15 Day Classic Greece & Island Cruising
Deposit
$99 pp available
-
Escorted Type
Partially Escorted
-
Pace
Leisurely Pace
-
Cruise Style
Ocean
-
Confidence
Book With Confidence
✓ Incredible sightseeing including mainland highlights like Delphi, Olympia, Meteora and the Acropolis, plus a cruise through the glorious Greek islands and a stop in Turkey for a guided tour of ancient Ephesus
✓ 7 nights in centrally located, comfortable hotels on Greece mainland
✓ 7 nights cruising the Aegean Sea with Celestyal Cruises on board the Celestyal Crystal, including unlimited classic drinks, onboard entertainment, selected shore excursions, port charges & gratuities
✓ Expert, English-speaking local guides on all included activities
✓ 30 meals including breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 10 dinners
✓ Athens airport arrival transfer
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
On your arrival at Athens airport, you will be greeted and taken to your Athens hotel in the comfort of an air-conditioned luxury car or bus. Athens has an array of amazing hotels, and this package offers the cream of the crop. Once you’re settled, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure, either by heading out to explore the streets of Athens at your own rhythm or by making the most of the services available at the hotel.
In the morning, have breakfast and then embark on a sightseeing tour of the ancient city. Along with your expert guide, go see the city centre, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library.
On your way to the Acropolis you will pass Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. Then, at the Acropolis, visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the famous Parthenon.
Your first taste of Athens would not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a modern architectural building where, at last, the statues have found their home. After the tour, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You can book an optional tour to Cape Sounion, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, to see the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon and the rocky promontory of Sounio. At the end of the visit, return to your hotel.
After breakfast in the hotel, leave Athens by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, where you will make a short stop to contemplate the views. Then drive on and visit the splendid Theatre of Epidauros, famous for its remarkable acoustics. After that, proceed to the town of Nafplion, where you will enjoy a brief photo stop before continuing to Mycenae. Here you will visit the city’s fascinating Archaeological Site, as well as the Tomb of Agamemnon. Lastly, depart for Olympia by driving through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Once you arrive in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games, check-in at the hotel to spend the night.
Today breakfast in the hotel is followed by a visit to the Archaeological Site containing the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. After that morning of history, monuments and enlightenment, it’s time to drive through the plains of Eliad and Achaia to the magnificent bridge crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea before you finally arrive in Delphi, a city once regarded as the centre of the world.
According to mythology, Zeus sent out two eagles from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world, and it was in this location that they met. The sanctuary of Delphi is set within the most spectacular landscape. Check-in at the hotel and spend the night.
Wake up to breakfast in the hotel and then head out to explore the Archaeological Site and Museum of Delphi, where amongst other archaeological treasures you can contemplate the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos.
After the visit, you will depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, an almost alien landscape filled with gigantic rock formations. Check in to the hotel and have dinner at the hotel before spending the night.
After breakfast in the hotel, explore the striking scenery of Meteora. Perched on top of enormous pillars of rock that seem almost suspended in mid-air, stand a series of ancient monasteries showcasing a wonderful collection of Byzantine art.
You will ascend to two of the monasteries to marvel at their beautiful contents before beginning the drive back to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae, where you’ll make a short stop to see Leonida's Monument.
Arrive in Athens early in the evening and check in to the hotel.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before being transfered to Athens port to board the next stage of your holiday. Hotel check out is by 11 am and you will be able to leave your belongings at front desk. Your transfer will pick you up at approximately 2pm to start embarking by 3pm. Your ship takes off at 5pm.
Thessaloniki is a gorgeous and cosmopolitan seaside city and the largest in Greece after Athens. Centuries of cultural commingling has also made Thessaloniki a culinary nirvana, with almost too many great restaurants and little eateries to count.
This captivating seaside resort of Kusadasi (Turkey) is the gateway to ancient Ephesus. If you don't decide to see Ephesus itself, take time to enjoy free time to enjoy the iconic Grand Bazaar and browse the treasure trove of colorful shops and stalls selling souvenirs, silks, leather goods, carpets and jewelry.
As we pull into Heraklion in the early morning, you have the chance to snap the imposing 16th century walls of Koules Fortres. Here you can enjoy the calm of the stunning waterfront, explroe the Cretan countryside or even discover the Palace of Knossos on an optional shore excursion.
The romantic island of Santorini is the remnants of a devasting volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC. The picture-perfect scenery features clustered traditional whitewahsed house and blue-domed churches set against a beguiling brilliant blue backdrop. Here you will have the chance to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle of the idyllic oasis and relax in the island's calm and tranquility.
The magical sun-kissed island of Mykonos invites you to admire its stunning coastline, soft sandy beaches, and rugged rock landscapes. Affectionately known as the “Island of the Winds”, Mykonos is home to the 16th Century windmills that have become iconic landmarks on postcards. The energetic Greek island is well known for its beauty, diverse range of bars, cafes, restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere.
The volcanic origins of the beautiful Greek island of Milos are clearly evident in its complex and bewitching landscape. Here you have the opportunity to explore the dramatically surreal and sculpted looming rock formations that rise out of the crystalline waters and create a stunning coastline. Why not join a local expert to explore the many beauty spots and charming fishing villages on an optional excursion.
As we pull into the port by 9am, your trip comes to an end. Make your own way to the airport to connect with your ongoing flight.
Select your departure month
Choose your departure month
Select your departure month
-
Selling FastDEPARTRETURNPRICEFROM$NZDTwin share PP
| Depart | Return | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $NZD | Unavailable Sold Out Book Now |
Thank you!
A member of our team will notify you as soon as dates become available.
Cultural Athens
Ancient monuments, classic architecture, world-class museums and cutting-edge artists: welcome to Greece Culture abounds in the Greek capital, where the legacy of ancient civilisations is in contrast with a visual arts scene that is one of the most talked about in Europe. The ongoing regeneration of Athens has meant im...
Read more10 Greek islands to visit
Get lost in nature and history or go on an adventure – there’s something for everyone across these unique destinations Whether you love dancing the night away, exploring little villages, or discovering long-forgotten ancient ruins, there’s a Greek island to suit you, all with a charm of its own. 1. Santorini A uniq...
Read moreSantorini food safari: where and what to eat
Santorini is world-famous for its vistas, but look hard enough and you’ll discover its Greek food is second-to-none With its simple yet perfectly balanced Mediterranean flavours and emphasis on fresh produce, a trip to Greece is as much about the food as it is about the sights. Santorini, Greece’s most visited island...
Read moreWhen is the best time to visit Greece
As one of the world’s most historically influential countries, Greece's mythology and archaeology is legendary. But, when is the best time to go? Greece is blessed with one-of-a-kind natural beauty, and topped off with some of man's greatest inventions. Foodies and architectural enthusiasts are well catered for in thi...
Read more