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Dodecanese Mosaic: A Greek Islands Adventure

Program Number: 20731RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/19/2013 - 5/29/2013;
Duration: 10 nights
Location: Greece/Turkey
Price starting at: $3,499.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Small Ship Cruising
Meals: 21; 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; None    

Scattered amid the eastern edge of the Aegean Sea is more than 150 volcanic islands, collectively called the Dodecanese. They are home to Byzantine churches, turquoise bays and medieval castles, not to mention some of the greatest remnants of antiquity in the Mediterranean. Join us for a special odyssey, as we unfurl the legends of the Dodecanese — from island to island — aboard a two-masted powered sailing yacht.




Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; hilly and uneven terrain. Optional swimming.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Arival Athens (Greece), 1 night; fly to Rhodes; aboard Panorama II, 7 nights; fly to Athens, 1 night; departure.



Day 1: Overnight flight from the U.S.A.


Days 2-3: Arrival Athens / fly to Rhodes/embarkation / Symi:

Walk in the footsteps of Socrates and Aristotle on the famous Acropolis. In the afternoon we fly to Rhodes for embarkation on the Panorama II. Evening sail to Symi where you will have time to take a dip in the beautiful bay. Lodging: Comfortable, centrally located hotel.



Day 4: Bodrum (Turkey):

Step inside the Crusader-built Castle of Saint Peter, still imposing even today. Board a traditional gulet sailing vessel for a short ride to the ancient island city of Iasos.



Day 5: Amorgos (Greece):

After a morning swim stop, arrive at the island of Amorgos. Enter a monastery built into the side of a sea cliff and enjoy a traditional local honey drink.



Day 6: Ios/Santorini:

On the volcanic caldera island of Santorini, ride a cable car to the cliff-top town of Fira then journey further up to the tiny, picturesque village of Oia.



Day 7: Aghios Nikolaos/Crete/Vai Forest:

Enjoy a guided visit of the Minoan Palace of Knosses, followed by a walk through the town of Heraklion. Later on this afternoon, we will sail to Vai where you will have another chance to take an evening swim.



Day 8: Karpathos:

Sail to the island of Karpathos. Journey to the small village of Olimbos to get a taste of traditional Greek island life.



Day 9: Lindos/Rhodes:

After a morning swim stop in Lindos, we will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Later this afternoon, we head back to our original embarkation spot, Rhodes, where we will overnight in port.



Days 10-11: Rhodes / disembark / Athens / departure:

This morning we disembark for a short flight back to Athens where we will gather for our final Farewell dinner.



Panorama II

The Panorama II is a 2-masted sail cruiser which is 1164 feet long with a beam of 36 feet that can accommodate up to 49 passengers. Public areas and amenities include a lounge, dining room, sundeck and laundry service.
Meals and Lodgings
   Titania Hotel or SIMILAR
  Athens, Greece 1 night
   Panorama
  Study Cruise, Greece 7 nights
   Titania Hotel or SIMILAR
  Athens, Greece 1 night
 Titania Hotel or SIMILAR
Type: Hotel
  Description: This recently renovated hotel is located between the city’s most important squares, Syntagma and Omonia.
  Contact info: Panepistimiou 52
Athens,  10678 Greece
phone: +302103226000
  Room amenities: The hotel’s 385 rooms offer private bath, air conditioning, ISDN Lines, Quadrica (multimedia service), TV, hairdryer, minibar and private safety deposit box.
  Facility amenities: Hotel amenities include grand marble lobby, restaurants including a roof-top restaurant, bar, room service, elevators and convention facilities.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Contact program provider Contact program provider at eh@groupist.com
  Additional nights after: Contact program provider Contact program provider at eh@groupist.com

 Panorama
Type: Cruise Ship
  Ship Information: The Panorama is a 3-masted sail cruiser which is 177 feet long with a beam of 40 feet that can accomodate up to 49 passengers. Public areas and amenities include a lounge/dining room, library, sundeck and laundry service.
  Contact info: N/A
Greece,  N/A Greece
phone: + N/A
  Room amenities: All 25 cabins have a private bathroom with shower, individually controlled AC, TV, telephone, hairdryer, mini-fridge, and safe box
  Smoking allowed: No


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Orientation begins at 6:30 pm in the hotel. You will be staying at Titania Hotel or SIMILAR that night.
  End of Program:
Room checkout is between 11am and 12:00 noon, You will be staying at Titania Hotel or SIMILAR the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Passport must be valid for 6 months after travel. Currently there are no visa requirements for US citizens traveling to Greece. Participants holding all other passports should check with the consulate.
  Parking availability:
n/a
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
To Start of Program
  Location:  Athens
  Transportation to site: Taxi transfer from Athens airport to hotel is readily available. Public transport is also available but is more difficult for participants carrying luggage.
  From End of Program
  Location: Athens
  Transportation from site: Taxi transfer from hotel to Athens airport is readily available. Public transport is also available but is more difficult for participants carrying luggage.
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Depart USA
(Sunday, May 19)
   
 Afternoon: Depart USA on an overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrive Athens
(Monday, May 20)
   
 Afternoon: After having met our guide, we transfer to the hotel Following a few hours to rest and refresh, regroup for a get-together with our fellow participants, and take part in an introductory presentation.
 Dinner: Welcome Dinner and Orientation
   
Accommodations: Titania Hotel or SIMILAR
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Rhodes/Symi
(Tuesday, May 21)

Note: Embarkation Rhodes 15.00 to 16.00 hrs. - Sailing to Symi.
   
