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 01 – Arrival / Athens

Arrival at the Athens airport, welcome assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Athens.

Day 02 – 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. (BD)

Day 03 – 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. (BD)

Day 04 – 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. (BD)

Day 05 – 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. On the way, we will make a short stop at Thermopylae, to admire the statue of Leonidas king of Sparta. Overnight in Athens. (B)

Day 06 – 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 07 – At leisure / Athens

Day at leisure to explore more of Athens on your own, or follow an optional excursion to Cape Sounion. (B)

Day 08 – Athens – Mykonos / on cruise

Breakfast and transfer to Piraeus port to embark on «Celestyal cruises» for the three night «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 09 – Rhodes / on cruise

Early in the morning you will be arriving at the port of Kusadasi. Disembarkation for your included 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. (BLD)

Day 10 – At leisure / Santorini

Arrival in Rhodes early in the morning where the ship will be docked for the whole day. During your included “Medieval” tour, we will visit the Acropolis of 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. Possibility of an optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos with the legendary Minotaur. In the afternoon we will arrive at the unique island of Santorini. You can 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 – Piraeus / Departure

Arrival at Piraeus port early in the morning. Breakfast on board. Disembarkation and transfer to the Athens airport for your departure. (B)

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