Greek Charm And Trendy Istanbul
Greek Charm And Trendy Istanbul
Cruise overview
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About Piraeus
It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.
About Skíathos
About Vólos
About Kavalla
About Istanbul
The only city in the world that can lay claim to straddling two continents, Istanbul—once known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire—has for centuries been a bustling metropolis with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. Istanbul embraces this enviable position with both a certain chaos and inventiveness, ever evolving as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan crossroads. It’s often said that Istanbul is the meeting point of East and West, but visitors to this city built over the former capital of two great empires are likely to be just as impressed by the juxtaposition of old and new. Office towers creep up behind historic palaces, women in chic designer outfits pass others wearing long skirts and head coverings, peddlers’ pushcarts vie with battered old Fiats and shiny BMWs for dominance of the noisy, narrow streets, and the Grand Bazaar competes with modern shopping malls. At dawn, when the muezzin's call to prayer resounds from ancient minarets, there are inevitably a few hearty revelers still making their way home from nightclubs and bars. Most visitors to this sprawling city of more than 14 million will first set foot in the relatively compact Old City, where the legacy of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires can be seen in monumental works of architecture like the brilliant Aya Sofya and the beautifully proportioned mosques built by the great architect Sinan. Though it would be easy to spend days, if not weeks, exploring the wealth of attractions in the historical peninsula, visitors should make sure also to venture elsewhere in order to experience the vibrancy of contemporary Istanbul. With a lively nightlife propelled by its young population and an exciting arts scene that’s increasingly on the international radar—thanks in part to its stint as the European Capital of Culture in 2010—Istanbul is truly a city that never sleeps. It’s also a place where visitors will feel welcome: Istanbul may be on the Bosphorus, but at heart it’s a Mediterranean city, whose friendly inhabitants are effusively social and eager to share what they love most about it.
About Istanbul
The only city in the world that can lay claim to straddling two continents, Istanbul—once known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire—has for centuries been a bustling metropolis with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. Istanbul embraces this enviable position with both a certain chaos and inventiveness, ever evolving as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan crossroads. It’s often said that Istanbul is the meeting point of East and West, but visitors to this city built over the former capital of two great empires are likely to be just as impressed by the juxtaposition of old and new. Office towers creep up behind historic palaces, women in chic designer outfits pass others wearing long skirts and head coverings, peddlers’ pushcarts vie with battered old Fiats and shiny BMWs for dominance of the noisy, narrow streets, and the Grand Bazaar competes with modern shopping malls. At dawn, when the muezzin's call to prayer resounds from ancient minarets, there are inevitably a few hearty revelers still making their way home from nightclubs and bars. Most visitors to this sprawling city of more than 14 million will first set foot in the relatively compact Old City, where the legacy of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires can be seen in monumental works of architecture like the brilliant Aya Sofya and the beautifully proportioned mosques built by the great architect Sinan. Though it would be easy to spend days, if not weeks, exploring the wealth of attractions in the historical peninsula, visitors should make sure also to venture elsewhere in order to experience the vibrancy of contemporary Istanbul. With a lively nightlife propelled by its young population and an exciting arts scene that’s increasingly on the international radar—thanks in part to its stint as the European Capital of Culture in 2010—Istanbul is truly a city that never sleeps. It’s also a place where visitors will feel welcome: Istanbul may be on the Bosphorus, but at heart it’s a Mediterranean city, whose friendly inhabitants are effusively social and eager to share what they love most about it.
About Ermoupoli, Syra
Syros is an island in the Aegean Sea, 78 miles (125 kilometres) southeast of Athens, and the administrative, commercial, intellectual and cultural centre of the Cyclades. Syros is 32 square miles (82.8 square kilometres) in area. Its largest towns are Ermoupoli, the capital of the island and Cyclades, Ano Syros and Vari. Although Syros belongs to the Cyclades islands, its architecture is more medieval than Cycladic. The beaches of Syros are especially inviting, and surrounded by many tourist facilities and accommodations.
