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Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Island of Rhodes
Our visit to the island of Rhodes is one of the longest on the tour. We arrive at 7 a.m. and depart at 6 p.m. so we have a bit of time to explore either on our own or on one of the two optional excursions offered by the cruise line.
Rhodes is only 11 miles off the coast of southwest Turkey and is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. It is shaped like a spearhead and is approximately 50 miles long and 25 miles wide. Rhodes Town is located at the northern tip.
The village of Lindos is located about two-thirds of the way down the island’s south coast and is featured on one of the optional excursions. It is known for its impressive Acropolis built on a rocky outcrop looking out to sea.
Philermos, or Mount Filerimos on some maps, is a short drive just south of Rhodes Town and is featured on the other optional excursion. It features a beautiful monastery dating to the 14th century, Our Lady of Philermos.
The island is most famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of the sun god Helios dating to the 3rd century BC that stood in Rhodes Harbor and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
This giant bronze statue was documented as once standing at the harbor. It was completed in 280 BC but was destroyed in an earthquake in 224 BC. It no longer exists. Today modern bronze deer statues stand in Mandraki harbor where the Colossus may have stood.
In the first century AD, St. Paul brought Christianity to the island. A long Byzantine era came to an end as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, or Knights Hospitaller, arrived in 1309 and built the famous medieval walls. The Palace of the Grand Masters was built during this period.
The Ottoman Empire then ruled for four centuries. Rhodes became a part of Greece in 1948.
Rhodes is only 11 miles off the coast of southwest Turkey and is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. It is shaped like a spearhead and is approximately 50 miles long and 25 miles wide. Rhodes Town is located at the northern tip.
The village of Lindos is located about two-thirds of the way down the island’s south coast and is featured on one of the optional excursions. It is known for its impressive Acropolis built on a rocky outcrop looking out to sea.
Philermos, or Mount Filerimos on some maps, is a short drive just south of Rhodes Town and is featured on the other optional excursion. It features a beautiful monastery dating to the 14th century, Our Lady of Philermos.
The island is most famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of the sun god Helios dating to the 3rd century BC that stood in Rhodes Harbor and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
This giant bronze statue was documented as once standing at the harbor. It was completed in 280 BC but was destroyed in an earthquake in 224 BC. It no longer exists. Today modern bronze deer statues stand in Mandraki harbor where the Colossus may have stood.
In the first century AD, St. Paul brought Christianity to the island. A long Byzantine era came to an end as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, or Knights Hospitaller, arrived in 1309 and built the famous medieval walls. The Palace of the Grand Masters was built during this period.
The Ottoman Empire then ruled for four centuries. Rhodes became a part of Greece in 1948.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Optional Cruise Excursions
In the last blog I wrote of one of the optional excursions offered by Louis Cruise Lines on the island of Patmos, so I decided now would be a good time to highlight each of the excursions you will have an opportunity to take. Then when I write about a specific island I’ll again mention the excursion and you will have a better idea of whether to purchase that option or not.
At the end of each excursion, I will put in parentheses the opinion offered by my friend who took this same cruise last spring. Remember that it is his opinion only. You will make you own decision based on information you read before the trip and hopefully the recommendations of our EF tour guide. My goal is simply to inform you and give you something to think about.
Also note that I will give you the most recent cost of each excursion and that the cost may change by the time we sale. These excursions are not offered by EF and can only be purchases on the cruise.
MYKONOS
Due to the afternoon arrival, no optional excursion is offered. We are free to wander around the island on our own.
RHODES (2 optionals)
**Rhodes and Lindos half day (4-1/2 hours; 52 euros) – 45 minute drive by bus along the coastline to Lindos; strenuous uphill climb to the Temple of Athena; time for shopping in the village; drive back to city of Rhodes for a walking tour; short stop at ceramic shop.
**Old City and Philerimos (3 hours; 47 euros) – bus drive along medieval Rhodes walls to harbor once protected by Colossus of Rhodes; drive across island to Philerimos; visit Byzantine Church of Our Lady of Philerimos and free time; return to Rhodes for guided walking tour; visit Grand Masters Palace. (His opinion: He doesn't recommend either tour but seeing Rhodes on your own.)
