Greece and Sicily Escapade

This 18-day itinerary combines the highlights of Classical Greece with a 3 day cruise of the enchanted isles and a foray into Turkey . Your exact cruise routing will vary & depends on the line and ship confirmed/available at the time of booking . And then on to Sicily .....Aah, Sicily , a farm house, a private villa , or la cucina! This tour covers the highlights of Sicily, including the most classical sites of Sicily and the historical and artistic sites. Accommodation is in charming hotels .

Departures Weekly : Apr-Oct

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DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS - Weekly : Thursday : Apr- Oct
Our Athens representative will meet you at the airport, assist you through customs and immigration, and escort you to your hotel in the bustling city center. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You're free to stroll, browse for curios and treasures. All transfers in Greece are always on a private basis.

DAY 2 - Friday- CRUISE to MYKONOS (cBD)
Our staff will call for you at your hotel and escort you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your three-day cruise. You'll sail into the Aegean, and by sunset, reach the isle of Mykonos by early evening . Stroll at your own pace along lanes lined with whitewashed houses, up to the Church of Paraportiani, or along the shore to the island's signature windmills. Enjoy an ouzo or a glass of retsina at a waterside cafe before we set sail at night. As noted, exact itinerary may vary.

DAY 3 - Saturday - KUSADASI (Turkey) and PATMOS (BLD)
Your ship will anchor early in Kusadasi, on the Turkish mainland, gateway to ancient Ephesus. Stroll the streets and stop in at shops filled with leather goods and bargains in gold. The cruise's optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. You'll re-board in time for an early evening sailing.

Then your ship will call at the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written ( shore excursions are always a supplement) .

DAY 4 - Sunday - HERAKLION (CRETE), SANTORINI (BLD) -
We drop anchor in the port of Heraklion at 7 a.m. You can explore on your own, or take an optional excursion to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum. We sail at noon for Santorini, where the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished. We leave port at 21:00.
For those interested, you may disembark for your stay in your apartment/villa/or hotel. ( supplement applies)
Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour . Villas in Santorini:

DAY 5 - Monday - PIRAEUS, Athens (B)
You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning. Our Athens-based personnel will escort you to your Athens Hotel . Remainder of the day at leisure

DAY 6 - ATHENS MARKETS - Tuesday (cBL)
Ride the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today! We take pride in affording you this experience, entirely by public transportation, with orientation by our English-speaking representative. You'll get to tour Athens fascinating vegetable & fruit markets by subway and/ or taxi. Enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant before we head back to the hotel.

DAY 7- Wednesday - DELPHI (BL)
Tour Delphi, site of the famed oracle, at the foot of Mount Parnassus. During the Mycenaean period, the female deity of Earth was worshipped in the small settlement of Delphi. The development of the sanctuary and oracle though, began in the 8th century B.C. with the establishment of the cult of Apollo. Under the protection and administration of the Amphictyony, the sanctuary continued to be autonomous after the First Sacred War and, as a result, increased its panhellenic religious and political influence. The Pythian Games were re-organized, the sanctuary was enlarged and it was enriched with nice buildings, statues, and other offerings. In the 3rd century B.C. it came under the domination of the Aetolians and later, in 191 B.C., was conquered by the Romans. During the Roman occupation the site was sometimes plundered but was also favoured by some of the emperors. With the spread of Christianity, the sanctuary lost its religious meaning and was permanently closed down with a decree of emperor Theodosius the Great.

We tour the ruins of Delphi and its oracle, sacred to Apollo and Dionysus. In the afternoon, we drive via the lovely Kalambaka a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora , we spend the night at Kalambaka .

DAY 8 - ATHENS - Thursday (cBLD)
This morning you'll tour the high points of Athens, most notably the towering Acropolis and the adjacent museum. Private air-conditioned vehicle , private guide:
You'll visit Syntagma Square, at the very heart of the city, and see the Parliament, and guards in colorful traditional outfits. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Your afternoon is free for further exploring or shopping, or you could well be drawn to return to the charm of the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, for an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with spectacular sunset view. We'll treat you to a dinner ( included ) at a Greek taverna with Greek folk dance.

DAY 9 - Friday Corinth (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. A half-day group tour of ancient Corinth ( seat in a coach).
ANCIENT CORINTH Dep 08:00 - Ret 13:30
Leave Athens and drive South West until we reach the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionia Sea for a short stop. Drive on and visit the Ancient Town of Corinth where St. Paul preached for two years. The remains of the City, which include the Agora and Apollo's Temple,(6th century B.C.) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times. A short stop at the Site of the Ancient Port of Cenhries, where St. Paul disembarked, concludes this tour. Return to Athens in time for lunch.

The site of Ancient Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 B.C.). The peak period of the town, though, started in the 8th century B.C. and lasted until its destruction by the Roman general Mummius in 146 B.C. Representative of its wealth is the Doric Temple of Apollo, which was built in 550 B.C.
The city was re inhabited in 44 B.C. and gradually developed again. In 51/52 A.D., Apostle Paul visited Corinth. The centre of the Roman city was organized to the south of the temple of Apollo and included shops, small shrines, fountains, baths, and other public buildings.
The invasion of the Herulians in A.D. 267 , initiated the decline of the city though it remained inhabited for many centuries through successive invasions and destructions, until it was liberated from the Ottomans in 1822.

DAY 10 - Athens / Sicily - Saturday (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfers are all included in Athens and Sicily . Air fare is included in economy class Athens Sicily , tax included . Palermo-Cefalù-Messina-Taormina - Syracuse-Agrigento-Erice Sicilia Jolly Tour Da Palermo a Catania tra magia e mito.
Date di partenza: dal aprile al ottobre

Ah, Sicily , a farm house, a private villa , or la cucina! This tour covers the highlights of Sicily, including the most classical sites of Sicily and the historical and artistic sites. Accommodation is in charming hotels .

Arrive at Catania Airport, our local rep will meet you and assist with your transfer to your Jolly Hotel Palermo .

DAY 11 - Sunday: PALERMO - CEFALU' - CAPO D'ORLANDO - REGGIO CALABRIA - MESSINA
After a buffet breakfast, drive along the Thyrrenian coast. Stop in Cefalù, a pleasant resort well known for its beautiful Norman Cathedral and medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed to Capo d’Orlando for lunch. Continue to Messina. Sea conditions permitting, embark to Reggio Calabria and visit the famous “Bronzi di Riace”. Jolly Hotel Messina. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay .

DAY 12 - Monday: MESSINA – MOUNT ETNA – TAORMINA - MESSINA
After a buffet breakfast, conditions permitting, we'll try to reach the 1800 meters mark on Mount Etna, the highest active volcano of Europe. Continue to Taormina: lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Greek Theater and enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through the tiny streets. Return to Messina: dinner and overnight at the Jolly Hotel Messina .

DAY 13 - Tuesday: MESSINA - CATANIA - SYRACUSE
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse. Panoramic tour of Catania. Lunch at Jolly hotel Syracuse. In the afternoon, visit of the Archaeological area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise and the Dyionysios “Ear”as well as visit of the island of Ortigia, singular treasure of the baroque style. Dinner and overnight accommodation at the Jolly Hotel Syracuse.

DAY 14 - Wednesday: SYRACUSE - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast, depart for Piazza Armerina and visit the worldwide famous Villa Romana del Casale famed for its well preserved mosaics. Lunch in a typical restaurant and continue to Agrigento. Visit the Valley including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor and Pollux. Dinner at the Jolly Hotel della Valle. After dinner enjoy an unforgettable panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated. Overnight in Agrigento.

DAY 15 - Thursday: AGRIGENTO - SEGESTA - ERICE - TRAPANI - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast, depart for Segesta to visit the Doric Temple which keeps in its stone the weight of a long history, surrounded by a unique landscape. Lunch at a local restaurant in Erice, a medieval town full of myth and history, art and environment located at 800 meters above the sea. After lunch enjoy an orientation tour of Trapani’s salt mills. Continue to Palermo. Dinner and overnight at Jolly Hotel Palermo.

DAY 16 - Friday: PALERMO - MONREALE
After a buffet breakfast depart to Monreale with visit to the “Duomo” (Cathedral) which is one of the most renowned monuments in the world as well as the Benedictine Cloister, in pure Norman style. Visit the city of Palermo including the Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel in the Royal Palace, as well as a panoramic tour of the historical center. Lunch at Jolly Hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy the possibility to visit part of Palermo by your own or to participate to an optional excursion to the Catacombs, the "Capo" market and Mondello. Farewell Dinner and accommodation at the Jolly Hotel.

DAY 17- Saturday: Palermo
Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport . End of our services . Bon Voyage . or you may wish to extend your stay.

Rates are in US $ , per person

Please deduct $ 100 per person for triple occupancy
The Deluxe / First Class hotel choice applies to Athens only

Price includes:

• Travel guide book to Greece and Sicily .
  
• Air fare one way Athens Sicily , with tax, in economy class
  
• Hotel accommodation , with tax & continental breakfast daily
  Sample hotels in Athens : Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis. First : Electra Palace or Stanley
  In Sicily first class 4 stars Jolly hotels, rooms are with private bathroom facilities
  
• Cruise to the Greek Islands .
  
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees .
  
• Breakfast daily at hotel, and other meals in Sicily as per itinerary , all meals are pre-set menu .
  
• All meals during cruise.
  
• Ground transportation between hotel and airport, and between hotel and pier Airport greeting and assistance.
  
• Port taxes.

Not included:

• International airfare from/to your home country
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance (please see our insurance brochure).
• Gratuities.
• Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed

Notes for the Greek Cruise :
Clothing on shore:

Look forward to warm, even hot weather with some cooler breezes at night.
Especially for shore excursions, we recommend loose, comfortable cottons or other lightweight clothing.

Some of the tours involve long bus rides and/or considerable walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Please bear in mind that shore excursion coaches are air conditioned and you may wish to bring a light sweater.

On tours that include visits to places of worship, shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted.

Private Cruise ship Shore excursions in Greece & Turkey

The cruise regular shore excursion are generally a good introduction to the city, most of the seasoned cruise travelers prefer to go sightseeing with a private guide.

The difference between ship organized and private tours is best described as "package versus tailor-made." Some people may feel all right joining a large tour group whereas sometimes it is difficult to hear the guide and the group moves only as fast as its slowest participant.

Others may not get their questions answered at all as there may be twenty other people in the group trying to do the same.

In contrast, a small tour group with tailor-made program is way more enjoyable and ensures personal attention for everyone. You will spend as much time as you want.

Therefore, if you want to maximize your limited time, the private escorted tour tailored to your unique wishes and interests is an ideal solution.

All our private shore excursions tours are carefully designed to give you the best possible experience. Our knowledgeable, friendly and qualified tour guide and driver will ensure that your visit ashore is truly memorable. When you tour with us in Turkey as part of a private shore excursion , your tour guide will get you into sites without waiting in lines that is especially valuable given the limited time you have to spend in Turkey.

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