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11-night Crossroads of the Mediterranean – A Voyage Through Greece, Malta, and Sicily Cruise/Land Package

Cruise Line:
Lindblad Expeditions
Ship:
National Geographic Explorer
Destination:
Athens/Barcelona
Departure Date:
4/27/2024
Length:
11
Offer ID:
1491859

The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
The Signature Collection Sailings offer Exceptional Value and Exclusive Amenities.


  • $200 per Couple Shipboard Credit

Itinerary

Destination
Arrival
Departure
Land Tour: Athens
Suggested Private Excursion
4/27/2024
4/27/2024

Even though you've probably come here to see the "glory that was Greece," perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the superb statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum, allow some time to make haste slowly in Athens. Your best moments may come sitting at a small cafe, sipping a tiny cup of the sweet sludge that the Greeks call coffee, or getting hopelessly lost in the Plaka -- only to find yourself in the shady courtyard of an old church, or suddenly face to face with an ancient monument you never knew existed. With only a little advance planning, you can find a good hotel here, eat well in convivial restaurants, enjoy local customs such as the refreshing afternoon siesta and the leisurely evening volta (promenade or stroll) -- and leave Athens planning to return, as the Greeks say, tou chronou (next year).

Suggested Private Excursions

Athens at a Glance - 3 hours

Athens - Enlightening Classical Athens Tour w/ lunch - 6 hours

Athens - Enchanting Cape Sounion at Sunset with dinner - 6 hours

Athens - The Athenian Riviera & the Temple of Poseidon - 4 hours

Delphi – History & the Oracle w/lunch - Full Day Tour

Athens - Ancient Corinth Tour - 4.5 hours

Athens - Jewish History Tour - Half Day Tour approx 4 hours

Athens - The Acropolis & a walking tour of the Plaka w/lunch - Full Day tour

Argolis – Mycenean & Epidavros Adventure w/lunch - 9 hours

Athens the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum approx 4 hours

Bits & Bites Athens street food walking tour approx 3 hours

Acropolis & Plaka walking tour approx 3 hours

Land Tour: Athens
Suggested Private Excursion
4/28/2024
4/28/2024

Even though you've probably come here to see the "glory that was Greece," perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the superb statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum, allow some time to make haste slowly in Athens. Your best moments may come sitting at a small cafe, sipping a tiny cup of the sweet sludge that the Greeks call coffee, or getting hopelessly lost in the Plaka -- only to find yourself in the shady courtyard of an old church, or suddenly face to face with an ancient monument you never knew existed. With only a little advance planning, you can find a good hotel here, eat well in convivial restaurants, enjoy local customs such as the refreshing afternoon siesta and the leisurely evening volta (promenade or stroll) -- and leave Athens planning to return, as the Greeks say, tou chronou (next year).

Suggested Private Excursions

Athens at a Glance - 3 hours

Athens - Enlightening Classical Athens Tour w/ lunch - 6 hours

Athens - Enchanting Cape Sounion at Sunset with dinner - 6 hours

Athens - The Athenian Riviera & the Temple of Poseidon - 4 hours

Delphi – History & the Oracle w/lunch - Full Day Tour

Athens - Ancient Corinth Tour - 4.5 hours

Athens - Jewish History Tour - Half Day Tour approx 4 hours

Athens - The Acropolis & a walking tour of the Plaka w/lunch - Full Day tour

Argolis – Mycenean & Epidavros Adventure w/lunch - 9 hours

Athens the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum approx 4 hours

Bits & Bites Athens street food walking tour approx 3 hours

Acropolis & Plaka walking tour approx 3 hours

Cruise Starts (Embarkation)
4/28/2024
4/28/2024

No information currently available.

Athens (Piraeus)
Suggested Private Excursion
4/28/2024
4/28/2024

Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summit has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.

Suggested Private Excursions

Piraeus: The Ancient City of Athens - 8 Hours

Piraeus: Cape Sounion - 5 hours

Heraklion
Suggested Private Excursion
4/29/2024
4/29/2024

Heraklion, the capital of Crete and its principal commercial port, is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion displays many of the treasures found during the excavations.

