civilization to which it gives name. Visit the remains of the ancient glorious city including the Lion’s Gate, the Palace, the so called Agamemnon Tomb and the museum. Lunch on ship and afternoon sailing to Monemvassia. Overnight sailing to Gythion.
Day 4: Monday – Gythion (optional excursion)
Early morning arrival to Gythion. Optional Excursion to Mani peninsula and Cape Tenaro plus the spectacular Dirou Caves with their stalactites and stalagmites. Ancient Gythion was inhabited during prehistoric times and later the Spartans used as a port, enlarging the natural harbor they made Gythion their naval base. Leaving Gythion we will cross the scenic Mani Peninsula to reach Diros and visit the spectacular caves, discovered around the 60s, which are perhaps among the most important natural sites of Greece. After visiting the cave we will drive to nearby Areopolis for a short stroll through the town. Mani is at the tip of the Peloponnese, a distinctive area unlike any other area in Greece. A desolate region of underground lakes and rivers, windswept landscapes and towers who is strangely beautiful. Overnight at sea to Pylos.
Day 5: Tuesday – Pylos (optional excursion)
Pylos is a picture-perfect seaside town on the southwest corner of the Peloponnese. In 1827 a fleet of Venetians and other city states defeated an Ottoman fleet in one of the most important naval battles in history. This defeat led to the independence of Greece, which occurred in 1829. During our optional excursion and after stopping to admire the scenery, we will continue up the road to Nestor’s Palace. The remains of the prehistoric Palace occupy a scenic hilltop setting north of Pylos. The palace at Pylos belonged to Nestor and was discovered in 1939 by the American archaeologist Carl Blegen. Highlights include the well-preserved royal apartments and a bathtub that archaeologists have speculated belonged to the old king himself. The palace, with its central courtyard, was originally two stories high and richly decorated with frescoes. Following our visit to the remains of the palace, we will make the short trip to the town of Hora where a superb archaeological museum holds thousands of artifacts recovered from the site. Overnight sailing to Katakolon.
Day 6: Wednesday – Katakolon/Olympia (optional excursion)
Early morning arrival in Katakolon. We will disembark the ship around 7:00 a.m. in the port town of Katakolo and an optional excursion takes us by bus to Olympia, one of the most famous and important sites in the ancient world. Olympia is revered as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In the ancient Greek world, it was also the greatest Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for the worship of Zeus. Olympia persisted well into Roman times until its demise in the 3rd century A.D. when fires, earthquakes and invading tribes from the north left the ancient site in ruins. From 1875 onward excavation work, spearheaded primarily by the German government, revealed the fantastic treasures from antiquity that sit today in the marvelous archaeological museum. The most thrilling site at Olympia is the stadium, which looks much like it did more than 2,000 years ago. You will also explore the Temple of Hera, the magnificent temple of Zeus the Philippeion – lodging place for the athletes who participated in the games. We later visit the Olympia Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Following lunch in the town of Olympia, we’ll visit the museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Unlike the main archaeological museum, this building houses statuary and a host of artifacts specifically related to the ancient Olympic Games. After having time at leisure we will travel overland to Patras on the north coast of the peninsula, where we will re-board our ship and depart for Itea in the Gulf of Corinth. Overnight at Itea.
Day 7: Thursday – Itea/Delphi (optional excursion)
Morning optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most revered sites from the ancient world. We will disembark the ship early this morning and proceed to the ruins complex. Unlike other archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi is built on the side of a mountain. First time visitors are awed as much for the stunning natural beauty that surround the ruins as for the ancient buildings themselves. In its prime, Delphi was revered for its wealth and reputation, attributes which grew from the site’s location as hosting the most important oracle in the classical world. Indeed, because everything in Greece is connected to mythology, Delphi became the premier site for the worship of the god Apollo. The oracle had the ability to prophecy the future and give advice. Visitors from across the Greek world traveled here to consult with the oracle, and responded by offering thanks to Apollo in the form of treasure. We will have a half day to walk around the ruins complex and visit the adjoining museum. Return to the ship and cross the Corinth Canal. Later in the evening we sail to Marina Zea. Overnight in Marina Zea.
