Domaine Carneros Chateau Society Invites you a Silversea Wine Aficionado Cruise
Greece ~ Turkey
June 12-19, 2010 ~
7 days
Athens ~ Santorini ~ Crete Rhodes Kusadasi ~ Mykonos Canakkale ~ Istanbul
Read about the Silversea experience
It always seems that last Wine Club cruise was the best yet (and the two this summer, the river cruise on the Danube and the Mediterranean Sea cruise from Venice to Barcelona would certainly qualify) but as I look back over the years, each was glorious in its own way. I especially enjoy going to smaller ports, ones you would never get to otherwise, and finding an unexpected masterpiece. There are many examples, but the one I am thinking of right now is Gallipoli, stuck right in the arch of Italy’s boot. Just a few miles away was Lecce, a splendid little baroque city, sometimes called the Florence of the South. Or Medina, a spectacular Renaissance town a half an hour from Valetta, Malta. There’s nothing to compare with the camaraderie, the daily adventures in fascinating ports-of-call followed by the pampering on board the Silversea, with its impeccable service, beautiful appointments and lavish and excellent food and wine.
I hope you will consider joining us for one or both of the back-to-back cruise we have lined up for 2010. The first one begins in Athens, then sails the wine-dark sea through the storied Greek Islands of Santorini, Rhodes and Crete. We end up with three ports in Turkey, including the spectacular ancient site Ephesis, near the port of Kusadasi. If you are still with us, or joining us for the second cruise, our journey continues from Istanbul to the Black Sea, the Ukraine and Bulgaria. Exotic, beautiful and historic ports, all from the same hotel room (your Silversea suite).
An extra special treat this year is that we experience the new Silver Spirit in her maiden year with more spacious suites, and a new supper club and Japanese restaurant. Can’t you just taste Le Rêve, as we sail out of Athens and Istanbul into our next adventure?
Join Winemaker Eileen Crane and Domaine Carneros aboard the Silver Spirit in her Inaugural season. Silversea’s newest and largest vessel to date, the Silver Spirit holds 540 guests, has more spacious suites with private balconies (95%), a new supper club and Asian dining options in addition to the spa of your dreams. Join us as we savor the spirit of luxury.
We’ll be sailing from Athens to Istanbul exploring remote ports around Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea and encourage you to join us for all or half of our trip in June 2010. Book now and take advantage of free economy airfare (Includes taxes and transfers) or discounted business class airfares and 35% savings with fares starting at $5,716 per person.
Combine the continuing voyage from 7 to 14 nights with added 5% savings!
Unpack only
once and explore a different world each day
Landscapes of Cappadocia: 3-Nights Optional Post-Cruise Extension
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| Discover awe-inspiring landscapes and Byzantine splendor where churches, chapels and even whole cities are carved into the deep earth. In the Göreme Valley, view fantastic “fairy chimneys” and countless monasteries and churches hewn into the surrounding rock. Travel to the village of Zelve with its magnificent Valley of the Monks then prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the twilight world of the underground city of Derinkuyub |
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Day 1
ARRIVE / ISTANBUL
Upon arrival at Istanbul’s airport Silversea’s local representative will meet you and transfer you to the Ritz Carlton hotel. Following check-in, the rest of your day is at leisure. Dinner this evening is on your own.
Day 2
CAPPADOCIA
Following a very early breakfast depart for the airport and your flight to Kayseri. Upon your arrival begin your full day tour of the Cappadocia area. Included is a visit to the natural citadel of Uchisar, the highest point in the region. The name means “pointed castle” and that is what it is – a natural castle of volcanic tufa, hollowed out and used as a fortress for centuries. Tour the Goreme Valley where you find the region’s best collection of painted cave-churches. Medieval orthodox Christian monks carved the caves from the soft volcanic stone and decorated them with elaborate Byzantine frescoes. At mid-day pause for lunch at a local restaurant.
Later, visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, the most famous sight in the Cappadocia region. The Zelve monastery complex 10 miles outside of Goreme is another favorite place and the town of Avanos is world famous for its hand made pottery. Other landmarks are Cavusin and Pigeon Valley. br>
At the end of your tour, check in to the Museum Hotel, a remarkable cave-hotel where rooms are hewn into the rock! Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.