U
CRETE (2 optionals)
**Palace of Knossos (3 hours; 56 euros) – 30 minute bus drive to Knossos; guided visit to part of the excavations of the prehistoric Minoan civilization Palace of King Minos and the Queen’s Apartment; drive to city of Heraklion; free time shopping in town. Note the King’s Palace and Queen’s Apartment might be closed due to temporary restoration but can be viewed from above…we’ll ask on the ship if they know. Also areas of the Archaeological Museum are open in June but entrance is not included in excursion. (His opinion: he was not that excited about Crete, but another history buff on his tour loved it.)
**Panoramic Heraklion and Wine Tasting (4 hours; 52 euros) – bus drive to wine producing area of Peza through scenic landscapes; visit modern winery; to village of Archanes to visit tavern and wine tasting; photo stop at oldest farmhouse on Crete; drive through4,000 year old olive groves and vineyards. (No one on his tour took this excursion.)
SANTORINI (2 optionals)
**Island Tour and Oia Village (3-1/2 hours; 53 euros) – by bus uphill to view Caldera passing through small villages to unique village of Oia; guided walk through village; free time on own; guided walk to capital town of Fira; free time on own; return to pier of Scala by cable car or mule. (His opinion: He went on his own but only got to see Fira. A member of his group rented a 4-wheeler and rode to Oia. Oia is THE blue domed white washed buildings that you see in all the pictures, so if you want to see it all you may want to opt for this excursion.)
**Santorini Sailing and Volcano(3-1/2 hours; 52 euros) – cruise around the active crater of Nea Kameni islet; guided walk to the top of the volcanic island; swim in the warm waters; sail to harbor and drive by bus to Fira town; free time on own; use ticket to ride cable cars or mules down to Scala pier. Note descending Fira on mule can be uncomfortable as mules lean forward at considerable angle. Walking down, the steps are littered with droppings…and strong odor. It’s a strenuous uphill/downhill walk. (His opinion: Avoid the sailing. The short time you are on Santorini only affords time for one excursion. If you sail, you cannot visit Oia.)
PATMOS (2 optionals)
**Monastery of St. John and Grotto (2 hours; 49 euros) – bus drive to village of Chora; strenuous walk uphill to monastery; tour church and treasury; bus drive to Grotto of the Apocalypse; free time in village. (His opinion: do not need excursion for Patmos. Rent a taxi to grotto. He has visited the monastery but saw only a few interesting items.)
**Tour Around the Island (2-1/2 hours; 34 euros) – scenic bus drive through Chora and its windmills; visit new convent of Evangelismos; drive around island to village of Kambos and treated to refreshment.
KUSADASI (2 optionals)
**Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary (3-1/2 hours; 62 euros) – bus drive to city of Kusadasi along the coast to Mount Koressos; visit small chapel of Virgin Mary; drive to ancient Ephesus; guided walking tour includes Odeon, Fountain of Trajan, Baths of Scolastika, Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, Library of Celsus, and Great Theatre where St. Paul preached; walk along the Arcadian Way; view grave of St. John and Temple of Artemis (Diana) on return to Kusadasi; free time. Includes walking at certain sites.
**Ancient Ephesus (3 hours; 59 euros) – same as above but without stop at the chapel of Virgin Mary. (His opinion: Without question, the tour of Ancient Ephesus is a must.)
For a detailed itinerary of the entire tour, click here.
At the end of each excursion, I will put in parentheses the opinion offered by my friend who took this same cruise last spring. Remember that it is his opinion only. You will make you own decision based on information you read before the trip and hopefully the recommendations of our EF tour guide. My goal is simply to inform you and give you something to think about.
Also note that I will give you the most recent cost of each excursion and that the cost may change by the time we sale. These excursions are not offered by EF and can only be purchases on the cruise.
MYKONOS
Due to the afternoon arrival, no optional excursion is offered. We are free to wander around the island on our own.
