Best of Greece with 7-Day Idyllic Aegean Cruise Superior

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ
Dates

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Greece and Turkey with the "Best of Greece with 7-Day Idyllic Aegean Cruise Superior" tour. Begin your adventure in Athens, exploring iconic sites like the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Travel through ancient cities such as Corinth, Mycenae, and Delphi, and experience the rich history of Olympia. Connect with locals at a traditional Greek dinner and dance on an olive and wine farm. Discover the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Set sail on a 7-day Aegean cruise, visiting vibrant Thessaloniki, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the stunning islands of Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos. With expert guides, luxurious accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, relaxation, and adventure.

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, Thessaloniki, ancient Ephesus, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and Milos</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><li><i class='fa-regular fa-circle-check'></i>Scenic Cruise along the Bosphorus strait</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>

Mode of Transport

Travel in luxury with an air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. The tour also includes a 7-day cruise on the MV Celestyal Journey, offering a unique perspective of the Aegean Sea.

Accommodation

Stay in cherry-picked hotels such as Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, and Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre in Athens, Amalia Nafplio, Amalia Olympia, Amalia Delphi, and Amalia Kalambaka, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey. Enjoy the MV Celestyal Journey for a 7-day cruise.

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.

Flights

International and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.

Visa fees

Visa fees and related expenses are not covered by the tour.

Optional excursions

Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.

Dining Summary

12 Dinner (D)
15 Breakfast (B)
6 Lunch (L)

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.
Thessaloniki: Stroll along the waterfront and admire the historic monuments of Greece's second-largest city.
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.
Mykonos: View the Windmills of Kato Mili and wander the beautiful blue and white streets of Chora.

Destinations

Europe
Greece
Turkey

Tour Types

Cultural
Sightseeing
Ruins-Archaeology
Foodie and Wine Tours
Gardens & Nature Tours
Cruise

Day 1: Welcome to Athens

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

Day 2: Explore Amazing Athens Dive Into Culture

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

Day 3: Journey to Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplion

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

Day 4: Continue to Ancient Olympia Connect with Locals

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

Day 5: Onwards to Patras and Delphi

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

Day 6: Off to Thermopylae and Kalambaka

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

Day 7: Admire Meteora and Return to Athens

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

Day 8: Athens Your Way

Location: Athens

Spend the day at leisure and see the city's ancient sites.<br/>

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

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Embark on Your 7-Day Cruise

Location: Athens

Spend the morning on your own exploring what was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation'. See the city's ancient sites before boarding your cruise ship this afternoon for your seven-day cruise through the Aegean.