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The Centenary of Armistice in the Mediterranean

The Centenary of Armistice in the Mediterranean

From $5,995 USD

Description

When Gallipoli was evacuated many of the troops went on to other Mediterranea fronts; the British and French to the Salonika Font in northern Greece, the Anzac Mounted Division joined Britain’s Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the Indians went to Mesopotamia. These were campaigns fought against disease and the climate as much as against opposing troops. They endured and this voyage commemorates the beginning of the end of the First World War. Weeks before the November 1918 Armistice with Germany, Armistices were signed in Greece with Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. It was here on these largely forgotten fronts in the Eastern Mediterranean that survivors could start to think about a life without ‘the War.’

‘The War’ did not end tidily though; for the people of Britain and its Dominions a different struggle started, the struggle to live with what had happened. Nearly ten million servicemen died during the First World War but double that number, twenty-one million, were wounded; as well, huge numbers of civilians had been displaced. This constituted an unprecedented public health disaster in communities world wide for people already exhausted, both personally and materially, by the efforts of years of war. Worse was to come, the global influenza pandemic of 1918-19 struck down probably as many people as had died in the war. It was particularly virulent among healthy young adults, especially among those who had survived the first three years of the war.

This voyage in the Aegean returns to the landscape of war these survivors knew during the First World War; servicemen and women on these fronts had been away from home for years. Repatriated, they found home had changed while they were way. There were to be times of uncomfortable tension between those that had been ‘on the home front’ for the duration of the war and those that had been ‘on active service’.

On our journey across the Aegean with Professor Jay Winter, internationally renowned scholar on the impact of First World War, participants will learn about the history of the war in the Eastern Mediterranean. His knowledge of the war’s effects will give us much reflect on. The Armistices we are commemorating did not end conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean, as a glance at any newspaper will attest. In a sense, the war in the Eastern Mediterranean has never come to an end.

A link to photos from the previous successful Wild Earth History cruise in 2015 (copy & paste in to browser)

