Crete: Europe's First Civilization

9 Days/8 Nights: 2012 Departures:•Aug. 3 Set like a jewel in the eastern Mediterranean, Crete is a universe unto itself. Homeland of the Minoans, who founded Europe`s earliest civilization, this mountainous island of unsurpassed beauty offers a variety of delights, including some of the best archaeological sites in the Greek islands; a wealth of richly decorated Byzantine chapels; and an incredible array of plant and bird life, including more than 2,500 wildflowers. Day 1 ATHENS | PIRAEUS, GREECE | EMBARK Arrive in Athens and transfer to the port to board Callisto. Day 2 RETHYMNON | CHANIA or KNOSSOS | RETHYMNON, Crete Land in Crete, the island that was home of the Minoan civilization, Europe’s first. In the morning, visit Chania, perhaps Crete’s loveliest city, with its historic walled town and picturesque Venetian harbor. Alternatively, you may explore Knossos, the most imposing Minoan palace of the island, or explore Crete’s magnificent southern country. In the afternoon, tour the town of Rethymnon, with its unmistakable Venetian character. Day 3 CHANIA Today, journey ashore to explore Chania, perhaps Crete`s most picturesque town. The historic quarter is filled with sunny squares and old neighborhoods where Venetians, Turks, and Sephardic Jews once lived. Housed in the Venetian Monastery of San Francesco is the Archaeological Museum containing artifacts from western Crete, including coins, mosaics, sculpture, and pottery that date from the Neolithic to Roman eras. On a walking tour, view the 17th-century Mosque of the Janissaries and the palaces of Venetians and noblemen. Day 4 AGHIA GALINI | PHAESTOS & GORTYN | AGHIA GALINI Today Callisto calls at the small port of Aghia Galini to visit the beautifully situated Minoan palace of Phaestos known for its breathtaking view of Mount Dikti and the Plain of Messara. The remains are actually two distinct palaces built one on top of the other. Continue to the archaeological site at Gortyn, the Roman capital of Crete, where the Gortyn Law Code was written. Day 5 IERAPETRA | MYRTOS | IERAPETRA The coast around Ierapetra provides the most sunshine and the least amount of rainfall in all of Greece, affording an excellent climate for our visit. Drive to the charming village of Myrtos. Two Minoan archaeological sites are close by Fournou Korifi and Pyrgos. After spending time at each site, enjoy exploring Myrtos`s impressive countryside. Day 6 AGHIA NICOLAOS | KRITSA or LASITHI PLAIN | AGHIA NICOLAOS This morning we`ll visit the Archaeological Museum in Aghia Nicolaos, which houses relics from sites throughout the Lasithi province from as early as the Neolithic period and ending with the Greco-Roman period. The museum`s collection of Bronze Age objects is especially impressive, particularly a libation vase known as the Goddess of Myrtos. This afternoon, an excursion leads to the scenic village of Kritsa, built on a hill and surrounded by olive groves. Explore the town as well as its 13th-century Church of the Panayia Kera. The church is filled with notable frescoes and fabrics, most of which have been carefully restored. Alternatively, for those interested in a more active excursion, enjoy a walk through the Lasithi Plain, a pristine landscape filled with wildflowers, birdlife, and several mountain villages. Day 7 HERAKLION | KNOSSOS | HERAKLION Today visit the excavations at Knossos, where the brilliance and refinement of the Minoans are revealed in the excavations found here. The largest palace of the period on Crete, Knossos is a labyrinth of corridors, stairways, and chambers decorated with frescoes illustrating life as it was 4,000 years ago. Day 8 DELOS, Greece | SYROS From the sea, enjoy a beautiful view of the village of Phira on Santorini. In the 2nd millennium b.c., volcanic eruptions shrouded the island in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many buildings in the town of Akrotiri. At the time of the eruptions, Akrotiri was inhabited by a sophisticated Bronze Age society. Visit the Nomikos Exhibition, where excellent reproductions of the frescoes at Akrotiri are on display, and the Prehistoric Museum of Thira. Then visit the unspoiled town of Oia and enjoy time at leisure. Day 9 PIRAEUS | ATHENS | DISEMBARK Disembark in Piraeus and transfer to the airport in Athens.

RATES INCLUDE
• 8-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 34-guest Callisto
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Young Explorers Program, a series of educational and recreational activities for children ages 7 - 18, led by youth education counselors
• Professional tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE
• Airfare; visa and passport fees (if applicable)
• Luggage and trip cancellation insurance
• Meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those specified above
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service
• Gratuities to shipboard personnel

BOOKING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
At the time when/if you decide to go ahead with your cruise on board the Callisto Yacht we will send to you our booking confirmation document. Our booking confirmation document includes detailed terms and conditions applicable to your cruise.
The deposit of USD 1,500.00 per person will secure your reservation. Payment for the reservation is to be accomplished within one week from the day when we issue and send to you by email our booking confirmation document. Final payment due will be no later than 95 days prior to your embarkation.


CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations of confirmed reservations are subject to a $US 400,00 per person administrative fee. Additionally, passengers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines or hotels used in the itinerary.
Cancellations received 71-95 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person.
Cancellations received within 70 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate.
Service fees may apply to deviations and are non-refundable.