Overview
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Transfer from Athens to Piraeus to embark on your ship. Sail to Istanbul, Turkey, and board a private tender boat for an excursion through the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia. Stroll the Spice Market in Istanbul. An overnight docking means more time to explore this fascinating city with a second day of exploring before sailing for Canakkale in north-western Turkey—the area that includes historic Troy and Gallipoli. Cruise across the Aegean to the Greek port of Volos—where, according to mythology—Jason and his Argonauts were trained by the centaur Chiron. Cruise to the island of Crete, and visit the ancient sites in Heraklion and Knossos—the center of 3000-BC Minoan civilization and fascinating Greek myths. Your ship sails on to the “Black Pearl of the Aegean”—Santorini. Join in an excursion to the clifftops perched on the volcanic caldera. Continue to the vibrant island of Mykonos. Explore its narrow streets lined with white- washed buildings and see its symbolic windmills. Time to shop and soak up the sun (or shade) in classic Greek style. Return to Athens to conclude your cruise. This spectacular Mediterranean cruise with a stay in Athens are the stuff of legends!
Highlights
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
CRUISING Seven-night cruise with ports of call at Istanbul (Turkey), Canakkale, Volos (Greece), Heraklion (Crete), Santorini (weather permitting), Mykonos
CRUISE DETAILS:
- Rotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.
- Cabin categories: Inside cabin (category IB) Outside cabin (category XB)
- All cabins with two lower beds and private shower and toilet.
- Full entertainment program on board.
- Included drink package: selection of non-alcoholic & alcoholic drinks.
- Globus Host service throughout the cruise.
- Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. At time of printing, the ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Celestyal Crystal, operated by Celestyal Cruises. Certain departures may be operated by other Celestyal Cruises ships of similar standard.
Istanbul: Bosphorus cruise, Santorini: clifftop village Oia (weather permitting), Heraklion: Minoan Palace of Knossos
2020 Tour itinerary
Total meals included:
- 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE
Day1
Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your Globus Host and traveling companions for a welcome drink.
ATHENS
Day2
. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the world-famous ACROPOLIS, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Here, see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Enjoy a panoramic view that includes glimpses of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the beautifully preserved Theseum, where Socrates taught. Later, a city orientation tour features the Parliament House and a picture stop at the Panathenaic Stadium. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and was host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The rest of the day is at leisure. How about a Greek dinner tonight? Your local host knows where to find local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS–PIRAEUS (EMBARKATION)
Day3
Today, head to the port city of Piraeus, where your cruise ship awaits to whisk you into the crystal-blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
CRUISING: ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Day4
This afternoon, arrive in Istanbul, founded as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago. Catch glimpses of Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans in the 15th century; Sultan Ahmed I’s Blue Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture; and Hagia Sophia, symbol of Istanbul.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
ISTANBUL
Day5
Another full day to experience this mesmerising gateway between the Orient and the Occident. A private tender boat will take you on your included CRUISE on the Bosphorus strait that divides Europe and Asia. Then back to dry land to stroll around the SPICE MARKET. Join a shore excursion to complete your visit in Istanbul. Your ship departs in the early evening.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: CANAKKALE
Day6
Enter the Dardanelles Strait and dock at Canakkale in northwestern Turkey. Choose from exciting optional excursions to learn about this strategic area which boasts Troy and Gallipoli, where wars have been waged throughout the centuries.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: VOLOS, GREECE
Day7
Back in Greece, explore lively Volos, the enchanting area where mythology’s centaur Chiron taught heroes such as Jason, leader of the Argonauts. You might enjoy visiting the archaeological museum, home to superb collections from the Neolithic, Hellenistic, and Byzantine eras.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: HERAKLION, CRETE
Day8
Today, discover Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. With an expert guide, visit KNOSSOS, center of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization. Stroll through the frescoed palace ruins with its ties to mythology’s King Minos and the terrifying half-man/half-bull Minotaur imprisoned in the labyrinth.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: SANTORINI, GREECE–MYKONOS
Day9
Visit two ports today. First, weather permitting, is SANTORINI, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Don’t miss the included excursion to clifftop Oia, dramatically perched on the sheer side of the island’s caldera. With its brilliant whitewashed buildings, striking blue-domed roofs, and breathtaking views, this is Greece at its iconic best. Later, dock at Mykonos, where you’re greeted by the charming collection of windmills. Time to wander the narrow, shop-lined streets or to relax at a shaded taverna before returning to your ship.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
PIRAEUS (DISEMBARKATION)–ATHENS
Day10
After breakfast on board, disembark for a final day in Athens. Tonight is your chance to join an optional dinner outing to try the local fare.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS
Day11
. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Wyndham Grand Hotel Athens
Superior First-Class
This sleek, contemporary 276-room hotel in the heart of Athens boasts an amazing roof terrace with outdoor swimming pool and bar-restaurant with panoramic views over the iconic Acropolis. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property and there is also a sauna and gym.
Location
Megalou Alexandrou, Athens, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Fitness Room
- Laundry Available
- Currency Exchange
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Business Center
- Elevator
- Pool
- Luggage Storage
- Parking/Valet
- Spa Services
- Restaurant On-Site
- Hot Tub
- Concierge desk
Room Facilities
- Room Service
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Smoking Rooms
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Window Opens
- Complimentary Newspaper
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Air Conditioning
- Coffee Maker
- Wake-Up Calls
- Desk
- Cable/Satellite
- Phone
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Television
- Climate Control
- Internet Access
- Mini-bar
- Hair Dryer
- In-Room Safe
- Voicemail
