The Romance of the Greek Isles
Sunday Arrival: Including a stay in a villa in Santorini

A Grand Greek 10 day Tour . Tour code (# 4A) This ten-day trip combines the best of travel in Greece
classical Athens, a cruise through the Aegean, and three full days in a hideaway on Santorini.
Starts in Athens Weekly Sat & Sun in Athens, Apr through Oct

Athens , Mykonos, Rhodes, Kusadasi ( Ephesus), Patmos, Santorini

Click for the 14 days with an extension to Istanbul.  Or to Paris

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENS - Sunday
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. Stroll, browse for curios and treasures, and perhaps dine at a cafe in the old Plaka district and take in a folklore show.

DAY 2 - CRUISE TO MYKONOS (BLD) - Monday
A 30 - minute drive (transfer included)will take you to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to embark on your four-day cruise. You'll sail into the Aegean, and by sunset, reach the jet-set isle of Mykonos. 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.

DAY 3 - RHODES (BLD) - Tuesday
Our cruise ship arrives early at the harbor, 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.

DAY 4 - KUSADASI (Turkey) and PATMOS (BLD) - Wednesday
We anchor at 7 a.m. 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. Our optional tour takes you to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. You'll re-board in time for an afternoon sailing. In the late afternoon, 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.

DAY 5 - HERAKLION (CRETE), SANTORINI (B) - Thursday
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. You'll disembark for your stay in your apartment/villa/or hotel.
Sample optional tours available based on Private arrangement or Local Group tour .

Sample Villas in Santorini:
Dana Villas, in Firostefani with view of the volcano.
Chromata Apartments, in Imerovigli with a view of the volcano.

DAY 6 - SANTORINI (B) - Friday
You'll take a leisurely breakfast on your private terrace. An optional tour to the archaeological site of Akrotiri is offered. Or, you can spend the day relaxing, and take in breathtaking views of the volcano and caldera.

DAY 7 - SANTORINI (B) - Saturday
The day is yours for relaxing or exploring on your own or both! You might take a boat across to the dormant volcano, and ascend through a crater-pocked moonscape to the crater. Or savor a soak in hot sulphur springs.

DAY 8 - SANTORINI/ Athens (B) - Sunday
This morning : Enjoy the views from your villa, discover a black-sand beach, savor the sea breezes from the terrace of a cafe, or try your hand at fishing. Or arrange a winery visit or another excursion. The choice is yours. In the afternoon : Our local rep will assure a seamless transfer to Santorini's Airport. Air ticket Santorini / Athens is included in our rate, ticket issued & delivered in Greece.
Fly to Athens & your hotel.

DAY 9 - ATHENS (B) - Monday
This morning you'll tour Athens and get to know the high points of the city, especially 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. Your afternoon is free for further exploring or shopping, or you could well be drawn back by the charm of the Plaka. Or take advantage of one of our optional tours, such as an afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, with spectacular sunset view.

DAY 10 - USA (B)- Tuesday
Our personnel will assure a seamless transfer to Athens Airport. Bon voyage.

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

Rate includes:

• Travel guide book for Greece

• A Mediterranean cruise to Greek Isles and Turkey .
  

• Accommodation in Santorini, sample villas that are used:
  
  For First Class , 4 stars accommodation:
  Pegasys Suites , " Sun Rocks " in Firostefani" , "Astra Apartments", " On The Rocks" in Imerovigli, or Chromata , the: "Grotto Villas" in Firostefani in a 1 or 2 bed-room apartment.
  

• Hotel accommodation in Athens
  Breakfast daily at the hotels. Hotel service charges and taxes .
  Sample hotels in Athens :
  
  Deluxe: Divani Palace Acropolis. NJV Athens Plaza.
  First : Electra Palace , Stanley
  

• All meals during the cruise .
  

• Airport greeting and assistance.
  

• Transfer to hotel in Athens, and and from hotel to the cruise in Piraeus.
  

• Port taxes
  

• All airfare within Greece in economy class , tax included, as per itinerary

Cruise schedule is subject to change without notice

Not included:

• High season cruise supplement $80, Sep 6 - Oct 17 .
• Shore excursions
• International airfare from/to your home country
• Gratuities Personal expenses, beverages, and meals not specifically listed .
• Travel Insurance. Trip Cancellation , please ask for the flyer