14-Day ~ Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Knitting Cruise (Oct 2023)

14-Day Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Knitting Cruise with André de Castro
October 1-15, 2023

Join us on this fabulous Mediterranean cruise sailing roundtrip from Athens to Nafplion, Mykonos, Iraklion (Crete), Haifa (Tel Avis), Ashdod (Jerusalem), and Limmasol, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Katakolon (Olympia) onboard Holland America Line's beautiful ms Nieuw Statendam. Each port has its unique flavor with ancient history, azure seas, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine. This region boasts fresh seafood, delicious farm-fresh delicacies, exciting markets, vibrant street scenes, significant architectural ruins, ancient history, and world-famous art.

Arrive in Athens early to allow time to visit some top sites, including the Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the National Archaeological Museum. Shop for local yarn and stroll through the Monastiraki Flea Market before taking in the panoramic views from Lycabettus Hill and savoring local Greek cuisine in the Plaka neighborhood.

Autumn is a great time to visit this region when the crowds have diminished, the weather is mild, and the prices are lower. Meet other knitters and be pampered onboard while making new friends and improving your knitting skills.

While the ship is at sea, enjoy knitting classes with internationally renowned André de Castro. André will teach three of his most popular courses: Portuguese Knitting, Lace by Music, and Colorwork Knitting in Portuguese Style.

14-Day Holy Land and Ancient Kingdoms Knitting Cruise Highlights

• Visit Athens, a fabled city steeped in mythical history, ancient ruins, and culinary delights.


• Watch the sunset overlooking the Acropolis and the Parthenon from a tranquil rooftop garden while sampling the best culinary delights of the region.


• Shop for gorgeous luxury yarn at Sakalak in Athens, the oldest family-run yarn shop in the Mediterranean, operating since 1935.


• Stroll the charming narrow streets and cobblestone alleyways of Old Town in Nafplion. This port is one of the most picturesque towns in Greece, offering rich historical and cultural experiences dating back to the Bronze Age with its Turkish mosques, medieval castles, and Ottoman fountains.


• Mykonos is a popular Greek destination with its many beaches, whitewashed houses, bright trim, and flowing bougainvillea. Visitors here enjoy exploring the maze of narrow streets and savoring the simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine while taking in the stunning views of the Aegean Sea, surrounded by rolling hills and green landscapes.


• Iraklion, also known as Heraklion, is the largest city and the capital of the island of Crete. Dating back thousands of years, Iraklion is a beautiful place to explore, where visitors enjoy a mix of old and modern architecture and one of Greece's most important archaeological sites, the Palace of Knossos.


• On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Haifa is the gateway to an unparalleled collection of historic sites and undeveloped wilderness. Visitors can follow in Jesus' footsteps along the Sea of Galilee by taking a cruise line tour to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth. Visitors can also stroll the stunning Baha'i Gardens, which terrace the slopes of Mount Carmel.


• Feel an overwhelming sense of history in Jerusalem, where more than 26 centuries of civilization unfold. Jerusalem is one of the world's oldest and most significant cities and is home to such critical archaeological sites as the City of David, the Temple Mount, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Mount of Olives.


• Limmasol is located on the southern coast of Cyprus and is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich history. Limmasol's rich historical heritage combines many elements of Greek, Turkish, and Arabic culture. Its scenic location and picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves, make this a must-see port-of-call.


• Rhodes is a picture-perfect port where visitors enjoy exploring rich historic sites and stunning landscapes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a well-preserved medieval city surrounded by a moat and walls from the 14th century. Here you can tour the castle-like Palace of the Grand Masters, shop for crocheted linen, or soak in the sun while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and beaches.


• Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the most legendary cities in the world. Here visitors can see where St. Paul preached and The House of Mary, where the mother of Jesus lived in her final years. Ephesus was a major center of the Roman Empire and is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, which contains the Celsus Library, Marble Street, and Great Theater.


• Katakolon is a small port town near the ancient city of Olympia. It is popular because of its proximity to the ancient Olympia site, the Olympic Games birthplace. Visitors can explore the Temple of Zeus, the stadium, the gymnasium, and the Olympia Museum, which houses artifacts from the site. Katakolon is also a popular destination for those looking to taste traditional Greek life and explore the local scenery and shops.