Greece And The Aegean

2013 Season
Departs From: Athens

From $1,899

Length:  15 days from Athens to Athens

Overview

See the best of Greece’s ancient and modern mainland, then cruise to the beautiful islands of the Aegean and Kusadasi, Turkey. Spend the first two nights in Athens with guided sightseeing that includes the Acropolis as well as time at leisure. Cross the Corinth Canal and marvel at the perfect acoustics of the Epidaurus Theater and at the fortress of Mycenae. Visit Sparta and travel to Olympia, the legendary home of the Olympic Games. Cross the spectacular Rion-Antirion Bridge and spend time in mythical Delphi. Marvel at the extraordinary rock-top Meteora monasteries before returning to Athens. Next, embark your cruise ship and set sail for Mykonos with its “Little Venice” district, then Kusadasi, a bazaar town and seaside resort known for the Ephesus archaeological site. In Patmos, stop by the 11th-century monastery; stroll through the charming old walled city and souvenir stalls in Rhodes; see Heraklion in Crete; and marvel at awe-inspiring volcanic Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Return to Athens for time at leisure—the ideal ending to your journey.

Duration:  15 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
25 May, 2013	08 June, 2013
08 June, 2013	22 June, 2013
22 June, 2013	06 July, 2013
06 July, 2013	20 July, 2013
20 July, 2013	03 August, 2013
27 July, 2013	10 August, 2013
03 August, 2013	17 August, 2013
10 August, 2013	24 August, 2013
31 August, 2013	14 September, 2013
07 September, 2013	21 September, 2013
14 September, 2013	28 September, 2013
21 September, 2013	05 October, 2013
28 September, 2013	12 October, 2013
05 October, 2013	19 October, 2013
12 October, 2013	26 October, 2013
19 October, 2013	02 November, 2013

City Highlights

Headsets throughout the tour

Sightseeing:
Visits to Epidaurus, Sparta, Mystra, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka, Meteora, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion

Scenic Highlights

Scenic Highlights:
Peloponnese, Mount Parnassus, Arcadian Mountains, Corinth Canal, Rion-Antirion Bridge

Day 1   Arrive 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.

Day 2   Athens. A day to do just as you please. You could also join an optional day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros. In the evening, free time to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas and nightclubs in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music. (B)

Day 3   Athens–Corinth–Epidaurus–Nauplia. Join the included sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of this ancient capital and a visit to the Acropolis. Next, westward to the Corinth Canal. Journey into the Argolis to make a stop in Epidaurus. Visit the open-air theater, which can still seat 14,000 spectators, then head for the coast and overnight in Nauplia. (B)

Day 4   Nauplia–Mycenae–Sparta. This morning, enjoy the included excursion with a Local Guide to Mycenae, a city fortress cursed by the gods but rich in gold and warrior kings. Motor south in the afternoon deep into the Peloponnese to Sparta for an overnight. (B,D)

Day 5   Sparta–Mystra–Olympia. Your morning highlight will be the included sightseeing of the medieval Byzantine citadel of Mystra, at one time known as the “Florence of the East.” In the afternoon, drive to Olympia. (B,D)

Day 6   Olympia–Patras–Delphi. Focus on Olympia, where the athletes of antiquity performed in honor of the king of deities. Learn more about the history of the Olympic Games on the optional sightseeing tour. In the afternoon, drive north towards Patras, the capital of the Peloponnese and the west coast’s largest port. Then, proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mythical Delphi, crossing the spectacular Rion-Antirion Bridge. (B)

Day 7   Delphi–Kalambaka. Optional morning sightseeing of the archaeological site of Delphi. In the afternoon, drive north by way of Lamia and on to Trikala in Thessaly for an overnight in Kalambaka. (B,D)

Day 8   Kalambaka–Meteora–Athens. 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, drive south via Lamia to Athens for an overnight. (B)

Day 9   Athens. A full day at leisure to explore the unseen parts of the city, or maybe even join one of the many optionals available. (B)

Day 10   Athens–Piraeus/Lavrion (Embarkation)–Mykonos. Early morning embarkation and an afternoon spent cruising in the Aegean. Evening arrival in Mykonos, a granite island and the most typical of the Cyclades. Its cubic houses, windmills, and chapels seem to make the island’s light even more translucent. Spend some time visiting a taverna or just wandering around the town, enjoying its timeless beauty. (B,L,D)

Day 11   Kusadasi, Turkey & Patmos, Greece. Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. An optional morning excursion takes you to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. (B,L,D)

Day 12   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. All 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. And if sightseeing is not your thing, Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches and colorful shopping districts are within easy walking distance of the port. Sail from Rhodes around dinner time. (B,L,D)

Day 13   Crete & Santorini. Morning at Heraklion on the island of Crete. A few miles away is Knossos, the center of the 3000 BC Minoan civilization; an optional excursion can be booked. Next port of call (weather permitting) is Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The optional shore excursion here takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)

Day 14   Piraeus/Lavrion (Disembarkation)–Athens. Early morning arrival in Piraeus; drive to Athens. More time to explore the unseen parts of the city or do some last-minute shopping. (B)

Day 15   Athens. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Buffet breakfasts (B); 4 lunches (L); 7 dinners (D)

Hotel Information:  ATHENS Coral (F)
NAUPLIA Rex (ST)
SPARTA Maniatis (ST)
OLYMPIA Olympion Asty (F)
DELPHI Parnassos (ST) or Acropole (ST)
KALAMBAKA Antoniadis (F)
ATHENS Golden Age (F) or Coral (F)

Guides

Local Guide for city sightseeing in Athens, Mycenae; services of a professional Tour Director

Ship

Cristal - M/V Cristal
MST Coral - Coral

Transportation

Transportation:
If transport to or from airport is required, please let us know. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Cruise in fully air-conditioned inside cabins with private shower and toilet. Outside cabins are available; all port taxes are not included.


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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