Overview
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From Athens, transfer to Piraeus to board your cruise ship and sail across the blue Mediterranean Sea to the island of Mykonos. From the blue and white houses and windmills of Mykonos, sail to Kusadasi on the turquoise coast of Turkey for an included excursion to explore the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. You’ll cruise to the tiny Greek island of Patmos, then dock in Heraklion on the island of Crete to explore the palace of Knossos. Your ship sails on to the “Black Pearl of the Aegean”—Santorini—with its blue-domed churches, white houses, and breathtaking views from clifftops perched on the volcanic caldera. Return to Piraeus to disembark your ship and return to Athens. An affordable vacation in Greece and Mediterranean cruise for the ages!
2020 Tour itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Total meals included:
- 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Arrive in Athens, Greece.
Day1
History, Beaches and Street Art
Kalimera! Welcome to Greece and its capital city, Athens. Settle into your hotel and, if you have time, start exploring with the help of the CosmosGO app. Athens is a charming city full of contradictions, where modern life meets ancient history. Meet your Tour Director in the early evening, who will give you some practical information about the city, including some hints on how to appreciate its unique features.
Explore Athens.
Day2
The Acropolis and Other Hills
The focal point of Athens is the Acropolis, a sight you should not miss. However, there are other areas of the city that are worth exploring. Hike up Lycabettus hill for the best view of the Parthenon, especially at sunset, or take a tram to Faliro for a walk on the beach. Check out MyCOSMOS to find out about the optional excursions available.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Athens–Corinth Canal–Vytina.
Day3
From the Proud City to the Peloponnese Peninsula
Combining well-known sites with undiscovered Greek locales, your journey begins with a stop at the Corinth Canal. Driving through the countryside, you’ll reach Vytina, a mountain resort and one of Athenians’ favorite weekend destinations.
Today’s Distance: 71 mi/ 115 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Vytina.
Day4
Tradition, Food, and Hikes
Vytina is a traditional village overlooking the verdant slopes of Mount Mainalo. It sits at an altitude of approximately 1,050 meters from sea level. Its unique architecture, cozy style, and warm hospitable locals have made it an unexpected hidden gem of Greece. Take some time to go out and enjoy a walk, or relax under the shade of a tree.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Vytina–Olympia–Patras
Day5
Where the Olympic Flame First Burned
Leaving the magic mountains of Arcadia, go back in time and visit Olympia. On MyCOSMOS you can pre-book a guided tour of the archaeological area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll visit the remains of the temple dedicated to the god Zeus, where the Olympic games started in 776 BC. The village itself is fun to visit, with many souvenir shops, tavernas, and bars. Continue to the port city of Patras.
Today’s Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Patras
Day6
Not only a Port
Patras is widely known for being an important ship port, but it is a city full of energy, with its narrow streets, archways, attractions, and traditional homes. Wander in the beautiful old town and in the hillside castle built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian Ist. Several cultural events still take place here during the summer. Explore the ancient Roman amphitheater and see the Rion-Antirion bridge, the spectacular suspension bridge connecting the Peloponnese peninsula with mainland Greece, a masterpiece of engineering and an outstanding landmark for the region.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Patras–Diakopto–Athens.
Day7
Canyons, Coasts, and Cities
See more of the diversity of Greece during today’s journey back to the city of Athens. Enjoy magnificent views along the Gulf of Corinth and then an included stunning rack-and-pinion train ride along the Vouraikos Canyon, ranking among the ten most beautiful in Europe. The railway was built in 1896 with a gauge of just 750mm. On the ride from Diakopto to Kalavryta, marvel at the canyon’s wild beauty, roll alongside the river, and be awed by the enchanting scenery. Spend some free time in Kalavryta, maybe enjoying lunch at one of the renowned tavernas, and then you’ll continue your coach journey to Athens.
Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Athens–Piraeus (Embarkation)–Mykonos.
Day8
Cruise the islands!
