Greece & Israel Antiquities

Ports

• Athens (Piraeus)
  

  Piraeus, roughly translating to “the place over the passage”, is an important Greek port located within the Athens agglomeration, in the Attica Basin. It is 12 kilometers from the municipality of Athens, considered the fourth largest and is the third most populous amongst all the municipalities of Greece. Now a peninsula, Piraeus, originally a rocky island, was developed in early 5th Century B.C. when it was initially designated as Athens’ import and transit trade port. It is the largest marine-based shipping center of Greece, one of the largest ports in Europe, and considered the second largest passenger port in the world. Inhabited since the 26th Century, it wasn’t until the 6th Century B.C. that Piraeus began catching attention. The land of Piraeus was essentially impassable, flooded by the sea most of the year until centuries passed and the flooding ceased. By the 5th Century B.C. it became a navy base for the Athenian fleet for the natural harbors and the strategic potential they carried. Athenian general and politician Themistocles fortified Piraeus’ three harbors Kantharos, Zea and Munichia, created ship houses and completed his walls in 471 B.C., which led to the port becoming a great military and commercial harbor. There are many archaeological sites, points of interest and entertainment available in Piraeus. Most famous for its tavernas and cuisine, several popular events take place in Piraeus, such as the Ecocinema International Film Festival, the Maritime Festival, the Piraeus Rock Wave Festival and the Three Kings’ Way Festival. There are also many theaters, including the Municipal Theater, the open air Veakeio Theater, and the Menandreio Theater. Museums in Piraeus include the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Merchant Shipping History Institute Exhibition, the Panos Aravantinos Decor Museum, the Georgios Averof Museum Ship and the Museum of Electric Railways. Be sure to catch the panoramic views available from the hill of Kastella, overlooking Athens and the Saronic Gulf!

• Heraklion, Crete
  

  Heraklion is the capital of Crete and features abundant natural beauty, intricate architecture and so much more. The city is home to many notable archaeological finds. In the old port, visitors can tour the Castello a Mare, a Venetian fortress. The Palace of Knossos is a sight to behold and one of the largest and most significant Bronze Age archaeological sites Crete has to offer. Today, Heraklion is a lively and inviting city with an exciting nightlife. Delight at the many fascinating sights and discover the rich history of Heraklion by visiting its many museums but be sure to leave time for roaming the streets with no agenda to soak in the culture of this magnificent city.

• At Sea
  

• Limassol
  

  Located on the eastern Mediterranean, Limassol has become a popular tourist destination in Cyprus and an international business center for the island country. The region is known for its wine villages and excellent selection of local wine. The historic city center of Limassol has begun to embrace modernity, creating an interesting blend of old monuments and new architecture. The coastal city is known for its historical and archaeological sites and is easy to explore many of its highlights on foot. Points of interest include the Kolossi Castle, The Amathus Ruins and The Limassol District Archaeological Museum, to name a few.

• Ashdod
  

  The bustling port town of Ashdod provides easy access to Israel’s most important cultural hubs, the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv and glorious Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, explore the White City, a vast collection of exceptionally preserved Bauhaus-style buildings that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Step into beguiling artists’ studios and galleries in neighboring Jaffa, a town of densely packed streets that is possibly the world’s oldest port. As one of the holiest sites for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed walled Old City of Jerusalem abounds with countless religious and cultural treasures. Watch the sun glinting off the gilded Dome of the Rock, spend some time reflecting at the Western Wall and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built at the location where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried. Take in sweeping views of the entire city from the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the Gardens of Gethsemane, home to gnarled olive trees over 2,000 years old. A bit further east, float upon the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth, and contemplate the profound significance of these sacred lands.