About Piraeus
It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.
The Owner's Suite is so much more than our most exclusive suite; it is an exquisite home on the oceans of the world. Enjoy all the amenities you could possibly need, spread over more than 114 m²/1,227 ft² of personal freedom.
Selected equipment features
- Living are: 99 m²/1,066 ft²; veranda 15 m²/161 ft²
- Separate living and sleeping area.
- Separate dining table.
- Guest WC.
- Bathroom with two sinks.
- Shower with steam sauna.
- Whirlpool and daybed in the bathroom area.
- Spacious walk-in wardrobe.
- Butler service.
- Free mini bar (soft drinks, beer and a selection of high-quality spirits).
- Other exclusive service privileges.
In the Grand Penthouse Suite, you can enjoy lavishness at sea - on a daybed with view of the endless sea, or while taking a bath in the middle of the ocean in your private whirlpool.
Selected equipment features
- Living areas: 78 m²/840 ft²; veranda: 10 m²/108 ft².
- Separate living and sleeping area.
- Separate dining table.
- Guest WC.
- Bathroom with two sinks.
- Shower with steam sauna.
- Whirlpool and daybed in the bathroom.
- Butler service.
- Free mini bar.
- Exclusive service privileges.
A private oasis of well-being and a stylish haven of peace
- in the Grand Ocean Suite, you can leave all your worries far behind you.
Pamper your body and soul at the highest level
- with warm colour tones and a spa bath with a panoramic view over the sea.
Selected equipment features
- Living area: 42 m²/452 ft²; veranda: 10 m²/ 108 ft².
- Bathroom with two sinks.
- Separate WC.
- Natural light in the bathroom.
- Shower with steam sauna.
- Whirlpool tub.
- Free mini bar.
A wonderfully spacious suite offering the utmost comfort, uniquely located on the upper decks - is there a better place to relax? In the Penthouse Suite, you can enjoy endless views over the sea and all the amenities of a classic Penthouse Suite.
Selected equipment features
- Living area: 42 m²/452 ft²; veranda: 10 m²/108 ft².
- Walk-in wardrobe.
- Bathroom with two sinks.
- Separate WC.
- Butler service.
- Whirlpool tub and separate shower.
- Free mini bar.
The Penthouse Suite can also be booked with facilities suitable for disabled guests.
Where everyone will feel comfortable. Plenty of room for you and your personal needs - creating a relaxing family holiday. In the Family Apartments, children and parents live in two separate areas connected by a door and a balcony. The furniture of one of the living areas has been tailored especially for our younger passengers.
Selected equipment features
- Living area: 2× 20 m² (2x 215 ft²); veranda: 14 m² (150 ft²), divisible into 2x 7 m² (2x 75 ft²).
- Connecting door between the rooms and the verandas.
- Separate toilets.
- Free mini bars.
The furniture of one of the living areas has been tailored especially for our younger passengers:
- Two twin beds, one of which is a Pullman (80 × 200 cm [2 × 6 ft]).
- Bathtub (140 × 80 cm [4 × 2 ft]).
- Age-appropriate range of toys and games including a games console.
Those who like to start their day with a fantastic view will have a wonderful time in the Ocean Suite. The bathrooms in this category all provide plenty of natural light. Treat yourself to this special luxury and look out over the open ocean from your own bath.
Selected equipment features
- Living area: 28 m²/301 ft²; veranda: 7 m²/75 ft².
- Natural light in the bathroom.
- Bathroom with two sinks.
- Whirlpool tub and separate shower.
- Separate WC.
- Free mini bar.
This comfortable suite has plenty of space for relaxing days on board and boasts wonderful views. The spacious veranda affords a magnificent view over the open sea and the first port lights on the horizon.
Selected equipment features
- Living area: 28 m²/301 ft²; veranda: 7 m²/75 ft².
Walk-in wardrobe.
- Exclusive living area with a chaise longue.
- Bathtub and separate shower.