Day 8: Friday – Marina Zea (disembarkation): Disembarkation after breakfast.
Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of Variety Cruises and of the Vessel’s Captain in case of adverse weather conditions – winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel- on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle automatically passengers to any refunds but Variety Cruises guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.
|
ANTIQUITY TO BYZANTIUM CRUISES 2020 – SAILING DATES AND GROSS EURO RATES |
||
| From Athens, Marina Zea
Friday Sailings |
Low Season Departures
20, 27 March 06, 13 November on the M/S Galileo |
High Season Departures
03, 10 April 2020 on the M/S Galileo
23, 30 October 2020 on the M/S Panorama |
| CABIN CATEGORIES | OFFICIAL GROSS RATES PER PERSON IN DBL/TWIN | |
| LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | |
| Cat C
M/S GALILEO: Lower Deck, Twin or double beds M/S PANORAMA: Lower Deck, Twin or double beds |
€1,090 | €1,490 |
| Cat B
M/S GALILEO: Lower Deck, Flexible beds M/S PANORAMA: Lower Deck, Twin or double beds (Triple cabins available) |
€1,450 | €1,950 |
| Cat A
M/S GALILEO: Upper Deck, Twin or double beds (Triple cabins available) M/S PANORAMA: Main and Upper Deck, Twin or double beds |
€1,850 | €2,450 |
| Single Supplement | 50% | |
| 3rd person reduction (adult) in triple cabin w/2 adults | 30% | |
| Children reduction 7-10 years old in triple cabin w/2 adults | 50% | |
| Children reduction 11-16 years old in triple cabin w/2 adults | 35% | |
| Port Charges | € 245 | |
|
10% EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT TO ALL RESERVATIONS UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2020 |
| EBD Conditions & Restrictions |
|
A/ What’s INCLUDED:
- Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
- Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a Greek night Evening, and Captain’s Dinner.
- Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
- Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
- English-Speaking Cruise Escort
Not included:
- Beverages (except those mentioned above).
- Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements.
- Crew tips.
- Passenger personal expenses
- Wi-Fi (available at charge)
B/ Conditions and restrictions
PROOFREADING
Tour Operators featuring our Cruises in their Catalogue or Internet site by itinerary, vessel’s description and images, will send VARIETY CRUISES a draft for error-checking of the contents prior publication as well as two brochure copies when printed. In order to secure corect information given to our clients and keep our high customer satisfaction levels. Variety Cruises will not bare any responsibility for innacurate information or misrepresentation of our vessels or cruise itineraries without having accepted a draft prior to the brochure going to print or internet page published.
PAYMENT
25% deposit is required 7 days from confirmation.
75% Balance of payment no less than 60 days prior to day of embarkation.
CANCELLATIONS
240 days to 120 days from embarkation: €120 / US$140 Administration fee (per booking)*
119 to 90 days from embarkation 15% of the cruise fare
89 to 60 days from embarkation 25% of the cruise fare
59 to 30 days from embarkation 50% of the cruise fare
29 to 00 days from embarkation 100% of the cruise fare
Cancellations must be confirmed by VARIETY CRUISES in writing in all cases.
*In case of cancellation the administration fee per booking will be converted to a future cruise credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation, valid for any cruise and date of cruise.
CHILD REDUCTION Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount. Children between the ages of 11-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount. Port taxes are not discounted.
AMENDMENTS
There may be a charge for amendments of cruise date or decreasing pax number received less than 60 days prior to sailing. Amendments must be confirmed by VARIETY CRUISES in writing.
NOT INCLUDED IN CRUISE FARE Such personal expenses as drinks (other than included in the rate), laundry, spa-where applicable-, boutique items and gratuities, (gratuities are optional but as a rule, satisfied clients are expected to give to the captain, at the end of the cruise, approximately Euro 13-15 per person per day for distribution among all crew members) medical expenses, port taxes, shore excursions (shore excursions are proposed and arranged on board by the tour leaders), use of the on board Wi-Fi (available at a charge), expenditures incurred ashore, and anything not mentioned in cruise program.
