Best of Greece with 4-Day Aegean Cruise Premier

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • What's Included
  • FAQ
  • Dates

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Greece and Turkey with the "Best of Greece with 4-Day Aegean Cruise Premier" tour. Begin in Athens, exploring iconic sites like the Acropolis and the Parthenon, before venturing to ancient Corinth, Mycenae, and the stunning rock monasteries of Meteora. Experience the rich history of Olympia and Delphi, and enjoy a traditional Greek evening with the Karabelas family. The adventure continues with a luxurious Aegean cruise, visiting the enchanting islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini, as well as the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

Highlights
  • content:<h3>Must-see Highlights</h3><ul class='icon-list'><li><i class='fa-regular fa-circle-check'></i>Explore Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and ancient Ephesus</li><li><i class='fa-regular fa-circle-check'></i>Visit the Acropolis and Museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient theatre at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the home of the Oracle at Delphi, and the incredible rock monasteries in Meteora, Mykonos, ancient Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini</li><li><i class='fa-regular fa-circle-check'></i>View the Parthenon, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae</li><li><i class='fa-regular fa-circle-check'></i>See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace in Mycenae</li></ul>
  • content:<h3>Make Travel Matter®</h3><p><b>Delphi</b>: Meet passionate beekeeper Nikiforos at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey, known to be one of the most nutritious in the world. See the bees thriving in their natural habitat and learn about their role in nature regeneration. This experience advances Global Goal 15: Life on Land. Traditionally a beekeeping area, Delphi has lost most of its beekeeping activity. The decline in bee populations has seen a significant loss of biodiversity. Thanks to their effort, Nikiforos and his family and rebuilding a local activity and directly contributing to regenerating the land.</p>
  • content:<h3>Be My Guest</h3><p><b>Olympia</b>: Say "opa!" to a traditional Greek experience with the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm. Join the family for dinner and dancing, and learn about their history on the land.</p>
  • content:<h3>Trafalgar Difference</h3><p><b>Delphi</b>: Designed by renowned architect Nikos Valsamakis in 1965, the hotel is a notable example of postwar Greek architecture. It integrates seamlessly with the Delphic landscape, with rooms arranged to follow the terrain.</p>
Dining Summary
  • 9 Dinner (D)
  • 11 Breakfast (B)
  • 4 Lunch (L)
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury with an air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, ensuring comfort throughout your journey. Enjoy a 4-day Aegean cruise aboard the MV Celestyal Discovery, exploring stunning islands and coastal cities. Optional rail journeys and flexible sightseeing with audio headsets enhance your travel experience.
Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels such as Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, and Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre, offering comfort and convenience. Experience the unique architecture of Amalia hotels in Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, and Kalambaka, and enjoy the MV Celestyal Discovery cruise ship for a memorable Aegean journey.
Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
Optional excursions
Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
Visa fees
Visa fees and any related travel documentation costs are not included.
Dive into Culture
  • Athens: Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.
Iconic Experience
  • Athens: Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
  • Corinth: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Join a Local Specialist and gain insight into Corinth's eventful past.
  • Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Specialist.
  • Archaeological Site of Olympia: Join a Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
  • Delphi: With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
  • Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
  • Meteora: With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
  • Mykonos: View the Windmills of Kato Mili and wander the beautiful blue and white streets of Chora.
  • Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Specialist, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
Destinations
  • Europe
  • Greece
  • Turkey
Tour Types
  • Cultural
  • Ruins-Archaeology
  • Foodie and Wine Tours
  • Sightseeing
  • History
  • Cruise

Location: Athens

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 light meal.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre

Meals: Dinner

Location: Athens

Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation'. Along our journey into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena,the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Dive Into Culture and 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. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre

Meals: Breakfast

Location: Nafplion

We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in 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 Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.

Accommodation Name: Amalia Nafplio

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Location: Olympia

We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the Karabelas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Amalia Olympia

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Location: 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, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Amalia Delphi

Meals: Breakfast

Location: Kalambaka

Tread in the footsteps of the 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. View the statues immortalising the strength of the athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games, held in honour of Apollo and the Arts. Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close to the unique biodiversity of the area. 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, travelling north through the 'breadbasket of Greece' towards Kalambaka.

Accommodation Name: Amalia Kalambaka

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Location: Meteora

The 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.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Location: Mykonos

We depart Athens, boarding our ship to cruise the azure waters of the Aegean, bound for Mykonos. Spend the evening getting lost in its labyrinthine lanes lined by white-washed cottages and tumbling cerise bougainvillea.<br/>

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Location: Kusadasi

Touch the Turkish coastline and visit the port of Kusadasi for a complimentary Shore Experience to the ancient city of Ephesus. We continue to Patmos later, where the Book of Revelations was written by St. John. Here, you could choose to visit the Cave of the Apocalypse and St. John's Monastery on an Optional Experience.<br/>

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Location: Rhodes

Arriving in Rhodes, you may wish to join an optional experience for an encounter with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World today. Walk in the footsteps of the medieval knights who conquered this land. There’s time to explore it for yourself as you trace the thick stone walls, gates and cobblestone lanes of its capital before returning to your cruise.

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Location: Crete

We sail to Heraklion on the island of Crete, where we have the opportunity to delve into the centuries-old culture and heritage of the Minoans at the Palace of Knossos. Our final stop today is the beautiful volcanic island of Santorini with its cliff-top villages, where you might consider an optional Shore Experience to the sun-kissed village of Oia.<br/>

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Discovery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Location: Athens

This morning, disembark from your cruise ship for your transfer to the airport. Note: please do not book flights before midday.

Meals: Breakfast

Included
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised

Not Included
  • Personal expenses
    -Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
  • Travel insurance
    -Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
  • Optional excursions
    -Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
  • Flights
    -International and domestic flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
  • Visa fees
    -Visa fees and any related travel documentation costs are not included.
During the cruise, you will visit Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini. You can explore the labyrinthine lanes of Mykonos, visit the ancient city of Ephesus, explore the medieval history of Rhodes, and visit the Palace of Knossos in Crete. Optional experiences include visiting the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos and the village of Oia in Santorini.
In Delphi, you will have the opportunity to walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo with a Local Specialist. You will also visit a family-run honey farm for a 'Make Travel Matter' experience, where you can taste thyme honey and learn about the area's biodiversity.
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
On the mainland, you will visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient theatre at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the Oracle at Delphi, and the rock monasteries in Meteora. You will also see the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate, and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae.
In Meteora, you will visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that are perched on immense rock towers. These monasteries are a UNESCO World Heritage site and offer a unique glimpse into the religious history and architectural ingenuity of the region.
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
The tour includes a 'Be My Guest' experience with the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm in Olympia, where you can enjoy dinner, traditional Greek dancing, and learn about their history on the land. Additionally, there is a 'Make Travel Matter' experience at a honey farm in Delphi, where you can taste thyme honey and learn about the role of bees in nature regeneration.
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

You will have the option to book your own flights independently with the operator.

Dates Price Availability
04-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights
Single £4360.00
04-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights
Triple £3250.00
04-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights
Twin £3500.00
11-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights
Single £4360.00
11-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights
Triple £3250.00
11-Aug-2025
for 0 Nights
Twin £3500.00
13-Oct-2025
for 0 Nights
Single £4530.00
13-Oct-2025
for 0 Nights
Triple £3390.00
13-Oct-2025
for 0 Nights
Twin £3670.00

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This tour is operated by Trafalgar

12 days from £3250 pp exc.flights; Enquire
Start:Athens, Greece
Finish:Athens, Greece
Physical rating:Medium
Tour operated in: English
Tour Reference: AGLLMZM20
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