Seabourn Encore - September 15, 2024

Dubrovnik, a Croatian port, is considered the most beautiful city on the Dalmatian coast. Dubrovnik sits high on a cliff overlooking the sea, and is nestled in the shadow of Mount Srdj. The walls of the city are one of its landmarks, and many structures from the medieval era remain standing, despite the many battles fought in Dubrovnik throughout history.

This natural harbor on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro was an important artistic and commercial center with famous masonry and iconography schools in the Middle Ages. A large number of its monuments, among which four Romanesque churches and the town walls, were heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1979 but the town is now completely restored.

Zakynthos, also called Zante, or "Fiore di Levande" (The flower of East Wind) is a sparkling diamond under the sun, surrounded by the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea. Zakynthos, the artistic center of the Ionian islands, island of natural beauties, of arts and spirit. Zakynthos is the southernmost island in the Ionian group, a short distance off the north-western tip of the Peloponnese. Greek tourists have been coming to Zante long before international visitors started to get to know and appreciate its many attractions.

In Legend, Palamedes, the son of Nauplios and grandson of Poseidon was said to have founded the city. He is credited with invention of money, weights, measures and the order of the Greek alphabet established by a Phoenician.

Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. In a single day, you can climb the hill of the Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and then find a welcoming taverna for some spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and with luck, energetic Greek dancing.

Naxos, the largest and most fertile of the Cycladic islands, lies almost at the centre of the Aegean. Meadows running down to vast beaches, cliffs sinking suddenly into the sea, rocky mountains side-by-side with fertile valleys, abundant springs and streams these are just some of the features of a natural environment marked for its variety. The huge gate of an ancient temple, which can be seen on the hill as you enter the harbor, is the trade mark of Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades.

The largest Turkish seaport after Istanbul, its exports include cotton, tobacco, vegetables, manufactures, and carpets. The city suffered greatly from severe earthquakes in 1928 and 1939. It is a NATO command center for SE Europe. It is also the site of the Aegean Univ. and several museums, and was probably the birthplace of the poet Homer.

Dikili is the port for the ancient mountain citadel of Pergamum where you can visit Asklepeion, the site where psychiatry was first practiced. Also see the Sacred Pools, the Altar of Zeus, the Library, and the Serpent Altar which still serves as the symbol of the medical profession.

Kos is known as the home of Hippocrates, father of medical science. The town is an archeological repository of Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman ruins. Take a tour to the ancient Asklepeion and the island's archaeological museum.

Limassol is the major port of the island republic of Cyprus. Atlthough it began as a small market town, Limassol today is a bustling commercial center for fruits, vegetables, wine, and manufactured goods. It is also home to many restaurants and taverns. Visitors should explore the Archaelogical and Folk museums. The annual Wine Festival and Carnival Celebration are also very popular.

Tel Aviv is Israel's largest city, located on the Mediterranean coast. Visit Jaffa, the old section of Tel Aviv. Traverse the panoramic route along the Tower of David for a terrific panoramic view of the city and then step inside and see exhibits that focus on the rich history of the region, from the Canaanites to the Greeks and Romans to the Muslims and Israelis. Tel Aviv also features terrific entertainment and night life.

Visit the Ashdod Yam Fort, a Muslim fortress with its impressively tall that was built on the Mediterranean coast in the tenth century to protect against naval attacks. Stroll the streets of this bustling port town and shop for homemade knitted goods.

This fortified seaport was already centuries old when St. Paul and St. Barnabas left its harbor on their journey to Antioch. Explore the superb museum in a converted Byzantine church, visit the ancient Roman Theatre, or simply relax amid the pleasant scents of orange groves and pine forests. Those hungry for more history can venture to the ancient towns of Side and Perge.

The once quaint fishing village of Marmaris has in recent years become a busy holiday resort. It is now the "in" place for Turkey's rich and famous, who are followed in their choice of holiday places by the hoi polloi. Why Turkey's movie stars and magnates choose Marmaris is something of a mystery. It is not as cosmopolitan as Kusadasi, nor does it have impressive ruins. Perhaps it has something to do with the yachting trade, as Marmaris has a fine marina in its center and is one of Turkey's busiest yacht chartering ports.

It is built around a magnificent lagoon in a deep blue bay on one of the most beautiful spots os the Mediterranean. The beauty here is endless with the seasons succeeding one another. There are vine-covered terrace cafes for people watching along the waterfront of this enchanting harbor. An hour and a half drive away, the majestic ruin of Knossos illuminates one of the most advanced ancient civilizations ever discovered.

Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. In a single day, you can climb the hill of the Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and then find a welcoming taverna for some spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and with luck, energetic Greek dancing.