Treasures of the Eastern Mediterranean

We begin our tour with a full day in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. Founded in the Bronze Age, the

city has been continuously inhabited for almost 5000 years. We visit the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, which houses the world’s most extensive collections of Cypriot archaeology. We also visit the Leventis Museum, after which we have free time to walk around the old town, including the well-preserved Venetian walls, built in an (ultimately futile) attempt to defend the city from Ottoman invasion. In the late afternoon we return to Larnaca to board our ship, the MV La Belle de Océans.

Modern day Larnaca sits on the site of ancient Kition which was colonised by both the Greek Achaens and the Phoenicians. There are scant remains from this period, but occupation continued for millennia with the development of its seaport, significantly during Ottoman occupation (1571–1878) and again in recent history when the Turkish invasion (1974) in Northern Cyprus closed the island’s main port at Famagusta. Larnaca’s port accommodates small craft at dockside; larger ships anchor in the roadstead and are served by barges or floating pontoons.

Exclusive Andante Excursion:  Before setting sail for Haifa, we spend some time in the lovely coastal resort of Larnaca where we visit Larnaca Castle situated at the end of the Foinikoudes promenade. Originally a small fort built in the 13^th century, it took its present form during the Venetian occupation in the 15^th century when Larnaca port was strategically important to the salt trade. Today the Castle houses a small museum exhibiting antiquities from Early Christian, Byzantine, and Post-Byzantine periods. After lunch on board ship, we sail towards Israel.

Haifa in north western Israel, is the country’s third largest city and its principal port. It sits on the slopes of Mount Carmel on the Bay of Haifa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Today it is a busy, modern conurbation (a common saying in Israel is that ‘Jerusalem prays, Tel Aviv play and Haifa works’) the city has a history spanning more than 3,000 years. The town was conquered in 1100 by Crusaders, centuries later by Napoleon and in 1918 by British Forces after which time it became part of mandated Palestine. The deep-water port here was developed under the British mandate and expanded extensively after Israel achieved statehood.

Excusive Andante Excursion: Today we explore the national park and Roman harbour city of Caesarea Maritima situated on the coast south of Haifa. Founded by Hero the Great and named to demonstrate his support for Octavian, the city was described by 1st century historian Josephus as: “adorned with the most magnificent palaces”. Massive breakwaters were created to provide safe anchorage to 300 ships, a sewage system was introduced, and a vast hippodrome was constructed with seating for more than 20,000 people at chariot races. Among the many remnants here are a well-preserved theatre, a double aqueduct, and a limestone block on which the name of “Pontius Pilatus” is inscribed.

Excusive Andante Excursion Today we journey south to Jerusalem and spend the day exploring some of the highlights of the old city, starting with the City of David, the oldest part of Jerusalem settled during the Canaanite period. Here we explore the ancient water system discovered by Sir Charles Warren, the British engineer who rediscovered it in 1867, and the Pool of Siloam. After lunch we visit the Israel Museum, the largest museum in the country. It is here that we encounter the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Biblical and extra-Biblical manuscripts known to man, which were discovered in caves on the west bank of the river Jordan in the late 1940s. A thrilling glimpse into Israel’s holy past. Before returning to Haifa, we spend some time in the Old City walking along the Via Dolorosa.

Excusive Andante Excursion This morning we drive to Tzipori, a fortified city perched on a mound in the Netofah Valley. Thanks to extensive excavations in the area, we are able to view an ancient synagogue, Jewish homes lining a cobbled street, a Roman villa, and a number of intricate 5th century mosaics, depicting images such as the famous “Mona Lisa of Galilee”. In the afternoon we continue to Akko, or Acre, on the sunny shores of Haifa Bay. Akko features in Egyptian, Biblical, Greek, and Persian mythology, and is the holiest city of the Baha’i faith. We discover striking Ottoman aqueducts, Medieval churches, and city walls established by Crusaders.

This morning will be spent sailing towards Cyprus and our next port of call, Limassol.

Excusive Andante Excursion: We drive to the World Heritage site of Paphos where we explore the elaborate rock cut ‘Tombs of the Kings’.  This impressive necropolis is located just outside the walls, to the north and east of Paphos town. It was built during the Hellenistic period (3^rd century BCE) to satisfy the needs of the newly founded Nea Paphos. Its name is not connected with the burial of kings, as of the tombs are characterised by an underground, open-air, peristyle rectangular atrium completely carved into the natural rock. Columns or pillars of the Doric style supported the porticoes, which surrounded the atrium. The burial chambers and the loculi for single burials were dug into the portico walls. It seems that the walls were originally covered with frescoes although today only small fragments are preserved.

Excusive Andante Excursion:

This morning we return to Paphos Archaeological Park to see the most important monuments remaining from the ancient city of Neo Paphos. In the beginning of the 3rd century BCE when Cyprus became part of the Ptolemaic kingdom, Nea Paphos became the centre of Ptolemaic administration on the island and continued to serve as the capital well into the 4^th century. We will see some of the remains of this important city including the agora, theatre and the houses of Dionysus, Theseus and Aion named for the fabulous mosaics found within them. This afternoon will be spent sailing at a leisurely pace towards Larnaca.

We disembark and transfer to Larnaca airport for our return flight home.