Suggested Private Excursions

Crete: Knossos - Archanes - Heraklion Museum -5 hours

Knossos
4/29/2024
4/29/2024

No information currently available.

Chania
4/30/2024
4/30/2024

The beautiful town of Chania is where modern, Venetian, Turkish and traditional architecture are blended together to make this one of the most picturesque towns in Crete.  Various archaeological sites, villages, churches, caves, gorges and wonderful beaches are embellishing the charming area. It is worth a visit to the Archeological museum that is housed in the Venetian church of St. Fragiskos and exhibits important finds from the Neolithic and Minoan period to the late Roman.

 

At Sea
5/1/2024
5/1/2024

No information currently available.

Valletta
5/2/2024
5/2/2024

Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Siracusa
5/3/2024
5/3/2024

Sicilia is the favorite island of Gods in traditional poetry. The most powerful and biggest ancient city in Sicilia is Siracusa. Its name may come from the native word "Siraco", which means "marsh", due to the bogs which surrounded the city. Or it may derive from a Phenician etymology signifying the presence of seagulls on its rocky shores. Few cities of the ancient world had the importance Syracuse had in Magna Grecia, the ancient Greek settlements in Italy. The most spectacular monuments in the archeological area surrounded by colorful Mediterranean vegetation are the Greek amphitheatre and the Orecchio di Dionisio (Dionysius' Ear). Besides touring the Archeological Museum that contains beautiful objects, Ortigia Island, the heart of the old Greek city, is worth a visit. Outside the city limits is Eurialo Castle, an incredible structure built to protect the city from the Cathaginians, and Pantalica, the great rocky necropolis in Anapo Valley.

Mazara del Vallo
5/4/2024
5/4/2024

Mazara del Vallo is an ancient town on the bank of the Mazara River, in Sicily. An ancient bronze statue called the Dancing Satyr was found off the coast of Mazara in 1998 and has brought much attention to this small town. This statue and many other historic pieces are now on view in the town's museum. There are also beautiful examples of Norman architecture to view around the town, and a number of beautiful churches for visitors to explore.

Agrigento
5/4/2024
5/4/2024

Agrigento is a small town on the Southern coast of Sicily. The beach is wonderful and the small streets of the old town are quaint and charming. Just outside the city, you will find magnificent Greek temples located in the Valley of the Seven Temples.

Isola di San Pietro
5/5/2024
5/5/2024

No information currently available.

At Sea
5/6/2024
5/6/2024

No information currently available.

Mahon
5/7/2024
5/7/2024

Mahon is a town known since antiquity for its natural harbor. Its coastline includes beautiful natural coves, rocky cliffs, and long beaches. Menorca is an open-air museum with archaeological remains giving evidence of Mediterranean cultures of thousands of years ago. Traces of English rule remain, especially in the design of tall houses with sash windows overlooking the harbor. Watersports are most popular of the wide range of leisure activities available. Sail boat rentals are available at numerous beaches and a golf course is located in Son Park. Menorca was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993 - an acknowledgement of the island's environmental importance and artistic and cultural heritage. Santa Maria Church, located in Plaza de la Constitucion, was founded in 1287 and rebuilt in neo-classical style in the 18th century. Its 19th-century organ is one of the world’s largest, with 3,004 pipes. Sa Mesquida and Cala del Pilar are the two best beaches.

Barcelona
Suggested Private Excursion
5/8/2024
5/8/2024

Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Suggested Private Excursions

Barcelona: A Walk Through Barcelona and The Sagrada Familia Park Guell for Families- 6 Hours

Art and Architecture in Barcelona (8 hours)

Gaudi’s Barcelona (4 hours)

Itinerary subject to change without notice. Please confirm itinerary at time of booking.

Prices are per person and include cabin fare, taxes, fees, excursions and all meals while onboard.  Airfare is available at an additional charge unless otherwise stated.

Departure Date:
4/27/2024
Number of Nights
11
Cruise Inclusions:
  • 11-nights accommodations
  • All meals aboard ship
  • And more
Remarks:

Price is per person, double occupancy.

Costs Include: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals , nonalcoholic beverages* aboard ship and meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indic

All prices per person and in USD unless otherwise stated.

Offer ID:
1491859

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections.

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