Best of Greece Tour
Experience a rich blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes on this ten-day journey through Greece and the Aegean.
Day 1: Arrive in Athens and enjoy a leisurely day.
Day 2: Embark on a three-day cruise, starting with Mykonos.
Day 3: Visit Kusadasi to tour the ancient city of Ephesus, then sail to Patmos.
Day 4: Explore Crete's Heraklion and the ancient palace of Knossos, then continue to the stunning island of Santorini.
Day 5: Return to Athens, with a day free for independent activities.
Day 6: Travel to the Corinth Canal, visit Epidaurus, Nafplion, and Mycenae, and overnight in Olympia.
Day 7: Tour the archaeological sites in Olympia, then cross the Corinthian Bay to Delphi.
Day 8: Visit the Archaeological Site and Museum of Delphi, then head to Kalambaka.
Day 9: Explore the monasteries of Meteora, and return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae.
Day 10: Enjoy free time in Athens before departing for home.
This itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration of Greece's most significant historical and cultural sites, combined with the beauty of the Aegean islands.
Day 1: Thursday – Athens
Upon your arrival at Athens International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Athens.
Day 2: Friday- Cruise to Mykonos
This morning you’ll be escorted to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your three-day cruise. You’ll sail into the Aegean Sea, and by sunset, reach the jet-set isle of Mykonos.
Day 3: Saturday Cruise to Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Patmos
Saturday Cruise to We anchor at 7 a.m. in Kusadasi, on the Turkish mainland. You will have a tour to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, one of the world’s most renowned archaeological sites. Highlights of your walking tour include the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, and Trajan Fountain. At the end of your walk, you will see the “Great Theater” where St. Paul preached, and the Temple Of Artemis (Diana). Then you return to Kusadasi, board your ship, and cruise to the island of Patmos.
Day 4: Sunday Crete and Santorini (Cruise)
EArrive Crete at 07:00 am. This morning you arrive at Heraklion, the capital of ancient Crete. You will have panaromic tour at Crete island.(entrance fees not included on panaromic tours) The ancient city of Knossos, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans.The first excavations were begun in 1878 by the Heraklian Minos Kalokairinos. A bit later (1900-1913 & 1922-1930) the excavations by the British Sir Arthur Evans were to complete the scientific research, bringing to light the Minoan palace in its entirety, which was, according to tradition, the residence of the wise King Minos. The palace of Knossos spreads around the large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”, the imposing Grand Staircase, the Queen’s Megaron in the east. Walking through the apartments of the Knossos palace and observing the finds even as passers-by, you will feel part of this cultural heritage. We will stop in Heraklion city center on the way back to the ship. Heraklion was founded in 824 and is an important homeland of many contributors to Literature and Art, some examples of which are the Nobel winning poet Odysseas Elytis, the Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) and the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Heraklion is also endowed with some wonderful edifices: the “Koules” fortress, the award winning Venetian structure of the Loggia, the Morosini Fountain, the Basilica of Saint Mark, and the Church of Agios Titos. Starting the walk from Liberty square of Heraklion guests will pass by the shopping streets of Dedalou and 25th August and see the sights along the way. At noon, your cruise continues to the Santorini, (you will be there at 16:30 pm until 21:30 pm) which is the most spectacular of the Greek Islands, whose town of Thira is perched on a cliff created by volcanic eruption. you will sail to Athens at night.
Day 5: Monday Piraeus (Athens)
Early this morning you arrive back at the port of Piraeus, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Athens. The balance of the day is free for independent activities. An optional excursion to Cape Sounion, from where there is a spectacular view of Greece’s southern “Gold Coast.” Overnight in Athens.
Day 6: Tuesday- Corinth Canal, Nafplion, Mycenae, Olympia
After breakfast, we’ll travel by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, where we’ll make a short stop. We’ll continue to drive on and will next visit the Theater of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then we proceed to the Town of Nafplion, where we’ll have a short stop, before continue on to Mycenae to visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. We continue our journey, traveling through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis, to Olympia, the “Cradle of the Olympic Games”. Overnight in Olympia.
Day 7: Wednesday- Olympia, Achaia, Bay of Corinth, Delphi
In the morning, we begin with a visit of the Archaeological Site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium, and the Archaeological Museum. We will then continue our drive, traveling through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until we reach the magnificent bridge crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Passing by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, we arrive in Delphi, where we have diner and spend the night.
Day 8: Thursday- Delphi, Kalambaka
In the morning we’ll visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Later, we depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, not far from its gigantic rocks. We’ll have dinner here and an overnight.
Day 9: Friday- Meteora, Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae, Athens
Today we have our long-awaited visit of Meteora, situated amid striking scenery, with the ageless monasteries perched on top of the huge rocks. Seemingly suspended between heaven and earth, and between time and space, the monasteries are the keepers of exquisite specimens of Byzantine Art. We return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae, where we stop to visit the Leonidas Monument. Our arrival in Athens will be early in the evening. Overnight Athens.
Day 10: Saturday- Depart Athens
Free time, until you are transferred to the airport to board your homeward bound flight.
What's Included
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- 3 Nights in Athens at a 4 star hotel on Bed and Breakfast basis
- 4 Days/3 Nights Greek Island Cruise, with 3 meals daily and beverage package(unlimetted non-alcholic beverage package in the cruise)- cabin standard is IA*
- Shore Excurcions in Kusadasi, and Crete islands (entrance fees not included )
- English-Speaking Guide & Air-Conditioned Motor Coaches
- Entrance Fees to all places visited (except shore excursions)
- All transfers as per itinerary
Not Included
- Gratuities to cruise and tour staff
- Beverages (EXCEPT FOR THOSE SERVED WITH MEALS DURING CRUISE).
- Personal expenses
- Tip to driver and tour guide
- Anything unless specified being included
- Accommodation tax in GREECE: As of 01.01.2018, an accommodation tax, per room night will be automatically charged to the guests’ extras invoice and will be payable by the guests prior to their check-out. The accommodation tax will depend on the hotel class, location and seasonality.
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