Star Clippers
Northern Cyclades Islands Itinerary
The Cyclades Islands, between Greece and Turkey, are an inviting playground for pleasure seekers aboard Star Flyer. Where white-washed churches point tilted Greek crosses heavenward in skies of brilliant blue, while sun worshippers bask on the beaches under Helios’ golden gaze. Twisting cobblestone alleyways lead to tavernas where octopus salad and ouzo are in order. Ancient Minoan palaces and medieval fortresses whisper tales of pagan rites and knightly rituals.
Saturday - Athens, Greece
Walking in the shadow of the Acropolis in the Agora, you can almost hear the voices of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle arguing about who was the greatest philosopher. In the soaring, subtly curved Doric columns of the Parthenon you see the masterful hand of Pericles, Athens' greatest general and builder. And in the ethereally graceful bodies of the Karyatids supporting the porch of the Erectheum, you behold the beauty of the immortals. Ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy and epicenter of western civilization, is a city for all eternity.
Sunday - At sea
Monday - Kamlimani Beach & Kusadasi, Turkey
Kusadasi is a popular Turkish port of call for cruise ships, as not only is it a bustling resort town full of shops, bars and restaurants, but it is also the main access point for the famous archeological site at Ephesus, where extensive excavations have revealed an ancient city through which visitors can now wander and observe the wonders of a bygone civilization.
Tuesday - Pythagoria, Samos, Greece
The Island of Samos is only 2,500 meters from the coast of Turkey; in fact it was once part of Asia before the last ice age ripped it from the arms of the continent. Pythagoria was supposedly the birthplace of Hera, wife of Zeus. Other notable island progeny include the mathematician Pythagoras, Epicurus, Polykrates and the great taleteller Aesop.
Wednesday - Patmos, Greece
This serene island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he is said to have lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. In the 11th century, the Abbot Christodoulos founded the Monastery of St. John on one of the island's highest points. It houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury.
Thursday - Delos & Mykonos, Greece
One of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands and quite justifiably attracting visitors from all over the world, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches. Hora, the capital, spreads around a colorful harbor in which fishing boats nestle side by side with luxury yachts. The brilliant white cubic houses with white-washed balconies built close together with little shops and tiny churches, make up the backstreets of the town. The harbor is overlooked by a variety of tavernas, and is a popular meeting place as the sun goes down, turning the brilliant whites to beautiful shades of pinks and reds.
Friday - Sifnos, Greece
Gold gave birth to Sifnos. Every year, the islanders would offer a solid gold tribute to Apollo. When they tried to substitute a fake, Apollo decreed that their rich mines would sink into the ground. Now the abandoned mines are the only reminder of Sifnos golden age. Apollonia, the little capital named after Sifnos' wrathful patron god, is now a center for folk arts, where delicate laces and distinctive island pottery are sold in the markets. Visit Panayia Chrysopyi, a 17th-century monastery precariously perched on a rocky islet jutting into the sea.
Saturday - Athens, Greece
Disembark for your trip home.
Cost of This Itinerary
7 Night Trip:
The least expensive cabin costs:
$296 per person per night
The most expensive stateroom costs:
$599 per person per night
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