 Morning: Sight seeing of Athens
 Dinner: Dinner on board ship
 Evening: Swim stop on the way in at Symi Bay. Evening arrival in port of Symi. Overnight in Symi.
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 4: Symi/Bodrum Port, Turkey
(Wednesday, May 22)

Note: Bodrum Port, Turkey - 1/ Half - Day (3 hours) Private Morning Tour of Bodrum (walking) Includes: Professional English speaking guide, entry fees.
   
 Morning: Early morning sailing to Bodrum Port, Turkey. Excursion.Docking at the charming resort of Bodrum, your guide will lead you through the streets of the town that will embrace you at once with its cozy Mediterranean architecture and historical monuments. Stroll through the Crusaders’ Castle of St. Peter and explore the English Tower that is decorated as feast-hall of the knights of St. John who were once the masters of this gigantic edifice. Inside the castle, there are individual small museums displaying attractive works of archaeology such as the skull of Carian Princess and relics of underwater archaeology. You will continue your morning visiting the site of Mausoleum of King Mausoleus. During 4th century BC, Bodrum was the Capital of Kingdom of Caria having King Mausoleus as her ruler. The king was so full of his ego that he got such a tomb built for himself that got to be known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. His lifetime wasn’t enough to see the accomplishment of the project and it was his sister, who at the same time was his wife, concluded the construction process. The Mausoleum experienced many earthquakes and eventually became building material for the Knights of St. John who built the Crusaders’ Castle at the port of Bodrum. Today, there are still fragments of the famed Mausoleum and mural relieves which will display you the high taste of architecture of this marvelous monument. You will have some free time to explore the town on your own before you return to your yacht.
 Lunch: Lunch in Restaurant Bodrum.
 Afternoon: Overnight at sea to Amorgos.
 Dinner: Dinner on board Ship
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Amorgos
(Thursday, May 23)

Note: Amorgos - a 3,5 hour tour to the Byzantine Monastery and the capital. Includes: Transportation and English speaking escort.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board ship
 Morning: Take a dip during a swim stop as we make our way to Amorgos.
 Lunch: Lunch on board ship
 Afternoon: After lunch, arrival in Amorgos. Overnight in port. Amorgos is mountainous and barren, with sheer rocky coasts and deep blue waters, scattered ruins, and places of worship built with the characteristic ecclesiastical architecture of the twin church. . Our excursion will take us to the impressive monastery of Chozoviotissa built in 1088, inside the rocky cliffs of the mountain. From the monastery, we enjoy magnificent views of the Aegean and visit monks’ cells which are open to visitors and contain important heirlooms and artifacts. We are offered a glass of “rakomelo” (traditional local drink) and a local sweet before continuing on to further explore the unspoilt small capital town, one of the most picturesque of the Aegean islands enjoying magnificent views of the Sea and the rocky landscape.
 Dinner: Dinner at Amorgos Restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Amorgos/Ios/Santorini
(Friday, May 24)

Note: Santorini – Visit the Akrotiri Museum in Fira and the villages of Pyrgos and Oia. (Duration: about 4,5 hours, including one-way cable-car, bus, local professional guide and entrance fees)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board ship
 Morning: Early morning sail to Ios - manganari with time for a swim.
 Lunch: Lunch on board ship
 Afternoon: Continue on to Santorini arriving in this afternoon. Disembark by tender and board the cable car to reach the island’s capital Fira for the short walk of the Capital and a visit at the Prehistoric Museum with its fascinating collection, models and wall paintings from Akrotiri excavations.. Board the bus and ascend the colourful rocky sides of the Caldera while enjoying panoramic views reaching the village of Pyrgos and on to the northern coast arriving at Oia; visit the most picturesque village of Santorini with magnificent views over the Caldera, its cobble stone streets,beautiful old mansions and houses perched on the cliff side. Tour the village with your local expert guide, admire the traditional Cycladic architecture and have some free time to stroll around and enjoy until you re-board the bus for your return drive to Fira.
 Dinner: Dinner on board ship or Dinner in Restaurant.
 Evening: Afternoon excursion. Late in the evening we leave Sanorini and sail overnight to Crete, Aghios Nikolaos.
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Aghios Nikolaos, Crete/Vai Forest
(Saturday, May 25)

