CLASSIC GREECE AND 4 DAY CRUISE

After your arrival in Athens our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to your Hotel in Athens. Enjoy the rest of the day free to have a first impression of the city.

2nd day Wednesday: Athens – Sightseeing

Athens Sightseeing – In the morning we begin our visit of Athens showing the highlights of the city with a panoramic tour in the center. We will see the Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus and after to the Constitution square called “Syntagma” where the presidential guard, called “Evzonos”, is in front of the Greek parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then we will go to the Panathinaikos stadium that was originally built in 329aC, where the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896 were held. After the drive through the center, we will visit the Acropolis and Parthenon, this magnificent monument built during the Golden age of Pericles at the time of 447BC dedicated to the Goddess Athena. Finally, we will visit the new Acropolis Museum, a building of a modern architecture, with the unique antiquities from the Acropolis.

After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the center of Athens which lies around Acropolis, passing through Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio with a pleasant atmosphere of the ancient city.

3rd day Thursday: Epidauros, Mycenae and Olympia

In the morning we leave Athens to Corinth Canal. After a brief stop in the Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, we continue to Epidauros. Here we enter into the culture of the 4th century BC and admire the Theatre of Epidauros, which is famous for having an exceptional acoustics that allows almost perfect hearing of the unamplified voice stage for any of the 15,000 places in which each viewer can be seated. The city of Epidauros was one of the most important pilgrimage centers of antiquity for having the famous shrine of the God Asclepius doctor. The theater for his see is now the best-preserved theater of antiquity. Depart for Nauplion, this picturesque town which was the first capital of Greece after the Turkish rule, in 1821. This beautiful town nestles at the foot of the cliff were the Palamidi Fortress lies on the top. After passing by the old town, we continue and visit the Acropolis of Mycenae, the Homeric city of King Atreides, the city “rich in gold” of the ancient poets, where we will see the tomb of Agamemnon, the “lions gate” and Cyclopic walls among other interests of antiquity. Late in the afternoon, depart to the birthplace city of the Olympic games called Olympia, through Tripolis and Megapolis in the center of Peloponnese.

4th day Friday: Olympia

After breakfast we will visit the archaeological site of Olympia, the site of the Olympic games of the Classic Era, which were held every four years during antiquity, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. We will see the temple of Olympian Zeus with the famous statue of Zeus, which was about 13 meters and was made out of gold and ivory, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that the sculptor Phidias took about twelve years to build. We will go by the old stadium, that hosted the various sports of the Olympic games, and the archaeological museum. Leaving Olympia northward and through the plain of Ilias and Achaia, we arrive at the magnificent bridge which unites the Rio with Antirio and passes over the bay of Corinth. Continuing our path and passing through the picturesque towns of Itea and Nafpactos we reach the “center of the ancient world” Delphi.

5th day Saturday: Delphi 

In the morning we will visit the archaeological site and museum of Delphi, where we see the Omphalos which the “navel / center of the universe” and whose fame was extended far beyond the borders of Greece, kept in the temple of the wrath Apollo. Inside the museum enjoy some masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the famous athlete Aghias and the Brass Charioteer. The Oracle of Delphi acquired great influence in the world. The predictions of the priestess of Apollo called Pythia, influenced the decisions, and had a great impact on the history of the cities of ancient times. Walk the Via Sacra which arrives at the temple of Apollo. After visiting and getting to know this legendary location, we will continue our journey to the town of Kalambaka, an inspiring and impressive destination.

6th day Sunday: Meteora 

Kalambaka is at the foot of this astonishing complex of Meteora, an impressive backdrop of gigantic rocks that appear to be suspended in the air, formed over 60 million years ago. On top of these rocks, the monks who settled after the 12th century, despite being almost inaccessible, built 24 monasteries in the hermit ideal time of the 15th century. Today six of these are kept which enjoy excellent specimens of Byzantine art. Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depart in the afternoon from Kalambaka passing through the plains of Thessaly, Lamia, and Thermopylae, where the monument of King Leonidas of Sparta is, and Thiva. Arrival at our final destination Athens late afternoon.

7th day Monday: Mykonos

In the morning check out from the Hotel and transfer to the port to board the cruise ship. First stop the wonderful island of Mykonos. The picturesque center of the island with its characteristic cobbled streets is called “Hora” and is the place where you can shop day and night, but also experience the famous nightlife of the island that lasts until sunrise. Late afternoon departure for Kusadasi.

8th day Tuesday: Samos or Kusadasi and Patmos

First destination of the day we will have the choice to go to the island of Samos or to Kusadasi (Turkey).

Samos apart from its natural beauty with fine sandy beaches and its lawns of green slopes,  it is also rich in history and culture. Here was born Pythagoras, the father of mathematics. The island is also well known from antiquity for its luxury, its wines, and the production of red ceramics.

Kusadasi is known for the historical sites of Ephesus and the house of the Virgin Mary, besides famous beaches, and the view of the Aegean Sea.

The second destination is the island of Patmos, world famous for hosting the monastery of St. John and the cave where the Revelation was written, which occupies a central role in the Christian religion. Besides its religious importance, the island has beautiful beaches and unique features being a favorite destination.

9th day Wednesday: Rhodes

In the morning arrival on the island of Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago, also known as the island of knights, due to be inhabited by the knights of St. John in the fourteenth century who built the Venetian castle and its walls that today are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the old city center, the market, and the typical streets, all around the castle which is one of the best preserved in the Mediterranean region. Enjoy the notes and tastes of this wonderful island.

10th day Thursday: Crete and Santorini

The first destination of the day is Heraklio on the island of Crete, the largest island of Greece, where the Minoan civilization existed and the palace of Knossos which was the political and economic center of that time. Enjoy the morning to walk around the ancient city of Heraklio, with the old Venetian harbor, and enjoy the wide variety of restaurants and bars, where you can venture out and experience the typical Cretan cuisine which is the basis of Mediterranean cuisine. Or visit the Museum of Heraklio and see the famous Phestos disc that with its mysterious symbols stamped on it conceals its meaning until today.

In the afternoon the last stop Santorini, famous for its spectacular views of the Caldera, the typical white houses with stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Around 1600 BC the island was the site of the Minoan eruption, which left a large crater named Caldera and was possibly the cause of the extinction of the Minoan civilization of Crete with a giant tsunami caused by the eruption. Another theory says that this was the origin of the legend of Atlantis. In the afternoon don’t miss the famous sunset seen in the typical village of Oia (pronounced Ia), where the sun seems to sink into the blue of the Aegean Sea.

11th day Friday: Return

In the morning arrival at Piraeus port, check out from the cruise ship and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• 3 nights in Athens at your chosen Hotel category
• 1 night in Olympia at your chosen Hotel category
• 1 night in Delphi at your chosen Hotel category
• 1 night in Kalambaka at your chosen Hotel category
• 4 nights in the cruise ship to the Greek Islands and Turkey
• Daily breakfast
• 3 dinners in Classic tour
• All Inclusive meals in the Cruise with drink package
• Arrival, intermediate and departure private transfers in Athens
• Orientation meeting with representative on arrival in Athens for a local guidance and assistance in the transfer.
• City tour in Athens, Acropolis, and the museum with official English-speaking guide, including entrances.
• Services of professional English-speaking guide and modern air-conditioned motor coach (Days 2-6)
• Entrances as per itinerary
• Selected shore excursions in the cruise

Excluded:

• Hotel taxes from € 0,5 up to € 4,0 per room per night, payable directly at the Hotel.
• Port taxes and cruise service charges
• Porter fees
• Optional tours
• Everything that is not specifically stated on the itinerary and inclusions