Aegean Escapade by Land and Sea

This seven-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 and depends on the line and ship confirmed/available at the time of booking

Start Weekly in Athens , Apr to Nov

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DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS : Apr to Oct - Weekly : ( Friday & Tuesday)

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. Private air-conditioned vehicle. Private Chauffeur. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You're free to stroll, browse for curios and treasures.

DAY 2 - ATHENS - Private Tour ( Saturday & Wednesday ) (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. 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 in a charming 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.

DAY 3 - ATHENS MARKETS ( Sunday & Thursday ) (BL)

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. Private Guide .

DAY 4 - Corinth ( Mondays and Fridays ) (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 4 - Fri- CRUISE to MYKONOS (BD)

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 5 - 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 6 - 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 7 - 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 : $500 flat rate on any of the categories ( except suites)

Price includes:

• Lonely Planet travel guide to Greece.
  
• Hotel accommodation in in Athens, with tax & continental breakfast daily.
  
• 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. Superior First : Electra Palace. First Class : Stanley
  
• Port taxes.

Not included:

• International airfare between USA and Athens.
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
• Gratuities.
• Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed