The ancient city of Knossos, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that "gave birth" to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans.

The first excavations were begun in 1878 by the Heraklian Minos Kalokairinos. A bit later (1900-1913 & 1922-1930) the excavations by the British Sir Arthur Evans were to complete the scientific research, bringing to light the Minoan palace in its entirety, which was, according to tradition, the residence of the wise King Minos.

The palace of Knossos spreads around the large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the "Prince of the Lilies", the imposing Grand Staircase, the Queen's Megaron in the east.

Walking through the apartments of the Knossos palace and observing the finds even as passers-by, you will feel part of this cultural heritage.

Heraklion was founded in 824 and is an important homeland of many contributors to Literature and Art, some examples of which are the Nobel winning poet Odysseas Elytis, the Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) and the writer Nikos Kazantzakis.

Heraklion is also endowed with some wonderful edifices: the "Koules" fortress, the award winning Venetian structure of the Loggia, the Morosini Fountain, the Basilica of Saint Mark, the Church of Agios Titos, the medieval monastery of Saint Catherine, the Cathedral of Agios Mina, the Historical Museum of Crete and of course the Palace of Knossos are some exceptional examples.

The tour will come to an end at the Archaeological Museum of the city. Through the exhibits of the Museum, the history of the Cretan culture will unfold and be visualized before you.

Before His crucifixion, Jesus entrusted the safety of the Virgin Mary to St. John the Evangelist. St.John moved Mary to Ephesus for safety.

Virgin Mary lived here until the 101st year of her life. In 1957 the Vatican recognized the “House of the Virgin Mary” as the place where the Virgin spent the last years of her life and since then it is an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims.

Next stop the city of Ancient Ephesus, the Ionian colony, which is one of the largest open-air archaeological museums in the world. Together with your tour guide, you will pass the Magnesian Gate. Traces of the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian period are scattered everywhere: the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of the Kouretes, the Thermal Baths of Scholastica, Trajan’s Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Houses of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, Hadrian’s Temple, the Great Theatre.

The excursion is completed at the Covered Bazaar of Kusadasi with some free time for shopping and… bargaining!

During the excursion you will have the opportunity to do some shopping such as carpets, jewelry, leather and other souvenirs.

Passing with your tour guide through the Magnesian Gate you will wander, feeling awe in time and space, through the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of Kouretes, the Baths of Scholastica, the Great Theatre, Trajan's Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Houses of the Patricians, the Prytaneum and the Temple of Hadrian.

Opposite Hadrian's Temple, at the foot of the Bulbul hill and the covered part of the archaeological site, protected by the heat and natural elements lie the Houses of Koressus or Terrace Houses. Here lived the rich families of Ancient Ephesus and you will be surprised by the excellent state of preservation of these comfortable villas, especially their interior décor. The oldest unearthed houses date since the 1st century B.C. and were two-storied and built based on the city planning and they even had "heating", and hot and cold water.

The excursion comes to a close at Kusadasi with the colorful Covered Bazaar and the little shops that brimming with the jovial energy of bargaining.

During the excursion you will have the opportunity to do some shopping such as carpets, jewelry, leather and other souvenirs.

The picturesque alleyways wind upwards, towards the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1088 by St. Christodoulos. The visit will open the doors for you of the Monastery’s yard, the place where the monks take their meals and the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is the tour of the Byzantine Church of St. John, which is adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods, with both mosaic and other icons. Next stop, the small museum which hosts religious treasures of inestimable value, like manuscripts, medieval textiles, sacerdotal vestments and others.

Walking down the stairs, the religious energy that you will experience is soul touching. Behind the chapel of St. Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. You will see the cross engraved by St. John the Evangelist, according to tradition, the triple fissure in the wall of the cave, from where St. John heard God dictating to him the Apocalypse. And also the spot where he lay down to sleep.

This historical hill of the Acropolis carries the renowned Parthenon atop its shoulders, which is dedicated to the goddess Athena, protector of the city of Athens. Its inauguration took place in 438 B.C. at the Great Panathenaea.

