Aegean Escapade by Land and Sea

This 8-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 . Add a Foray into Sicily

Departures every , Monday ,Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday, Mar to Nov

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DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS - Monday

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. Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur, for your airport transfer.

DAY 2 - Private Tour. ATHENS - Tuesday (BL)
Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur. Private Guide .
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

Day 3– Argolis – (BL) Wednesday
Private Air Conditioned Vehicle - Private Chauffeur - Private Guide
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch is included at a local restaurant . Bottled water / tea or coffee : included with your lunch. Drive through Corinth crossing the famous canal to Mycenae where visits are Included to the Lion Gate, Tombs of Agememnon and Clytemnestra, and the Palace. Luncheon at the seaside resort town of Nauplion. Afterward, a short drive to the world famous theater of Epidaurus, known for its perfect acoustics. Visit the museum and Askelpeion. Return to Athens in the early evening. For the lunch we will either stop in Mycenae or Nauplion.

Some detail on your drive today :

• Athens - Corinth canal is about 1.15 hours drive (depending on traffic)
  
• The distance is 85 kilometers.
  
• Corinth canal - Mycenae is around 30 minutes. The distance is 45 kilometers.
  
• Mycenae - Epidaurus is 45 minutes. This distance is 60 kilometers.
  
• Epidaurus - Athens (via the coastal road) is around 2:15hrs. The distance is approx. 150 kilometers.

DAY 4 - ATHENS MARKETS - Thursday (BL)
Athens Markets or BYZANTINE Churches
Ride the new Athens Subway alongside the locals today ( always escorted with your English speaking Guide) ! 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. Tour as well the Jewelry museum (LALAOUNIS) Enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant before we head back to the hotel . Markets days/dates are subject to change, we may have to change your program in Athens to accommodate such changes.

Or if you prefer you may choose instead to tour one of the following tours:

BYZANTINE CHURCHES
Russian Orthodox Church at Filellinon & Amalias
Athens cathedral (Mitropolis) at Mitropoleos
Kapnikarea at Ermou
Saint Theodore at Klafthmonos



HISTORICAL INTEREST- Museum Tour :
BENAKI MUSEUM - (closed on Tuesdays)
Covering the history of Greece from Paleolithic (pre-historic, 60000 B.C.) till present. Can easily spend over 4 hours in there. There is also a cafeteria for breaks.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST
Temple of Olympian Zeus / Dionissos Theatre/ Ancient Agora/ Roman Agora

Guests who have been on the organized tour (the day before) can use the same entrance ticket to all the archaeological sites mentioned above.

Above are only suggestions , you may discuss with the guide and modify (add / subtract) according to what you are most interested in. The guide will advise you on what is feasible to cover in a half-day. Or add another half day : additional $$$ apply

Add an extra day in Athens ?

DAY 5 - 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 6 - Sat - 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 7 - 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 8 - Mon - PIRAEUS, RETURN HOME (B)

You'll sail into Piraeus early in the morning. Our Athens-based personnel will take you to the airport . Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur.

Rates are in US $ per person

• Please deduct $ 50 per person for triple occupancy .
• Infant up to 2 years : Pays $100 flat rate on any of the categories
• Child 2- 12 years : $600 flat rate on any of the categories ( except suites)

Price includes:

• Lonely Planet travel guide to Greece.
  
• Hotel accommodation in Athens, with tax & continental breakfast daily.
  
• Three day cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey.
  
• Athens city tour.
  
• Breakfast daily at hotel .
  
• All meals during cruise.
  
• Ground transportation between hotel and airport, and between hotel and pier Airport greeting and assistance.
  
• Hotel service charges and taxes .Sample hotels in Athens :
  Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis. First : Titania, or Stanley
  
• Port taxes.

Not included:

More choices :

Island Hopping

Book in advance to be able to stay at one of the luxury Maris hotels in Crete
Family Friendly Greece. Children are mooooooost welcomed :-)

Map and Maris Hotel - Crete