RELIGIOUS VISIT TO ST JOHN’S MONASTERY - GROTTO OF APOCALYPSE (PAT - 01 )

This excursion takes us to a small but fascinating island with connections to the Bible and to the Gods. Patmos in the Aegean is among the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese. It is has a long been a place of pilgrimage because Patmos is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Christian Bible. It records that St John the Evangelist received a vision from Jesus here. Visitors can see the location where John is said to have had the revelation, the Cave or Grotto of the Apocalypse. Meanwhile a number of churches are named after the apostle and we are able to call at the Monastery of St John. The picturesque alleyways wind up to the Monastery which was founded by St. Christodoulos in 1088.We are able to enter the yard, where the monks take their meals and the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is our tour of the Byzantine Church of St John, adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods of history. Next we stop at a small museum which is home to priceless religious treasures including manuscripts, medieval textiles and vestments.  

MINOAN PALACE OF KNOSSOS - 1ST EUROPEAN CIVILISATION  (HER - 02)

The ancient city of Knossos, near Crete’s capital Heraklion, was the place that ‘gave birth’ to the very first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. So we can say with some certainty it is Europe’s oldest city. Our excursion will open up the world of the Minoans as we visit one of the continent’s most important archaeological treasures. The first excavations were undertaken in the 1870s by Minos Kalokairinos, a Cretan himself. A few decades later in the early 1900s, more work by Sir Arthur Evans from Britain brought to the world’s attention the full impressive scale of the Palace of Knossos, according to legend the residence of wise King Minos. We will be able to explore the large Central Court, the wonderful Throne Room, the imposing Grand Staircase and see the fresco of the ‘Prince of the Lilies’ as you stroll through the palace apartments and view the archaeological finds, we think you will be just a little in awe of the rich cultural heritage of the Minoan civilisation. You will undoubtedly hear the Cretan legend of the Minotaur, half man, half bull who lived in the Labyrinth. Exploring from room to room we will relive time in the Hall of the Royal Guard and the King’s Chamber, hearing about the extraordinary rule of King Minos. 

 SPECTACULAR OIA VILLAGE PERCHED ON THE CALDERA RIM (SAN - 01)

If you are a first time visitor to Santorini  she will take your breath away.And even if you are a regular visitor, with her soaring landscapes and whitewashed houses she will still do that every time. She is regularly described as one of the most beautiful  places on the planet.  There are plenty of magic  moments on our excursion. One of the greatest spectacles is Oia village perched on the rim of the Caldera, the remains of a volcanic eruption.Santorini  is a ring of rock around the sea.  Think of it as the rim of an old volcano.First we head  to Megalochori,  one of the most authentic and unspoiled villages on the island, retaining  its distinctive  architecture, character and charm. Our trip continues eastwards through a number of traditional  communities like Firostefani and Imerovigli until we arrive at Oia. On our journey we will have had the lace-like caldera to our west, the little islands of Thirasia, Palea  and Nea Kameni and an incredible, unsurpassable panoramic view. There is plenty of time in Oia to explore, stroll the marble-paved alleys, visit the adorable shops and admire the traditional  buildings carved  into the rocks and the unusual captain’s manors, the settlement of Ammoudi at the foot of the caldera.