DAY 2: ATHENS HALF DAY CITY TOUR

This tour is an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (shortstop).

Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex-Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, theNational Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts an order in the mind”, the Parthenon.

Tour will end by visiting the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum, “State of the art” in museum construction and very rich in content.

Afternoon free to visit Plaka (The old Athens city) with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants and taverns.

DAY 3: ATHENS – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – OLYMPIA

Leave by the Coastal Road to the Corinth Canal (shortstop). Drive on and visit Epidaurus which was a small city in ancient Greece, at the Saronic Gulf. Reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius, the healer, Epidaurus was known for its sanctuary, the cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC.as well as its theatre, which is once again in use today.
The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The theatre is marvelled for its exceptional acoustics, which permits almost perfect intelligibility of non-amplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 15,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.
Then proceed to the Town of Nauplion ( short stop) drive on to Mycenae, and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Departure for Olympia Through Central Peloponnese and the Towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Dinner and overnight in Olympia, the Cradle of the Olympic Games.

DAY 4: OLYMPIA – DELPHI

Olympia was a sanctuary of ancient Greece, known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times, the most famous games in history.

The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within the temenos are the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum) and the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made. The Hippodrome and later stadium were also to the east.

To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuries representing the various city-states.

Olympia is also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by the Antipater of Sidon.

Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and  Itea, and arrive in Delphi. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: DELPHI – ATHENS

Delphi was the centre of the Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World.
On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.
In the afternoon drive through the spectacular sites at the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Arachova, Levadia and Thebes, on the way back to Athens.

DAY 6: ATHENS

Free day in Athens to stroll around the city and know better the sites and the people. Good opportunity to visit one of the famous museums like the National Archaeological Museum or the Benaki Museum.

Use the metro not only for your transportation but also to visit the different stations to admire pieces of ancient and modern art. Not to miss the visit to Plaka (The old Athens city) with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants and taverns.

DAY 7: ATHENS – MYKONOS

Morning transfer to Piraeus port to embark on your selected cruise ship. Our cruise ship will leave the port of Piraeus at 11:00 for 3 full days of fun and experiences. We go along the Athens Riviera in the Saronic Gulf to the south end of Attica passing close to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion. This afternoon is a good opportunity to get around and know your ship and the services we provide.
In the afternoon we arrive in Mykonos, known around the world as the Ibiza of the Aegean, the most popular destination of the Mediterranean. An international  “jet set” known for its beautiful sandy beaches, hundreds of tiny white chapels and incredible nightlife. Stroll around the streets of the capital considered the most beautiful of the Greek islands and enjoy the great nightlife. It’s easy to get lost in its maze of gleaming white walls dotted with blue domes and windows and balconies full of flowers. Have a coffee or a cocktail in one of the famous bars and promise to return for a longer stay and more experiences.

In the evening return to the ship for overnight travel to our next destination.

DAY 8: KUSADASI – PATMOS

Kusadası is a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast. In ancient times settlers include the Aeolians in the 11th century BC and Ionians in the 9th century who made Kusadasi a centre of art and culture. In the early years of Christianity. St John the Evangelist and (according to Roman Catholic sacred tradition) Mary (mother of Jesus) both came to live in the area.

The optional tour allows you to visit Ephesus, an ancient Greek city and later a major Roman city, on the coast of Ionia. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

You can also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, which purported to have been the last home of the Virgin Mary, based on the visions of Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich. It is a popular place of Catholic pilgrimage which has been visited by three recent popes.

Then on to the island of Patmos, a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Participating in the optional tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Monastery & the Grotto (the Cave of the Apocalypse) of St. John, where he lived and recorded the Book of Revelation.

DAY 9: HERAKLION (CRETE) – SANTORINI

We will spend this morning exploring this beautiful city, the capital of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. Archaeological treasures, magnificent ruins and museums, glorious beaches and fabulous restaurants make Crete a complete vacation spot.

With the included tour you will visit the ruins of Knossos, which in Minoan times was the largest centre of population on Crete and are located within proximity of the Archaeological Museum of the city, one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete.

One of the jewels of the small volcanic archipelagos’ five islands is undoubtedly Santorini. Santorini was created due to a volcanic eruption that culminated in the explosion of a volcano caldera, therefore, its rugged landscapes are dotted with huge cliffs. Santorini’s capital, Fira, with white-washed houses, narrow streets and open-air cafes that cling to a cliff, is at the top of the beautiful island where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the bay. Discover Santorini villages that retain their authenticity, with beautiful blue and white buildings and barren volcanic rocks. It is a very fascinating and picturesque island. A magical place that has nothing to do with the rest of the Greek islands, a place to spread the peaceful and hospitable nature of its people.

The optional panoramic tour will show you a big part of the island and the town of Oia