Start your seafaring adventure in Piraeus, embarking on the ship and cruising to the islands. The first destination of your Aegean Sea cruise is lively Mykonos. This island flaunts its double personality the minute you set eyes on its coastline. Its rugged rocky landscape blends seamlessly with smooth sandy beaches and hills in the distance with their iconic windmills.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Kusadasi, Turkey–Patmos, Greece
Day9
Out of Greece, into Turkey and back
Arriving in the port of Kusadasi in the morning, you’ll find a colorful bazaar and bustling streets full of shops and cafes. The real highlight of this call is the half day included excursion to Ephesus, the ancient city that shaped the Greek, Roman, Turkish, and Christian civilizations. As you walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll be like stepping back in time, breathing in centuries of legendary cultures, visible in the Ephesus Agora, Odeon, the Houses of the Patricians, the beautiful Temple of Hadrian, and the astonishing Library of Celsus. Back on board in the early afternoon, depart for the Greek island of Patmos, famous for its Medieval walls and white houses.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Heraklion–Santorini.
Day10
Of Legends and the Caldera
Arrive in Crete, and dock in Heraklion, with its distinct Venetian heritage. On the half-day included tour, visit the Minoan palace of Knossos and imagine the legends of Daedalus, Theseus, and the Minotaur come to life. Your next port of call is Santorini, with its striking cliffs, legendary tales, white houses, and blue-domed churches. The island surrounds the underwater caldera of a volcano and offers breathtaking views from the top of its hills.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Piraeus (Disembarkation)–Athens.
Day11
Back on land
After disembarkation, return to Athens in the morning. Your hotel rooms may not be ready for check in, but you can leave your luggage and complete the exploration of the city of Athens. Maybe visit the Archaeological or the Acropolis Museum, roam the streets of Plaka to do some shopping, or enjoy a meal sitting in one of the many restaurant verandas.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Athens.
Day12
Your land and sea adventure ends in Athens this morning
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Extend your stay
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Acropolis Select
First-Class
Hotel is located in the city center, next to public transportation and within walking distance from the New Acropolis Museum, the ancient site of the Acropolis and the Plaka district.The Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Flee Market and Syntagma Square are within easy reach.
Location
37-39 Falirou St., Athens-Koukaki, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Business Center
- Free WiFi
- Luggage Storage
- Currency Exchange
- Restaurant On-Site
- Ice Machine
- Elevator
- Bar/Lounge
- Concierge desk
- Laundry Available
Room Facilities
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Wake-Up Calls
- Desk
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Phone
- Room Service
- Mini-bar
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Climate Control
- Television
- Window Opens
- Smoking Rooms
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Access
Art Mainalon
First-Class
Located in the central square of Vytina village, the Art Mainalon Hotel features elegant rooms furnished with works of art and offers nice views of the village and Mainalo Mountain. All rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as modern bathrooms provided with a bathtub or walk-in shower, hairdryer, and slippers. Most of the units also have a balcony. Guests can relax themselves by the outdoor swimming pool and can also enjoy a nice dinner at the on-site restaurant. Free parking is possible nearby.
Location
Nikolaou Tampakopoulou, 1, Vytina, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Business Center
- Concierge desk
- Dry Cleaning
- Parking/Valet
- Restaurant On-Site
- Bar/Lounge
- Spa Services
- Luggage Storage
- Gift Shop
- Pool
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Television
- Cable/Satellite
- Internet Access
- Phone
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Alarm Clock
- Wake-Up Calls
- Window Opens
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Room Service
- Desk
- Hair Dryer
Patras Smart
First-Class
Located just 500 meters from the city center, the Airotel Patras Smart Hotel is a contemporary style hotel that offers 51 guestrooms with modern decor and furniture. A delicious Greek breakfast is served in the welcoming lounge every day, while the hotel¿s bar serves coffee or other drinks in a very relaxing atmosphere. The air-conditioned guestrooms feature magnetic security locks, a luxurious bathroom with complimentary toiletries, and tea/coffee maker. Free Wi-Fi and free private parking are also provided.
Location
9 Akti Dimaion, Patras, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Elevator
- Parking/Valet
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Business Center
- Dry Cleaning
Room Facilities
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Phone
- Internet Access
- Cable/Satellite
- Room Service
- Desk
- Window Opens
- Mini-bar
- Hair Dryer
- Alarm Clock
- Wake-Up Calls
- Television
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Coffee Maker
- Complimentary Toiletries
