STAR CLIPPERSSHORE EXCURSIONSAthens – Mykonos – Hydra - Athens

All tours are offered with English speaking guides. The
length of the tours and time spent on the sites is given as
an indication as it may vary depending on the road,
weather, sea and traffic conditions and on the group’s pace.
Minimum number of participants indicated per coach orgroup.

The level of physical fitness required for our activities isgiven as a very general indication without any knowledgeof our passenger’s individual abilities. Broadly speaking toenjoy activities such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, boatingor other activities involving physical exertion, passengers
should be fit and active. Passengers must judge forthemselves whether they will be capable of participating inand above all enjoying such activities.
All information concerning excursions is correct at the timeof printing. However Star Clippers reserves the right tomake changes, which will be relayed to passengers during
the Cruise Director’s onboard information sessions

STAR CLIPPERSSHORE EXCURSIONSMYKONOS, GREECE
The reason for Mykonos’s enduring popularity is immediately apparent. A charming little harbour, lined with cafés andcolourful fishing boats, greets the eye and provides a scenic façade for the maze of narrow cobble stoned streets that lie
behind. On either side of the streets you will find picturesque whitewashed houses, local handicraft shops, boutiques,waterfront cafes and of course the island’s mascot: the Pelican. Don’t be surprised if you encounter one of them wandering
the town with you. Two of the best places to visit are Little Venice, located on the southwestern side of town, with its
waterfront cafes and spectacular views of the sunset, and the famous Windmills (adjacent to Little Venice, on Kato Myli Hill),
one of the landmarks of Mykonos. Take the time to explore this captivating island; you won’t have to venture very far before
you come across beautiful beaches and coves with azure blue water lapping on the shore.
Be warned, this island casts a spell on all who visit her and your first trip to Mykonos, will certainly not be your last!

HYDRA, GREECE
According to legend this beautiful island was once the home of the Hydra, the many headed monster killed by Heracles,
hence its name. These days it is considered the most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands and many celebrities from Greece
and abroad spend their vacations here. It is also beloved by artists from all over the world for its natural beauty anddistinctive architecture, which have also made it a favourite film making location.
The town rises up like an amphitheatre from the port area, remaining hidden until the very last moment for those
approaching by sea. It owes its unique character to the impressive mansions that were built in the late 18th century forwealthy Hydriot ship-owners by architects from Venice and Genoa. These houses differ from the usual Greek islandarchitecture because of their individuality, size and sloping tiled roofs. During this period, Hydra possessed an important
fleet and was sometimes called “Little England” because of its seafaring prowess and flair for commerce. The old ship’s
canons in front of the harbour bear witness to this glorious past. In some measure the long naval tradition is upheld to thisday, as the island is home to the Merchant Navy Officer’s training school.
No motor vehicles are allowed on Hydra, a designated Landmark Preservation area, and all transport is by boat, on foot orby donkey. The island is an irresistible mixture of old and new with night clubs, bars, waterfront cafés, restaurants, andboutiques blending harmoniously with picturesque lanes and bare hills dotted with dazzling white chapels and windmills.

STAR CLIPPERSSHORE EXCURSIONSATHENS, GREECE
The earliest Athenians were of Ionian stock, arriving on the peninsula in about 2000 BC. Little is known of the early rulers,apart from the fact that they were kings. By the 7th century BC they had been superseded by Eupatrids, the aristocracy ofthe eleven noble families of Attica. The next development from aristocratic rule came with Solon, the “Father ofDemocracy”, who initiated the idea of rule by the people, creating assemblies of ordinary citizens. Following Solon’s
democracy came the Age of the Tyrants, a system of rule largely established by Peisistratus in about 546 BC. The idea was toremove much of the power from the nobles and to favour merchants, farmers and ordinary people. Athens, particularly theAcropolis, became one of the chief religious centres in Greece and by 600 BC there were many temples, fragments of which
are to be found in the Acropolis Museum. The year 450 BC saw the beginning of Pericles and his “Golden Age”.
In 1832 Otto, a Bavarian prince descended from the Greek imperial dynasties of Komnenos and Laskaris through his ancestor
the Bavarian Duke John II, became the first modern King of Greece. The new city of Athens was planned by the Greekarchitect Cleanthes and the German, Schaubert, around Otto’s austere palace. Situated on a small promontory above theTomb of the Unknown Soldiers, the palace dominates Syntagma Square (Constitution Square).
From Syntagma Square, Amalia avenue, (named after Otto’s Queen Consort), leads past the National Garden and theZappion Park to Hadrian’s Arch. Behind the park the stadium built for the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896 occupies
the same site as that used in ancient times.
The mountainous region of Attica and Athens, though barren and infertile, enjoys a superb climate.

Athens and Acropolis museum
By air-conditioned motor coach
Minimum 10 participants, maximum unlimited
Ends at the airport, €75(duration 4h30)
Possibility to be dropped off in Athens, €60 (duration 3h30)
From the port of Piraeus you pass the charming yacht harbour of Zea, where the foundations of the dock dating from the5th century BC are clearly visible. Next is the attractive Mikrolimanon waterfront lined with inviting al fresco fish
restaurants. It is but a short drive into cosmopolitan Athens, a mixture of modern buildings and great monuments. You willpass by the Temple of Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Parliament at Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the National
Academy, the University, Library and Hadrian’s Arch, before you finally arrive at the New Acropolis Museum. This building,located only 300 metres south east of the Rock of the Acropolis, was designed by Bernard Tschumi.
The museum was opened to the public in 2009 and nearly 4000 objects are exhibited on three levels with an area of 14.000
square metres. Exhibits include findings from the Acropolis archaeological site as well as artefacts from the Greek Bronze
Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. For those returning to the ship, the tour ends in the centre of Athens; the rest of thepassengers will be transferred to the airport.
The tour will end at Syntagma Square in Athens. The guide will then leave and the coach will continue to the airport (arrival13h00/13h30)
For the tour to carry on to the airport a minimum of 6 departing guests is required
Passengers staying on board for the following cruise will be dropped off in Athens (return on your own to the pier).
The duration of the tour very much depends on the traffic in Athens; if traffic is light the coach will arrive sooner at theairport.
You will spend about two hours in the museum.
The use of cameras and video cameras is free of charge, but flash photography is forbidden in the museum.