Grecian Explorer With 3 Nights Cruise 14 Days
Tour overview:
Explore the best of Greece on this 14-day adventure. Start in Athens, one of the world’s oldest cities. Discover Olympia, built on the banks of River Alfios and the birthplace of the Olympics. Travel to Delphi to visit the temple of Apollo and walk the Sacred way. The tour continues with a cruise of the islands of the Saronic gulf, visit Hydra, a picturesque little “vehicle free” island and the island of Poros with its clock tower facing the Peloponnese. You will then board the Iconic Aegean ship, your home for the next 3 nights. Cruise through the emerald waters and marvel at the breathtaking Greek islands. Explore beautiful Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, and seductive Santorini.
Day 1 - Arrival / Athens.
Arrival at the Athens airport, welcome assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Day 2 - City tour / Athens.
The day is dedicated to exploring the city of Athens. We begin with a panoramic tour to the most important monuments and landmarks of the city including the Panathinaikon stadium, the Zappeion, the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Syntagma square, the Parliament, the tomb of the unknown soldier, Schliemann’s house, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and the old Parliament. Next we head for our guided visit to the Acropolis, including the Propylae, the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion. Later, we continue with a guided visit to the Acropolis museum voted one of the best museums in the world. Afternoon at leisure to explore Plaka, the picturesque old part of the city, and why not, some shopping at Ermou street.(B)
Day 3 - Corinth canal, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Mycenae / Olympia.
After our breakfast we depart towards the Peloponnese. First stop will be at the impressive Corinth canal and we continue to Epidaurus with its theater, famous for its acoustics. Our day continues as we will be arriving in Nafplion for a short stop. Our next visit will be to Mycenae «rich in gold» as Homer mentions, with the Cyclopean walls, and the tomb of Agamemnon with the famous Lion’s Gate. In the afternoon, we will be crossing the mountains of the Peloponnese to arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight.(B,D)
Day 4 - Olympia / Delphi.
Built on the banks of the River Alfios, Olympia is beautiful, green, and placid. We will enjoy a tour through the remains of the Ancient Olympia Complex (home of the original Olympic Games), including the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, and Phidias’s Workshop. We continue to the local museum, one of the richest in Greece, with the impressive statue of Hermes of Praxitelis. In the afternoon, we will start heading north, driving around Patras, over the impressive Rio-Antirio bridge, through Nafpaktos and Itea, to Delphi for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 5 - Delphi / Kalambaka.
Delphi used to be the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage center for many centuries in the antiquity. You will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred way, and visit the temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle). We continue to the local museum with the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer. In the afternoon we will be crossing the mountains of central Greece to arrive in Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.(B,D)
Day 6 - Meteora / Athens.
This morning we will be visiting Meteora. Amazing rock formations, like towers of sandstone, stand ageless, and have provided sacred retreat for monks over the centuries. A number of monasteries are hidden on top of Meteora. The view over the plain is breathtaking. Meteora is considered among the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece and belongs to Unesco’s list of world heritage monuments. After our visit, we will take the road back to Athens for overnight. On the way, we will make a short stop at Thermopylae, to admire the statue of Leonidas king of Sparta. (B)
Day 7 - At leisure / Athens.
The day will be at leisure for you to relax, enjoy the facilities of your hotel, and explore more of Athens on your own. You can optionally choose to take an afternoon tour visiting Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon.(B)
Day 8 - Saronic gulf islands – Aegina, Poros, Hydra / Athens.
Early breakfast and transfer to the port for a day cruise to the Saronic gulf islands. First stop will be Hydra. A picturesque little “vehicle free” island, well-known to the international jet-set. Take a donkey ride, explore the little cobble-stoned streets and visit the Mitropolis at your own pace. Next, is the island of Poros with its clock tower facing the Peloponnese. Last comes Aegina, a weekend retreat for many Athenians. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride or take an optional visit to the temple of Afea. Make sure to buy some pistachios, as Aegina is world-famous for its production. A buffet lunch will be served on board, and on the way back you will have to opportunity to see and participate to some traditional Greek dances! Return transfer to our hotel.(B)
Day 9 - Mykonos / on cruise.
Breakfast and transfer to Lavrion port to embark on «Celestyal cruises» for the three night «Iconic Aegean» cruise. Arrival in Mykonos in the afternoon. Take advantage of the free shuttle service provide by the cruise line to explore the bustling Chora (Mykonos town) until late in the evening. (AI)
Day 10 - Kusadasi – Patmos / on cruise.
Early in the morning you will be arriving at the port of Kusadasi. You may join an optional shore excursion to “Ancient Ephesus through the Ages”. Around mid-day, the ship will set sail again for a short trip to Patmos. Do no miss the optional excursion to the famous monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. (AI)
Day 11 - Rhodes / on cruise.
Arrival in Rhodes early in the morning where the ship will be docked for the whole day. Explore the old town or join an optional excursion to Lindos and the citadel of the Knights (Rhodes’ old town). Return on board of the evening. (AI)
Day 12 - (Heraklion)*1 – Santorini / Santorini.
Arrival in Heraklion early in the morning. Explore the city or join an optional excursion visiting the Minoan Palace of Knossos with the legendary Minotaur. In the afternoon we will arrive at the unique island of Santorini, where we will disembark and transfer to our hotel.(B,L)
Day 13 - At leisure / Santorini.
At leisure to explore the magical island of Santorini. Discover Fira & Oia with the breathtaking views to the volcano, and enjoy one of the best sunsets in the Aegean. Explore the unique black-sanded beaches or take a boat tour to the islands of the caldera. (B)
Day 14 - Departure
Morning at leisure until the time to transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight, connecting with your international return flight home.(B)