For Week #2 we have a choice of Itinerary A or B depending on weather conditions and the preference of the crew.
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<br>Itinerary A
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<br>Sun June 23 Paros/Day trip to Thira (Santorini)
<br> Paros - Hub of the Ferry Boat system. Visit the church of 100 doors founded by St Helen, mother of Constantine. It is the oldest in Greece in continuous use built in the 6th century AD. Behind the church is the archeological museum.
<br> Thira - Island formed by a collapsed volcano. Take the 580 steps up to town or hire a donkey. Tends to be more expensive than Athens since this is the one of the most popular islands an all the water is shipped in. Has one of the best archeological finds of all the islands including Cretan pottery. Wine from Thira tends to be sweet and strong.
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<br>Mon June 24 Naxos
<br> One of the first islands to use marble and fell to Venetians in 1207. Has an 18th century Orthodox Cathedral. A causeway leads to numerous sea caves. Inland visit the terraced hills of Komiaki with rich gardens, vineyards and orchards. There is good local bus service but renting a car to see the island is advisable.
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<br>Tue June 25 Amorgos
<br> Smallest church in Greece built in 1290. Also has a monastery clinging to the rugged 600 ft cliff. Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Minoa. See the prettiest village on the island, Lagkada, with it's stepped main street painted with daisies.
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<br>Wed June 26 Astypalaia
<br> Ruled by a Venetian family from 1207 to 1522 whose home is on the site of the ancient acropolis. A 2 hour hike west of the derelict windmills leads to the gushing waterfall of Agios Ioannis. The town of Maltezana was named after the pirates who once frequented it (from Malta). Visit caves of Drakou and Negri.
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<br>Thu June 27 Kos
<br> Famous for producing cos lettuce (romaine). Kos Town has Hippocrates (Hippocratic Oath Creator) ancient plane tree planted by him 2400 years ago and nearby is a water fountain built by the Turks in 1792. See the Pompeii style roman ruins of Casa Romana. Western end of island known for thyme, honey and cheeses. Ruined Castle of the Knights said to be the lair of a dragon.
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<br>Fri June 28 Nisyros or Tilos
<br> Nisyros - Volcanic Island with steaming caldera that had a violent eruption in 1422. Take a tour to see the hot springs, boiling mud pots and gas vents. Notice the drying tomatoes and onions along the way. See the Russian style icon decked in gold and silver from @ 1600 at the monastery.
<br> Tilos - Tranquil island known for weaving cloth for women's costumes still worn by some of the locals. Rent a moped. See the miniature mastodons bones from 7000 BC found on this island at the Paleontological museum or the petrified human skeletons thought to have been caught in the lava when Nisyros erupted in 600 BC at Agios Antonis beach.
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<br>Sat June 29 Symi
<br> Island of sponges and Saint Michael, patron saint of seafarers. Visit the maritime museum and the famous icon of Archangel Michael that mysteriously kept returning to Panormitis' monastery.
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<br>Sun June 30 Rhodes - Depart Sailboats by 9 AM
<br> Visit the old walled city & Palace of the Grand Masters. The Apostle Paul brought & preached Christianity to Rhodes. Bargain at the Turkish market for rugs, eat Turkish food or purchase locally made embroidery. For panoramic views go to Kamerios and see the Temple of Apollo and the Ampitheater. Take a bus or taxi to Lindos to see the 5th century BC castle at the Acropolis riding a donkey up and walking down.
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<br>Itinerary B
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<br>Sun June 23 Paros/Day trip to Thira (Santorini)
<br> Paros - Hub of the Ferry Boat system. Visit the church of 100 doors founded by St Helen, mother of Constantine. It is the oldest in Greece in continuous use built in the 6th century AD. Behind the church is the archeological museum.
<br> Thira - Island formed by a collapsed volcano. Take the 580 steps up to town or hire a donkey. Tends to be more expensive than Athens since this is the one of the most popular islands an all the water is shipped in. Has one of the best archeological finds of all the islands including Cretan pottery. Wine from Thira tends to be sweet and strong.
<br>
<br>Mon June 24 Naxos
<br> One of the first islands to use marble and fell to Venetians in 1207. Has an 18th century Orthodox Cathedral. A causeway leads to numerous sea caves. Inland visit the terraced hills of Komiaki with rich gardens, vineyards and orchards. There is good local bus service but renting a car to see the island is advisable.
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<br>Tue June 25 Patmos
<br> See the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse where St John dictated the Book of Revelations to his apostle. St John the Divine Monastery built in 1088. Also has fine beaches reachable by bus.
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<br>Wed June 26 Leros
<br> Home of Greece's mental institutions. Town of Lakka is filled with art deco style buildings. Lepida has former summer residence of Mussolini. Visit the Historic and Folk Museum or the British War Cemetery from the battles in 1943.
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<br>Thu June 27 Kalymnos
<br> Famous for sponge fishing, visit the Sponge Factory for history of sponge diving. The Mermaid sculpture is one of 43 donated by local sculptors. Visit the cave of the 7 virgins or the fortified Kastelli which was the refuge of survivors during the 11th century massacre.
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<br>Fri June 28 Kos
<br> Famous for producing cos lettuce (romaine). Kos Town has Hippocrates (Hippocratic Oath Creator) ancient plane tree planted by him 2400 years ago and nearby is a water fountain built by the Turks in 1792. See the Pompeii style roman ruins of Casa Romana. Western end of island known for thyme, honey and cheeses. Ruined Castle of the Knights said to be the lair of a dragon.
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<br>Sat June 29 Tilos or Symi
<br> Tilos - Tranquil island known for weaving cloth for women's costumes still worn by some of the locals. Rent a moped. See the miniature mastodons bones from 7000 BC found on this island at the Paleontological museum or the petrified human skeletons thought to have been caught in the lava when Nisyros erupted in 600 BC at Agios Antonis beach.
<br> Symi - Island of sponges and Saint Michael, patron saint of seafarers. Visit the maritime museum and the famous icon of Archangel Michael that mysteriously kept returning to Panormitis' monastery.
<br>
<br>Sun June 30 Rhodes - Depart Sailboats by 9 AM
<br> Visit the old walled city & Palace of the Grand Masters. The Apostle Paul brought & preached Christianity to Rhodes. Bargain at the Turkish market for rugs, eat Turkish food or purchase locally made embroidery. For panoramic views go to Kamerios and see the Temple of Apollo and the Ampitheater. Take a bus or taxi to Lindos to see the 5th century BC castle at the Acropolis riding a donkey up and walking down.
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