Next to the Propylaea lies the temple of Athena Nike or Wingless Nike. There was kept the wooden statue (xoanon) of Athena which was "wingless", signifying that she would never leave Athens. Next to the Parthenon rises the Erechtheion, a marble edifice of the Ionic order. The eastern part of the temple was dedicated to Athena Polias and the western to Poseidon-Erechtheus. From the Acropolis hill you will be able to admire the glorious Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Leaving the historical hill of Acropolis you will pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek Parliament Building. A stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, is necessary. Next follows the stylish "Trilogy of Athens", which was constructed at the end of the 19th century: the old building of the University of Athens, the National Library and the Academy of Athens. The excursion comes to a close with a trip through the Squares of Omonia and Syntagma, the heart of modern Athens.

Lindos is situated 55 km (40 miles) from the city of Rhodes and “bears” above it the Acropolis of Lindos, with the ancient Temple of Athena, built in 300 B.C.

Here and there you will come across the captains’ mansions, built between the 16th and 18th century. In the centre of the village lives and breathes the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Lindos, with frescoes from the 15th century.

Ascend to the Acropolis of Lindos. Here lies the Temple of Athena, of Doric order, which was erected on the location of an older monument. The ancient city-state of Lindos was for many centuries the most important on the island. It reached its heyday in the 6th century B.C.

At the old city of Rhodes you will go through D’Amboise Gate to walk on the Street of the Knights. Along this street you will find the residences of the Knights, separated according to Order, which bear until today their corresponding crests.

First you head up to the monastery of Prophet Ilias, for a breath-taking view, deep inhalations of clean, pure, Cycladic air and memorial photos, so as to be the envy of all who didn't come along. The tour continues its passage towards the north.

To the east, in the background, you will have settlements like Kamari and Monolithos, while you will pass through Fira, the small traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli with delicate architecture and beauties, to eventually arrive at the settlement of Oia. During the entire route, to the west you will have before your eyes the lace-like caldera, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea and Nea Kameni and an unsurpassable panoramic view. In Oia you will have plenty of time to stroll through the marble-paved alleys, to gaze at the adorably cute shops, to take pictures, to become acquainted with the characteristic buildings, carved into the rocks and the unusual captains’ manors, the settlement Ammoudi at the foot of the caldera… After your curiosity has been sated of the area which is characterized as being of "exceptional natural beauty", your return begins.

In prehistoric times, the people who inhabited what today is known as Santorini, called the island Strongyle ("round"). These people enjoyed a high standard of living; they built two-story houses, tilled the earth and were skilled artists, recognizing the beauty of color. Around 1650 B.C., a volcanic eruption caused the center of Strongyle to sink, leaving a caldera with high cliffs – one of the world's most dramatic geological sights. You will be transferred from the ship by local tender boat to Athinios port, where you will join the waiting motor coach. From here you will proceed towards the southern part of the island where you will visit the ruins of the famous windmill for a short photo stop. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view and capture amazing photos.

Further along you will be dropped off in the village of Akrotiri to have a short visit and walk around the village. Leaving here you will proceed to visit the famous antiquities at Akrotiri. There you will be taken back in time when you see these amazing ruins leaving you to imagine what life was like before the village was destroyed around 1650 B.C., by the eruption of the volcano of Thira. The one question you might ask yourself here is why there were no people left in the village at the time of the eruption, as it was abandoned for unknown reasons. You will see buildings that were once two storied, city squares, shops and working areas. This appeared to have been a busy bustling area before the eruption. Some of the most famous Greek frescoes can be found in what is left of the once prominent and disposing homes.

Some of the frescoes are also on display at the Pre-historical Museum in Fira town. It is often said in a whimsical way that perhaps Akrotiri is really the lost city of Atlantis. Finally, you will be taken by coach up to the center of the island to Fira town where your tour will end after a short walk at the Metropolis Church. From there you may decide whether to stay in the town and do a bit of shopping or to make your way back to the ship directly by taking the cable car to the pier below.