Birds and History Cruise to Crete and Santorini

with Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours (VENT) & special guest Peter Matthiessen

May 20-29, 2012

 

Travel aboard the Sea Cloud for a trip that combines the fascinating history and culture of ancient Greece, particularly the Minoan civilization, with observation of the special resident and migrant birds and other natural history of the southern Aegean region. 

VENT's route begins in Athens and ends a week later in Kusadasi, Turkey. You 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 you will see the renowned Minoan palaces of Knossos and Mália; travel to the ruins of Lato; and visit several Venetian sites. Santorini, with its scenic and architectural beauty, is home to a breathtaking caldera, iconic white-walled villages, and an outstanding archaeological site at Akrotiri. 

Among the range of exciting bird possibilities are Levantine Shearwater, Eurasian Griffon, Bonelli's Eagle, Eleonora's Falcon, European Bee-eater, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, and Rueppell's Warbler.

Cabins aboard the 64-passenger Sea Cloud begin at $8,500 in double occupancy from Athens. For each booking, $1,000 will be donated to The Paris Review. For details on how to book a space with this trip, please call Sadie Stein at (212) 343-1333.