Escapade to The
Greek Isles , Istanbul & Classical Greece

14 days . Tour code # 5 Classical

Our Aegean tours,This 14 -day ( Including 7 day CRUISE ) voyage of discovery includes Athens, Classical Greece and the islands of the Aegean
Santorini , Mykonos, Rhodes and even takes you to Istanbul

Starts in Athens Weekly every Sat : Apr - Nov

Click for the 12 day edition with a Paris Stop-Over . Add Sicily , or Egypt

DAY 1 - Saturday ATHENS
Our local representative will meet you at Athens airport, assist with arrival procedures, and escort you to your hotel. You'll have time on your own to explore the Greek capital, browse for treasures and curios, and venture to a terrace cafe or a fine meal in the old Plaka district.

DAY 2 - Sunday - ATHENS (B)
On your first morning in Athens we show you the top sights: the Acropolis and its museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Theater of Dionysus.

The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.
The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.).

During the Classical period (450-330 B.C.) three important temples were erected on the ruins of earlier ones: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Athena Polias, and Athena-Apteros Nike, respectively. The Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the sacred area was also constructed in the same period.
The monuments on the Acropolis reflect the successive phases of the city's history. Some of them were converted into Christian churches, houses of the Franks and later on, of the Turks. After the liberation of Athens from the Turks, the protection, restoration and conservation of the monuments was one of the first tasks of the newly-founded Greek state. This major effort is continued until today, with the large-scale restoration and supporting of the monuments, which started in the 1970's and is still in progress.
The first excavations on the hill were conducted between 1835 and 1837. More systematic work was carried out in 1885-1890 by Panagiotis Kavvadias.

In the afternoon, plunge into the city as you like ( on your own ) for sightseeing and shopping.

DAY 3 - Monday - Corinth Canal , MYCENAE, EPIDAURUS (BD)
We set forth from Athens to tour classical Greece, passing Corinth and its steep-walled canal as we go. We visit the Theatre of Epidauros famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to Nauplion ( brief stop) , finally we reach Mycenae, center of ancient Mycenaean civilization (2800-1100 BC); the legendary home of the Atreides, is situated upon a small hill-top on the lower slopes of Euboea Mountain, between two of its peaks, on the road leading from the Argolic Gulf to the north (Corinth, Athens, etc.), we tour the site and the tomb of Agamemnon.

The site was inhabited since Neolithic times (about 4000 BC) but reached its peak during the Late Bronze Age (1350-1200 BC), giving its name to a civilization which spread throughout the Greek world.

During that period, the acropolis was surrounded by massive "cyclopean" walls, which were built in three stages (ca.1350, 1250 and 1225 BC) except on its SE flank where a steep ravine provided natural defense.
A palace was built on the summit of the hill while towards the Argolic plain lay the wall - painted "Cult Center", the main gate or "Lion Gate" and "Grave Circle A" which contained the treasures now displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. On the NE side, a tunnel leading to a subterranean fountain was built in "cyclopean" masonry in around 1225 B.C.
More tombs, "Grave Circle B", and large tholoi as well as houses were discovered outside the walls. Mycenae was occupied without interruption until 468 B.C. when it was conquered by the city of Argos and its population banished. It was reoccupied in the 3rd century B.C. for a relatively short period. It had been abandoned for some time when Pausanias visited the site during the 2nd century A.D.

We leave for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripoli and Megalopolis , we overnight in Olympia , the cradle of the Olympic games . Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 - Tuesday - Olympia - Delphi (BD)
Today we tour Olympia, ancient site of the Olympic games. We visit the great Temple of Zeus, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, and tour the museum. Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until we reach the magnificent bridge that link Rion to Antirion crossing over the Corinthian Bay. We pass through the picturesque towns of Nafpactos ( Lepanto ) and Itea , finally we reach Delphi where we overnight. Dinner is included at the hotel

DAY 5- Wednesday - DELPHI (BD)
Today it is 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 favored 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.

Depart for Kalambaka , a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora and its gigantic rocks. Dinner and overnight .

