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Ancient Wonders, Culture & History
Local Cuisine & Drinks
Meteora Monasteries
Ephesus
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.
Highlights
Celestyal Cruises’s Discovery
Voyage through the glistening Aegean Sea and immerse yourself in the traditional flavors, stunning landscapes, and romanticism of the Greek islands. This cruise ship is perfect for relaxation surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Bask in the beautiful weather on the sun decks, take a refreshing dip in the pool, or pamper yourself at Sozo Spa and Wellness, inspired by Greek customs that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. With all meals included, you can indulge in all the regional cuisine your heart desires! Each dish is accompanied by complimentary drinks, including a special variety of Greek beverages, house wines, beers, soft drinks, teas, and coffee.
Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum
Travel to the heart of mythical and spiritual ancient Greece. According to legend, Zeus released two eagles here, one from the east and one from the west, and they met at Delphi, the center of the world. The sanctuary of Delphi is set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus with sweeping views across the Pleistos Valley. Explore the Temple of Apollo, The Siphnian Treasury, the Sphinx of Naxos, Delphi Stadium, and the Delphi Archeological Museum to gain deeper appreciation for its ruins and what they tell us about the stories of Greek culture.
Rhodes
Enjoy an exciting day on the largest island of the Dodecanese chain and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Located northeast of Crete, Rhodes was formerly surrounded by medieval fortresses, and you can still see remnants of its occupation by the Knights of St. John at places like Palace of the Grand Masters today. Watch stories of these knights who ruled the island from 1310 to 1522 unfold before your eyes as you dive into the fascinating ancient Greek history in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Day 1: Fly to GreeceOur journey begins with an overnight flight across the Atlantic.
- Day 2: Arrive in AthensUpon arriving in the capital of Greece, 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 TimeSavor 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: DelphiWe 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: MeteoraToday'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: Set Sail for MykonosOur four-night cruise on the Aegean Sea aboard Celestyal Cruises’ Discovery begins today! 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: Ephesus & PatmosThis morning, we dock in Kusadasi 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. Later, our ship sails to the Aegean island of Patmos. Choose from free time in Skala village or book an optional tour to 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 ship departs for Rhodes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: RhodesToday’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 towards our next destination.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9: SantoriniRevel in a full day on the stunning island of Santorini, known for its scenic cliffside views and iconic whitewashed buildings. Enjoy a guided tour through traditional villages like Megalochori to admire timeless architecture and journey along the volcanic caldera’s edge, taking in breathtaking sights of the sea and neighboring islands. We also visit the romantic village of Oia, the most photographed spot in Greece, before spending the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10: National Archaeological MuseumAfter breakfast on the ship, we disembark and enjoy a picturesque drive back to where our adventure began in Athens. 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 HomeWe return home with treasured 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
- Battlefield area of Thermopylae
- Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum
- Meteora monasteries guided tour
- All meals included aboard the ship
- Ports of Call: Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos, Rhodes & Santorini, Greece
- Time at leisure in Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes & Santorini
- Ephesus Archaeological Site guided walking tour
- Santorini guided island tour
- National Archaeological Museum
22 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Dinner in Athens
- All meals included aboard the ship
- Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Springfield - Springfield-Branson National Airport