AACI’s Kosher Mano 11 Night Cruise
AACI’s 2023 Amazing 11 Night Cruise on Mano’s Beautiful Crown Iris
November 19 – 30, Special No Cruising Over Shabbat!
*Catania, Italy * Valletta, Malta * Palermo, Italy * Kalamata & Crete-Souda, Greece –
ALL INCLUSIVE – Cruise, tours, tips, full board
Scholar in residence: Rabbi Shmuel Goldin
Prices starting from only 1800 euro pp/dbl – All Inclusive!
AMAZING PRICE
Visit beautiful Italy, majestic Malta, and captivating Kalmata and Crete with their alluring blue sea and hypnotic white buildings.
We will be sailing on the wonderful “Crown Iris” – a hotel at sea, enjoying delicious, freshly prepared, Kosher meals (3+) daily. Entertainment programs are offered throughout the day, Jacuzzi, gym, swimming pool, casino, Duty Free shopping, and more. You will enjoy the company of a warm and diverse English-speaking group from Israel and around and the world and amazing lectures from Rabbi Goldin
FOR INFORMATION: info@aaci.org.il or 02-5661181 ext. 310
| DAY | DATE | PORT | ARRIVE | DEPART |
| 1 | Sunday, November 19 | Haifa | 13:30 | |
| 2 | Monday, November 20 | Day at Sea | ||
| 3 | Tuesday, November 21 | Kalamata, Greece | 09:30 | 21:00 |
| 4 | Wednesday, November 22 | Day at Sea | ||
| 5 | Thursday, November 23 | Palermo, Sicily, Italy | 08:00 | 18:30 |
| 6 | Friday, November 24 | Valletta, Malta | 12:00 | |
| 7 | Saturday, November 25 | Valletta, Malta | 21:00 | |
| 8 | Sunday, November 26 | Catania, Sicily, Italy | 08:00 | 22:00 |
| 9 | Monday, November 27 | Day at Sea | ||
| 10 | Tuesday, November 28 | Crete – Souda | 08:00 | 17:30 |
| 11 | Wednesday, November 29 | Day at Sea | ||
| 12 | Thursday, November 30 | Haifa | 08:00 |
Itinerary (subject to change)
Sunday, November 19
Farewell and wave goodbye to Haifa as we depart at 13:30 to set sail. Stand on deck, wave at Israel’s naval sailors as we depart then enjoy our first of many delicious meals on board our floating hotel.
Monday, November 20 – Day at Sea
Enjoy all the onboard activities of the Crown Iris, casino, shopping, spa and more plus scrumptious culinary treats by Chef Chani. In addition to all the above and onboard entertainment be stimulated by lectures from Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. All this and more with the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
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Tuesday, Kalamata, Greece
Kalamata, the second largest city in the Peloponnese peninsula and known as the origin of the Kalamata dance and Kalamata olives. We will leave the port by drive from Kalamata to the Temple of Nestorus which we will tour. The imposing cathedral, with the double bell towers and the big dome, is the center of the ostentatious celebrations that take place every year in the city of Kalamata, and culminate on February the 2nd at the feast of the Ypapanti Sotiros. In the place of the current temple there was a Byzantine Temple destroyed by the Turkalbans in 1770. Later a new temple was built, which it was also destroyed in 1825, this time by Ibrahim. The Temple which was rebuilt during the liberation of Greece will be destroyed again by an earthquake in 1840 and rebuilt in 1854. In 1860 the present church was founded and inaugurated in 1873. In 1886 will be damaged by the earthquake of that year that will be restored in 1894. Exactly a century later, in 1986, the big earthquake of Kalamata will hit the Temple of Ypapanti. Today the temple is completely restored and accessible again.
We will then travel to Pylos, also called Navarino, on the southern headland of the Órmos (bay) Navarínou, a deepwater shipping channel on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese (Pelopónnisos). The smaller island of Pílos to the south has a lighthouse and a monument to French sailors who fell at the Battle of Navarino (1827). The ancient historian Thucydides described Pylos as a deserted headland in 425 BCE, when Athens defeated Sparta there in a land and naval battle during the Peloponnesian War. The modern town behind the south headland of the bay was built in 1829 by the French.
Wednesday, November 22 – Day at Sea
Enjoy all the onboard activities of the Crown Iris, casino, shopping, spa and more plus scrumptious culinary treats by Chef Chani. In addition to all the above and onboard entertainment be stimulated by lectures from Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. All this and more with the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Thursday, November 23 – Palermo, Monreale – Sicily Italy
Our tour today to Monreale which is a historic hill-town just outside Palermo. It’s a picturesque place most famous for the fine mosaics in the town’s great Norman cathedral. Monreale is connected to Palermo by regular city buses and is an easy short excursion from the city center. Although it only takes a couple of hours to visit and see Monreale from Palermo, there are places drink, shop, good views and a special atmosphere.