RHODES (2 optionals)
**Rhodes and Lindos half day (4-1/2 hours; 52 euros) – 45 minute drive by bus along the coastline to Lindos; strenuous uphill climb to the Temple of Athena; time for shopping in the village; drive back to city of Rhodes for a walking tour; short stop at ceramic shop.
**Old City and Philerimos (3 hours; 47 euros) – bus drive along medieval Rhodes walls to harbor once protected by Colossus of Rhodes; drive across island to Philerimos; visit Byzantine Church of Our Lady of Philerimos and free time; return to Rhodes for guided walking tour; visit Grand Masters Palace. (His opinion: He doesn't recommend either tour but seeing Rhodes on your own.)
U
CRETE (2 optionals)
**Palace of Knossos (3 hours; 56 euros) – 30 minute bus drive to Knossos; guided visit to part of the excavations of the prehistoric Minoan civilization Palace of King Minos and the Queen’s Apartment; drive to city of Heraklion; free time shopping in town. Note the King’s Palace and Queen’s Apartment might be closed due to temporary restoration but can be viewed from above…we’ll ask on the ship if they know. Also areas of the Archaeological Museum are open in June but entrance is not included in excursion. (His opinion: he was not that excited about Crete, but another history buff on his tour loved it.)
**Panoramic Heraklion and Wine Tasting (4 hours; 52 euros) – bus drive to wine producing area of Peza through scenic landscapes; visit modern winery; to village of Archanes to visit tavern and wine tasting; photo stop at oldest farmhouse on Crete; drive through4,000 year old olive groves and vineyards. (No one on his tour took this excursion.)
SANTORINI (2 optionals)
**Island Tour and Oia Village (3-1/2 hours; 53 euros) – by bus uphill to view Caldera passing through small villages to unique village of Oia; guided walk through village; free time on own; guided walk to capital town of Fira; free time on own; return to pier of Scala by cable car or mule. (His opinion: He went on his own but only got to see Fira. A member of his group rented a 4-wheeler and rode to Oia. Oia is THE blue domed white washed buildings that you see in all the pictures, so if you want to see it all you may want to opt for this excursion.)
**Santorini Sailing and Volcano(3-1/2 hours; 52 euros) – cruise around the active crater of Nea Kameni islet; guided walk to the top of the volcanic island; swim in the warm waters; sail to harbor and drive by bus to Fira town; free time on own; use ticket to ride cable cars or mules down to Scala pier. Note descending Fira on mule can be uncomfortable as mules lean forward at considerable angle. Walking down, the steps are littered with droppings…and strong odor. It’s a strenuous uphill/downhill walk. (His opinion: Avoid the sailing. The short time you are on Santorini only affords time for one excursion. If you sail, you cannot visit Oia.)
PATMOS (2 optionals)
**Monastery of St. John and Grotto (2 hours; 49 euros) – bus drive to village of Chora; strenuous walk uphill to monastery; tour church and treasury; bus drive to Grotto of the Apocalypse; free time in village. (His opinion: do not need excursion for Patmos. Rent a taxi to grotto. He has visited the monastery but saw only a few interesting items.)
**Tour Around the Island (2-1/2 hours; 34 euros) – scenic bus drive through Chora and its windmills; visit new convent of Evangelismos; drive around island to village of Kambos and treated to refreshment.
KUSADASI (2 optionals)
**Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary (3-1/2 hours; 62 euros) – bus drive to city of Kusadasi along the coast to Mount Koressos; visit small chapel of Virgin Mary; drive to ancient Ephesus; guided walking tour includes Odeon, Fountain of Trajan, Baths of Scolastika, Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, Library of Celsus, and Great Theatre where St. Paul preached; walk along the Arcadian Way; view grave of St. John and Temple of Artemis (Diana) on return to Kusadasi; free time. Includes walking at certain sites.
**Ancient Ephesus (3 hours; 59 euros) – same as above but without stop at the chapel of Virgin Mary. (His opinion: Without question, the tour of Ancient Ephesus is a must.)
For a detailed itinerary of the entire tour, click here.
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