Overview
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You've seen photos of the ancient Acropolis, dating back to the 5th century BC—now’s your chance to see it in person. You've watched the Olympics on TV—now’s your chance to visit Olympia, legendary home of the first Olympic Games. You've dreamed of cruising in the Greek Islands—now’s your chance to sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea and visit these islands yourself. All of this and more await you on this budget-minded Greece tour and cruise.
Step back in time on your guided visits to many of Greece's historic sites. In addition to the Acropolis, visit the archaeological site of Mycenae, dating back to 1350 to 1200 BC; the amazingly well-preserved, 2,300-year-old open-air theater in Epidaurus, which still seats 14,000 spectators; and the medieval Byzantine Citadel of Mystra, a castle founded in 1249. Also visit the spectacular mountain landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries set in almost inaccessible sandstone peaks.
You’ll also enjoy a 4-night cruise on the Aegean Sea cruising to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. Visit Mykonos, Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses; Kusadasi, Turkey, where an included excursion takes you to the fascinating Roman, Greek, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus; Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation; Rhodes, one of Europe's largest medieval towns with ramparts and palaces built during the Crusades; Heraklion, Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges with archaeological treasures and beautiful scenery; and Santorini (weather permitting), still an active volcano offering one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas.
Picturesque fishing villages, breathtaking blue waters, and ancient sites offer a sightseeing vacation of a lifetime. Your budget travel to Greece for a spectacular Greek tour and cruise is truly an affordable dream vacation!
Please note: 2021 itinerary is based on 2020 and is subject to change, but by booking today you will lock in your price. Full details will be confirmed in September 2020.
Highlights
Guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
CORINTH CANAL
EPIDAURUSVisit the open-air theater
MYCENAE Guided visit of the archaeological site
SPARTA Visit
MYSTRA Visit the Byzantine citadel of Mystra and olive oil museum
RION-ANTIRION BRIDGE
DELPHI Visit
METEORA See the mystic rock Monasteries
CRUISING HIGHLIGHTSIncluded shore excursions: Ephesus archaeological site, Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights
Save £75pp on 2021 departures
Book your 2021 escorted tour early and save £75 per person. Plus, if you reserve flights with us now, we'll take away the hassle of tracking on-sale dates, recommended arrival times and airline options, and send you a recommendation as soon as flights are available. All with ATOL protection, naturally.
See offer details2021 Tour itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Total meals included:
- 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners
ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE
Day1
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the Greek capital.
ATHENS
Day2
A day to relax and do just as you please. For instance, join an optional day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros. In the evening, free time to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas and nightclubs in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS–CORINTH–NAUPLIA
Day3
Join the included guided tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of this ancient capital and a visit to the ACROPOLIS. Cross the CORINTH CANAL, a project conceived in ancient Greece but only completed in 1893, then head for the coast to Nauplia.
Today’s Distance: 90 mi/ 145 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
NAUPLIA–EPIDAURUS–MYCENAE–SPARTA.
Day4
NAUPLIA–EPIDAURUS–MYCENAE–SPARTA. This morning, stop in EPIDAURUS. Visit the OPEN-AIR-THEATER, which can still seat 14,000 spectators, then enjoy the included guided excursion to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE and MUSEUM OF MYCENAE, a city fortress cursed by the gods but rich in gold and warrior kings. Travel into the Peloponnese to Sparta.
Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
SPARTA–MYSTRA–OLYMPIA
Day5
. Enjoy the included sightseeing of the medieval BYZANTINE CITADEL OF MYSTRA, at one time known as the “Florence of the East.” Stop to visit an OLIVE OIL MUSEUM, then continue to Olympia.
Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 210 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
OLYMPIA–PATRAS–DELPHI
Day6
Explore Olympia, where the athletes of antiquity performed in honor of the king of deities. Spend free time in this pretty town, or learn more about the history of the Olympic Games on the optional sightseeing tour. Later, drive north toward Patras, the capital of the Peloponnese and the west coast’s largest port. Then, head through picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystical Delphi, crossing the spectacular RION-ANTIRION BRIDGE.
Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
DELPHI–KALAMBAKA
Day7
Enjoy free time in town or optional morning sightseeing of the archaeological site of Delphi. On to Kalambaka.
Today’s Distance: 165 mi/ 265 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
KALAMBAKA–METEORA–ATHENS
Day8
Discover Meteora, a cluster of Christian-Orthodox MONASTERIES perched in an unforgettable manner on a set of rising rock formations. Your included visit is certainly the day’s highlight. Continue south to Athens.
Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS.
Day9
Spend a full day at leisure to explore the unseen parts of the city. Tonight, sign up for the optional Greek dinner.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS–PIRAEUS (EMBARKATION)–MYKONOS
Day10
. Early morning embarkation and afternoon cruising in the Aegean. Arrive this evening in Mykonos, a granite island and the most typical of the Cyclades. Its white and blue houses, windmills, and chapels seem to make the island’s light even more translucent. Spend some time visiting a taverna or just wandering around the town, enjoying its timeless beauty.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
KUSADASI, TURKEY & PATMOS, GREECE
Day11
Two ports of call await today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast for an included morning excursion to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of EPHESUS. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
RHODES.
