Best of Greece and 7-Day Cruise
17 Days From $2,250USd (Subtract 15%
from this price)
Featuring: Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nauplia, Olympia,
Delphi, Kalambaka, Meteora, Thermopylae, Solonika, Istanbul,
Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini
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Day 1 Depart USA - Overnight flight to Athens.
Day 2 Arrive Athens (2nights) You are met and transferred
to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink with our Tour Director.
Day 3 Athens sightseeing & at leisure - Our morning
sightseeing tour includes the Acropolis and the Parthenon. We'll see
the Agora, the Acropolis Museum, Royal Palace, the Temple of Zeus,
Hadrian's Arch, and the stadium built for the first modern Olympic
Games in 1896, before free time. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 Athens - Nauplia - We drive to the bridge across
the Corinth Canal. Then we visit the remains of the ancient city of
Corinth, en route to Mycenae, to see the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury
of Atreus, Lion Gate and remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace. On to
the Sanctuary of Aesculapius, God of Medicine, to visit the amphitheatre.
Finally, we arrive in Nauplia. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 5 Nauplia - Olympia - We drive through the Mountains
of Arcadia to Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held in
776 B.C. Next we stroll around the ancient Olympic Stadium and the
Temples of Zeus and Hera, on our visit of this Archaeological site.
(Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 6 Olympia - Delphi - This morning we head to Patras
for a ferry across the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece. Then on
to Delphi on the slopes of mighty Mount Parnassus, home of the Oracle.
We walk the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo and visit the Archeological
site. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 7 Delphi - Kalambaka - A morning drive takes us
over the Pourmaraki Pass to Lamia, continuing via Trikala to Kalambaka.
Then from here, we take a trip to the incredible monasteries of Meteora,
perched on giant rocks above the town. We will visit two of these
to admire the beautiful Byzantine frescoes and the views. (Buffet
Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 8 Kalambaka – Athens - Enjoy a scenic drive
along the coast to Thermopylae, site of the famous battle between
the Spartans and Persians. We return to Athens for our final night
in this fascinating city. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 Embark Piraeus - After completing your Best of
Greece tour, you are transferred to Piraeus. We board our ship and
cruise towards Solonica, a great city and artistic centre. (Buffet
Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 10 Salonica - At Sea - Early morning arrival in
Thessaloniki. Enjoy this city with its Byzantine churches, almost
rivalling those of Istanbul and Ravenna for their beauty and fascination.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 11 At Sea - Istanbul - Relax on board as we cruise
towards Istanbul with a morning arrival. A full day at leisure to
enjoy this fabled city. Later, why not be entertained with some Turkish
belly-dancing before we set sail early evening? (Breakfast/ Lunch/
Dinner)
Day 12 At Sea - Mykonos - Time to relax on board as
we cruise to stylish Mykonos arriving mid-afternoon. Here we enjoy
a few relaxing hours. (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 13 Kusadasi - Patmos - An early arrival at Turkish
Kusadasi. Here an excursion to Ephesus is a must! Next, we cruise
to Patmos, with time for an excursion to the Fortress-Monastery. (Breakfast/
Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 14 Rhodes - Early arrival at Rhodes. Time to explore
the Old Town and Lindos. (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 15 Heraklion - Santorini - Early arrival at Heraklion
on the island of Crete. Then we cruise to spectacular Santorini. Perhaps
visit Akrotiri. (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 16 Disembarkation - Athens - Early morning arrival
at Piraeus. Transfer to our hotel with the rest of the day free. (Breakfast)
Day 17 Athens - USA - Transfer to the airport for your
return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
Cruise ship operating this itinerary: MTS Triton or World Renaissance