Willis Group

Welcome to the 2009 Willis Group Cruise!

This is the 2nd annual Willis Group European Cruise.  A very exciting itinerary awaits you and your friends.  Here is some information on the ports you all will be visiting.

Barcelona

Founded by Romans in the first century BC, Barcelona is the vibrant capital of Catalonian Spain. Many of the worlds finest treasures can be seen in Barcelonas museums and monuments. Romanesque and Gothic frescoes and treasures can be enjoyed at the Catalan Art Museum. Among the most treasured sites is Gaudis masterpiece, The Sagrada Familia.

Attractions

While you're in Barcelona, don't miss the Picasso Gallery. Several adjoining 15th-century palaces house a huge collection (over 2,000 pieces) of Picasso's work.

Activities 

• Stroll along Las Ramblas, a wonderfully vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention.
• Explore the many churches and cathedrals of Barcelona and discover the city's modernist architecture along Paseo de Gracia.
• Visit Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Segrada Familia. With eight soaring spires and a spectacular main façade, this cathedral is a true architectural masterpiece. 

Food

Don't miss paella, the Spanish national dish. It's a delicious combination of seafood, chicken and vegetables mixed together with saffron-colored rice.

Tunis

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia. Situated on a large Mediterranean gulf (the Gulf of Tunis), behind the Lake of Tunis and the port of La Goulette (Halq al Wadi), the city extends along the coastal plain and the hills that surround it. At the centre of more modern development (colonial era and post) lies the old medina. Beyond this section lie the suburbs of Carthage, La Marsa, and Sidi Bou Said.

Attractions

Tour the baths, villas and other ruins in the ancient Roman city of Carthage. A major gateway to Africa, Tunis boasts an uncrowded kasbah, a fascinating museum, and lots of local color.

Activities 

• Bardo Museum (Le Musée National du Bardo) - Occupying the palace of the Ottoman-era bey (ruler) and renowned for its extensive collection of Roman mosaics, although the (huge) collection covers Tunisia's entire existence from the prehistoric era until the Ottoman days. Exhibits from Carthage, Mahdia, Sousse, many from the Roman period in addition to presentations of Arabian culture old and new.
• Dar Ben Abdallah (Musée du Patrimoine Traditionnel). A small but interesting museum within an 18th-century palace in the medina, covering the everyday life of a rich merchant in the Ottoman era.
• Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul
• Zitouna Mosque (Jemaa ez-Zitouna). The largest mosque in Tunisia and the closest thing Tunis has to a landmark, this Aghlabite mosque dates back to the 9th century, although the distinctive square minaret is a much later 19th century addition. Modest dress essential, but non-Muslims can only enter the courtyard, not the mosque itself.  

Shopping

The souq in the medina makes for a fascinating stroll. Tiny shops overflowing with stuff; people selling, buying, milling about; skeletal cats lurking in the shadows; the smells of essential oils, spices, frying food and rotting garbage; the sounds of the muezzin, ra�, football on the radio, Arabic and French... The Tunis medina's main routes are labeled "touristique", but even a few steps off the beaten track it's a real, working market.

Currency

Currency in Tunisia: Tunisian dinar (TND

Piraeus

Piraeus is the port of Athens. Serving as the gateway to the past and civilization as we know it, Athens is far more than the Acropolis. Nowhere on earth are mans past accomplishments more dramatically displayed as a backdrop to a modern metropolis. Spend time exploring ancient ruins, viewing incalculable treasures or just relax as another day evolves in the cradle of civilization.

Attractions

No visit to Athens would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis. There you'll find the Parthenon, the largest building in the Acropolis and one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights. It was built as a temple to Athena and is still a remarkable structure today.

