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Alexandria (not VA), Ephesus, Limasol, Antalya- Cities as well known to a first century Roman merchant as New York, Houston, Philadelphia and Dallas are to us. Great Events of history are attached to these ancient ports for all eternity and it is with a sense of awe and wonder that I set foot on the soil that once bore the footprints of the immortals of Western Civilization. In the harbor of Alexandria, I view the same site as it’s namesake, Alexander the Great, as his engineers planned the streets and great library of his city. At Ephesus, I feel the presence of St. Paul, preaching to the first converts to Christianity – his hasty exit from the city. Here I walk the very same cobblestone streets that bare the wheel marks of Mark Anthony’s chariot as he and Cleopatra traveled to the cities port and their star crossed destiny. The winding streets of Limasol once witnessed a crowd of panic stricken citizens fleeing in front of the soldiers of Richard the I of England as his crusading troops descended upon the Byzantine occupants of the city; killing, raping and pillaging for the customary three days before order was restored. And of course, there is the Valley of the Kings, a short excursion from Alexandria, where thousands upon thousands of slaves stacked huge stones honed from solid rock to construct monuments to their masters, designed to last to the end of recorded time. These sights excite me like no book can. When I am present, it is as if I am a part of the unfolding events that shaped our history. The events become, in a way, more real. I have arrived late, but I can feel the energy. I am in a very real sense, re-living the past. This is the adventure we offer you on our Ports of the Ancient World Tour. Even our mode of transportation is of a different era – The Star Clipper, in all respects a working clipper ship, equipped with luxurious, modern amenities, and transports us from one ancient sight to the next. For her passengers, she is the home base for all of our explorations, welcoming us back on board for exquisite meals, informative lectures and clothing optional camaraderie. Step back in history with us and select perhaps our most adventurous cruise to date, when the Star Clipper sets sail from the mythic city of Athens for 2 weeks of sailing the Ancient Ports while we bring alive history far too exciting to be contained in books. “We shall not cease from our exploration |
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