TRAVEL PLAN

TUESDAY 1ST JULY
Nafplion, Greece
Pass the Corinth Canal en route from Athens Airport to embark Hebridean Spirit in Nafplion.

WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY
Nafplion, Greece – See Privately Escorted Tour Highlights
In the morning, we take a tour of the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a valley of the Argolid Hills.The sanctuary was dedicated to the son of Apollo, and comprises a vast semicircular theatre and the remains of a health spa.The theatre, which seats 14,000, is a masterpiece of Greek architecture and has near-perfect acoustics. Guests will have free time to explore the site and its museum before returning to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, guests can visit the lively harbour town of Nafplion.

THURSDAY 3RD JULY
Gythion, Greece – See Privately Escorted Tour Highlights
We spend a fascinating day in the Laconian Valley of the south-eastern Peloponnese. Our guided tour will take in the wonderfully preserved Byzantine town of Mystra, which once had a population of 20,000. Built as an amphitheatre around the 1249 Kastro (castle), the town winds up a lush hillside and comprises medieval houses, palaces and churches adorned with beautiful frescoes. After lunch ashore, we visit the Acropolis of the ancient city-state of Sparta.

FRIDAY 4TH JULY
Chania, Crete, Greece – See Privately Escorted Tour Highlights
In the morning, the ship’s tenders take guests ashore for a guided walking tour of Chania’s charming Venetian port and its Naval Museum, which contains ephemera tracing the history of Greek navigation.There will be free time to wander around the atmospheric old town and explore the narrow streets and alleys peppered with Venetian houses and Ottoman mosques. Guests can lunch ashore before returning to the ship for a leisurely afternoon at sea.

SATURDAY 5TH JULY
Iraklion, Crete, Greece
We take a morning tour of the ancient site of Knossos.The mythological court of King Minos and the source of the myth of the Minotaur, the Palace of Knossos was built between 2000 and 1350BC. Excavations began in 1900 by Sir Arthur Evans, an English archaeologist who purchased the site in its entirety and spent the rest of his life restoring and rebuilding it. Our tour will explore the labyrinthine Palace, which encompasses four wings around a central courtyard, the Royal Apartments, throne room, workshops, shrines, store rooms and banquet halls.There is the opportunity for lunch ashore, after which guests can enjoy free time in the port town of Iraklion.

SUNDAY 6TH JULY
Aghios Nikolaos, Crete
We depart in the morning by local boat for a guided tour of the island-fortress of Spinaloga. Built by the Venetians in 1579, the impregnable fortress made Spinaloga harbour one of the safest in Crete. From 1912 to 1957, the islet was a leper colony: it is said that lepers would try to escape the ‘Isle of Tears’ using barrels for boats.There is an opportunity for lunch on board, after which guests can relax in Aghios Nikolaos and take a swim.

MONDAY 7TH JULY
Lindos, Rhodes, Greece
The morning sees us tour the Lindos Acropolis, sitting high on a bluff on the eastern side of the island.The ancient city dates from 1100BC, though the present structure was begun in the sixth century. Built on stepped terraces supported by retaining walls, the acropolis comprised a monumental zone with sanctuaries, large temples and public buildings. Of note are the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, the Propylaea of the Sanctuary and the Hellenistic stoa.

TUESDAY 8TH JULY
Rhodes, Greece
Guests disembark Hebridean Spirit in Rhodes.

2 Gala Dinners

ROUTE MAP

PRIVATELY ESCORTED TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY
EPIDAURUS
The cult of Asklepius began at Epidaurus in the sixth century BC, though the theatre dates from circa 330BC. The remains of this world-famous Asklepian sanctuary include hospitals, hotels, a gymnasium and temple.

THURSDAY 3RD JULY
SPARTA
Little remains of the ancient military state of Sparta, but notable sites are the large theatre that can be traced in the hillside, and the temple of Artemis Orthia, where boys were flogged in a coming-of-age ritual to satisfy the goddess.

FRIDAY 4TH JULY
CHANIA
Crete was much invaded through the centuries and Chania bears the architectural imprints.The 1645 Mosque of the Janissaries is the oldest Ottoman building on the island.

PRICES

Pricing Plan Per Person for 1st Jul 2008 - 8th Jul 2008
Single Cabin	Tariff Price	Best Price from *	Cabin Details	Virtual Tour
Price Category E1	£5,140	£4,934
Price Category D1	£5,292	£5,080
Price Category C1	£5,864	£5,629
Double Cabin
Price Category E2	£4,160	£3,536
Price Category D2	£4,320	£3,672
Price Category C2	£4,788	£4,070
Price Category B2	£6,284	£5,341
Suite
Price Category A	£7,432	£6,317

Price includes private return flights, transfers, privately escorted tours, all meals, specially selected wines, spirits and champagne on board, gratuities, port and passenger taxes.

BOOKING INFORMATION

• Call 01756 704 777 to talk to our UK based specialist cruise advisors or click here to make on online enquiry.
• Alternatively click here to request a brochure.
• * The Best Price consists of the maximum savings available for occupancy rated deductions, full payment and past guest loyalty savings.
• Please note that these prices are per person. Prices include house wines and spirits, meals, gratuities and shore visits as detailed.
• Hebridean's Terms & Conditions
• A - Z destination Guides
• Book Lists from Amazon and Longitude