Jewels of Greece and Aegean Islands - 8 Days

Welcome to Greece! On arrival in Athens, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to head out and explore the city, an incredible contrast of the ancient and the modern.

Today we embark on a guided coach tour of Athens. We take in important highlights of the city including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Zappeion and the Panathenaic Stadium, which is the only stadium in the world built entirely from marble. We also see the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Later we head to Athens' most iconic attraction - the legendary Acropolis. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel built atop a rock overlooking the city. As well as the amazing view, we take in the highlights of the site, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylae and the most famous of all ancient Greek architecture, the Parthenon. We visit the excellent Acropolis Museum and the afternoon is at leisure to wander the streets of the picturesque Plaka district.

Itinerary Alterations Please Note: For the departure of 24 March 2025 this Athens city tour will not be operated due to a National holiday.

Athens - Delphi - Kalambaka. Leaving Athens, we head north towards Delphi, which was once one of the world's most sacred sites and an important pilgrimage destination. We admire the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Apollo and follow the footsteps of ancient Greeks on the Sacred Way. Admire the remains of the Temple of Apollo, home of the legendary Pythian Oracle. After our visit, we cross the mountains of Central Greece to Kalambaka.

Kalambaka - Meteora - Athens. Today we visit Meteora, where tiny sacred monasteries perch atop incredible towering rock formations. Meteora is considered one of the most beautiful regions in the whole of Greece and the view from the cliffs is breathtaking.

After our visit to Meteora, we begin to make our way back to Athens. We stop at Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans made a famous last stand against the Persians in 480 BC. A statue now stands here in the Spartan king's honour. After a quick photo opportunity, we continue to Athens, where the evening is at leisure.

Athens - Mykonos. Enjoy a final breakfast in Athens before we transport you to Lavrio Port where you board your boat for a four-day / three-night Greek island cruise. Your tour is independent from here. Settle in onboard before you depart for Mykonos, the island famous for its pristine white sand beaches and busy nightlife. There's free time to explore Mykonos town and relax with a glass of wine in one of the islands many bars.

Mykonos - Kusadasi (Turkey) - Patmos. Today we have a trip into Turkey as we dock at Kusadasi and you can join an optional visit to the legendary marble ruins of Ephesus. Highlights of these famous ruins include the Temple of Serapis and the colossal Library of Celsus.

After our visit, the ship sets sail for the small Greek island of Patmos. Here you can join an optional visit to the famous monastery of St John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. This site is believed to be where John of Patmos had the visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Patmos - Crete - Santorini. Early this morning we dock at Heraklion, Crete. There's an optional visit to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Legend has it this is where King Minos dwelt and kept his son, the Minotaur, hidden in a labyrinth beneath the city.

We sail to the enchanting island of Santorini this afternoon. Santorini is considered one of the prettiest islands in the world, with black sand lava beaches and pretty whitewashed towns. There's free time to explore the island and you may opt to ride the cable car up to Fira town or join an optional excursion to Oia village, perched on the rim of a volcanic caldera.

Itinerary Alterations Please Note: For the winter period departures (28 Oct 2024 / Nov 2024 / March 2025 / November 2025) the cruise will NOT be calling at Heraklion. Instead, it will be arriving in Santorini in the morning and spend the whole day in Santorini.

Santorini - Athens. Today we cruise back to Athens. Enjoy breakfast onboard before disembarkation at Lavrio port and an included transfer to the airport.