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Trip Name
The Centenary of Armistice in the Mediterranean
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Sail Cruiser Length: 54 metres Passenger Capacity: 49 Built / refurbished: 1993 / 2008 / 2012 / 2015 Launched in 2004, fully renovated in 2012 and upgraded again in 2015,  the two-masted Panorama II is a 164 foot motor sailer accommodating just 49 guests. If you find large resort style vessels accommodating many thousands of passengers attractive then of course this isn’t the vessel for you. However, if you prefer an informal and warm atmosphere more akin to a private yacht combined with an itinerary dedicated to both discovery and relaxation then you need look no further.  All the cabins on board Panorama II are designed for comfort and have a nautical feel with light fabrics and wood trimmings. Cabins range in size from 97 to 173 square feet and those located on the Upper and Main Decks are equipped with windows, while those on the Lower Deck have portholes. Cabins either have twin beds or fixed double beds. (Cabins  A1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 17). Facilities include en suite bathrooms with showers, cabin TV (for DVD only), mini-fridge, safety deposit box and hairdryer. The public areas include a main lounge and bar with comfortable sofas, a restaurant located on the Lower Deck and the Upper Deck al fresco dining area where meals can be enjoyed when weather permits. There is also a swimming platform enabling guests to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit and the Upper Deck provides a generous semi covered or sun exposed space with sun loungers and chairs, ideal for relaxation and fantastic views.  Located on the Lower Deck, the indoor dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and offers generous buffet space. The aft area on the Upper Deck provides a generous semicovered area where guests can enjoy meals al fresco with wonderful views, weather permitting. Food is served at the table or displayed on the hot and cold buffets stands. The menu is Greek and international, with a focus on local specialties. On each itinerary, we have included the opportunity for you to dine ashore independently allowing you to experience the local flavours.  During the day, life on board focuses around the indoor lounge area, and the indoor dining room, as well as the open and inviting deck areas. These are natural gathering places and perfect for enjoying your meals al fresco, settling into a comfortable chair with a good book or socialising with your fellow passengers and enjoying the views. The swimming platform on Panorama II’s stern enables you to swim off the yacht when weather and anchorage conditions permit. (only applicable for voyages around Greece).  Deck plans vary depending on cruise operator, please check for details.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Thessaloniki (D)
Enjoy a day at leisure enjoying Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki has been a vibrant cultural and trade centre through two millienia, successively being part of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. A disastrous fire destroyed much of the historic lower town in 1917 and what we see today has become the modern second city of Greece. Rebuilt with straight streets and a sweeping seaside corniche, its strategic position on the northern shores of the Thermaic Gulf is obvious with its spectacular mountain backdrop. The Electra Palace is the base for our exploration of Thessaloniki and the Salonika Front. Meet your fellow travellers tonight over dinner and hear of our plans for tomorrow.
Day 2 - DAY 2: Thessaloniki – the Salonika Front (B, L, D)
For the people of Salonika, as the city was called in 1915, the First World War was just another episode of war. Salonika had become part of Greece only in 1913 during the First Balkan War. British and French troops arrived there in October 1915 to safeguard the strategic port of Salonika and maintain a front line after the Serbian Army was routed by Bulgarian troops. New Zealand, Canadian and Australian hospitals provided medical services on this front, with three hundred Australian nurses recruited to nurse malaria patients. Today we travel by bus to a part of the Front Line. A century ago there was no road; mules evacuated the casualties to hospitals in and around Salonika over mountainous terrain. Our day will focus on Diorani, on Lake Dioran, and we visit the nearby Dioran Monument. The Armistice of Salonika with Bulgaria signed 29 September 1918 is commemorated here.
Day 3 - DAY 3: Thessaloniki – Embark Panorama II (B, L, D)
We start the day in Thessaloniki visiting the Mikra Commonwealth War Cemetery. Here we remember the New Zealand Hospital, the first Allied Hospital sent to Salonika in October 1915 and torpedoed en route. Australian Sister Gertrude Munro who died of malaria and two nurses from the torpedoed ‘Marquette’ are buried here. We visit other historic sites including the Lembet Road cemetery with its Italian, Serb and French graves, a reminder of the many ethnic groups enmeshed in this conflict. In the afternoon we board our ship the Panorama II and familiarise ourselves with the vessel, settling in for the coming journey. Later this evening we will pass the site of the wreck of the torpedoed ‘Marquette’ and salute the wreck with a wreath.
Day 4 - DAY 4: Lemnos – Mudros (B, L, D)
Today we sail into this huge harbour captured by the Greek Navy from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. The Anzacs assembled and trained here for the April landings at Gallipoli. Mudros was the Navy’s headquarters during the Gallipoli campaign. The shores of the harbour became a vast open air hospital after April 1915, with British, French, Canadian and Australian military hospitals sited on its shores. Tens of thousands of casualties passed through Mudros from the Gallipoli Peninsula and it continued to provide some medical services during the Salonika Campaign. With its submarine nets it was a safe haven for the Allied Fleet throughout the War. This harbour is no longer used by shipping; Panorama II has the facility to land passengers via its tenders. We will travel by bus around the harbour past the sites of soldiers’ rest camps to the promontory where Australian Hospitals operated on sites unchanged since 1915; we will walk on the same stoney ground growing thistles. We visit the villages of Portianos and Mudors, both recognisable from photographs taken in 1915. We return to Panorama II to reflect on the vista of the surrounding hills. This was the backdrop for the Armistice of Mudros signed on board HMS ‘Agamemnon’ on 30 October 1918 ending the fighting with the Ottoman Turks in Palestine.