- Free mini bar.
MS EUROPA 2
All the promises of a yacht and the serenity of a small resort: on board the EUROPA 2, you can enjoy the highest level of casual luxury with a maximum of 500 guests. Discover the best cruise ship in the world*.
Ship Facts
| Speed | 21 | ||||
| Width | 26.7 | ||||
| Length | 225.38 | ||||
| Capacity | 516 | ||||
| Currency | EUR | ||||
| Language | de+en | ||||
| Crew Count | 370 | ||||
| Deck Count | 7 | ||||
| Refit Year | 2017 | ||||
| Cabin Count | 251 | ||||
| Launch Year | 2013 | ||||
| Gross Tonnage | 42830 | ||||
| Electrical Plugs |
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| Large Cabin Count | N/A | ||||
| Wheelchair Cabin Count | 2 |
Deck 10
- Zodiacs
- Shuffleboard
- Sun Deck
- Bridge
- Veranda Suites
- Penthouse Suites
- Grand Penthouse Suites
- Owner Suites
Deck 9
- Restaurant Yacht Club
- Sushi Restaurant Sakura
- Sun Deck
- Pool
- Conference Room
- Studio
- Gallery
- Culinary School
- Belvedere with library and coffee lounge
Deck 8
- Sansibar
- Tender
- Knopf Club / Kids Club
- Veranda Suites
- Ocean Suites
- Family Apartments
- Penthouse Suites (accessible)
Deck 7
- Veranda Suites
- Ocean Suites
Deck 6
- Veranda Suites
- Ocean Suites
- Owner Suites
- Grand Ocean Suites
Deck 5
- Ocean Spa
- Sauna
- Jacuzzi
- Golf
- Embarkation and disembarkation
- Grand Ocean Suites
- Veranda Suites
- Ocean Suites
Deck 4
- Restaurant Weltmeere
- Restaurant Serenissima
- Restaurant Elements
- Restaurant Tarragon
- Grand Reserve
- Tour Office
- Teens' Club
- Boutique / Jeweller
- Reception
- Foyer
- Embarkation / disembarkation
- Photo shop
- Club 2
- Collins
- Theatre
With an eye for detail, the EUROPA 2 chefs are constantly opening up new culinary horizons. They also offer a fine selection of artfully presented dishes at the highest level for those who prefer vegetarian cuisine. Enjoy modern creations or timeless classics with flexible mealtimes and no fixed seating plans in our seven gourmet restaurants.
Weltmeere
Restaurant Weltmeere is the biggest restaurant on board. It is located at the stern of the ship and is quite striking thanks to its spacious room concept.
The world a la carte
The flagship restaurant at the heart of the EUROPA 2: enjoy an international gourmet menu that changes every day, and embark on a culinary voyage of discovery. Weltmeere bears the very personal hallmark of our chef and stands for creative culinary sensations – always interpreted in new and extraordinary ways, with vegetarians also catered for.
CREATIVE CUISINE WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH
Our chef de cuisine looks forward to pampering you with the highest possible standard of cuisine. The culinary range spans from international to vegetarian menus, which are all interpreted in new and surprising ways.
- The restaurant on board where our chefs de cuisine demonstrate their very personal flair.
- Magical culinary moments with international and vegetarian menus, always interpreted in new and unusual ways.
Tarragon
France a la carte
Tarragon stands for great French cuisine and bistro classics, served in an art-deco-style setting. You can look forward to specialities that are at once simple and sophisticated, such as beef tartare prepared at the table.
Elements
Asia a la carte
Whether Indian, Vietnamese or traditional Chinese dishes – Elements offers a feast for the senses of everyone with a penchant for the flavours of the East. Enjoy varied Asian cuisine, the aroma of lemongrass, seafood and lime – and Elements’ exotic, modern ambience.
Serenissima
Italy a la carte
Exquisite classics and new interpretations of the flavours of the Italian Mediterranean: the Serenissima combines the best of Italy's flavours and lifestyle. The house speciality is the malfatti tartufo.