Day12
Dock in Rhodes, largest of the Dodecanese Islands and site of the Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC. Explore the sites in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility: join an included excursion to LINDOS and the Citadel of the Knights. If sightseeing is not your preference, Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches and colorful shopping districts are within easy walking distance of the port. Depart from Rhodes around dinner time.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRETE & SANTORINI
Day13
Spend the morning in Heraklion on the island of Crete. A few miles away is Knossos, the center of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization; an optional excursion can be booked. Next port of call (weather permitting) is Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The optional shore excursion here takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
PIRAEUS (DISEMBARKATION)–ATHENS
Day14
Early morning arrival in Piraeus; disembark and drive to Athens. Time to relax, visit a museum, or to do some last-minute shopping.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS.
Day15
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.
Illisos
First-Class
The hotel Illisos, situated just a few steps away from the historical and commercial center of Athens, is the perfect location for both business and tourism. It features a beautiful roof garden bar overlooking the Parthenon, as well as a restaurant serving Mediterranean and international cuisine. All elegant guestrooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned with satellite TV, radio, and a work desk. A fridge and mini-bar is also provided.
Location
Kallirrois 72, Athens, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Concierge desk
- Restaurant On-Site
- Parking/Valet
- Laundry Available
- Bar/Lounge
- ATM
- Luggage Storage
- Elevator
- Free WiFi
- Business Center
Golden Age
Superior Tourist-Class
Contemporary Hotel located in residential area, 12 km from beach.
Location
Michalakopoulu 57, Athens, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Restaurant On-Site
- Laundry Available
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Elevator
- Business Center
- Free WiFi
Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Mini-bar
- In-Room Safe
- Desk
- Internet Access
- Wake-Up Calls
- Hair Dryer
- Phone
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Cable/Satellite
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Room Service
- Smoking Rooms
- Window Opens
- Television
Victoria
First-Class
Hotel Victoria fully renovated and updated opened in April 2011. The ideal central location, the excellent taste of design and the pleasant staff makes this hotel one of the most delightful destinations.
Location
3 Spiliadou Street, Nauplia, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Ice Machine
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Climate Control
- In-Room Safe
- Television
- Window Opens
- Mini-bar
- Air Conditioning
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Desk
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Access
- Smoking Rooms
- Wake-Up Calls
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Phone
Rex
First-Class
Hotel Rex is located in the city center of Nafplio,very close to the port in a cozy atmosphere guarantees a pleasant stay.With 42rooms and a cafeteria-bar the hotel offers rest and relax to the customers .All the archailogical sites and museums are very close to the hotel and that gives you the opportuity to visit them very easy.
Location
21 Bouboulinas St., Nauplia, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Room Service
- Wake-Up Calls
- Television
- Window Opens
- Air Conditioning
- Internet Access
- Hair Dryer
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Phone
- In-Room Safe
- Desk
- Smoking Rooms
- Mini-bar
Maniatis
Superior Tourist-Class
The modern Maniatis Hotel is situated in the center of Sparta. It houses a marble lobby with elegant seating areas and lounges, an a la carte restaurant and a breakfast area. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.The stylish rooms are warmly decorated with contemporary light-wood furnishings and soft soothing colors. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 28'' LED PHILIPS HOTEL TV, DVB-T2 and DVB-S2, MPEG-4, fridge, hairdryer and wall-to-wall carpeting. All rooms have balconies with city view.The Ino Restaurant and the Milky Way breakfast area boast one of the tastiest buffet breakfasts in town. The up-market Ζeus Restaurant serves fine Greek and International dishes.Located in the city centre of Sparta, Maniatis Hotel provides a great starting point for excursions in Laconia, visits to the city's archaeological museum, art museum, the Greek Olive museum, and more.
Location
Paleologou Ave. 72-76, Sparta, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Ice Machine
- Elevator
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant On-Site
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
Room Facilities
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Phone
- Room Service
- Air Conditioning
- Window Opens
- Desk
- Television
- Wake-Up Calls
- Internet Access
- Hair Dryer
- Smoking Rooms
- Cable/Satellite
Olympia Palace
First-Class
The Olympia Palace is a 3-storey building with 65 spacious rooms, indoor and outdoor restaurants, located in the town on Ancient Olympia.
Location
2 P. Kondyli Street, Olympia, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Restaurant On-Site
- Elevator
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Desk
- Room Service
- Hair Dryer
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Internet Access
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Mini-bar
- Wake-Up Calls
- Window Opens
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- In-Room Safe
- Smoking Rooms
- Phone
- Television
Apollonia
Superior Tourist-Class
The Hotel Apollonia is 4 * accommodation with the majority of rooms overlooking the Corinthian Gulf, located in the village of Delphi.
Location
Ifigenias And Andrea Syngrou 37-39, Delphi, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Elevator
- Bar/Lounge
- Free WiFi
- Parking/Valet
- Restaurant On-Site
Room Facilities
- Internet Access
- Non-smoking Rooms
- In-Room Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Window Opens
- Phone
- Climate Control
- Television
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Room Service
- Desk
- Cable/Satellite
- Mini-bar
- Air Conditioning
- Smoking Rooms
- Wake-Up Calls
- Complimentary Toiletries
Orfeas
Superior Tourist-Class
Located in the center of Kalambaka, the Hotel Orfeas offers 100 tastefully decorated guestrooms with a balcony from where guests can enjoy nice views of Meteora. All rooms provide a TV and air conditioning, as well as a private bathroom that comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi access is available throughout.
Location
Pindou 58 St., Kalambaka, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant On-Site
- Luggage Storage
- Business Center
- Parking/Valet
- Bar/Lounge
- Pool
Room Facilities
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Internet Access
- Desk
- Window Opens
- Phone
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Room Service
- Hair Dryer
- Cable/Satellite
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Television
- Wake-Up Calls
