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Day 16
Destination: Zakynthos
Breakfast: Onboard the ship. Morning: Today we discover the island of Zakynthos, where a dramatic chapter of Jewish history unfolded. In 1944, the Nazis sent a demand to the bishop and mayor of Zakynthos to surrender the names of every Jewish resident on the island. Instead, the courageous city officials sent warning to the locals of the impending danger, and the community came together to hide their Jewish neighbors from the Nazi soldiers. For months, the Nazis searched the island but the community was defiant, and in the end, not one of the 275 Jewish residents of Zakynthos was surrendered or abducted. We’ll begin our Greek discoveries by exploring the town on a walking tour. Note the Venetian influence still visible in the local architecture—the town was once controlled by the Serene Republic, and its legacy can still be seen. Then, we’ll begin our A Day in the Life experience. Unlike many of its flashier neighbors, the Greek island of Zakynthos has never reinvented itself as a tourist destination, and the locals here live out their lives on the land as they have for centuries. We’ll get an intimate view of traditional life here when we split into smaller groups to enjoy one of three different—but equally enriching experiences. During our visit, our activities may range from learning about the wine-making process to experiencing what it's like to produce olive oil. We’ll also have the opportunity to meet the community members of the village you visit. Lunch: Join the family at their table to enjoy lunch together, prepared from farm fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Our hosts will choose the menu, but we’ll likely savor typical Mediterranean dishes such as stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, pita bread, roasted eggplant spread, and rice. Afternoon: We’ll take our time after lunch, sipping coffee with our hosts, and enjoying intimate conversation about daily life in Agios Leon. In a village as small as this, relationships are close, and friendly rivalries and jealousies are common (summarized neatly by a local saying: “If you like your neighbor, you can’t wait to see his goat dead”). As we’ll learn, however, our host family is a universally beloved pillar of the community, by virtue of the work they’ve done to help Agios Leon grow. After we make our farewells, we return to Zakynthos where the rest of the day is free to explore independently. The island is known for its gorgeous beaches, and you may decide to pay a visit during your free time. Zakynthos is also home to several historic monasteries, as well as a Byzantine Museum, where you can view artifacts from this medieval empire. Dinner: We’ll share an included Farewell Dinner in the ship’s dining room. Evening: At leisure. We’ll sail to Patras overnight. |
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12/15/24 |
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