Yacht Club
Relaxed enjoyment, also under an open sky.
At the Yacht Club you can experience the finest cuisine and an unforgettable panoramic ocean view, from breakfast to dinner time. Fresh salads, antipasti from the buffet and freshly grilled specialities, fish, pasta and dishes cooked a la minute direct from the open chef’s stations await you.
Sakura
Japanese creations with a modern twist.
Our master chef for Asian cuisine has perfected the art of conjuring up small masterpieces from the finest ingredients. The result is traditional and modern interpretations of Japanese cuisine, as well as exquisite sushi dishes ranging from classic to creative. Sample the culinary delights from an exclusive menu while enjoying the ocean view in the Sakura’s relaxed setting.
Grand Reserve
Fine wines & specialities
At the Grande Reserve the focus is on fine wines, which you can taste* in small groups under the direction of a sommelier.
*This service in not included in the cruise price.
Raise the curtain! Enjoy unforgettable events and spectacular shows featuring famous artists and stars on board the EUROPA 2. Great comedy, music from classical to pop, and exciting presentations and talks - and always first class.
Sansibar
Germany's most famous beach bar. Also on board.
The little sister of the Sansibar on the German island Sylt has seen a lot more of the world. The view from the open-air bar across the ocean and the parties on the dance floor, with DJ music pumping, are simply unforgettable. Plus, it’s also a fantastic location for a late breakfast or a small bite to eat in the afternoon or evening.
Belvedere Club
Superb panoramic views.
Providing breathtaking panoramic views when the ship is entering or leaving the harbour, the Belvedere is the ideal place to enjoy a little time out. But it’s also an atmospheric lounge with a library, where select coffee and tea specialities are served. Readings and concerts are also held here.
Pool Bar
Culinary enjoyment on the sun deck.
In the pool or at the poolside bar – which is the best place for maximum refreshment? This relaxed meeting place on the Pool Deck serves snacks at breakfast and lunch-time, and our famous waffles in the afternoon, plus fresh juices and coffee specialities. It then takes on a laid-back bar atmosphere until late into the evening.
Piano Bar
A pleasant atmosphere for a relaxing drink.
The Piano Bar is modelled on the bars found in classic grand hotels: a place to sit back with a first-class drink while you reflect on the highlights of your day and enjoy relaxing music from the Steinway grand piano. All this plus an ocean view that no hotel in the world can match.
Club 2
Concerts, comedy and cabaret
Whether for musical entertainment, readings, cabaret or comedy, Club 2 – with its bar and lounge area and small stage – will also adapt its ambience to the cruise route, constantly changing its colour and lighting concept. Bring your day to a close enjoying our fine selection of drinks and snacks that match the destination, and be inspired by our varied entertainment programme.
Collins
Largest gin selection at sea.
The perfect backdrop for the perfect drink – nothing more, nothing less. The atmosphere is traditional and stylish, with armchairs and high-grade woods. The menu features Cuban specialities from the humidor, as well as the largest gin selection on the seven seas.
Theatre
- Multifaceted shows.
- Performances with numerous guest stars, soloists, entertainers and acrobats.
- Concerts from classical music to pop.
- Vaudeville highlights.
- State-of-the-art stage technology with LED screen.
Art
State of the art
A stroll through the luminous corridors of the EUROPA 2 is as inspiring as a day in a museum of modern art. Over 890 original paintings and exhibits, as well as photographs and sculptures by artists including Damien Hirst and Gerhard Richter, accompany the ship and its guests around the world. The collection is complemented by changing exhibitions and lectures by artists on various aspects of art history. Enjoy fine art on the open sea.
The perfect setting for art
Set sail and discover the world of art – art2sea welcomes prominent artists, gallerists, art experts and curators from great museums. Cooperations with renowned experts reveal fascinating insights into the international art world. Exclusive exhibition, gallery and museum visits offer you a look behind the scenes.