• Haifa
  

  In ebullient Haifa, you’ll be dazzled by one of the most meticulously maintained parks in the world, the terraced Bahá’í Gardens, where each tree, flower and even blade of grass is lovingly tended by followers of the Bahá’í faith. This UNESCO World Heritage site, which is dotted with ornate buildings and fountains, lies at the base of Mount Carmel. For exceptional views of the city and the shimmering sea, ascend further up the holy mountain aboard a cable car, alighting at an ideal lookout near the Carmelite Monastery of Stella Maris. Roam through the 12th-century underground headquarters of the Knights of Saint John in Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage site nearly 4,000 years old. In the vaulted Hospitaller Quarter, witness how medieval crusaders lived and received medical treatment. Above ground, the Ottoman influence is evident at the splendid Khan al-Umdan, a colonnaded gathering place for merchants. Travel to nearby Nazareth and visit the contemporary Basilica of the Annunciation, erected where Mary is said to have learned from the Archangel Gabriel that she would give birth to the son of God, and experience life 2,000 years ago at Nazareth Village, an interactive community populated with denizens enacting life in Jesus’ time.

• Ayia Napa
  

  The Mediterranean resort town of Ayia Napa, sitting pretty on the southeast coast of Cyprus, boasts significant cultural landmarks, historical monuments, abundant natural features, and beautiful beaches. The town’s key landmark is the Venetian-era Ayia Napa Monastery, which stands in the central square. Discover Cyprus’s deep connection to the sea at its Thalassa Museum. Enjoy freshly caught seafood, served in the harbor’s busy tavernas, and Pantachou Beach, offering stretches of golden sand, perfect for wading or sunbathing. Don your hiking boots and head to Cape Greco National Forest Park, featuring abundant nature trails offering views of sea cliffs, beaches, and pine forests. Take in the Ayia Napa International Sculptural Park where culturally significant artwork meets flora and fauna for a unique Greek island experience.

• Rhodes Town
  

  The Old City of Rhodes has been delegated a World Heritage Site. Some speculate that after the Acropolis of Athens and the Volcano of Santorini, Rhodes is one of the most impressive places in Greece. Wandering through the medieval city, especially on a warm evening, is one of life's treasures. The old city is closed to most traffic. The main streets and thoroughfares are full of shops and restaurants but the back streets are mostly residences. The massive walls of the city were rebuilt by the European order of Knights Hospitaller after the Turkish siege of 1480. The walls are 12 meters thick and the moat more than 21 meters wide. The length of the walls is about three miles and each section was defended by one of the Langues or tongues which corresponded to the languages spoken where the particular group of knights came from. SeaDream will dock close to the entrance of the walled city. We recommend you explore the old town and if you haven’t already done so, visit the Lindos Acropolis.

• Santorini
  

  Santorini, officially named Thira, is the southernmost Greek island that is within the Cyclades archipelago, in the southern Aegean Sea. Part of the regional unit Thira, the municipality of Santorini is comprised of the island Santorini, Therasia, and other uninhabited islands of Christiana, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Nea Kameni. The geological history of Santorini is quite complex due to the area’s volcanism and is currently a water-filled caldera: a rectangular lagoon that is surrounded by three steep cliffs. The name Santorini is a contraction of the name Santa Irini, which is based on an ancient cathedral found in the island’s village of Perissa. This name was given by the Latin Empire in the 13th Century. During the Ottoman Empire, Santorini was called “Santurin” or “Santoron”, and in early times, it was named Kalliste, Strongyle, and Thera. Santorini is the site of the Minoan Eruption (also known as the Thera Eruption), one of the largest eruptions ever in recorded history. The origins of Plato’s story of Atlantis is believed to have a connection to this eruption that destroyed the early settlements on what was formerly a single island. The descriptions found of Plato’s Atlantis strongly resembles Thera, and with seismological, archaeological, and volcanological evidence, these claims are further supported. There is also speculation that the eruption is related to the Exodus of the Israelites, as well as causing the plagues described in the Bible in ancient Egypt. The economy is sustained by two principal industries: tourism and agriculture, and has recently been voted as one of the world’s most beautiful islands in various outlets such as the Traveler’s Choice Awards in 2015. The wine industry in Santorini is becoming more relevant as well, made up of Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani grape varieties, which is best exemplified in Vinsanto (“holy wine”) which contains all three Aegean varietals. Although Santorini is highly arid, it’s unique ecology and climate allows it to grow unique and prized produce, such as cherry tomatoes, Lathyrus clymenum (a legume), and capers. Thus, tourists indulge in local specialties such as Brantada, Fava, and the traditional dish Santorinio Sfougato.