Swan Hellenic Launches Summer 2010 Itineraries

Swan Hellenic has announced an interesting range of destinations for summer 2010 on its ship the 320-passenger Minerva, along with a new and extended river cruise program.

New for Minerva in 2010 will be maiden calls in the following ports:

• Grundafjordur, Iceland on Sagas of Ice & Fire cruise
• Trieste, Italy on the Venetian Republic cruise
• Kerch, Ukraine on the Black Sea Odyssey
• Belle IIe, France – A French Vintage

Passengers on the French Vintage cruise will berth alongside St Malo, sail up the Gironde River for an overnight stay in Bordeaux, spending the evenings in ports to soak up the French relaxed atmosphere and culture. Other delights include the tranquil Belle IIe, a French island off the coast of Brittany, and the idyllic Isles of Scilly.

Minerva will also be revisiting ports in Arabia and Syria – a region not included on Swan Hellenic itineraries for many years. The Arabian Nights cruise takes in the spectacular sights of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the vessel sails through the Red Sea to conclude in Dubai. An integrated shore excursion program for each individual cruise itinerary offers a mix of must see sights as well as some hidden gems, like the small Greek islands of Nisyros, Patmos and Symi that many other larger cruise ships might sail by.

Swan Hellenic passengers on the Minerva can also enjoy the opportunity to socialize and dine with the distinguished guest speakers who enrich the experience and provide new insights on the destinations visited. Some of the guest speakers uncovering the stories behind each destination are:

• Professor Maria Vassilaki, one of the curators of the recent Byzantium 330-1453 exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2009
• Professor Richard Holmes CBE TD, a highly acclaimed military historian
• Mr. George Hart, ex staff lecturer at the British Museum

Now included is Swan Hellenic's "price promise" – passengers who book early will receive any price reduction on their cruise announced in future published brochures. Swan also guarantees no fuel surcharges or currency surcharges.

To obtain your preferred cabin on your choice of cruise, call Swan Hellenic’s Sales Representative on 0845 017 0017 or visit your local travel agent. For the latest cruise itineraries and special offers, visit the website: www.swanhellenic.com.

Swan Hellenic Minerva Courtesy of Swan Hellenic Cruises