Epic tour back in time takes in legends, myths and marvels

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The past comes colourfully to life on this three week cruise of the Mediterranean Sea and some of the most intriguing countries surrounding it.

Join Travelrite and The Senior newspaper to experience Italy, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus and Turkey, from September 18 to October 8, 2024.

Start out in the 'Eternal City', Rome and take in its treasures; the Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy a real Italian coffee but remember, don't order a cappuccino after noon! Soon after lunch you will arrive at the cruise terminal to join the Nieuw Statendam to set sail for the Medieval Cities of the Mediterranean cruise.

Make yourself comfortable before the first stop in Olympia, Greece, the site of the ancient Olympic Games. See the ruins of the Sanctuary, the athletic quadrangles, stadium, temples and the modern Archaeological Museum. A short stay on Crete at Chania is spent learning about the Minotaur legend and other Greek mythological tales.

After a restful day at sea, the ship docks at Alexandria and the group is taken to Cairo for a guided tour. A highlight is the Egyptian Museum and its treasure trove of Egyptian artefacts such as the golden mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Giza and its pyramids, built around 2500 BC, comes into view. Tour this ancient necropolis and the Great Sphinx before jumping back on the ship at Port Said.

Heading straight to the ancient city of Limassol, Cyprus, you will be immersed in the history of the Crusades and the exhibits at the Archaeological Museum.

Another Greek island, Rhodes, was once the fortified headquarters of the Crusaders, and is an overnight stay.

Docking at Kusadasi on Turkey's Aegean coast, the group travels inland to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, one of the world's foremost archaeological sites. Here the marble streets still have chariot wheel ruts, made nearly two thousand years ago.

Istanbul can't be missed. It was seen as the halfway point between Europe and the Orient and was once the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires for 1000 years, give or take. Marvel at the Byzantine architecture of Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque with its blue tiles and the Hippodrome, the home of Roman chariot races.

Sailing on, the Nieuw Statendam heads to Mykonos, another of Greece's scenic islands. This island has great natural beauty as well as man-made charms in the form of narrow whitewashed streets and white cubicle houses covered in colourful bougainvillea.

The capital of Greece, Athens is another highlight with its glorious history and recognisable ancient structures, the Acropolis, residing over the modern bustle of Athens and the Parthenon, one of the wonders of the ancient world. The final day of the tour takes in the first modern Olympic stadium and the charming Plaka district, full of quaint shops, cafes and restaurants.

Go to https://www.travelrite.com.au/senior-escorted-tours/mediterranean-cruise-sep-2024.php or call 1800 630 343.