DAY 6 - Thursday - Meteora & ATHENS (B)
Visit Meteora, among striking scenery , perched on top of huge rock which seems to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries , where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. In the afternoon, we drive by the villages of Trikala , Lamia and Thermopylae ( brief stop to take picture of the Leonida's monument across the road , then on to Athens, expect an evening arrival.
For the monasteries tour : Men : No shorts allowed. Ladies : No bare shoulders, no shorts

DAY 7 - ATHENS, EMBARKATION- Friday (BLD)
Your morning in Athens is unscheduled, leaving you the choice of relaxation, meeting up with friends at a cafe, or browsing the shops. In the afternoon, we'll see you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, where you'll embark around 04:00 PM on your seven-day cruise.

DAY 8 - ISTANBUL - Saturday (BLD)
Constantinople! Stamboul! Istanbul! Today you reach the fabulous city where East and West have clashed, met, and blended over the centuries. Where to start? We reach Istanbul around 05:00 PM

Choices and optional evening escorted tours (additional $$$ cost) are available on board the ship or through our office to help you take it all in. There's no need to unpack. Your ship serves as your hotel in port.

DAY 9 - Full Day Private tour of Istanbul - Sunday (BL)
We are providing on a complimentary basis , a full day tour , with private car/van/ driver & English speaking guide ( please advise if you prefer other language), visiting Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the bustling and strategic Bosphorus straits . 6 p.m. sailing.

DAY 10 - MYKONOS -Monday (BLD)
We reach MYKONOS late afternoon : the fabled isle of windmills, beaches, cliffs, blue seas, and over 350 churches and chapels. Photo opportunities are unlimited, and shopping options are almost as plentiful. Set sail around 11 PM

DAY 11 - PATMOS -Kusadasi -Ephesus -Tuesday (BLD)
This morning we'll drop anchor at Patmos (Using tenders in Patmos) . Here you can visit ( all shore excursions are optional) the Monastery of St. John where the Book of Revelations was written. You'll reboard around 10:30 , as we head to Turkey .
Once again, we'll drop anchor in the Turkish mainland and Kusadasi ( around 2:30 PM) , gateway to ancient Ephesus. Join one of the ships shore excursion (Additional$$$) , or Stroll the streets on your own and stop in at shops filled with leather goods, carpets, and bargains in gold. Or we'll be glad to arrange for a our private basis optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. We set sail from Kusadasi around 8:30 PM

DAY 12 - RHODES- Wednesday (BLD)
You'll sail into the harbor of Rhodes at first light, allowing a full day on the Island of Roses. The compact, cobbled medieval city is perfect for exploring on your own. You'll want to visit the Palace of the Knights of St. John, take a look at the wares in the boutiques, and spend some time in a seaside cafe. We also offer an optional excursion to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Valley of the Butterflies, we sail out around 06:00 PM.

DAY 13 - SANTORINI, HERAKLION - Thursday (BLD)
We drop anchor in the port of Heraklion / Crete Santorini around 07:00 AM . Explore on your own, or take an optional excursion to the 5000-year-old Minoan Palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum and , reboard in time for lunch , then it is off to Santorini , and drop anchor around 5 PM . ( using tenders to disembark / reboard) . Explore on your own, the lost civilization of Atlantis flourished. Enjoy the outdoor cafes and wander the lanes of Thira, lined with craft and clothing shops and bakeries and cafes. Ride the funicular to the cliff top, or be adventurous, and do it on mule back! . We set sail for Athens at 11 AM.

DAY 14 - PIRAEUS, RETURN HOME - Friday (BLD)
You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning (06:00 AM) . Our Athens-based personnel will take you to the airport . Bon Voyage

Rates per person in US$
Double Occupancy Cabins with 2 lower beds
April Thru Sep

Rate includes:

• Seven-day cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey.
• Hotel accommodation in Athens.
• Athens sightseeing tour .
• Breakfast daily at the hotel.
• All meals during the cruise.
• Greeting and assistance on arrival, and transport to hotel, to cruise ship, and back to airport .
• Hotel service charges, taxes, and hospitality services .
• Port taxes .
• Classical Greece group tour as per itinerary including all entrance fees

Not included:

• Shore excursions.
• International airfare from/to USA .
• Gratuities Personal expenses.
• Beverages, and meals not specifically listed.
• Travel Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance, available upon request.

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.