Day 3
CAPPADOCIA / ISTANBUL
After breakfast, depart for another full day tour of the area. Today you’ll visit the amazing Derinkuyu Underground City, the largest of the underground cities in the area. The one time home of up to 20,000 people descends 18 stories into the Anatolian plateau. Then it’s on to Sinassos-Mustafapasa village, once a predominantly Greek settlement and Ortahisar, one of the highest elevations of the area. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will have free time for shopping and exploring on your own. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4
ISTANBUL / EMBARKATION
Following an early breakfast depart from the hotel for a flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival begin a delightful tour of this historic commercial crossroad including lunch at a local restaurant. Today’s progam will include a visit to the intriguing Topkapi Palace, the St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque and Hippodrome. Stop for lunch in a local restaurant before transferring to your waiting ship for embarkation.
Program Inclusions:
Two nights at the Kapadokya Lodge Hotel, Cappadocia, Turkey - Standard Rooms
One night at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey - Standard Rooms
Included Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Included Tours:
City Tour of Istanbul, including St. Sophia and Topkapi Museum
Visit to Derinkuyu Underground City and Sinasssos-Mustafapasa Village
Driving tour of the Cappadocia region including Uchisar, Zelve Valley & Avanos
Visit to Goreme Open Air Museum
Please note that the order of visits may vary from description above.
Flight Information: Day 2 - Istanbul / Kayseri – approximately 1.25 hours
Day 4 – Kayseri / Istanbul – approximately 1.25 hours
All flights are booked in economy-class
Luggage Information:
Please pack a small bag to accompany you on your tour (maximum weight 20 kg / 44 lbs). The remainder of your luggage will be stored in Istanbul and delivered directly to the ship on embarkation day.
Visa Information:
The majority of sights visited on this program are not well equipped for mobility-impaired guests; therefore we do not recommend this tour to those who rely upon a wheelchair.
Accessibility:
All Land Programs require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not obtained, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel a specific departure.
Minimum Participation:
All Land Programs require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not obtained, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel a specific departure.
Note:
This description is a general overview of the highlights of this program. The local Silversea representative will do all possible to insure that all of the sites described here are visited, though the order of those visits is subject to change. Closure of some sites for local or national holiday observances may affect the program, and the local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if necessary. |
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| Fares from:$2,250.00 per person |
EILEEN CRANE
It is no mere coincidence that Eileen Crane, President of Domaine Carneros, is equally at home in the separate, yet entwined worlds of wine and food.
Raised with a keen appreciation for rare wines and haute cuisine, Eileen prepared for a culinary career prior to entering the wine industry. A master’s degree in nutrition coupled with professional training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America form the foundation of her intimate understanding of the interplay of wine and food.
After two years of teaching nutrition, for the University of Connecticut, Eileen turned a passion for wine into a profession, enrolling in the U.C. Davis Enology and Viticulture program. Upon completion of her studies, she was hired by Domaine Chandon where she progressed to the position of Assistant Winemaker.
Her next career move was to build a winery. As Winemaker and Vice President of Gloria Ferrer Caves sparkling wine facility, she oversaw the design and construction of the facility in addition to developing their line of sparkling wines.
In her position as President of Domaine Carneros, Eileen oversaw the planning and development of, and now directs, the operation of a beautiful Chateau facility. A joint venture of Champagne Taittinger and the Kobrand Corporation, Domaine Carneros is located in the heart of the Carneros region.
It is understandable that Taittinger and Eileen Crane have joined forces as they share a common winemaking style. The elegant, delicate, yet intense style for which Taittinger is well respected is what Eileen strives for. No less surprising is the fact that the joint venture is located in Carneros. Carneros and Eileen Crane go together, as do Carneros and sparkling wine.
Carneros is famous for production of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, two key ingredients of a premium sparkling wine. An area blessed with a long, cool growing season, Carneros produces grapes which are particularly fine for sparkling wine as they have greater fruit maturity and produce wines with superb balance and a long finish.
At Domaine Carneros, Eileen produces méthode champenoise sparkling wine following a traditional French blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. Like Taittinger, Domaine Carneros’ wines possess a high percentage of chardonnay to give the desired lightness and delicacy. In 1992 Domaine Carneros began production of a superb estate-grown red Pinot Noir wine.
Eileen Crane is one of a handful of women who are now in the forefront of the wine industry in America. She is actively involved in numerous wine organizations and is a past President of the Carneros Quality Alliance and the California Classic Methods/Classic Varieties Society (CM/CV).
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