Activities 

• Visit Plaka, the old neighborhood of Athens. Explore the narrow streets and alleys, single-story houses, neoclassical villas, taverns and many tourist shops.
• Experience the traditional flea market of Monastiraki, the neighborhood next to Plaka.
• Explore the National Archaeological Museum, home to a formidable collection of the world's antiquities.
• Pay a visit to ancient Agora, ancient site of the religious and political heart of Athens.
• The Archaeological Museum is known to have the finest collection of Greek art in the world. Exhibits include the sensational finds from the excavations at Mycenae and the remarkably well preserved frescoes from a 3,000-year-old civilization discovered at Akrotiri on the island of Santorini. There are also classical statuary, pottery, stone carvings and jewelry from excavations throughout Greece.
• The Benaki Museum has recently undergone thorough modernization. Its three floors house more than 30,000 items, all illustrating the character of the Greek world.
• Located near Kolonaki, the Goulandris Museum features a fantastic collection of Cycladic and ancient art spanning 5,000 years. The exhibits were assembled by ship owner Nikolaos P. Goulandris. Its treasures include many of the slim marble figurines that fascinated artists like Picasso and Modigliani.
• Mount Lycabettus, Athens' highest hill, is only a 10-minute walk from Syntagma Square. It borders the fashionable Kolonaki residential area. A steeply inclined funicular climbs to the summit, which is crowned by a small, white chapel. Pollution permitting, the view from Mount Lycabettus is the finest in Athens.
• Plaka stretches east from the Agora, this lovely quarter, with winding alleys, neo-classical buildings, whitewashed, bougainvillea-framed houses and tiny churches, is worth your exploration.
• Agios Eleftherios is a 12th-century Byzantine church and Athens' former cathedral is known for the fanciful figures and zodiac signs that adorn its walls. 

Shopping

Traditional handicrafts, though sometimes expensive, are the most authentically Greek souvenirs. In Athens, Monastiraki and Plaka are the best places to purchase handcrafted goods. You'll find ceramics, brightly colored embroidery and wall hangings, flokati rugs and tapestries.

Food

Athens offers endless dining opportunities. Most restaurants feature lamb dishes among other Greek specialties. Fish, steak and international cuisine are widely available. In Piraeus, seafood restaurants along the yacht harbor at Microlimano are very popular. Greece produces some excellent wines. Ouzo is the traditional Greek liquor.

Currency

The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Greece. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax added to most purchases. )

Rhodes

Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese Islands, is truly a vacation destination with something for everyone: sunshine, spectacular beaches on the Aegean Sea, a medieval walled city, an ancient acropolis, and much more. In ancient times, the people of Rhodes chose Helios, the Sun, as their divine patron. With an average of three hundred plus days of sunshine a year, it's safe to say that Helios continues to smile upon Rhodes today.

Attractions

On the north end of the island, overlooking the sea, stand the ancient remains of the Acropolis of Rhodes. The buildings of the Rhodes Acropolis date back to the 3rd-2nd century BC. Though the entire Acropolis has yet to be excavated, some amazing sections have been restored: the stadium; a marble odeion - a concert hall or theatre; four columns of the Temple of Pythian Apollo; and a few remains of the Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus.

Activities

• Storm the Street of the Knights in the Old Town. This medieval, cobble-paved street lies over an ancient pathway from the Rhodes Acropolis to the port. In the early 16th century, the street was lined with inns housing the Knights of the Order of St. John, who once ruled the island. The inns that remain today are a study in history and architecture, definitely worth seeing.
• For a cleansing experience like no other, visit the Municipal Baths (Turkish baths) located in a 7th-century Byzantine structure in the old town.
• Discover the large collection of tombstones of the Knights of the Order of St. John at the Archeological Museum of Rhodes.

Adventures

Rhodes features plenty of beach and sea action - parasailing, fishing, jet-skiing, sailing, yachting.... Have a blast exploring the Aegean Sea!

Shopping

Ceramics, lace tablecloths, rugs and jewelry are tempting purchases. A bottle of Rhodian wine from one of the distinguished wineries on the island makes a perfect gift for friends at home. And, you can find the best olive oil, also known as liquid gold, as well as extraordinary honey, being sold out of private homes by local residents.

