Victor Emanuel Nature Tours

Greece: Crete & Santorini Aboard The Sea Cloud
Register before February 1, 2012 and Receive a $1,000 Discount on Select Cabins!

Next May, VENT is returning to Greece for a Birds and History cruise to the islands of Crete and Santorini. For this special journey, May 20-29, 2012, we have chartered the peerless Sea Cloud for a trip that combines the fascinating history and culture of ancient Greece, especially the Minoan civilization, with observation of the special resident and migrant birds and other natural history of the southern Aegean region.

Sea Cloud — Photo: Courtesy Sea Cloud Cruises

Our cruise route begins in Athens and ends a week later in Kusadasi, Turkey. We will spend three days exploring the mountains and coastline of Crete, a day at famous Santorini, and two days cruising the Aegean Sea. On Crete we will see the renowned Minoan palaces of Knossos and Mália; travel to the ruins of Lato; and visit several Venetian sites. With its scenic and architectural beauty, Santorini is home to a breathtaking caldera, iconic white-walled villages, and an outstanding archaeological site at Akrotiri.

Enhancing this trip's allure is the opportunity to travel aboard Sea Cloud. Ornate in her all-wood construction and resplendent under sail, this four-masted ship is widely regarded as the world's most beautiful sailing vessel.

Late May is a lovely time of year to travel in Greece, with good weather, spring flowers still in bloom, and breeding birds back on territory. Among the range of possible birds are Levantine Shearwater, Eurasian Griffon, Eleonora's Falcon, European Bee-eater, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, and Rueppell's Warbler.

Joining VENT leaders Victor Emanuel and Barry Lyon for this special departure is Dr. Paul Woodruff, a professor of philosophy and classics at the University of Texas, and an expert on ancient Greece. Paul's specialty is Plato, but he is well-versed in the history and culture of ancient Greece and will present several lectures that incorporate the dominant themes of ancient Greek civilization, namely history, philosophy, and theater.

Santorini, Greece — Photo: Myriam Boudan

Greece is a marvelous destination, and this program's multi-thematic approach makes it an ideal choice both for birders who possess an interest in the culture and history of ancient Greece as well as for broader-focused travelers whose primary interest is the culture, philosophy, and history of that period.

SPECIAL NOTE: Despite the role Greece has played as the center of the European economic crisis, we want to emphasize that the country, especially Crete and Santorini, is totally safe for tourism. We feel strongly that security issues will not be a concern on this trip.

Greece: Crete & Santorini, May 20-29, 2012 with Victor Emanuel, Paul Woodruff, and Barry Lyon; cabins start at $8,500 in double occupancy from Athens. Register before February 1, 2012 and receive a $1,000 discount on select cabins!