Greek Escape 2020 – 10 days / 9 nights

ATHENS, MYKONOS, EPHESUS, PATMOS, RHODES, CRETE, SANTORINI, DELPHI AND OLYMPIA

This itinerary is part of our Small Boutique Groups

The Greeks have a word for a feeling that expresses joy, fun, passion and loving life: kefi. Our Greece land and island tour lets you fully embrace the spirit of this region, which gave birth to Western civilization, the Olympics and the healthful Mediterranean diet! You’ll experience all of the Greek classics—seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon, sailing the sparkling-blue Aegean Sea, and stopping at mythical islands like Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini. Along the way, you’ll soak up sun, breezes, and timeless vistas. Let’s raise a glass of ouzo to finding your kefi on this odyssey through spectacular Greece and the Greek Islands.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• 4-night Greek Island Cruise
• Mykonos
• Ephesus
• House of Virgin Mary (Ephesus)
• Patmos
• Rhodes
• Crete
• Santorini
• Mycenae
• Olympia
• Parthenon (Athens)
• Acropolis (Athens)

TOUR INCLUDES

• Intra-Greece ground transportation and transfers by air-conditioned motorcoach
• Accommodation at first-class and deluxe hotels
• 4-night Celestyal Cruise (includes unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks on board, gratuities for crew and port charges)
• 19 meals: 9 full buffet American breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L) and 6 dinners (D)
• Comprehensive sightseeing tours in Athens, Olympia and Delphi
• Three included shore excursions and optional shore excursions available to purchase on board the cruise
• English-speaking guides (cruise escort and guide for land portion)
• Professional guides for included sightseeing tours
• Transatlantic air fare NOT included

ITINERARY

DAY 1

ARRIVE IN ATHENS
Arrive in Athens, the capital of Greece, where you’ll be met at the airport and escorted to your conveniently located hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. PARTHENON HOTEL  (or similar)

DAY 2

EMBARK ON GREEK ISLAND CRUISE/MYKONOS
Sailing is the best way to see the idyllic Greek Islands, and today we’ll embark on four sun-kissed days and starry nights with the award-winning Celestyal Cruises! Refreshed with a sumptuous breakfast, we’ll journey to the port of Piraeus to board our ship and settle into the cruising lifestyle. Our first port of call is Mykonos, where iconic windmills and whitewashed homes harmonize with stylish restaurants and trendy clubs. You’ll have time to stroll through the town, explore shops and winding streets, and watch the local scene from a seaside taverna or café before heading back to the ship. (B, L, D)

DAY 3

GREEK ISLAND CRUISE/KUSADASI–EPHESUS/PATMOS
This morning, we dock in Kusadasi, Turkey, a short drive from Ephesus. Considered the world’s best-preserved classical city and famous for its Temple of Artemis, Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. We’ll return in time for lunch on the ship as we sail to scenic Patmos, a significant Christian pilgrimage destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site. See optional tours for information about an excursion to St. John’s Monastery and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Dinner is on the ship. B/L/D Celestyal Cruises

DAY 4

GREEK ISLAND CRUISE/RHODES
Today’s port of call is beautiful Rhodes, home to a large medieval city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin ruins. We’ll visit picturesque Lindos, where whitewashed houses are clustered beneath a clifftop acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Here we’ll see the powerful fortifications that still stand today, including the Citadel of the Knights, a rare combination of Greek setting and Gothic architecture! We’ll continue sailing later today. B/L/D Celestyal Cruises

DAY 5

GREEK ISLAND CRUISE/CRETE (HERAKLION)/SANTORINI
Awaken to Crete, an island rich with history and culture. We’ll come ashore in the bustling capital Heraklion, where you can stroll the charming Lion’s Square, sample a bougatsa (local pastry) at a café or join an optional excursion to see the ruins of the Palace of Knossos.

Return to the ship in time for lunch, as we continue sailing to romantic and utterly breathtaking Santorini, set on a volcanic crater immersed in the sea. Santorini is actually a group of islands, and we’ll stop in Thira. You’ll fall in love with the whitewashed houses, narrow streets and outdoor cafes that line the steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule. Consider an optional tour of the photogenic Oia Village. Return to the ship for a final night at sea. B/L/D Celestyal Cruises

 DAY 6

DISEMBARK CRUISE SHIP/ATHENS/DELPHI
We bid farewell to the wonderful crew of our Celestyal ship near Athens and take off for a three-day road trip to the classical cities of mainland Greece. We’ll pass through several ancient towns, including Thebes (home of King Oedipus), on our way to Delphi, set majestically on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, for a guided excursion. We’ll marvel at the ruins of Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the marble Sacred Way and admire the fourth-century BC theater still in use today, as well as see the glorious “Charioteer of Delphi,” one of the best known and preserved examples of classical bronze statues. This evening, our group enjoys an included dinner. B/D Amalia Hotel (or similar)

DAY 7

DELPHI/NAFPATKOS/OLYMPIA
Today we pass through the beautiful medieval town of Nafpatkos on our way to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. We’ll join a local expert to tour the archaeological site and museum at Olympia, where the games were conceived as a tribute to Hercules, son of Zeus. As an enduring link between the ancient games and today’s Olympics, the Olympic flame is still lit here in Olympia. We’ll view the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus, as well as see the magnificent Hermes of Praxiteles, the most famous statue in the Olympia Museum Later, our group will gather for an included dinner. B/D Arty Grand Hotel (or similar)

DAY 8

OLYMPIA/MYCENAE/ATHENS
On our way to Athens, we’ll visit the wonderfully preserved 2,300-year-old theater of Epidaurus. Our travels continue to ancient Mycenae, founded by Perseus and built with the help of the mythological Cyclops, or at least that’s what the poets say! We’ll see excavations that reveal the splendors vividly described by Homer. Sites include the Beehive Tombs, Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate (Europe’s oldest known monument), remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. We’ll check-in at our city-center hotel later today. (B) PARTHENON HOTEL  (or similar)

DAY 9

ATHENS
Our guided morning tour takes you to the famed Acropolis, a must-see UNESCO World Heritage site described as the “most striking and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times.” We’ll see the stunning Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, the Erechtheum with its graceful Porch of Caryatids, and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus before descending the Acropolis for a panoramic drive past the Royal Palace, government buildings and elegant homes of modern Athens. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Athens on your own. Our hotel is located within easy walking distance of Plaka, Athen’s lively old town. (B) PARTHENON HOTEL  (or similar)

DAY 10

ATHENS/CANADA

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Canada. Your trip to spectacular Greece ends.  (B)

DATES AND RATES

Above rates are in CDN$ per person based on Double occupancy and Interior cabin

Upgrade of cabins available upon request