While living your best cruise life from the Mediterranean Sea to the Aegean, witness the origin of civilization on Viking’s newest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta. From ancient Athens to Istanbul’s East-meets-West influences, discover architectural gems, historic sites and gorgeous Greek islands of Rhodes and Crete along the way. Trace the shores of history with my favorite excursions on Viking’s Ancient Mediterranean Treasures cruise.
Athens National Archeological Museum
For those who have already visited the gleaming Acropolis, Viking offers an in-depth tour of a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, at the National Archeological Museum, known for housing more masterpieces of art and sculpture from ancient Greece than any other museum in the world. Providing an inspiring introduction to classical civilization, the world-class collection boasts countless items you may have read about but never imagined to see in real life, such as archaic statues like Kouros and Kores, early 15th century B.C. Vafio gold cups, a Mycenaean collection, an iconic gold funerary mask of Agamemnon, a Bronze Age dagger with lion hunt, excavated vases and obsidian tools.
Admire the Artemision Bronze, about to throw a weapon or thunderbolt, representing Poseidon or Zeus (circa 5th century B.C.); the marble statue of Nike found in Delos about 550 B.C.; and sculptural reliefs depicting man playing the double flute. Artifacts from Thira, Santorini include frescoes from the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri, preserved from a 1600 B.C. volcanic eruption. Don’t miss the sophisticated Antikythera Mechanism, a famous ancient Greek hand-powered astronomical calculator discovered in a shipwreck near the island of the same name, which dates to around 100 B.C. Its complex gear system demonstrates an advanced level of technological sophistication thought to be centuries ahead of its time.
Pro Tip: Book the earliest Viking tour or arrive as early as the museum opens, to avoid crowds and witness the preserved Greek heritage with fewer distractions. Plan to land a few days before the cruise to acclimate with the new time zone. Book a room at historic Hotel Grand Bretagne, located in the heart of a city, with unforgettable rooftop restaurant views of the Acropolis rising from its rocky outcrop perch in the distance.
Cretan Palace of Knossus
After exploring the historic Old Town, Venetian harbor and lively squares of Heraklion, Crete, make your way 20 minutes by car to the Palace of Knossus, the largest Bronze Age archeological site. Considered to be the oldest city in Europe, this former Cretan palace, surrounded by an extensive city near two streams, is famous as the center for ancient Minoan civilization. Known for its complex, maze-like architecture and considered a key site for understanding Europe’s first advanced civilization, wander around the complex multistory maze layout with numerous interconnected rooms and corridors, a complex plumbing system, and colorful restored wall frescos. Draw your own conclusions and imagine what each area might have been used for, while deciding if this was actually the home of King Minos and the bloodcurdling Minotaur in Greek mythology.
Pro Tip: Arrive as early as possible to avoid the heat and crowds. A taxi from the port and a ticket at the entrance are easy to come by, if you don’t take an arranged tour.
Island of Rhodes
Every part of this crumbling, enchanting, bougainvillea-filled Greek island feels like a movie set, with meandering cats and an Old Town ensconced within 3-mile-long walls, jam packed with restaurants, bars and shops selling knock-off purses, dresses, sea sponges, ceramics, shells and jewelry. Today, 4,000 people live in this medieval city, the largest fully inhabited UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meander the Jewish quarter and get lost in the side streets away from the tourist center, and you’ll soon be wondering how you can move here for a season, as no pollution or crime is an alluring tug. Due to the influence of the Ottoman Turks, many churches were converted to mosques. Walk along the Street of Knights and hike up and around to the Palace of the Grand Masters, built during the 14th century, with massive towers, crenellated walls, and a medieval aura. Once inside, marvel at the mosaic floors and a collection of medieval furniture. Greece’s fourth-largest island also has close to 100 laid-back beaches with clean, warm, turquoise waters. You can easily take a dip right outside the Old Town.
Pro Tip: Book the earliest tour to get a historical overview of the town and entrance into the palace, then explore on your own. Get lost on the side streets away from the crowded main tourist streets.
Ephesus
Watch art history books come alive at the biblical city of Ephesus, in Turkey, walking the marble stone length of ancient Kuretes Street. Impressive Ephesus is one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity in the world, and it far exceeded anything you could imagine in a textbook. Built in the 10th century BC, 3,000 years of history are evident here, through well preserved stone remnants, sculptures, and intricate carvings from one of the Roman Empire’s most powerful outposts and wealthiest trading port cities of the Greco Roman era. Think Ionic, Doric, Corinthian columns, a finely crafted 2nd century Temple of Hadrian, evidence of latrines once warmed by slaves, Roman style public baths, mosaic floors, fresco paintings, the Goddess Nike’s relief with flowing robe swish (resembling today’s Nike swoosh logo), and the Library of Celsus with well-preserved colonnaded façade built to house 12,000 scrolls, an example of a typical Roman public building.
The stroll from the upper gate to the lower gate culminates with a spectacular Great Theater in the hillside, able to host 25,000 spectators (where even Sting and Elton John have performed acoustic-style). Like Pompeii, the city was once located next to a bay until an earthquake destroyed the harbor. With ships ported in Kusadasi, this ancient city is worth the 20-minute drive away from port.
Pro Tip: Book the earliest tour (7am) to avoid the heat and crowds. Plus, the light is gorgeous in the early morning hours as it gleams off the ancient marble rocks, perfect for photos.
Bosphorus dinner cruise
Cruise the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia to gain a different perspective of Istanbul. History springs forth at every turn as you cruise down this important international crossroads with an array of cargo ships, tankers, ferries and yachts – a busy trade route once filled with old world ships delivering spices and wares to the city’s markets.
While you can witness the Bosphorus setting aboard Viking, as the ship ports in the new Galataport, this is an additional excursion you will want to book ahead for a more intimate view of Istanbul. Board a restored 1828 ferry to savor a traditional Turkish dinner of mezze (i.e. hummus with caramelized onions in fig sauce, spicy eggplant with yogurt, pistachio Muhammara, and more) followed by fish or steak and local wine. Dine with new friends as traditional song and dance entertain throughout the evening tableside – from belly dancing to a whirling dervish. At dusk, marvel at the hillsides with illuminated mosques, grand monuments, towers still standing since the Byzantine era, numerous bridges, and shoreside hotels, homes, and estates in architectural styles from all periods, glowing in their stately glory. Favorite moments include stepping outside the back of the boat to feel the air while whirling by Baroque Revival architecture of Dolmabahce Palace and the Ortakoy Mosque and waterside Ottomon architecture of the Beylerbeyi Palace.
Pro Tips: Extend your stay with a few nights at the new Hotel Crowne Plaza Ortakoy Bosphorus for the ultimate rooftop restaurant views of the dazzling Bosphorus and bridge.
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