UNDER SAIL - GREECE TO THE DALMATIAN
COAST ITINERARY:
DAY 1 — Fly overnight from the U.S. to Athens, Greece
DAY 2 — Athens/Piraeus/Embark/Corinth Canal
We arrive in Athens, and make our way to the Electra Palace
Hotel, located in the shadow of the Acropolis. This afternoon we
board Panorama in Piraeus. After dinner, venture on deck to view
illuminated geologic formations that are seemingly within arm’s
length of the ship’s beam as we cruise through the Corinth
Canal. (D)
DAY 3 — Delphi/At Sea
Delphi, site of the famous Oracle and a great pilgrimage
site for the ancient Greeks, was the center of worship for the
god Apollo, and the ruins here are exceptional. Explore the
Sanctuary of Apollo, site of the sacred Delphic Oracle, and walk
along the Sacred Way. Back on board, we set sail west for a late
afternoon swim stop. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 — Ithaka
Few names elicit the intrigue and sense of adventure as
Odysseus’s home of Ithaka. Today, the island remains off the
beaten track, with gems of small Ionian villages. We’ll drive
around the island to explore the sites that link the island to
Homer’s Ithaka, including a stop at the active excavation
Odysseus Project. In the afternoon we cruise to one of Ithaka’s
delightful bays for a swim, then set sail north for Albania. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 — Sarandė and Butrint, Albania
Today we visit the ancient city of Butrint, now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Its Hellenic theater, Byzantine basilica
and Venetian towers lie in a beautiful lakeside setting. We
continue to intriguing Sarandė with its blend of religions,
cultures and landscapes. In the afternoon we’ll stop for a swim
and a hike along Albania’s surprising coastline. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 — Tiranė, Albania
From the port of Durrės, we drive to the fascinating capital
of Tiranė. where we see relics from one of the longest
dictatorships in Eastern Europe. We’ll visit the National
History Museum and wide-open Skanderbeg Square, before a festive
lunch in traditional Albanian style. We return to Durrės in the
afternoon to set sail with the sea breeze. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 — Kotor, Montenegro
Sail into the magnificent fjord-like Gulf of Kotor, backed
by soaring mountains with sparse villages clinging to the
slopes. Visit the historic town of Perast, and then take a local
boat to the islet of Gospa od Skrpjela, or the Church of Our
Lady of the Rock, created by local fishermen. Spend the
afternoon in medieval Kotor, or join us for a drive up the 27
serpentine switchbacks to the top of the fjord for an unrivaled
view. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 — Dubrovnik, Croatia
Under UNESCO’s protection, Dubrovnik is regarded as the
best-preserved medieval town in the world. Unlike most ships, we
will actually anchor off the city walls and land in the heart of
the Old Town. Here we stroll marble-paved streets to the
15th-century Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery. We
can take a walk on the ramparts, then explore this magical city.
We remain anchored for the evening, so you might opt for dinner
on your own or an after dinner stroll through town. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 — Mljet and Korcula
The lakes and lagoons of Mljet National Park are perfect for
swimming, paddling a kayak, riding a bike, hiking the pine
forests, or a boating trip to the delightful 12th-century
Benedictine monastery. Then visit the quintessential medieval
town of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo, where we stay for the
evening. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 — Sibenik/Krka National Park
The small port of Sibenik boasts a spectacular entrance and its
own World Heritage Site. We’ll visit the great cathedral of St.
Jakov, containing a remarkable frieze decorated with 71
sculptured faces. Outside of town, we’ll spend a day amid
remarkable waterfalls, cliffs and boardwalks of Krka National
Park, which includes an historic sugar mill. Late afternoon
we’ll depart through the Sibenik Channel and set sail south. (B,L,D)
DAY 11 — Hvar/At Sea
Hvar is known as one of the most attractive and lively of
Croatia’s historic Venetian towns. A walking tour takes us
through the Franciscan monastery, the stunning main street
arsenal and the oldest active theater in Croatia. Those who want
some exercise can hike up to the Citadel. We’ll remain in Hvar
into the mid-afternoon so you can have lunch in town or opt for
a swim. As the winds pick up for the afternoon, we’ll set sail
south. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 — Dubrovnik/Disembark
Disembark this morning for flights home, or to join the optional
extension to Dubrovnik and Split. (B,L,D)
Take this expedition back-to-back with the 7-night exploration
of Greece’s idyllic Cyclades Islands on Under Sail in the Greek
Isles and save 10%.
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After boarding the sailing yacht Panorama in Piraeus, we transit
the legendary Corinth Canal and visit two of ancient Greece’s
best known cities: Delphi and Ithaka. We’ll continue to the
remarkably beautiful and culturally rich Dalmatian Coast with
its convolutions and myriad islands; it is also
kaleidoscopically historical. Yet amazingly, the core cultures
have persisted through millennia of overlords. Croats, or more
specifically coastal Dalmatians, seafaring Montenegrans,
irrepressible Albanians, and enduring Greeks all make this a
deeply cultural expedition in a contemporary environment. You
will get to know not only the historic and physiographic marvels
of the region, but the personal views of the proud peoples that
have rooted in the limestone and weathered unending waves of
foreign rule.
The winds along the Dalmatian Coast and Ionian Greece tend to
pick up in the afternoon as the stalwart limestone landscape
returns the warmth of the Mediterranean sun. Our itinerary takes
advantage of the Panorama’s quick ability to set sail or to
anchor for a swim, with excursions planned for the cooler
mornings. Our afternoons are flexible for sailing, swimming,
exploring or just relaxing on deck. With the Panorama’s emphasis
on local cuisine and the outstanding wines and seafood of the
region, this voyage will be a full-sensory immersion in Greek
and Adriatic cultures.
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DEPARTURE DATES & RATES |
Departure Dates:
September 4, 2008
*September 14, 2008
May 14, 2009
May 24, 2009
September 10, 2009
September 20, 2009
* = Itinerary travels in reverse
Price Per Person:
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Category |
Sole |
Double |
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01 |
$10,310
|
$7,990 |
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02 |
$11,670 |
$9,370 |
|
03 |
-
|
$10,220 |
|
04 |
- |
$10,670 |
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