Day 5 - DAY 5: Lemnos – Myrina (B, L, D)
Overnight the Panorama II will reposition to be berthed in the port of Myrina, the largest town and administrative centre of Lemnos, known as Kastro in 1915. We spend the morning exploring the ancient history of Lemnos, visiting the amphitheatre of Hephaestia which dates from 1000 B.C. We visit Therma, the therapeutic springs that have a history dating back to Homer’s age; according to myth it was here that the god Ifestos was brought to heal his wounds after falling from Olympus. Water for the troops on Lemnos was rationed in 1915, so Therma was very popular destination to enjoy a bath. There will also be time to explore the town of Myrina independently and for the energetic, there is the climb to the castle above the town. On Panorama II we will host the people of Lemnoswho made the ships visit to Mudros Harbour possible.
Day 6 - DAY 6: Gallipoli, Turkey (B, L, D)
Early in the day Panorama II joins the line of ships to be piloted through the Dardanelles. We sail past the islands of Gokeada and Bozca, now Turkish, but as Imbros and Tenedos they were the sites of airfields during the Gallipoli Campaign and Imbros was the HQ for British Army Commander Sir Ian Hamilton duringthe Campaign. The monuments to the Battle for Gallipoli on Cape Helles at the mouth of the Dardanelles are clearly visible. We then dock in the port city of Canakkale and take the ferry across to the town of Ercebat. We have a full day of touring by bus planned for the peninsula, with Professor Winter giving a commentary on the sites we visit.
Day 7 - DAY 7: Dikili and Pergamon, Turkey (B, L, D)
This morning we are at sea sailing across the Aegean, passing the island of Lesbos as we make our way to the small scenic port of Dikili. It was on this coast that Scottish author Compton Mackenzie landed after rowing across from Lesbos while on active service during the Gallipoli campaign. Today we venture inland to the ancient city of Pergamon, a strategic political and military centre through the ages. Pergamon is famed for its Acropolis which we will visit before making our way the short distance to the Sanctuary of Asclepius, also known as the Asclepium. The most famous doctor of the Roman Empire and personal physician to Marcus Aurelius, Galen, worked here for many years. Patients would travel from around the Roman world to bathe in the waters of the sacred spring, seeking cures for their ailments. We delve into this ancient world, learning more from local experts and enjoying the remaining grand architecture of the Roman Empire.
Day 8 - DAY 8: Delos & Mykonos (B, L, D)
Lying at the heart of the Cyclades and the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis Delos was at the centre of the ancient Greek world and today is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. We venture ashore this morning to marvel at the ancient Greek architecture and thesheer scale of the society that once called the island home. Together with local guides we explore the remains of what was an exceptionally vibrant society and learn about recent archaeological investigations and finds. This afternoon Panorama II sails the short distance across the Mykonos where there is free time to explore the beautiful village and surrounding scenery.
Day 9 - DAY 9: Crete (B, L, D)
We arrive this morning in Rethymnon on the island of Crete, from here we will explore the world renowned scenery of this spectacular island and learn more about its fascinating history. It has particular meaning for Australians and New Zealanders because of the Battle for Crete in May 1941. General Sir Bernard Fryberg was the Allied Commander on Crete. He was a New Zealand dentist awarded the DSO at Gallipoli for swimming ashore to light decoy fires. After Crete he went on to play a significant part in the halting of the German invasion of North Africa before becoming Governor General of New Zealand in 1946. Panorama II sails for Athens this evening and we enjoy a Gala Farewell dinner with the Captain, Officers and guest speakers.
Day 10 - DAY 10: Athens (B, L)
This morning the Panorama II arrives in Athens, be on deck as we arrive in the bustling port to enjoy the views. After breakfast we depart the from the Panorama II and enjoy a tour of Athens including lunch before making our way to Athens Airport for our return Emirates flights.
Day 11 - DAY 11: Crete (B, L, D)
We arrive this morning in Rethymnon on the island of Crete, from here we will explore the world renowned scenery of this spectacular island and learn more about its fascinating history. It has particular meaning for Australians and New Zealanders because of the Battle for Crete in May 1941. General Sir Bernard Fryberg was the Allied Commander on Crete. He was a New Zealand dentist awarded the DSO at Gallipoli for swimming ashore to light decoy fires. After Crete he went on to play a significant part in the halting of the German invasion of North Africa before becoming Governor General of New Zealand in 1946. Panorama II sails for Athens this evening and we enjoy a Gala Farewell dinner with the Captain, Officers and guest speakers.
Day 12 - DAY 12: Athens (B, L)
This morning the Panorama II arrives in Athens, be on deck as we arrive in the bustling port to enjoy the views. After breakfast we depart the from the Panorama II and enjoy a tour of Athens including lunch before making our way to Athens Airport for our return Emirates flights.
Day 13 - DAY 13: Dubai/Flying
Continue our on wards travels home.
Day 14 - Day 14: Arrive Australia/New Zealand
Arrive home today.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-10-201820-10-2018USD$5,995Category 2 - Lower Deck
11-10-201820-10-2018USD$6,750Category 1 Sole Use - Lower Deck Fwd
11-10-201820-10-2018USD$6,999Category 3 - Main Deck
11-10-201820-10-2018USD$7,999Category 4 - Upper Deck
11-10-201820-10-2018USD$8,495Category 2 Sole Use - Lower Deck Fwd

Inclusions

    • Discover Lemnos
    • a beautiful Greek Island & Myrina, it's largest town. The settlement stretches around two beautiful bays and between stands the imposing Venetian castle surrounded by massive formations of volcanic rock. The focus of the visit to Lemnos will be visiting Mudros Harbour
    • the site of the Armistice and the end of hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies in 1918.
    • Visit Pergamon. The Acropolis of Pergamon is certainly dramatic, perched atop a high, steep-sided hill to the northeast of the modern city centre. The great temples and dramatic theatre are visible from anywhere in the city, as they were meant to be.
    • Guest speaker – international authority on the First World War, Professor Jay Winter

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