Valid from: May, June, September and October
Program Schedule: Wednesdays
Places visited: Athens, Istanbul (Turkey), Kusadasi (Turkey), Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Symi, Chios and Mykonos
Overview
Itinerary
After your arrival in Athens our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to your Hotel in Athens. Enjoy the rest of the day free to have a first impression of the City.
Athens Sightseeing – In the morning we begin our visit of Athens showing the highlights of the city with a panoramic tour in the center. We will see the Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus and after to the Constitution square called “Syntagma” where the presidential guard, called “Evzonos”, is in front of the Greek parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then we will pass by the Presidential Residence and the Panathinaikos stadium that was originally built in 329aC, where the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896 were held. After the drive through the center, we will visit the Acropolis and Parthenon, this magnificent monument built during the Golden age of Pericles at the time of 447BC dedicated to the Goddess Athena. Finally, we will visit the new Acropolis Museum, a building of a modern architecture, with the unique antiquities from the Acropolis.
After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the center of Athens which lies around Acropolis, passing through Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio with a pleasant atmosphere of the ancient city.
After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the center of Athens which lies around Acropolis, passing through Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio with a pleasant atmosphere of the ancient city.
In the morning check out from the Hotel and transfer to the port of Lavrio to embark on the cruise ship. Departure at noon and travel overnight to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey.
Morning arrival in Istanbul, the famous city that unites two continents. Istanbul is the boundary between the East and the West and enhance its natural beauty with the straits of Bosphorus and the majestic architecture that unites the past with the present. Don’t miss a visit to the “Blue Mosque” and the “Agia Sofia”, the ancient basilica which represents the architecture of the Byzantine Empire to which Istanbul (Constantinople at the time) was the capital. In the afternoon departure to Kusadasi.
During the day enjoy the cruise ship and in the afternoon arrival in Kusadasi, Turkey. Kusadasi is known for historic sites of Ephesus and Virgin Mary’s house, besides famous beaches and the view of the Aegean Sea. In the evening departure to the island of Santorini.
Morning arrival at Santorini, famous for its spectacular views of the Caldera, the typical white houses with stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Around 1600 BC the island was the site of the Minoan eruption, which left a large crater named Caldera and was possibly the cause of the extinction of the Minoan civilization of Crete with a giant tsunami caused by the eruption. Another theory says that this was the origin of the legend of Atlantis. . In the afternoon don’t miss the famous sunset seen in the typical village of Oia (pronounced Ia), where the sun seems to sink into the blue of the Aegean sea. In the afternoon departure for the island of Crete.
The island of Crete is the largest island in Greece, where the Minoan civilization existed and the Palace of Knossos which was the political and economic center of that time. The seaside village of Ag. Nicolaos which at the east of the capital of Crete Heraklio, is basically a tourist town. Besides being a picturesque village with a small harbor and boats of traditional Greek fishing called “kaiki”, has a small lake that is surrounded by several coffee shops and local Greek tavernas where you can sample traditional Cretan cuisine and relax in the climate of this typical village . Depart in the afternoon.
In the morning arrival on the island of Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago, also known as the island of knights, due to be inhabited by the knights of St. John in the fourteenth century who built the Venetian castle and its walls that today are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the old city center, the market and the typical streets, all around the castle which is one of the best preserved in the Mediterranean region. Enjoy the notes and tastes of this wonderful island.
In the afternoon we will make a short stop at the island of Symi, considered one of the most beautiful harbors in Greece. Symi grew and peaked in the 19th century with the trade of sponges. Above the harbor, the mountain that surrounds it, are the remains of a castle built by the Knights of St. John and the monastery of Archangel Panormitis, still inhabited today by monks.
Spend the morning on the island of Chios, famous for its production of exclusive “Mastiha” in the southern part of the island and the monastery from the 11th century Nea Moni, one of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the afternoon arrival in the beautiful island of Mykonos. The picturesque center of the island with its characteristic cobbled streets is called “hora” and is the place where you can shop day and night, but also experience the famous nightlife of the island that lasts until sunrise.
In the morning arrival at the port of Lavrio. Check out from the cruise and transfer to Athens airport for your onward flight.
Included:
- 2 nights in Athens at your chosen Hotel category
- 7 nights in the cruise ship to the Greek Islands and Turkey
- Daily breakfast
- Full board in the Cruise
- Arrival, intermediate and departure private transfers in Athens
- Orientation meeting with representative on arrival in Athens for a local guidance and assistance in the transfer.
- City tour in Athens, Acropolis and the museum with official English speaking guide, including entrances.
- Hotel taxes
Programa de excursiones
Excluded:
-Porterage fees
-Port taxes
-Tips
-Drinks on board the cruise
-Optional tours
-Everything that is not specifically stated on the itinerary and inclusions