Mediterranean & Israel Cruise

Discover the colors, culture and flavours of the Mediterranean, home of the Greek gods, on this 10-day cruise on board the luxurious Island Princess. Indulge yourself with world-class dining, rich wines, breathtaking sites of ancient ruins, historical art, bright blue waters and so much more. Experience the Holy Land—Israel, rich in history with the sites of Galilee/Nazareth (Haifa) and Jerusalem/Bethlehem (Ashdod).

Included Features:

• Roundtrip Flights from/to Minneapolis – Athens/Rome
• 1 Night Athens First Class Hotel with Breakfast
• Athens City Tour with Acropolis
• 10 Day Cruise Onboard the Luxurious Island Princess
• All Meals Onboard Ship
• Group Specialty Restaurant Dinner
• All Port Charges & Government Taxes
• Airport-Hotel-Pier-Transfers
• Princess Plus Package Included**($1238 value):
  • Plus Beverage Package
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Pre-Paid Gratuities
  • Premium Desserts (2 per day)
  • Fitness Classes (2)

 Ports You’ll Visit

• Athens, Greece
• Mykonos, Greece
• Limassol, Cyprus
• Jerusalem/Bethlehem (Ashdod), Israel
• Nazareth/Galilee (Haifa), Israel
• Crete (Heraklion), Greece
• Naples (Capri or Pompeii), Italy
• Rome, Italy
• Extend your stay with an optional 3-night Rome Package. 

October 23-24 Home/Athens, Greece:

Fly Minneapolis to Athens on your overnight flight.  Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel with the balance of your evening free.

 October 25 Athens, Greece: 

After breakfast discover some of Greece’s greatest treasures and the best of modern Athens on a guided sightseeing tour. With an expert guide, take a coach tour of Athens top sites, including the Greek Parliament and Panathenaic Stadium, stage of the first modern Olympic Games. Then, discover the architectural marvel of Ancient Greece with a visit to Athens’ star attraction – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Acropolis of Athens. Follow your guide on a walking tour around this hilltop archaeological wonder, stopping to admire the Propylaea gateway, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Dionysus Sanctuary as you climb to the summit. Learn more about the fascinating ruins and imagine their former glory as you roam the sprawling citadel, stand in awe before the Theatre of Dionysus, and look out over the city from the Parthenon.

This afternoon you’ll transfer to your home for the next 10 days the Island Princess. Ship Departs at 7:00 pm

 October 26 Mykonos, Greece: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Named after Apollo’s grandson, this cosmopolitan Greek island in the heart of the Cyclades is built on myth and legend. Clear blue skies, renowned beaches and whitewash windmills make it the perfect port stop.  Take an optional walking tour of the charming narrow streets and waterfront with a highlight to the “three wells” or visit ancient Delos birthplace of Apollo. On Delos you’ll step back in time and walk in the footsteps of the ancients as you visit the Great Temple of Apollo.

October 27 At Sea:

Fill your day with activities or do nothing. Take a personal enrichment class, yoga, go duty-free shopping, or just relax with a dip in one of the pools or spas.

October 28 Limassol, Cyprus:     8:00 am – 5:00 pm    

Limassol offers everything a traveler desires in a Mediterranean destination. The second-largest city on Cyprus is surrounded by a wealth of historic sites ranging from the Greco-Roman ruins at Paphos and Curium to Crusader castles. The Troodos Mountains feature quaint villages, dramatic scenery and cool, dense pine forests. The island’s capital of Nicosia is a mere hour’s drive from the port. And for the casual visitor, Limassol offers its own medieval castle, a superb Public Garden, excellent beaches and that exhilarating Mediterranean light.

October 29 Jerusalem/Bethlehem (Ashdod), Israel:  6:00 am-9:00 pm

Best known as the portal to the Holy Land. According to Scripture, Ashdod was once home to giants. It was here that the Philistines brought the captured Ark, celebrating their victory over the Israelites. Ashdod is your gateway to Jerusalem. This city in the hills of Judea is sacred to three of the world’s great faiths. For Jews, the Western Wall – the sole surviving remnant of the Second Temple – embodies their cultural and religious identity. Christians walk the Via Dolorosa and observe the Stations of the Cross, renewing Christ’s sacrifice. For Moslems, the city is home to the third holiest shrine in all Islam. From a spot near the El-Aqsa Mosque, Muhammad ascended into Heaven to receive the teaching of Allah.

October 30 Galilee/Nazareth (Haifa), Israel:  7:00 am – 9:00 pm

Haifa is your gateway to the Galilee region and Nazareth. It was in the Galilee that Christ first performed miracles, turning water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana. Mount of the Beatitudes is the scene of the Sermon on the Mount and present-day Capernaum is the location of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. In Acre, the World Heritage site of St. John and the crusaders is preserved.

From its waterfront, Haifa ascends the steep slopes of Mt. Carmel, drawing comparisons with San Francisco.  

 October 31 At Sea:

 November 1 Crete (Heraklion), Greece: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Archaeological evidence shows that Heraklion probably arose during the 9th century B.C. and was named in tribute to the Greek goddess Rhea, mother of Zeus. Heraklion flourished under the Venetians. Throughout the city you’ll find stunning reminders of their influence: the Loggia, Venetian Walls, and Fountain of Morosini are just a few must-see examples. Heraklion is best known as the gateway to the breathtaking 4,000 year-old Minoan ruins at Knossos and to the famous windmills stretched across the Lassithi Plateau.  

 November 2 At Sea:

 November 3 Naples, Italy: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Naples is your gateway to the Isle of Capri, the fabled Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii, buried in ash by the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Naples boasts an ideal location, with both the ruins of Roman cities and the stunning Amalfi Coast in easy reach.

November 4 Rome, Italy: 6:00 am       

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or why not extend your stay? Explore the classical highlights of Rome with an optional 3 nights extension in Rome.