16 DAYS FROM $1,900 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. This
vacation features the major sights, starting in Athens with its
Acropolis and lively Plaka quarter dotted with cafés and
archaeological findings. 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. Test the
acoustics at the Epidauros Theater, and wander around Mycenae, where
Agamemnon’s golden mask was found. Cross the Corinth Canal and return
to Athens for the conclusion of your Greek adventure. Tour extension
6510 includes a 7-day cruise to the main Greek islands as well as
Istanbul and Kusadasi in Turkey. For more information, check the
detailed itinerary.
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 and its fascinating museum (entrance fee included). In the afternoon, after bypassing Lamia into Thessaly and by way of Trikala to Kalambaka for an overnight 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 B.C., 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 8 Fri. 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 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 and its fascinating museum (entrance fee included). In the afternoon, after bypassing Lamia into Thessaly and by way of Trikala to Kalambaka for an overnight 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 B.C., 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 8 Fri. 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 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 included
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.
MEALS
Buffet breakfasts (B); lunches (L); dinners (D) as detailed in the tour description
SUPERIOR HOTELS
ATHENS Acropolis Select (F), KALAMBAKA Edelweiss (ST), DELPHI Acropole (ST) or Parnassos (ST), OLYMPIA Olympia Palace (F), NAUPLIA Rex (ST)
NOTE
Shore excursions can be booked on board. Please allow for a total cost of approximately US$370 per person if you plan to participate in all excursions offered. We also recommend that you plan to spend about US$60 per person for gratuities to the service personnel on board. Port taxes of approximately US$190 are included in the price.
March - October
PRICES:
From approx
$1,900 US per person double occupancy
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