Classic Aegean "C"
3 nights Athens, 4 nights cruise and 3 nights Classical Greece tour

Athens, Classical Greece and 4 night cruise.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
• 4 night cruise to the Greek islands & Turkey on full board basis
• 4 day / 3 night Classical Greece Coach Tour (Olympia, Delphi, Meteora)
• Half day Athens sightseeing tour
• All transfers as mentioned
• Daily breakfast
• 3 dinners (Olympia, Delphi & Meteora)
• Entrance fees during the included guide sightseeing tours
• 24 hour assistance phone number
• All taxes

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

• Travel insurance
• International flights
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities

DAY 1: ATHENS
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.
DAY 2: ATHENS MORNING GUIDED CITY TOUR
Morning sightseeing tour of Athens. The striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of a glorious past and modern elegant structures is what you will enjoy during your tour of Athens. Visit the Acropolis,the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium(site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis museum (closed on Monday’s), a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens. Afternoon at leisure
DAY 3 : ATHENS /OLYMPIA
Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the CORINTH CANAL with its breathtaking views (Short Stop). The Corinth Canal is a junction of international sea transport and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern Mediterranean and black sea ports and vice-versa. Continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to EPIDAURUS (Visit). On the headland called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. Apart from a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with poros staircases. The theatre is marvelled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.
Then depart for  NAUPLIA 1st capital of Greece in 1829 (Short Stop) drive to MYCENAE(Visit)  “Mycenae 'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization.”  In the afternoon depart for OLYMPIA – Dinner & Overnight in OLYMPIA.
DAY 4: OLYMPIA / DELPHI
Olympia the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece, Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held every four years to honor Zeus.  Visit the Archaeological Site & the Museum and then drive via PATRAS to RION, across the channel to ANTIRRION on the “State of the Art” new suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in NAFPAKTOS then continue to DELPHI – Dinner & Overnight in DELPHI.
DAY 5: DELPHI / METEORA
Situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years.
Visit of the archaeological site and the Museum where one can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478 B.C. when he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the ''severe'' Attic style, certainly the work of a major artist.
After visits depart for KALAMBAKA through AMPHISSA – LAMIA & TRIKALA – Dinner & Overnight in KALAMBAKA
DAY 6: METEORA / ATHENS
Today we will see one of the most amazing places in Greece - METEORA.
Meaning ‘suspended in air’ the name Meteora soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos There were no steps and the main access to the monasteries was by means of a net that was hitched over a hook and hoisted up by rope and a hand cranked windlass to winch towers overhanging the chasm. Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladder up to 40 meters long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes. Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage. After visits, start the drive back to Athens passing through THERMOPYLAE (photo stop) and Kammena Vourla.
Arrive in Athens in early evening. Overnight Athens.
DAY 7: ATHENS / CRUISE / MYKONOS
Morning transfer to Piraeus port to embark the cruise ship for your 4 day cruise to the Greek islands & Turkey. Cruise to Mykonos and enjoy the evening on this lively island.
DAY 8: MORNING IN KUSADASI / EVENING IN PATMOS
Enjoy breakfast on board and the morning at leisure in Kusadasi (Ephesus, Turkey) from 7:00 am to noon. Renowned for its beaches and attractive view of the Aegean, Kusadasi is near to several historical sites including Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Spend the evening at leisure in Patmos (Greece). Sail to Rhodes this evening.
DAY 9: FULL DAY IN RHODES
Enjoy a full day on the island of Rhodes (Greece), the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago. Explore the island`s medieval Old Town, preserved in and around the walls of a Venetian castle, built by the 14th-century Knights of St. John. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Citadel of Rhodes is located at the far northern end of the island and is considered one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean.
DAY 10: MORNING IN CRETE / AFTERNOON IN SANTORINI
Arrive early this morning in Heraklion (Crete, Greece), one of the four prefectures that constitute the island of Crete. Enjoy a half day at leisure to explore the island on your own. At noon, cruise to Santorini, and enjoy an evening on Santorini Island. Known for its breathtaking caldera, Santorini is also famous for its sandy beaches, colorful sunsets, and whitewashed buildings along the sea-cliffs.
DAY 11: PIRAEUS / AIRPORT
Early morning return to Piraeus port. After breakfast on board, disembarkation and transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

Driving along the coastal road past the wonderful beaches of GLYFADA, VOULIAGMENI, VARKIZA and countless coves, one has a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf. A crowning feature of the tour Cape SOUNION, dominated by the spectacular Temple of POSSEIDON overlooking the Aegean sea.(Oct 1 to Mar 31 - ½ hour earlier)

  Starting our evening tour with a pleasant panoramic drive through illuminated city center and we will approach the slope of the sacred hill to admire the illuminated Acropolis.
Then we will visit the museum of Ancient Greek musical instruments and discover the music history of Greece. Explore the greatest and only collection with 60 reconstructed Ancient Greek Musical instruments.
Next we will walk through the narrow pedestrian street of Plaka, the old city of Athens, to dine in a Greek typical restaurant with floor folklore show with live music, ballet with dancers in traditional costumes
N.B. Drinks at the taverna are not included.







 

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