Piraeus/Athens, Alexandria, Limassol, Ashdod, Haifa-, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus)

Piraeus port is the gateway to Athens center. Don't miss the Parthenon, the temple to Athena which looms over Athens from its perch atop the Acropolis, an eternal icon of art and civilization. Completed in 438 B.C., the temple still astounds as the flowering of Greek art and architecture. When you come down off the hill, don't miss a visit to the Ancient Agora, Syntagma Square, the Acropolis Museum and the city's historic centre, around Plaka. Ideally, sit and relax at a cafe on the foot of the hill, sample some Greek souvlaki or a frappe, take a glance back up the hill from time to time and give the goddess her due.

Founded in c. 331 BC by Alexander the Great, Alexandria became an important center of the Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of Hellenistic and Roman & Byzantine Egypt for almost one thousand years. Alexandria flourished as the most important harbor and capital of Egypt and today is the second biggest city in the country. The Royal Library or Ancient Library of Alexandria, was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. The impressive city wad built on the delta of the river Nile and often is characterized as the "bright pearl of the Mediterranean". It is filled with museums and provides access to the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus and important transit harbor in the Mediterranean, located on the island's south coast, in the Greek sector of Cyprus. A delicious place to sun-worship. Limassol Castle occupies a dominant position in the landmark and tourist attractions in the city. It is the imperial castle where Richard the Lionhearted married Queen Berengaria in 1191. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of Museums (Archaeological, Folk Art) and archaeological sites (Kourion, Limassol Castle, Amathus Ruins etc).

Ashdod is the largest port in Israel and a gateway to Jerusalem, the 5,000-year-old walled city that is considered sacred to more than a third of the people on Earth. Among the numerous sites nearby, we can see the Jewish sacred Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre said to be the site of Calvary and to contain a piece of the true cross. Once back in Ashdod, you can stroll along the seaside promenade or HaMidrehof, an area that is being termed the Southern Riviera of the city and includes many spectacular beaches. Dip your toes in the Dead Sea waters, visit the Bar-Gera Museum to view a collection of art by artists who were either banned or persecuted by the Nazis and other fascist governments and don't forget to see the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust.

Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third largest city in the country, with a population of over 272,181. The city is home to the Baha'i World Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the city is an important port on the Mediterranean coast of Israel and is located in the Gulf of Haifa with an area of 63.7 sq.km. It is home to Matam, one of the oldest and largest high-tech parks in the country.

Rhodes is an enchanting island that shines green and white, surrounded by the blue waters of the eastern Aegean. It is strewn with small towns and was merely one of the most glorious cities of antiquity, the world- renowned Island of the Knights. The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, stood more than 100 feet high at the edge of the harbor, before an earthquake toppled it in 226 B.C. Of the statue, nothing remains, but Rhodes Old Town, a World Heritage Site, remains one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and a place of pilgrimage for cruise travelers. Stroll along the medieval streets and the wonderful fortifications, walk along the Street of the Knights and visit the Palace of the Knights.

Rhodes is an enchanting island that shines green and white, surrounded by the blue waters of the eastern Aegean. It is strewn with small towns and was merely one of the most glorious cities of antiquity, the world- renowned Island of the Knights. The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, stood more than 100 feet high at the edge of the harbor, before an earthquake toppled it in 226 B.C. Of the statue, nothing remains, but Rhodes Old Town, a World Heritage Site, remains one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and a place of pilgrimage for cruise travelers. Stroll along the medieval streets and the wonderful fortifications, walk along the Street of the Knights and visit the Palace of the Knights.

Kusadasi is a popular resort along the coasts of Asia Minor, our base of the exploration of nearby ancient town of Ephesus, which has one of the largest collections of ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. In the first century B.C., it was one of the largest cities in the world, boasting the Great Theater which 24.000 people, the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Library of Celsus, which was considered the finest in creation. Today, we can see only parts of the ancient glory but still, you will definitely be enchanted. Don't miss the chance to visit the local bazaar in Kusadasi.

Piraeus port is the gateway to Athens center. Don't miss the Parthenon, the temple to Athena which looms over Athens from its perch atop the Acropolis, an eternal icon of art and civilization. Completed in 438 B.C., the temple still astounds as the flowering of Greek art and architecture. When you come down off the hill, don't miss a visit to the Ancient Agora, Syntagma Square, the Acropolis Museum and the city's historic centre, around Plaka. Ideally, sit and relax at a cafe on the foot of the hill, sample some Greek souvlaki or a frappe, take a glance back up the hill from time to time and give the goddess her due.