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ITINERARY:
SATURDAY:
ATHENS
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Balance of day at leisure.
SUNDAY:
ATHENS GUIDED CITY TOUR
Morning sightseeing
tour of Athens. The striking contrast
between breathtaking monuments of a
glorious past and modern elegant
structures is what you will enjoy during
your tour of Athens. Visit the
Acropolis,the crowning beauty and glory
of Ancient Athens, with its many
monuments atop its rocky base, including
the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the
temple of Athena Nike and the
Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens.
Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic
Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium(site of
the first modern Olympic Games in 1896),
the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in front
of the Parliament House on Constitution
Square. See views of government
buildings and elegant structures of the
19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou
Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral,
the Academy, University, National
Library. In contrast, conclude your tour
with a visit to the new Acropolis museum
(closed on Monday’s), a marvel of
architecture with a full exhibition of
the glory of Ancient Athens. Afternoon
at leisure.
MONDAY: ATHENS / OLYMPIA
This morning we
depart for Corinth to start our 4-day Classical Tour. Stop at the
Corinth Canal. Drive to Epidarus to visit its theater, known for
its remarkable acoustics and then on to Nauplia (short stop).
Continue on to Mycenae to visit the beehive tombs and the citadel.
Then depart for Olympia through the central Peloponnese area,
passing the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis to arrive in
Olympia for dinner and overnight.
TUESDAY:
OLYMPIA /
DELPHI
In the morning visit
the ancient home of the Olympic Games and the fascinating Museum.
Then drive via Patras and Rion, take the new bridge to Antirion to
continue to Delphi through Nafpaktos. Arrive in Delphi in early
evening. Dinner, overnight.
WEDNESDAY:
DELPHI /
METEORA
This morning visit
the Archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi. Walk the Sacred
Way, visit the temple of Apollo, the theater and the stadium on
the mount Parnassos and then on to the Museum housing some
masterpieces of the Greek sculpture such as the famous bronze
statue of the "Charioteer". Depart for Meteora. Drive through
Lamia, Trikala and arrive in Kalambaka in early evening. Dinner,
overnight.
THURSDAY: METEORA /
ATHENS
In the morning, visit the breathtaking site of Meteora. Visit
of two Monasteries. After lunch drive to Athens via Thermopylae
(short stop). Arrive in Athens in early evening. Overnight Athens.
FRIDAY: ATHENS / CRUISE
In the afternoon, transfer to Piraeus port to embark the cruise
ship for your 7 day cruise to the Greek islands & Turkey.
Sailing in the afternoon.
SATURDAY:
DARDANELLES STRAIT / ISTANBUL
Morning on board cruising the famous Dardanelles strait. In the
afternoon, arrival at the mystic city of Istanbul. Make the most
of this night participating in an optional night tour with
Oriental dances.
SUNDAY:
ISTANBUL / SAIL TO IZMIR
A full day in Istanbul with the graceful minarets of countless
mosques. Istanbul's blend of East & West has resulted in some of
the most magnificent architecture in the world, including the
Agia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. Explore
this ancient city by participating in one of the optional tours
and bargain for your own treasures at one of the 5.000 shops of
the famous Grand Bazaar. Sail for Izmir at 05:00pm.
MONDAY: IZMIR
Arrive early afternoon in Izmir. At leisure till the evening
departure. Visit the port city otherwise known as SMIRNI, or
take an optional tour to Ancient Ephesus.
One of the most complete ancient cities ever excavated, where
St. Paul was arrested and then banished.
TUESDAY: PATMOS /
MYKONOS
Early morning call to the island of Patmos, where participating
in the optional tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the
Monastery and the Grotto of St. John, where he lived and
recorded the book of the Revelation. In
the afternoon, arrival at the famous island of Myconos. An
international "jet-set" known for its beautiful sandy beaches,
hundreds of tiny white chapels and incredible night life.
WEDNESDAY:
RHODES
A full day in the beautiful island of the Roses. On a hill above
the charming town of Lindos rises and ancient Acropolis. Below
lies the bay of St. Paul. The crusading knights of St. John left
the medival city of Rhodes behind when they were defeated by
Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The presence of the Ottoman
Turks is marked with their minarets, mosques and Turkish bath.
An optional tour not to be missed.
THURSDAY: HERAKLIO (CRETE)
/ SANTORINI
First port of call is the Cretan port of Heraklion. Take the
opportunity to participate in the optional tour to the Palace of
Knossos, to visit the center of the Minoan Civilization.
Continue in the afternoon to most breathtaking island, Santorini.
The town of Fira's white-washed houses, narrow streets and open
air cafes, cling to a steep cliff accessible by cable car or
mule. To the south, Akrotiri with its recent Minoan excavations
which support the theories that Santorini might be the lost
continent of the Atlantis.
FRIDAY:
PIRAEUS / AIRPORT
Early morning return to Piraeus port. After breakfast on board,
disembarkation and transfer to the airport for your departure
flight home. |
