Wonders Of Greece & Aegean Legends with 4 nights Cruise 12 Days
12 Days: Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka, Meteora, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos , Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini, Piraeus
Tour overview:
This 12-day program includes 7 days to explore ancient Greece by land and a 4-night cruise through the Greek islands. Explore Athens, the cradle of Western civilization with its historical landmarks. Relax in the picturesque Plaka area. Travel to Olympia and Delphi, which was one of the most sacred places in the world. Your cruise through the Aegean will take you to Mykonos with its hilltops studded with windmills and maze of cobblestone streets. On Rhodes, tour the Acropolis of Lindos. Marvel at the sunset on Santorini.
Day 1 - Arrive Athens
Arrival at the Athens airport, welcome assistance and transfer to your hotel in Athens.
Day 2 - Corinth canal, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Mycenae / Olympia
Today you will depart on a tour, heading first towards the Peloponnese. You will admire the impressive Corinth canal, and visit Epidaurus, the most important healing center in antiquity and today famous for the best-preserved ancient theater with the unique acoustics. You will then pass by Nafplio, and continue with visiting Mycenae, «rich in gold» as Homer mentions, with the Cyclopean walls, and the tomb of Agamemnon with the famous Lion’s Gate. The day will conclude in Olympia for overnight. (BD)
Day 3 - 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; and visit the local museum, with the impressive statue of Hermes of Praxitelis. In the afternoon, you continue your journey, to central Greece, driving over the impressive Rio-Antirio bridge, to Delphi for overnight. (BD)
Day 4 - Delphi / Kalambaka
Built on the slopes of Mount Parnassos overlooking the vast olive groves and the Corinthian Gulf, Delphi used to be the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage center for many centuries in antiquity. You will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred Way, see the temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle), and visit the local museum with the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer, before continuing your drive to Kalambaka for overnight. (BD)
Day 5 - Meteora / Athens
This morning, you will be visiting Meteora, one of the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece and part of UNESCO’s list of world heritage monuments. 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 and the view over the plain is breathtaking. Return drive to Athens in the afternoon, stopping on the way at Thermopylae, to see the statue of Leonidas, commemorating the battle of the 300, against the Persians. (B)
Day 6 - 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, and 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 7 - At leisure / Athens
Day at leisure to explore more of Athens on your own, or follow an optional excursion to Cape Sounion or to the Peloponnese. (B)
Day 8 - Athens – Mykonos / on cruise
Breakfast and transfer to Lavrion port, to embark on «Celestyal Discovery» for you «Iconic Aegean» cruise. Arrival in Mykonos in the afternoon. Free time to explore the bustling town of Mykonos until late in the evening. (BLD)
Day 9 - Kusadasi – Patmos / on cruise
Early in the morning you will be arriving at the port of Kusadasi. You may join an optional “Ancient Ephesus through the Ages” excursion. 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. (BLD)
Day 10 - 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. (BLD)
Day 11 - Heraklion – Santorini / on cruise
Arrival in Heraklion early in the morning. Explore the city or join an optional excursion by visiting the Minoan Palace of Knossos with the legendary Minotaur. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the unique island of Santorini. You may choose to take the cable car up to Fira town or follow an optional excursion to “Spectacular Oia village perched on the caldera rim”. (BLD)
Day 12 - Depart Athens
Arrival at Lavrion port early in the morning. Breakfast on board. Disembarkation and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)