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Itinerary
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| Day 01 |
Athens/Piraeus, Greece |
| Day 02 |
Cruising the Dardanelles and the Bosporu |
| Day 03 |
Odessa, Ukraine |
| Day 04 |
Odessa, Ukraine |
| Day 05 |
Yalta, Ukraine |
| Day 06 |
Sochi, Russia |
| Day 07 |
Cruising the Black Sea |
| Day 08 |
Istanbul, Turkey |
| Day 09 |
Istanbul, Turkey |
| Day 10 |
Cruising the Aegean Sea |
| Day 11 |
Kušadasi, Turkey |
| Day 12 |
Cruising the Sea of Crete, Mediterranean |
| Day 13 |
Sicily/Catania, Italy |
| Day 14 |
Naples, Italy |
| Day 15 |
Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy |
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Apr 3, 2010 for 14 days
Crystal Serenity
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This voyage is a part of:
World Cruise 2010 - Exploring Ancient Empires
Jan 11, 2010 - 108 Days
Crystal Serenity
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Piraeus is Greece's largest port and has been a gateway to the Mediterranean since 482 BC. It lies on the innermost point of the Saronic Gulf and is a short drive from Athens, the cradle of Western democracy and culture. Throughout the ages, Athens' lofty Acropolis has been a source of inspiration. The ancient ruins scattered throughout this legendary city are reminders of Greece's great cultural heritage.
Odessa is barely two centuries old, yet it has a wealth of history. A summer retreat of the czars, this "Pearl of the Black Sea" also hosted Russia's greatest artists, writers and musicians. Many historic opera houses, museums and ballet theaters remain, alongside the impressive onion-domed basilica and the broad Potemkin Steps.
Built on a peninsula that juts far into the Black Sea, Yalta was a favorite vacation spot of the czars, whose palaces remain as lasting memorials. See the Vorontsov Palace, built by Buckingham Palace's architect. Or visit the White Palace, scene of the Yalta Conference where Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin decided the fate of postwar Europe.
Sochi was established in 1898, after Russia gained possession of the region in the Caucasian War. Since then, the town has been appreciated by people seeking the healing powers of its mineral springs and inspiring views. Several hotel complexes and summer houses of Russian nobility sprung up in the early 20th century, as Sochi enjoyed a position at the top of travelers' lists. Many of these buildings still stand, offering superb examples of Russia's distinctive Art Nouveau architecture.
For poets, Istanbul, next to Venice and Rome is the loveliest city in Europe and one of the most splendid in Asia. It is the only city in the world spread over two continents, separated by the Bosphorus. It is a city filled with wonders of architecture and monuments to the faiths that inspired them. Formerly known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, its mosques, minarets and museums span two continents where the Bosphorus divides Asia from Europe. Must-see attractions include the dazzling treasury in Topkapi Palace and exquisite buildings of timeless beauty such as the Blue Mosque and Basilica of St. Sophia.
Kusadasi is perhaps best known as the gateway to the archaeological site of Ephesus, one of the world's greatest archaic finds. Excavations continue in the 4,000-year-old city and it is believed that more than half of it still remains buried in the hillside. Its marble streets are lined with architectural masterpieces. The city played a significant role in the life of the Apostle Paul, who wrote an epistle to its people.
On a fertile plain surrounded by mountain slopes and the sea, Catania, the economic center of Sicily's richest area is nestled snugly in a hollow. Once an important Greek and Roman colony, it is now a thriving commercial and industrial center. Though the city sometimes appears chaotic, it retains a certain beauty in the graceful elegance of its old buildings.
Naples, the center of southern Italian commerce, is located on the scenic Bay of Naples. View a moment frozen in time at the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, ancient cities buried by an eruption of nearby Mt. Vesuvius.
Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. Today this port is noted for its fine seafood and attractive monuments. Located 90 minutes away is the Eternal City of Rome. Steeped in 2,500 years of history, Rome was for many centuries the center of Western civilization. It was both the focal point of the Roman Empire and of Christendom. Landmarks such as the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Spanish Steps are reminders of the legacy of its rich past.
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