16 DAYS FROM $2,439 US
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
Greece is a
fascinating country with a long history and many traditions, and this
vacation features Greece’s major sights. Start and end your trip in
Athens, Greece’s capital, with its lively Plaka quarter dotted with
cafés and archaeological findings. Your sightseeing tour in
Athens includes a visit to the Acropolis and Athens’ highlights.
Discover Meteora with its extraordinary monasteries built on rock
formations; ancient Delphi, site of the Delphic Oracle; and Olympia,
site of the first Olympic Games. Your tour in Olympia features the
ancient stadium where the games were first held and the temples of Zeus
and his wife, Hera. Test the acoustics at the Epidauros Theater, and
wander around Mycenae, where Agamemnon’s golden mask was found. Your
tour with a Local Guide allows you to visit Mycenae’s imposing ruins.
Cross the Corinth Canal and return to Athens before embarking on your
7-night Aegean Sea cruise. Cruise first to Istanbul, the gateway
between East and West and the Islamic and Christian worlds. Join an
optional sightseeing tour of Istanbul and get to know this fascinating
city. On the windmill-dotted island of Mykonos, you have time to wander
through the narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques and shady
tavernas. Stop in Kusadasi, Turkey, a bazaar town and seaside resort
best known for the Ephesus archaeological site. In the tiny Greek
island of Patmos, stop by the 11th-century monastery. Stroll through
the charming old walled city and souvenir stalls in Rhodes and explore
the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built
by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. See Heraklion, capital
of Crete, and marvel at awe-inspiring volcanic Santorini, the “Black
Pearl of the Aegean.” Return to Athens for some leisure time—the
perfect conclusion to your vacation. This tour of Greece, plus an
Aegean Sea cruise, offers relaxation, fun, historic ruins, beautiful
scenery, and old-world charm. A trip of a lifetime!
Day 1 Fri. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Sat. ARRIVAL IN ATHENS, GREECE
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the Greek capital. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers and maybe join them in an optional evening out.
Day 3 Sun. ATHENS-KALAMBAKA
This morning's included sightseeing features the highlights of Athens, with a visit to the Acropolis. In the afternoon, after bypassing Lamia into Thessaly and by way of Trikala to Kalambaka, spend the night in the vicinity of Meteora, which will be visited tomorrow. (B,D)
Day 4 Mon. KALAMBAKA-DELPHI
A short drive to Meteora, which is a cluster of monastic buildings perched in an unforgettable manner on a set of rising rock formations. Your included visit is certainly the day´s highlight. Later, retrace your steps southwards to reach Delphi for an overnight. (B)
Day 5 Tue. DELPHI-OLYMPIA
Included morning sightseeing in Delphi, in ancient times known as the “Navel of The Earth.” Located five minutes from the village, the ancient site, backed by imposing Mount Parnassus, is in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country. Sightseeing will guide you along the Sacred Way to see the Temple of Apollo, some of the treasures, and the theater. This afternoon, follow the Gulf of Corinth through Nakpaktos to Antirion over the new spectacular bridge towards Olympia for an overnight. (B,D)
Day 6 Wed. OLYMPIA-EPIDAURUS-NAUPLIA
The original home of the Olympic Games first held in 776 BC, Olympia was a sacred precinct to the god Zeus, whose temple once housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This morning’s included sightseeing takes in the ancient stadium where the games were held and the temples of Zeus and his wife, Hera. Later, travel across the mountains of Arcadia, passing through Tripolis before entering the Argolis, land of Greek myths and legends. Stop awhile to visit the Epidaurus theater, which can still seat 14,000 spectators. Overnight in Nauplia on the Argolic Gulf. (B)
Day 7 Thu. NAUPLIA-MYCENAE-CORINTH CANAL-ATHENS
This morning, visit the imposing ruins of the site of Mycenae with a Local Guide (entrance fees included), the ancient city Homer called a “city rich in gold.” It was here that the Golden Mask of Agamemnon was unearthed, along with many other treasures that matched exactly Homer’s descriptions in the Iliad. Enter the city by the magnificent Lion’s Gate and stroll up to Agamemnon’s Royal Palace. Then to the Corinth Canal for a brief stop before continuing to Athens for two overnights. (B)
Day 8Fri. ATHENS-PIRAEUS (Embarkation)
Evening embarkation in Piraeus. Cruise overnight towards Istanbul. (B,D)
Day 9 Sat. CRUISING-ISTANBUL
Plenty of time to get acquainted with the ship’s amenities as you cruise towards Istanbul. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Sun. ISTANBUL
Full day at leisure for optional sightseeing in this fascinating city, gateway between East and West and the Islamic and Christian worlds. Depart early evening for Mykonos. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Mon. MYKONOS
This morning, cruise towards the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. Arrive in the afternoon with plenty of time to wander at whim through narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques and shady tavernas. Sail for Patmos around midnight. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Tue. PATMOS-KUSADASI, TURKEY-RHODES, GREECE
Early morning arrival in Patmos. The tiny island is where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. Mid-morning departure for Kusadasi, arriving early afternoon. An optional excursion takes you to Ephesus' Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations. Evening departure for Rhodes. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Wed. RHODES
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. Most of the day is dedicated to the island of Rhodes. Explore the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility: join an optional excursion to Lindos and the fabulous Temple of Athena. Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches also beckon. Early evening departure for Crete. (B,L,D)
Day 14 Thu. HERAKLION-SANTORINI-CRUISE TO PIRAEUS
Early arrival in Heraklion, capital of Crete. Enjoy a fascinating optional excursion to Knossos. Mid-day departure for Santorini the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Arrival (weather permitting) mid-afternoon. An optional excursion takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for a breathtaking view. This evening, depart for an overnight cruise to Piraeus. (B,L,D)
Day 15 Fri. PIRAEUS (Disembarkation)-ATHENS
After an early breakfast on board, disembark at Piraeus and return to Athens. The remainder of the day is free to catch up on last-minute shopping or explore the city. (B)
Day 16 Sat. ATHENS. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
Day 2 Sat. ARRIVAL IN ATHENS, GREECE
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the Greek capital. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers and maybe join them in an optional evening out.
