Overview
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Take your escorted Greek vacation adventure further! Cruise the Greek Islands for four nights to experience the world-renowned Aegean Sea portion of the Mediterranean. Sail from Athens aboard a Celestyal Cruise ship to the legendary island of Mykonos. Wander amid its iconic windmills and white houses. Next, you’ll sail towards the shores of Turkey to visit Kusadasi and the ancient excavations of Ephesus. Discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, before arriving at the island of Rhodes, where you’ll see the clifftop acropolis of Lindos and Athena’s Temple. Next, sail to Crete and dock at Heraklion. You’ll also sail, weather permitting, to the panoramic and volcanic island of Santorini—“The Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Relax while basking in the beauty of the sea as you return to Athens. From the picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic sights and sailing the Aegean Sea, this guided tour of Greece has it all—including four spectacular nights on a Greek Island cruise.
Highlights
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
CORINTH Cross the canal
MYCENAE Guided visit of the excavations and museum
EPIDAURUS Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater
OLYMPIA Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum; [LF] learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer
DELPHI Guided visit of the excavations, visit the Archaeological Museum; [LF] learn to dance the sirtaki and have a glass of Ouzo
ARACHOVA visit the town
CRUISING Four-night cruise to Mykonos; Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini (weather permitting)
INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONSKusadasi: ancient Ephesus, Rhodes: medieval tour
CRUISE DETAILS:
- Rotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.
- Outside cabin (category XB). All cabins with two lower beds and private shower and toilet.
- Full entertainment program on board.
- Drink package: selection of non-alcoholic & alcoholic drinks.
- Globus Host service throughout the cruise
- Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Celestyal Olympia, operated by Celestyal Cruises.
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, 4 lunches, 7 dinners
ATHENS, GREECE
Day1
Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
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, the Temple of Athena Nike, and 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. Tonight is your chance to join an optional dinner outing to try the local fare.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS–CORINTH CANAL–MYCENAE–EPIDAURUS–NAUPLIA
Day3
Cross the spectacular Corinth Canal. Two highlights today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, known as the Treasury of Atreus; Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument; the remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Also visit the museum. Then, a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
NAUPLIA–OLYMPIA.
Day4
Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then, spend the afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the King of Deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Tonight, enjoy LF a COOKING DEMONSTRATION and learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
OLYMPIA–DELPHI
Day5
Proceed to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century-BC bronze statue. A highlight this evening is LF a DANCE LESSON, where you’ll learn how to dance the sirtaki, made famous in the movie Zorba the Greek, accompanied by a glass of the traditional Ouzo.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
DELPHI–ARACHOVA–ATHENS
Day6
Leave fascinating Delphi behind this morning and head back to Athens stopping en-route at the pretty town of Arachova located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Enjoy panoramic views and stroll around the town and admire the picturesque architecture before arriving in Athens with time to do some exploring on your own and tonight, enjoy an optional dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS–PIRAEUS (EMBARKATION)–MYKONOS.
Day7
This morning, head for Piraeus, where you will sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Later dock at the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: KUSADASI, TURKEY–PATMOS, GREECE
Day8
Two ports of call today: First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. Visit the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of EPHESUS. Next, stop at the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation, and see the Grotto of Apocalypse.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: RHODES
Day9
Today is dedicated to the island of RHODES. Explore the sights in the historic OLD TOWN with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Next is LINDOS with the fabulous Temple of Athens. Sail from Rhodes around dinnertime.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CRUISING: HERAKLION, CRETE–SANTORINI, GREECE
Day10
First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. An optional excursion to Knossos, the center of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization is available. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean”. The optional shore excursion takes you up to the clifftop village of Oia for one of the world’s most glorious panoramic views.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
PIRAEUS (DISEMBARKATION)–ATHENS
Day11
After breakfast on board, disembark at Piraeus and return to Athens.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ATHENS
Day12
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
- Select departures of this tour will operate the land portion in reverse. All inclusions per itinerary remain the same.
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Zafolia
First-Class
Attractive 7-story Hotel situated near museums, 1 km from Larisis train station & 35 km from El. Venizelos Airport.
Location
87-89 Alexandras Avenue, Athens, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Pool
- Fitness Room
- Luggage Storage
- Concierge desk
- Laundry Available
- Elevator
- Gift Shop
- Spa Services
- Restaurant On-Site
- Bar/Lounge
- Parking/Valet
- Free WiFi
- Currency Exchange
- Business Center
Room Facilities
- In-Room Safe
- Smoking Rooms
- Cable/Satellite
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Mini-bar
- Coffee Maker
- Wake-Up Calls
- Desk
- Internet Access
- Air Conditioning
- Television
- Hair Dryer
- Room Service
- Alarm Clock
- Phone
Amalia Nauplia
First-Class
Neoclassical-style Hotel situated on tree-lined grounds with landscaped courtyards, 1 mile from city center.
Location
National Road Argos, Nauplia, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
- Business Center
- Elevator
- Currency Exchange
- Restaurant On-Site
- Bar/Lounge
- Concierge desk
- Gift Shop
- Pool
- Laundry Available
Room Facilities
- Television
- Internet Access
- Desk
- Phone
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Alarm Clock
- Mini-bar
- In-Room Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Air Conditioning
- Non-smoking Rooms
Europa
First-Class
Hotels Europa is built on the top of Drouvas Hill in Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage Site), at the foot of which is sited the Sacred Alti with brilliant monuments and the stadium of the Ancient Olympic Games.
Location
Archaia Olympia - Drouva, Olympia, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Pool
- Parking/Valet
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Currency Exchange
- Elevator
- Restaurant On-Site
- Gift Shop
- Laundry Available
- Business Center
Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Phone
- In-Room Safe
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Smoking Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Mini-bar
- Alarm Clock
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Access
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Room Service
- Desk
- Television
- Cable/Satellite
Amalia Delphi
First-Class
At the foot of Mount Parnassus overlooking olive groves and the Ionian Sea, and just minutes away from the archaeological site and museum, the temple of Apollo, and Castalia spring. The modern guest rooms are air-conditioned and have Wi-Fi and minifridges. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and an inviting lounge bar with a fireplace, where guests can relax and take in the breath taking Delphian scenery.
Location
1 Apollonos Street, Delphi, Greece
Hotel Facilities
- Elevator
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Business Center
- Laundry Available
- Currency Exchange
- Restaurant On-Site
- Concierge desk
- Gift Shop
- Pool
- Luggage Storage
- Parking/Valet
Room Facilities
- Room Service
- Air Conditioning
- Hair Dryer
- In-Room Safe
- Television
- Cable/Satellite
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Phone
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Desk
- Internet Access