Food

To begin your culinary adventure, simply visit one of the many tavernas and restaurants in Rhodes. Sample the mezedes, a variety of small Greek dishes and appetizers that are often served with the anise-flavored local aperitif, ouzo. Dolmades, a popular selection, are vine leaves filled with lamb and rice, then fried in oil and served cold. Another traditional dish is moussaka, made with potatoes, cheese, b�chamel and eggplant.

Currency

The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Greece.

Limassol

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. The southern central coast is home to the port city of Limassol. The city is a convenient starting point from which to explore the island�s ancient ruins and lush scenic highlights, including miles of olive, orange and lemon groves, cherry orchards and vineyards that cling to the island�s craggy slopes. Wooded mountains create a stunning backdrop to the stretches of picture-perfect beaches rimming the coastline.

Attractions

See the Kolossi Castle built by Knights of St John where Richard the Lionheart is said to have married Berengaria. Or marvel at the colorful mosaics in the House of Dionysus at Paphos. Other attractions in Limassol itself include the old port, public gardens, a small zoo, an archaeological museum and a folkloric museum.

Shopping

Lace, copper ware, pottery and basketwork are popular souvenir items. Some shops may be closed on Sunday.

Food

Restaurants offering Greek, Continental, Arabic, Indian and Chinese cuisine are available. You may want to try the traditional meze, or hors d'oeuvres, which can include almost anything. The variety is so great that one can easily make an entire meal of meze.

Currency

The local currency is the Cypriot pound.

Alexandria

Founded by its namesake, Alexander the Great in 332 B.C., Alexandria has been home to many historical figures, including Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Julius Caesar and Euclid. Today the city has a distinctly Mediterranean feel, perhaps a remainder of its ancient Roman connection. The charming seaside promenade, colonial buildings and wide avenues make it an exotic, romantic destination.

Attractions

As with most of Egypt, the historical landmarks here are a must-see. Take time to explore the Roman Amphitheatre, Pompei's Pillar and the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, dating back to the second century A.D. Then cool off on the beaches and enjoy some of the natural beauty that has drawn people here over centuries.

Food

Alexandria is known to have the best food in the country. A wide range of both local and international cuisine is available in fine restaurants, deluxe hotels and waterfront cafes.

Currency

Egypt's official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).

Valletta

In 1530, Charles V of Spain granted the island of Malta to the Knights of the Order of St. John. Many impressive 16th-century limestone buildings and fortifications from the Knights have endured, helping make the city of Valetta simply magnificent to experience today.

Attractions

Explore the city's main square and pass many of its ancient buildings. Then head to St. John's Cathedral, founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John during the 16th century. Today the cathedral is the final resting place for many of the knights - their headstones line the cathedral floor.

Activities 

• Visit the Armory, St, John's Co-Cathedral, and the 18th century Manoel Theater for some more spectacular sights.
• Visit the National Museum of Archaeology. It houses collections of pottery, sculpture, statuettes, stone implements and personal ornaments recovered from the Maltese megalithic temples and other prehistoric sites.
• Explore the Palace of the Grand Masters, completed in 1574. It contains portraits of the Grand Masters of the Order and European monarchs, interesting furniture and other works of art.
• Stroll through the Upper Barrakka Gardens and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Grand Harbour. 

Shopping

Traditional crafts, such as handmade lace, ceramics, silver and gold filigree, brass and copper metalwork, pottery, tiles and mouth-blown glass, are great buys.

Food

Maltese food is rustic and based on seasonal produce and the fishermen's catch. Pastry of all kinds is used to encase vegetables, cheese, fish, meat, rice and pasta, producing tasty and filling dishes. These include delicate combinations of young cauliflower florets, sheep or goat cheeses and egg contained in a crisp pastry, similar in taste to quiche. Or try the stronger taste of Lampuki pie, filleted dorado mixed with spinach, cauliflower, chestnuts and sultanas in shortcrust pastry. It has an unusual and delicious taste. Spinach and anchovy pies have a distinctive taste and are very popular, as is timpana, an everyday concoction of pasta in a meat sauce topped with a layer of pastry.

Currency

The Maltese lira (MTL) is the official currency of Malta. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate.