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Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking about 1 mile including ship and port corridors and gangways.
Morning: Transfer from the airport to the Port of Istanbul. Meals aboard ship will begin with dinner; a light lunch will be available for those who arrive in time.
Afternoon: Embark the Aegean Odyssey. After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax. Then begin to become familiar with this comfortable ship that will be our floating home for the duration of the program. The ship’s friendly and courteous staff are scrupulous about hygiene and you will find numerous dispensers with hand sanitizer we are encouraged to use. Along with everyone on board, we will meet at muster stations when called for the ship’s safety drill. During succeeding evenings aboard ship, there will be activities to choose from such as a guest speaker, a performance by talented musicians, and opportunities for interaction with fellow Road Scholars. Please note that lecture times and dates may vary due to time in port. There is also a well-stocked library with daily newspapers received via satellite. Each evening, a Daily Journal with highlights of the next day’s activities will be available to view in the reception area. Most mornings will begin with a group stretch session. On each full day of the program, we will gather for an informal “port talk” about what’s ahead. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In each port, based on our berthing position, we will be offering shuttle busses running from/to the ship during the day for your convenience if you wish to explore independently. The extent and duration of elective walking and other free time activities are always dependent on personal choice. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: Aboard ship, enjoy your first dinner on board in either the Marco Polo restaurant or the Terrace Café. Chef-prepared meals feature fresh ingredients in tasty preparations including healthy choices. Both restaurants offer open-seating dining. All meals aboard ship are included as well as tea & coffee in the afternoon on the Lido Deck & late night snacks. Non-alcoholic beverages and select wines at dinner are included; other beverages are available for purchase upon request.
Evening: We will gather in the Ambassador Lounge for a welcome briefing by the Cruise Director. As well as welcoming you to your floating campus, the Cruise Director will discuss some general ship policies and review any updated Covid-19 regulations. The rest of the evening will be at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead The ship will remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking about 5 miles including steps at Palace; no handrails; standing up to 5 hours. NOTE: The “Relaxed” group will not go inside the harem apartments.
Breakfast: In the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant, there are freshly made hot and cold dishes to choose from such as eggs, breakfast meats, cereals, fruits, breads, pastries, and a variety of healthy choices as well as milk, juice, coffee, tea, water. Meals feature fresh ingredients in tasty preparations.
Morning: We will step off the ship, walk to and board a motorcoach, and ride to the Topkapi Palace. Constructed from 1460-1478, it served as the residence of Ottoman sultans as well as their administrative and ceremonial center until the mid-19th century. A local expert will lead our exploration as we see aspects of the Imperial Treasury that holds riches of royal history including thrones, jeweled pendants and precious stones, sacred items from the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed, decorated weapons, and much more. We will also see parts of the harem apartments that originally contained more than 300 rooms including living quarters for the sultan and his family, bath houses, courtyards, dormitories for concubines, a hospital, laundry, mosques, and pavilions.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will set out by motorcoach for field trips beginning with Hagia Sophia — Holy Wisdom — one of the world’s great historical and architectural wonders. Moving on, we will visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque for what were originally richly hued blue tiles decorating its interior. It was constructed from 1609-1616 facing Hagia Sophia. Still an active mosque, it is the only one in Istanbul with six minarets where a Muezzin calls the faithful to prayer five times each day. Beneath its multiple domes, there are more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles, some 260 stained glass windows, and verses from the Qu’ran displayed in calligraphic art.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship will leave Istanbul at 8:00 p.m. and begin our journey to the port of Kusadasi.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Lunch: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program. In the late afternoon, we will gather for a port talk.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area, when the ship will arrive at the port of Kusadasi.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking about 5 miles; unpaved, winding trail with steps; no handrails; uneven and rough footpath; standing up to 2 hours exposed to sun, no shade. NOTE: The “Relaxed” group will not visit the Terrace Houses.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive at 7:00 a.m. We will step off the ship, board a motorcoach, and set out on a field trip to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, ancient Ephesus, where a local expert will lead our exploration. From the UNESCO inscription: “Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World,’ which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean.” Unlike her Greek counterpart, this Artemis was primarily a fertility goddess. We will also see ruins of what have been called the Terrace Houses, residential structures once inhabited by wealthy Ephesians.
Lunch: In a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch we will transfer to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. This multi-room museum houses many findings from the Ephesus archaeological site. Originally built in 1929, it expanded over the years to accommodate the growing collection. The last expansion was in 1995. Next, we will visit House of the Virgin Mary. This catholic pilgrimage site is believed to be where the mother of Jesus spent the last years of her life. Once back onboard, we will gather aboard ship late afternoon for a port talk.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship is scheduled to leave the port of Kusadasi at 8:00 p.m. and begin our journey to Samos.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Driving for approximately 40 to 50 minutes to reach the wine making museum. Walking about 3 miles including ship and port corridors and gangways; some steps; standing up to 2 hours.Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.NOTE: The “Relaxed” group will not visit the Museum of Samos Wine.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive at 6:00 a.m. Setting off the ship with our Group Leader, we’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip into Samos, a small island in the eastern Aegean Sea. In Vathi, the capital and main port, we will explore on foot and see where neoclassical architecture intertwines winding streets and small squares. We will also learn about Pythagoras, the influential philosopher and mathematician born here in the 6th century BCE. For a time, he lived in a cave apart from society where he developed and taught his theories. At the Museum of Samos Wine, we will learn about the millennia old tradition of wine making on this island and sample Samian wines, valued for the unique taste and bouquet. At the end of the morning, we will return to the ship.
Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant, or you may choose to stay on shore and dine on your own.
Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities aboard the ship, or take advantage of free time for independent exploration. Back aboard ship, we will gather for a port talk at the end of the afternoon.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship will leave Samos at 8:00 p.m. and begin our journey to Mykonos.
Activity note: Getting in/out of tender boats. Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking about 4 miles including ship and port corridors and gangways; some steps; standing up to 2 hours. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m. With our Group Leader, we’ll take a shuttle bus or boat into the old town. Explore Mykonos on foot. As we walk, we will see the three main highlights of Mykonos: the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, one of the most photographed churches in Greece; the iconic windmills that can be seen from almost every angle in the village; and “Little Venice” where the buildings are built perched over the water's edge. At the end of the field trip, the Group Leader will accompany those who wish to return to the ship.
Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant, or you may choose to stay on shore and dine on your own.
Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program, or take advantage of the seabus available for independent exploration.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship is scheduled to remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Getting on/off a local boat with steps up/down. Walking about 3 miles; some rough terrain, steps, no handrails; standing up to 2 hours. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.NOTE: The "Relaxed Group" will visit the lower part of the archaeological site only without heading up to the Theater Quarter.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: We will board local boats for a walking field trip in Delos, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this tiny island in the Cyclades archipelago. Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece and Delos was a prosperous trading port. The island bears traces of the succeeding civilizations in the Aegean world, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeochristian era. The archaeological site is exceptionally extensive and rich and conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port.” During our field trip, we will explore the amazing remains here including the Marble Lions, the Sanctuary of Apollo, and impressive mosaics.
Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant, or you may choose to stay in Mykonos Old Town and dine on your own.
Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship or take advantage of the shuttle busses available for independent exploration. We will gather aboard ship at the end of the afternoon for a port talk.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship will leave Mykonos at 8:00 p.m. and begin our journey to Santorini.
Activity note: Getting on/off tenders and a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking about 3 miles uphill; narrow alleyways paved with stones, some steps, no handrails; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m. What we call Santorini is really a group of islands born out of violent eruptions — often associated with the legend of Atlantis. The sea-filled caldera covers what is still an active, though currently dormant, volcano. We will step into tender vessels then board a motorcoach and drive through the village of Megalochori on the northern coast to Oia. This is the most picturesque village on Santorini with charming houses, narrow streets, and blue-domed churches. We will explore the village with our Group Leader or a local expert and take in the amazing views over the caldera.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: There is no way to describe the wild volcanic beauty of Santorini where cliffs drop straight down to the dark blue waters of the caldera. We will go to one of the numerous wineries to taste some of the fine Santorini wine. At the end of the field trip you are welcome to return to the ship or stay ashore and explore independently. Return to the port by cable car and then tender back to the ship. We will gather aboard ship at the end of the afternoon for a port talk.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship will leave Santorini at 10:00 p.m. and begin our journey to Hydra.
Activity note: Getting in/out of tender vessels. Walking about 3 miles; narrow, cobblestone streets; standing up to 2 hours at a time. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m. We will anchor off the island of Hydra and board tender boats. Then set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to learn about local traditions and customs. Separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water, Hydra has developed a strong maritime culture around the many natural bays and harbors. It was around these harbors that towns grew into picturesque port towns along the steep hillsides. After the field trip, the Group Leader will accompany those who wish to return to the ship.
Lunch: Your choice of the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant, or you may choose to stay on shore and dine on your own.
Afternoon: Free time. Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship or take advantage of the tender vessels available for independent exploration. Later in the afternoon, we will gather for a port talk.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, and be sure to check the Daily Journal with highlights for tomorrow in the reception area. The ship will leave Hydra at 8:00 p.m. and begin our journey to the port of Piraeus.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 4 miles up/down a winding trail with many well-worn steps to Acropolis; no handrails; uneven, rocky, sometimes slippery surfaces; standing up to 2 hours. At Acropolis Museum, walking and standing for more than an hour. Popular sites may be crowded at certain periods. NOTE: The “Relaxed" group will not climb to the Acropolis and will see it from the motorcoach followed by the Temple of Zeus & a slower paced visit to the museum.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive at 1:00 a.m. We will step off the ship with our Group Leader and walk to our waiting motorcoach for a field trip to the city’s most iconic symbol, the Acropolis. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription: “The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world.” We will climb to the top of the rocky crag and stand in awe before ruins of the Parthenon and other temples. Built between 447-432 BCE, the Parthenon — named for the city’s patron goddess, Athena Parthenos — has been called “the supreme effort of genius in pursuit of beauty” and “the most perfect Doric temple ever built.” Its architectural proportions symbolize the ideals of Greek thought at the height of Greek civilization.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: The long-awaited Acropolis Museum was completed in 2007. During an expert-led exploration in the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, we will ascend floors of glass that seem to float above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below. In addition to irreplaceable masterpieces, the exceptional collection includes items from everyday life and all historic periods. A recreation of the Parthenon’s frieze was based on existing original blocks as well as copies from museums in London and Paris.
Dinner: In either the Terrace Café or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation and departure in the morning. The ship is scheduled to remain in port overnight.
Activity note: Disembarkation begins early at 2:00 a.m. depending on local schedules. See your program’s "Transportation Information" regarding transfers.
Breakfast: In either the Terrace Café — and on the Lido Deck in nice weather — or Marco Polo Restaurant.
Morning: After completing disembarkation procedures, we will transfer to the airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!