Island Life in Ancient Greece & Turkey

Download the brochure for Island Life in Ancient Greece & Turkey!
ABOARD THE EXCLUSIVELY CHARTERED, DELUXE M.S. L’AUSTRAL
Featuring Guest Speaker Ari Fleischer - Former White House Press-Secretary

From *$5,195 per person based on double occupancy, air and VAT not included
Operated by Thomas P. Gohagan & Company

*Pricing listed starting from lowest cabin category available as of April 2012 - cabin availability subject to change

View photos from last year's trip

OVERVIEW
Join us for this exclusive seven-night odyssey to the windswept paradise of Greece’s ancient islands and Turkey’s fabled coast. Cruise from Athens to Istanbul aboard the state-of-the-art, deluxe small ship M.S. L’AUSTRAL, launched in 2011. Meet local residents during the specially arranged VILLAGE FORUM™ for a personal perspective on the true character of the Aegean Sea’s maritime culture. Discover the very cradle of Western civilization during carefully designed, expert-led excursions, highlighted by the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the classical ruins of Delos, the Old Town of Rhodes, the Monastery of St. John on Pátmos and legendary Troy. Visit Mykonos, known for its iconic windmills and sugar-white cube houses. Enjoy panoramic views of Santorini’s caldera from a cable car. Stroll the marble-paved boulevards of Ephesus, the most spectacularly preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Extend your voyage with the Athens Pre-Cruise Option and the Istanbul or Cappadocia Post-Cruise Option. This exceptional travel value sells out year after year.

ITINERARY*
Day 1     Depart from the U.S. or Canada
Day 2     Athens, Greece (Piraeus)/Embark M.S. L’AUSTRAL
Day 3     Delos/Mykonos
Day 4     Santorini
Day 5     Rhodes
Day 6     Pátmos
Day 7     Ephesus, Turkey (Ku¸sadasi)
Day 8     Troy (Çanakkale)
Day 9     Istanbul/Disembark M.S. L’AUSTRAL/Return to the U.S. or Canada

*This itinerary also operates in the reverse direction.

Activity Level
Active

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the true character of the Aegean’s maritime culture on this exclusive seven-night odyssey from Athens, Greece, to Istanbul, Turkey.
• Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered M.S. L’AUSTRAL, a splendid new vessel whose innovative design and state-of-the-art amenities promise to raise the small ship cruise experience to new heights.
• Meet with residents of Pátmos during the specially arranged VILLAGE FORUM™, learn some Greek phrases and pronunciation and enjoy exclusive lectures on Greek mythology and Turkish history.
• Tour the classical ruins of Delos, a UNESO World Heritage site.
• Walk through the Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse on Pátmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation.
• Visit the legendary city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and setting for Homer’s epic The Iliad.
• Visit Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world.
• Complement your voyage with the Athens Pre-Cruise Option.
• Extend your exploration of these ancient lands with the Post-Cruise Option to exotic Istanbul or Cappadocia, Turkey’s famous volcanic rock formations.

M.S. L’AUSTRAL

• STATE-OF-THE-ART DESIGN
  The M.S. L’AUSTRAL represents the newest generation of deluxe small ships and features distinctive French sophistication.
• SPACIOUS SUITES AND STATEROOMS, MOST WITH BALCONIES
  The 120 large, deluxe, air-conditioned, outside Staterooms and Suites range in size from 200 to 484 square feet. Ninety-five percent of the accommodations feature private balconies. Most Suites and Staterooms feature two twin beds that convert to one queen bed, a private bathroom with shower and the luxurious amenities of a fine hotel, including individual climate control, satellite flat-screen television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar, full-length closet, writing desk/dressing table and plush robes.
• CHIC AND CASUAL DINING
  International and regional cuisine is served in the stylish, spacious Dining Room in single, unassigned seatings, alfresco in the casual indoor-outdoor Grill Restaurant or from 24-hour Room Service. Continental and buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a four-course dinner are served daily. Complimentary wine and beer are served with lunch and dinner. Bar service is available throughout the ship.
• SPACIOUS PUBLIC AREAS/WORLD-CLASS SERVICE AND FACILITIES
  Inviting and spacious public areas accommodate all passengers comfortably. Enjoy views from the Panoramic Lounge, nightly entertainment in the Main Lounge and lectures, cultural performances and film screenings in the state-of-the-art theater. There is a library, Internet salon, Sun Deck, swimming pool, beauty salon, spa, Turkish bath-style steam room, full range of fitness equipment and two elevators. The infirmary is staffed with a doctor and nurse. The highly trained and personable English-speaking international crew provides attentive service.
• RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
  The state-of-the-art propulsion system provides an exceptionally smooth, quiet and comfortable voyage by creating little vibration and significantly reduced engine noise. The ship is designed to prevent contact with environmentally sensitive seabeds and meets the latest “Clean Ship” standards. The ship has two tenders.