Day 3 Sun. ATHENS-KALAMBAKA
This morning's included sightseeing features the highlights of Athens, with a visit to the Acropolis. In the afternoon, after bypassing Lamia into Thessaly and by way of Trikala to Kalambaka, spend the night in the vicinity of Meteora, which will be visited tomorrow. (B,D)
Day 4 Mon. KALAMBAKA-DELPHI
A short drive to Meteora, which is a cluster of monastic buildings perched in an unforgettable manner on a set of rising rock formations. Your included visit is certainly the day´s highlight. Later, retrace your steps southwards to reach Delphi for an overnight. (B)
Day 5 Tue. DELPHI-OLYMPIA
Included morning sightseeing in Delphi, in ancient times known as the “Navel of The Earth.” Located five minutes from the village, the ancient site, backed by imposing Mount Parnassus, is in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country. Sightseeing will guide you along the Sacred Way to see the Temple of Apollo, some of the treasures, and the theater. This afternoon, follow the Gulf of Corinth through Nakpaktos to Antirion over the new spectacular bridge towards Olympia for an overnight. (B,D)
Day 6 Wed. OLYMPIA-EPIDAURUS-NAUPLIA
The original home of the Olympic Games first held in 776 BC, Olympia was a sacred precinct to the god Zeus, whose temple once housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This morning’s included sightseeing takes in the ancient stadium where the games were held and the temples of Zeus and his wife, Hera. Later, travel across the mountains of Arcadia, passing through Tripolis before entering the Argolis, land of Greek myths and legends. Stop awhile to visit the Epidaurus theater, which can still seat 14,000 spectators. Overnight in Nauplia on the Argolic Gulf. (B)
Day 7 Thu. NAUPLIA-MYCENAE-CORINTH CANAL-ATHENS
This morning, visit the imposing ruins of the site of Mycenae with a Local Guide (entrance fees included), the ancient city Homer called a “city rich in gold.” It was here that the Golden Mask of Agamemnon was unearthed, along with many other treasures that matched exactly Homer’s descriptions in the Iliad. Enter the city by the magnificent Lion’s Gate and stroll up to Agamemnon’s Royal Palace. Then to the Corinth Canal for a brief stop before continuing to Athens for two overnights. (B)
Day 8Fri. ATHENS-PIRAEUS (Embarkation)
Evening embarkation in Piraeus. Cruise overnight towards Istanbul. (B,D)
Day 9 Sat. CRUISING-ISTANBUL
Plenty of time to get acquainted with the ship’s amenities as you cruise towards Istanbul. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Sun. ISTANBUL
Full day at leisure for optional sightseeing in this fascinating city, gateway between East and West and the Islamic and Christian worlds. Depart early evening for Mykonos. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Mon. MYKONOS
This morning, cruise towards the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. Arrive in the afternoon with plenty of time to wander at whim through narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques and shady tavernas. Sail for Patmos around midnight. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Tue. PATMOS-KUSADASI, TURKEY-RHODES, GREECE
Early morning arrival in Patmos. The tiny island is where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. Mid-morning departure for Kusadasi, arriving early afternoon. An optional excursion takes you to Ephesus' Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations. Evening departure for Rhodes. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Wed. RHODES
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. Most of the day is dedicated to the island of Rhodes. Explore the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility: join an optional excursion to Lindos and the fabulous Temple of Athena. Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches also beckon. Early evening departure for Crete. (B,L,D)
Day 14 Thu. HERAKLION-SANTORINI-CRUISE TO PIRAEUS
Early arrival in Heraklion, capital of Crete. Enjoy a fascinating optional excursion to Knossos. Mid-day departure for Santorini the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Arrival (weather permitting) mid-afternoon. An optional excursion takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for a breathtaking view. This evening, depart for an overnight cruise to Piraeus. (B,L,D)
Day 15 Fri. PIRAEUS (Disembarkation)-ATHENS
After an early breakfast on board, disembark at Piraeus and return to Athens. The remainder of the day is free to catch up on last-minute shopping or explore the city. (B)
Day 16 Sat. ATHENS. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Epidaurus*, Meteora*, Kalambaka*entrance fee includedNote:
* Shore excursions can be booked on board. Please allow for a total cost of approximately EUR.345 per person if you plan to participate in all excursions offered. We also recommend that you plan to spend about EUR.63 per person for gratuities to the service personnel on board.
* Port taxes of approximately EUR.171 are included in the price.
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Peloponnese, Mount Parnassus, Arcadian Mountains, Corinth Canal, Rion-Antirion Bridge
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
GUIDES
Local Guide for city sightseeing in Athens*, Delphi*, Olympia*, Mycenae*. Professional Tour Director while touring*entrance fee included
MEALS
Buffet breakfasts (B); lunches (L); dinners (D) as detailed in the tour description
HOTELS
Athens Acropolis Select (F), Kalambaka Edelweiss (ST), Delphi Acropole (ST) or Parnassos (ST), Olympia Olympia Palace (F), Nauplia Rex (ST)
April - October
PRICES:
From approx
$2,439 US per person double occupancy
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
tours@a-ztravel.com