Friday, November 24, Valletta, Malta
Enjoy a panoramic bus tour of the Grand Harbor.
Saturday, November 25, Valletta, Malta
Enjoy Shabbat on board ship with Shabbat services and lectures. After Shabbat lunch enjoy a specially arranged Shabbat friendly walking tour of Malta. Enjoy stimulating lectures by Rabbi Shmuel Goldin with the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean sea. After Shabbat you can enjoy a few hours strolling beautiful Malta at night before the ship departs.
Sunday, November 26, Catania, Sicily, Italy
Our tour will begin with a drive along the picturesque eastern coast of Sicily towards Taormina. Taormina is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in all of Sicily and was founded by natives of Sicily. Taormina was colonized by Greeks at the end of the 5th century B.C.E. and shared the political history of the nearby Greek cities before and during Roman occupation. Its importance outlasted the Roman Empire, but in 902 C.E. Taormina was destroyed by the Saracens, who later rebuilt it. The city prospered under Norman rule in the 11th century, but later declined. Among the monuments is the Greek Theater, constructed during the Hellenistic Period and the second largest of its kind in Sicily. It was completely rebuilt under Roman rule. Taormina is a popular departure point for tourist excursions to nearby sites, including the grottoes of Capo Sant’ Andrea.
Upon arrival in Taormina, we will be surrounded by the delightful atmosphere of this medieval town. Perched on the side of a hill overlooking the sea, Taormina’s buildings remain unchanged and exude the charm of a small hillside town. On your walking tour through the town you will see the beautiful exteriors of the Cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaia, a 15th century palace.
We will continue to the impressive Greek Theater constructed in the 5th century B.C.E. The theater retains excellent acoustics and is still used for performances during the summer months. Before leaving the town we will have some free time to explore the Corso Umberto, Taormina’s main street lined with delightful shops and cafes.
Our tour will continue with a drive to Mt. Etna passing through scenic mountains, orchards and vineyards as well as the towns of Giarre, Santa Venerina and Zafferana. As we approach the volcano we will see steams of solidified lava, which resemble a black petrified river cascading from the top of the mountain. We reach 6200 feet and visit the Sivestri craters.
Monday, November 27, Day at sea
Enjoy all the onboard activities of the Crown Iris, casino, shopping, spa and more plus scrumptious culinary treats by Chef Chani. In addition to all the above and onboard entertainment be stimulated by lectures from Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. All this and more with the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Tuesday, November 28, Crete – Souda
A
ptera: Visit to the archaeological site of Aptera for a panoramic view and photo shots. Venizelos: Visit to the tomb of the most important Greek politician, Eleftherios Venizelos, who lived in his paternal house, in Chalepa (Chania). The residence has maintained its original form from the years he lived there. The furniture of the decade 1925-1935 was selected by Venizelos himself and his wife Elena and was brought from Athens and abroad. Decorative objects and paintings of the period, original photographs and personal items of significant value decorate the interior of the residence. Chania: Visit to Etz Hayyim Synagogue which stands today as a statement of Jewish life and values. Additional visit to the War shelter of Platanias, which was constructed by the German troops in 1942 on Platanias hill.
Wednesday, November 29, Day at sea
Enjoy all the onboard activities of the Crown Iris, casino, shopping, spa and more plus scrumptious culinary treats by Chef Chani. In addition to all the above and onboard entertainment be stimulated by lectures from Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. All this and more with the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Thursday, November 30, Welcome home!
Arrive in Haifa Port at 08:00. Debarkation begins after breakfast.
Tours (subject to change)
Cabin Prices
| Classic cabin with window Deck 8 |
Deluxe cabin without window Deck 4 |
Deluxe cabin with window Deck 6 |
Deluxe cabin with window Deck 7 |
| €1,880 per person in double cabin | €1,800 per person in double cabin | €2,050 per person in double cabin | €2,050 per person in double cabin |
AACI All Inclusive Price Includes:
* 11 nights cruise
* Full Board
* Choice of wine, beer, soft drink @ dinner daily
*All land excursions (itineraries subject change)
* Ship gratuities – cabin staff, dining room staff and more
* Round trip transportation to Haifa Port (from central locations)
* Tips for guides and drivers at all Ports of Call and driver in Israel
* Rav/Scholar-in-residence
Price does not include:
*Travel Insurance
*Personal items
*Spa treatments
*Any items not included in program
*COVID Tests (if at all required)
For more details, please call Carole: +972-25661181 ext. 310 / travel@aaci.org.il (after Simchat Torah)
