Day 1 : Fly to Athens

We board our overnight flight to Athens.

Day 2 : Arrive in Greece

Today we arrive in Athens and check in to our luxurious accommodations that are conveniently located in the city center. The afternoon is yours to get settled in and relax or explore the city independently. This evening, we get to know our fellow travelers over a wonderful Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 : Athens City Tour

After an included breakfast, we meet our local guide for a fascinating tour of Athens. We visit the Acropolis, seeing firsthand the storied masterpieces of classical Greek architecture, and take in beautiful vistas from the ancient citadel. The city tour also takes us to Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the Temple of Zeus, as well as the Olympic Stadium. This afternoon, we have free time in the heart of the city at Syntagma Square. We travel back to our hotel later, with time to freshen up and relax before dinner together at a local restaurant.

Day 4 : Delphi

We depart Athens this morning for Delphi, traveling through the picturesque village of Arachova on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and Thebes, Livadeia. Upon arrival, we meet with our local guide and begin exploring the Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum. Admire the Oracle of Delphi, one of the most important shrines in ancient Greece, symbolizing unity. It was built over a sacred spring and considered the center of the world. Afterwards, we pass through charming villages en route to our comfortable accommodations in Kalambaka.

Day 5 : Meteora

This morning, we travel to Meteora where several monasteries lie between the earth and sky atop huge rocks featuring priceless historical and religious treasures. Enjoy a guided tour through some of these ancient pinnacles that were once home to hermit monks as early as the 9th century, their ideal place for solitude and prayer. Before returning to our hotel in Athens, we visit the Battlefield area of Thermopylae with a short stop to see the Leonidas Monument.

Day 6 : Cruise to Mykonos

Our spectacular four-night cruise on the Aegean Sea with Celestyal Cruises begins today, taking us to five Greek islands plus Kusadasi, a Turkish coastal city. Our first destination is Mykonos, famous for 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 tonight, we depart Mykonos and set sail for Kusadasi.

Day 7 : Kusadasi & Patmos

Today we visit two ports of call: Kusadasi and Patmos, both brimming with historical sites. In the morning, we arrive on the Turkish coast for a guided tour of ancient Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean’s largest Roman archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Houses of the Patricians, and more. In the afternoon, our ship sails to the island of Patmos. We enjoy free time in Scala Port or take optional tours of the Grotto of the Apocalypse or the Monastery of Saint John, who dictated the visions that became the Book of Revelations. After dinner, our cruise ship departs for Rhodes.

Day 8 : Rhodes

We dock in Rhodes this morning, the largest island in the Dodecanese chain. Once surrounded by Byzantine walls and fortresses built by the Knights of Rhodes in the 1300s, the present-day city still looks much as it did then. Embark on a guided tour through Lindos and within its awe-inspiring acropolis, discover a clifftop archaeological site with extraordinary views of the Mediterranean Sea. Next, we visit Rhodes Medieval Old Town for a guided tour including the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights. The afternoon is free to explore the Street of the Knights, winding alleys, towers, and decorated façades. After dinner, our ship sets sail for Crete.

Day 9 : Crete & Santorini

Our two ports of call today include Heraklion on the island of Crete and Skala on the volcanic isle of Santorini. In Crete, we view its astonishing Venetian fortress at the harbor gate with time to discover the “old town” areas, such as the gorgeous pedestrian mall at the 25th of August Street, or take an optional tour of the Minoan Palace of Knossos. In Santorini, we admire the breathtaking caldera, created by the island’s volcano in ancient times, or take an optional tour to Oia, a romantic cliffside town that is the most photographed location in all of Greece, featuring whitewashed houses and spectacular sunsets.

Day 10 : National Archaeological Museum

We disembark at the port of Piraeus after breakfast and enjoy a picturesque drive to Athens, where we stay in the same charming hotel that our journey began in. After a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, devoted to ancient Greek art and antiquities, the rest of the afternoon is yours for exploration and relaxation. Find unique gifts at the Monastiraki flea markets, or take a stroll through Anafiotika or Pláka, both charming neighborhoods with great shops and eateries. This evening, we celebrate our unforgettable Greek adventures at a delicious Farewell Dinner.

Day 11 : Fly Home

We fly home with wonderful memories of our Greek adventure.