• 11 Days
  • From $8,799
  • Airfare Included

Classical Greece Land & Cruise

Tour Style:
Land & Cruise
Activity Level:
Very Active
Highest Elevation:
The highest elevation on this tour is at Meteora at 1800 feet above sea level
22 Meals:
9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 9 Dinners

Discover Greece’s renowned cities and world-famous ancient architecture during this spectacular getaway, featuring an Aegean Sea cruise that visits five Greek islands and a Turkish coastal city. Arrive in Athens and stay at an upscale hotel conveniently located in the city center, perfect for individual exploration. Enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis, Parliament, the Temple of Zeus, and the Olympic Stadium. Next, travel to Delphi for intriguing archaeological discoveries and tours of monasteries in the sky at Meteora. We then board our Celestyal Cruises ship for a four-night cruise with ports of call in Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini, and Kusadasi, plus an included excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus. Delight in beautiful accommodations, wonderful amenities, and all meals included onboard. We disembark in Piraeus, then return to Athens for a visit to the National Archaeological Museum and time at leisure before celebrating our adventures with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Fly to Greece
    We begin with an overnight flight across the Atlantic.
  • Day 2: Arrive in Athens
    Upon arriving in Athens, we check in to our luxurious accommodations that are conveniently located near the Acropolis. Enjoy a restful afternoon or take time to explore the city independently before getting to know fellow travelers at tonight’s Welcome Dinner.

    Meals Included: Dinner

  • Day 3: City Tour & Leisure Time
    Savor an included breakfast every morning of our getaway. Today, we meet our local guide for a fascinating city tour that features sights of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the Temple of Zeus, and the Olympic Stadium. Our next stop is the famous Acropolis of Athens, home to ancient masterpieces of classical Greek architecture like the Parthenon. We also visit the Acropolis Museum to see countless artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece! This afternoon, enjoy free time in the heart of the city at Syntagma Square before tonight’s dinner.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 4: Delphi
    We depart for Delphi this morning, winding our way through the enchanting village of Arachova on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and passing by the historic towns of Thebes and Livadeia. Our guide walks us through the Delphi Archaeological Site and Museum, where we marvel at the Oracle of Delphi – ancient Greece's most revered shrine. Built over a sacred spring, it’s considered to be the center of the world and symbolizes unity. This evening’s accommodations are in Kalambaka.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 5: Meteora
    Today's first stop is Meteora, where monasteries seem to float between earth and sky atop towering rock pillars, safeguarding priceless historical and religious treasures. Embark on a guided tour through some of these ancient pinnacles that were home to hermit monks as early as the 9th century. On our way back to Athens, we visit the legendary battlefield area of Thermopylae to see the Leonidas Monument, honoring the Spartan king’s heroic sacrifice in 480 B.C. Tonight, we settle into our Athens accommodations and enjoy dinner together.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 6: Cruise to Mykonos
    Our spectacular four-night cruise on the Aegean Sea with Celestyal Cruises aboard Celestyal Cruises’s Discovery begins today and our first destination is Mykonos, known for its beautiful sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife. Enjoy time in the evening to explore this Mediterranean paradise’s open-air tavernas, whitewashed buildings, and cobblestone streets. Later, we set sail for Kusadasi.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 7: Kusadasi & Patmos
    Our exciting day includes two ports of call: Kusadasi and Patmos, both brimming with historical sites. In the morning, we arrive on the Turkish coast for an exciting shore excursion - a guided tour of ancient UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean’s largest Roman archaeological sites. See the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Houses of the Patricians, and the former Temple of Artemis location, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the afternoon, our ship sails to the Aegean island of Patmos. Choose from free time in Skala village or book optional tours of the Monastery of Saint John, who authored the Book of Revelations, or the Cave of the Apocalypse, where he received his visions. After dinner, our cruise ship departs for Rhodes.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 8: Rhodes
    Today’s port of call is Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese chain. The present-day city still looks much as it did in the 1300s, surrounded by Byzantine walls and fortresses. The day is yours to explore its medieval wonders, such as Old Town’s cobbled Street of the Knights, winding alleys, towers, and decorated facades. You may also enjoy an independent excursion to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights or Lindos, featuring a clifftop archaeological site with extraordinary views of the Mediterranean Sea in its awe-inspiring Acropolis. Tonight, we cruise to Crete.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 9: Crete & Santorini
    Our day begins with a tour of Knossos Palace in Heraklion on Crete. See partially restored royal chambers, ceremonial halls, vibrant frescoes, and the ancient Minoans’ impressive drainage system! Our next stop is Santorini, known for its scenic cliffside views and iconic whitewashed buildings. We dock in the capital city of Fira for a free afternoon to explore independently or book an optional excursion to Oia, the most photographed spot in Greece.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 10: National Archaeological Museum
    After breakfast on the ship, we disembark and enjoy a picturesque drive back to where our adventure began in Athens, at the same charming hotel. We visit the National Archaeological Museum, devoted to ancient Greek art and antiquities, then the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. Browse unique gifts at the Monastiraki flea markets or take a stroll through Anafiotika or Plaka, both charming neighborhoods with great shops and eateries. This evening, we celebrate our unforgettable Greek adventures at a delicious Farewell Dinner.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 11: Fly Home
    We return home with wonderful memories of our Greek adventure.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

What's Included

All Accommodations

  • 2 nights at Divani Palace Acropolis in Athens
  • 1 night at Grand Meteora Hotel in Kalambaka
  • 1 night at Divani Palace Acropolis in Athens (before our cruise)
  • 4 nights aboard Celestyal Cruises’ Discovery
  • 1 night at Divani Palace Acropolis in Athens (before we return home)

Attractions & Highlights

  • Athens guided walking tour feat. the Acropolis & time at leisure
  • Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum
  • Battlefield area of Thermopylae
  • Meteora monasteries guided tour
  • Ports of Call: Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos, Rhodes, Crete & Santorini, Greece
  • Time at leisure in Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes & Santorini
  • Ephesus Archaeological Site guided walking tour
  • National Archaeological Museum

22 Excellent Meals

  • Welcome Dinner in Athens
  • Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant

Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.