BEST OF GREECE WITH 3-DAY SPECIAL AEGEAN CRUISE

11 Days -
Day 1 Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and
goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of
Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you will have an opportunity
to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel
companions for a Welcome Reception, including a light meal and welcome drink.
Day 2 ATHENS SIGHTSEEING
Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient hilltop complex that
was once the Cradle of Western Civilisation and today overlooks a sprawling cityscape below. Along
our journey into antiquity we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures. We'll admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus and the Agora, once the haunt of Socrates and Plato. We'll see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own terms. Meander through the cobbled lanes of Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki - the choice is yours.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Cape Sounion
Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to see the fifth century B.C
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the
temple’s sixteen columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the ancient temple
perched above a 197-foot drop down to the Aegean Sea below. Stand above the site of the world’s first
lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas
threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below, thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea.
Day 3 ATHENS – CORINTH – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – NAFPLION
We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula.
Arriving in the ancient city of Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. We continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of ancient Greece, where we'll see the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace in the company of a Local Specialist. Later, we'll travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theatre and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the charming Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.
Day 4 NAFPLION – OLYMPIA
We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, past quaint mountain villages into a land of
myths and legends, and the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening we join the
Karambellas family on their 30-acre olive and wine farm for an unforgettable Be My Guest dinner,
some traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.
Day 5 OLYMPIA – PATRAS – DELPHI
We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. We'll visit the ancient
Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia,
we skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before
continuing to Delphi, our home for tonight.
Day 6 DELPHI – THERMOPYLAE – KALAMBAKA
Tread in the footsteps of ancient Greeks who would descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult
with the most important oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred
Way to the 4th century Temple of Apollo and view the statues immortalising the strength of the
athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games held in honour of Apollo and the Arts. A scenic
afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defence by Leonidas and his brave
Spartans against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly region, the 'bread basket of
Greece', and travel over the Pourmaraki Pass towards Kalambaka.
Day 7 KALAMBAKA – METEORA – ATHENS
The breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are our first stop today. Join a
Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to
immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to Athens where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.
Day 8 EMBARK – MYKONOS
We depart Athens, boarding our ship to cruise the azure waters of the Aegean en route to the
charming island of Mykonos. Spend the evening getting lost in its labyrinthine lanes lined by white-
washed cottages and tumbling cerise bougainvillea.
Day 9 KUSADASI (TURKEY) OR SAMOS (GREECE) – PATMOS
Today's choice of sightseeing could see you visit the Turkish shores of Kusadasi for a Complimentary
Shore Experience to ancient Ephesus, or visit the Greek island of Samos, renowned for its wine
tradition. We continue to Patmos, the site where the Book of Revelation was written by St. John whose
Cave of the Apocalypse and Monastery you could choose to see as an Optional Experience.
MEALS
-Buffet Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Patmos Countryside Tour with Hora And Grotto Of Apocalypse
We visit Patmos a UNESCO “World Heritage Monument” and enjoy a panoramic guided tour of the
island, a magical visit to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where it is said St John the Apostle wrote the
Book of Revelation. We reach the medieval town of Hora to enjoy a leisurely walk, marvel at the views
of the Monastery of St John the Evangelist, and culminate our tour at Scala the port of Patmos where
we enjoy a welcoming coffee, tea or refreshment.
Day 10 HERAKLION – SANTORINI
We arrive in Heraklion this morning and have the opportunity to explore Crete's Minoan culture and
heritage at the Palace of Knossos. Continuing to the Cycladic island of Santorini with its enchanting
clifftop towns we enjoy a Complimentary Shore Experience passing quaint villages and vineyards en
route to spellbinding Oia.
Day 11 DISEMBARK – DEPART ATHENS
This morning, disembark from your cruise ship for your transfer to the airport.

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