DAY 1. ATHENS–ARRIVALArrival and reception at the airport, transportation, and check into the hotel.
Accommodation Athens (Dinner)
DAY 2. ATHENS–ATHENS CITY TOUR & ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
From the Acropolis to Omonia Square and with a half-day sightseeing and Acropolis museum tour, you’ll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens. The Athens half-day tour departs for a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed and pass by Zappeion and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then pass the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Continue passing by the National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square , Russian Orthodox Church, and finally Acropolis.Visit Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon and Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens. Continue the expert-guided Athens sightseeing and museum tour with a pleasant short walk, passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the Acropolis museum. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Athens (Breakfast-Dinner)
DAY 3. ATHENS-CORINTH CANAL-EPIDAUROS-NAFPLION-MYCENAE-OLYMPIA
Break for breakfast on our way and departure direction Peloponnese. First shortstop for the Canal of Corinth then drive to Epidaurus and visit the Ancient Theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to Nafplion (shortstop) and through the plain of Argos, arriving at Mycenae. Our next stop will be at Mycenae for visiting the famous Palace, the Lions Gate and the Tomb of King Agamemnon. In the afternoon depart for Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Olympia (Breakfast-Dinner)
DAY 4. OLYMPIA–DELPHI
Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological museum. Departure for Delphi through Patras, the capital of the Peloponnese. Cross by the bridge from Rio to Antirion and passing by Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and from there on, along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Delphi (Breakfast-Dinner)
DAY 5. DELPHI–KALAMBAKA
Delphi was truly a Pan-Hellenic site for the ancient Greeks; they all gathered here to celebrate Apollo and to get practical advice from the Pythia, the priestess. Aside from its historical importance, Delphi is a wondrously beautiful place. Morning visits the museum and the ruins of Delphi. Drive north direction the holly rocks of Meteora. Arrive afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Kalambaka (Breakfast-Dinner)
DAY 6. KALAMBAKA – METEORA – THERMOPYLAE – ATHENS
Meteora is a must-see on any trip to Greece. Here are some of the most ancient, active monasteries on all of Greece, perched miraculously atop the mountains along the Pinios River. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the Cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes.
Return to Athens, passing the heroic monument of Leonidas of Sparta at Thermopylae. The Battle of Thermopylae is one of the most important battles in Greek and world history. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Athens (Breakfast-Dinner)
DAY 7. PIRAEUS-MYKONOS
Breakfast and transportation to the cruise pier and embark on your cruise ship for a 3 days magical cruise to the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini and Kusadasi(Turkey).
In the afternoon reach the island of Mykonos and take some free time to walk around the town and observe one of the most “characteristic” Cycladic Islands. Sail off.
Overnight on Board (Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch-Dinner on board).
DAY 8. MYKONOS-KUSADASI-PATMOS
Breakfast on board
Early in the morning, you will reach Kusadasi port in Turkey. A tour to the Ancient Ephesus will follow.
The city was dedicated to the goddess Artemis, and its Artemision, a temple in her honor, took 120 years to complete and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus later became the second-largest city in the Roman Empire, at one time home to a quarter-million people. It was the first and most significant city in the Roman province of Asia and one of its key ports. Millennia ago the Aegean receded west, stranding the city on its sun-seared hillsides. It is believed the Virgin Mary lived and died here, and that Paul wrote his Letter to the Ephesians here. It was the most significant Christian city between Rome and Antioch
Ephesus is rivaled only by the Forum and the Acropolis as one of the complete classical cities in Europe, even though only 13% of the city has been uncovered!
Sail-off with next destination the island of Patmos
In Patmos you will visit the island’s capital (Chora) then the Monastery of St. John and finally the cave where it was revealed toJohn the Evangelist the Apocalypse. Departure in the evening.
Overnight on board (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner on board)
DAY 9. PATMOS-HERAKLION-SANTORINI
Breakfast on board
Early morning arrival in Heraklion, the capital of Crete Island
Have 3 hrs approximately, free in order to explore Heraklion.
In the afternoon at Santorini, which differs from the rest of the Cycladic islands, due to its interesting geological structure, which was the result of eruptions of a now inactive volcano. Free time on your own to admire Greece’s best-known island, the beautiful town of Fira, the amazing sunset (optional tour to Oia Village)
Around 21.00 pm the ship will sail off.
Overnight on Board (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner on board)
DAY 10. SANTORINI-PIRAEUS-ATHENS-WALKING FOOD TOUR IN ATHENS
Breakfast on board.
Early morning arrival at Piraeus port in Athens. Pick up at the port and transfer to your hotel. After you will have the opportunity to admire through a gastronomic excursion the incredible flavors and perfumes from the capital of Greece. In the evening you have time in Athens for shopping, strolling through the city discovering its hidden charms or choosing visit sightseeing tours. Dinner at hotel.
Accommodation in Athens. (Breakfast-Dinner)
DAY 11. ATHENS-FLIGHT BLACK HOME
Transportation to the airport for the flight back home.
(Breakfast)
Thank you for coming. Have a nice flight back home! KALO TAXIDI