INCLUDED FEATURES
ON BOARD THE EXCLUSIVELY CHARTERED, DELUXE M.S. L’AUSTRAL

• Seven-night cruise from Athens, Greece, to Istanbul, Turkey, with calls at Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes and Pátmos, Greece; and Ku¸sadasi (for Ephesus) and Çanakkale (for Troy), Turkey.
• Spacious and elegant outside accommodations with private bathroom and individual climate control.
• Captain’s welcome and farewell receptions.
• All meals—continental breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner—throughout the cruise, featuring fine international and regional cuisine, served at single, unassigned seatings.
• Complimentary house wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee and tea served with lunch and dinner.
• Special cooking demonstration by the ship’s master chef.
• Tour of the splendid classical ruins of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including the House of the Dolphins and the four temples to the deities Apollo and Artemis, who were born on the island according to Greek mythology.
• Opportunity to explore and relax on the picturesque island of Mykonos, renowned for its ancient windmills, whitewashed villages and charming harbors.
• Visit to Santorini, featuring a cable car ride from Thíra and spectacular views of the caldera.
• Walking tour of the Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including the Palace of the Grand Masters.
• Tour of the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on the island of Pátmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation.
• Excursion from Ku¸sadasi to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world.
• Visit to the legendary city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and setting for the epic tales of Homer’s The Iliad.

EXCLUSIVE CULTURAL ENRICHMENT

• An exclusive VILLAGE FORUM™ about life in the Greek Islands featuring local residents.
• A series of lectures and optional tours that will bring to life Greek history and mythology as well as the cultural traditions of the people of the Greek Islands.
• A Greek language presentation, introducing basic phrases and correct pronunciation.

COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL SERVICES

• All transfers and luggage handling abroad for all participants who have purchased their international air tickets through Gohagan & Company and whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
• All excursions and visits, as outlined in the itinerary, led by experienced, English-speaking local guides.
• Gratuities for local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Experienced Travel Director to accompany you throughout the travel program.
• Hospitality desk on board the ship.
• Travel document wallet, name badge and pre-departure information.
• Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.

ATHENS PRE-CRUISE OPTION
Extend your journey with this two-night stay in Athens, Greece, Western civilization’s first great center of democracy and philosophy. Enjoy deluxe, centrally located accommodations in the ATHENAEUM INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENS, a guided tour of the Parthenon and an excursion to Delphi.

ISTANBUL POST-CRUISE OPTION
This special two-night option in Istanbul, Turkey, features accommodations in the deluxe CEYLAN INTERCONTINENTAL ISTANBUL and included guided tours of the city’s magnificent landmarks from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to Topkapi Palace.

CAPPADOCIA AND ISTANBUL POST-CRUISE OPTION
Complement your Aegean Sea experience with this four-night extension in Turkey highlighting the mesmerizing fairy chimney landscapes of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of nature’s most captivating treasures. Travel to the heart of Anatolia, the enchanting world of volcanic rock formations where early Christian converts sought shelter from Roman legions. Here, local vintners continue to produce wine just as their ancestors have for more than 3,000 years. Visit 2,000-year-old rock-hewn villages and learn about the region’s distinctive culture, which traces its roots to Biblical times. Accommodations for two nights will be in the deluxe CAPPADOCIA CAVE RESORT, an intimate property nestled amid the rock formations of Ushisar in the heart of the National Park of Göreme. This Pre-Program Option also includes flights to and from Cappadocia, two nights in Istanbul’s deluxe CEYLAN INTERCONTINENTAL ISTANBUL and inclusive guided tours of the city’s magnificent landmarks from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to Topkapi Palace.