Note: Aghios Nikolaos, Crete - A guided tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos including coach, a professional Cretan guide and entrance fees. (Duration: approx: 4 1/2 hours)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board
 Morning: Departing from Aghios Nikolaos port we will drive along the Northern coast on Crete’s Highway to the larger Heraklion area and reach after about an hour Knossos, one of the most famous archaeological sites; Your professional guide will walk you through the Prehistoric (2000BC) Minoan Palace, which is located in a unique quaint scenery. The original Palace was constructed around 1900BC and destroyed by an earthquake a few hundred years later; A new one was rebuilt on a grander scale. The final catastrophe came around 1450BC with the eruption of the Volcano in Santorini. Knossos was the centre of the Minoan Civilization and the Palace has been restored by Sir Arthur Evans, whose restorations though criticized, help the visitor to both visualize the palace as it was and understand its “so called” labyrinth. The living quarters of the king (Mythical King Minos) , theatre area, storage rooms and potters’ workshops are still to be found in the complex. After our detailed visit we will head to the nearby city of Heraklion where we will have a short walk in the old town ending with some free time before returning to our ship.
 Lunch: Lunch in restaurant, local specialties.
 Afternoon: Afternoon sailing to Vai. Swim stop. Overnight at anchor in Vai Bay.
 Dinner: Dinner on board ship
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Vai Bay/Karpathos
(Sunday, May 26)

Note: Karpathos, a 3-hour tour to Diafani and Olymbos. Includes transportation, escort and a local refreshment.



   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board ship
 Morning: Take a dip during a swim stop as we make our way to Karpathos.
 Lunch: BBQ Lunch on board ship
 Afternoon: Karpathos is famous for its traditional architecture, the decoration and design of its homes, and the long-standing popular traditions that carry something of the past into present day life. The small seaside settlement of Diafani, harbour of Olimbos was discovered by the Olimbians in 1850. In this area, one can admire the two churches with the red slate domes. Our short drive will bring us to Olimbos (or Elimbos) the northern most village of Karpathos; it is the most dramatic and photogenic village on the island where it seems as if time has stood still, and the village is also a "protected area". It was established in the 10th century, its construction was finished in the 15th century and it was the safest refuge on the island during pirate raids due to its inaccessible location. The medieval and modern houses with vivid exterior colours and beautifully decorated interiors are built with precision, and almost every house has a chapel and a mill. The 300 inhabitants are self-supported, and they maintain the customs of their daily life. They always wear traditional dress, while the local dialect is characterised by Doric idioms.
 Dinner: Dinner in restaurant in Karpathos
 Evening: Overnight at sea to Lindos/Rhodes
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Lindos/Rhodes
(Monday, May 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board
 Morning: At anchor - Swimming or morning excursion in Lindos.
 Lunch: Lunch in Lindos restaurant
 Afternoon: Mid day sailing to Rhodes town. Overnight in port.
 Dinner: Dinner on board ship
   
Accommodations: Panorama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Rhodes
(Tuesday, May 28)
   
 Morning: Transfer to airport for a short flight back to Athens. Overnight in Athens.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner
   
Accommodations: Titania Hotel or SIMILAR
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 11: Homeward bound flights
(Wednesday, May 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
 Morning: Transfer to airport for homeward bound flight.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


National Geographic Traveler Athens


Author: Joanna Kakissis


Description: Abundantly illustrated with a focus on maps and sightseeing, this compact guide covers not just the city of Athens but also Crete, the Dodecanese, Ionian and other popular islands.



In the Dolphin's Wake, Cocktails, Calamities and Caiques in the Greek Islands


Author: Harry Bucknall


Description: Istanbul. Bucknall hopscotch's across Aegean, mostly by sea, pausing Corfu, Crete, the Dodecanese, taking in Athens, Mount Athos and other places, both celebrated and out-of-the-way.



The Colossus of Maroussi


Author: Henry Miller


Description: Miller captures the spirit and warmth of the resilient Greek people in this inspired tale of wartime journey from Athens to Crete, Corfu and Delphi with his friend Lawrence Durrell.



Greece, A Traveler's Literary Companion


Author: Artemis Leontis


Description: In this terrific anthology 24 modern Greek writers offer a flavor of their nation, its culture and people, its beautiful landscapes and rich history.



Eyewitness Guide Greek Islands


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: Color photography, excellent local maps and an island-by-island synopsis of attractions make this book the one to carry with you.



A Traveller's History of Greece


Author: Timothy Boatswain, Colin Nicolson


Description: A nicely written survey from prehistory through the 1990s: wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed.



The Greek Way


Author: Edith Hamilton


Description: The book to read if you ever doubt the mark of ancient Greeks have left on Western society.



A Literary Companion to Travel in Greece


Author: Richard Stoneman


Description: Poetry, prose and literature over the ages, arranged geographically with an excellent introduction and commentary. Stoneman artfully weaves together hundreds of short excerpts.



Corelli's Mandolin


Author: Louis De Bernieres


Description: This lyrical novel captures the humanity, quirks and loves of the village life in the Greek islands. A satire of war, this charming and richly-colored novel is set on Cephallonia during the Italian occupation in the 1940s.




What’s included in this Road Scholar program?



Except for the occasional meal on some programs, Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive. That means there are no extra “options,” no passing the hat for tips and no surprises. From lectures and field trips to gratuities and accommodations – the price you pay up front is the price you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:


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