Itinerary

Day 1 USA - Athens, Greece

We depart USA for Athens, Greece. Cross the Atlantic Ocean. Athens is the capital of Greece, and the oldest city in Europe city unique heritage.

Day 2 Athens

Arrived in Athens, be met and transfer to our hotel for overnight accommodation. In the evening enjoy dinner at hotel.

• Includes Dinner

Day 3 Athens - Acropolis - Plaka - Athens

After breakfast, starts with a city tour of Athens, meeting three neoclassical buildings of the Academy, University and National Library, passing by the Parliament Building and Constitution Square, onto the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, where the First Olympic Games were held in 1896, and the Statue of Harry Trumann. Next a guided tour of the Acropolis will follow, seeing four fabulous buildings that stand on it, the Parthenon*, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Victory, and the Propylaea. Conclude the day with a guided visit to the New Acropolis Museum*. Enjoy some free time in Plaka before heading back to our hotel.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Athens - Agean Sea Cruise - Mykonos

After breakfast, we leave hotel to the dock in Lavrion to board the Aegean Sea Cruise. Later arrive at Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan island in Greece, famous for its amazing sandy beaches, picturesque villages and the vibrant nightlife. Roundtrip shuttle service from port to Mykonos Downtown* will be specially arranged by Peony Tours for your convenience. Dinner on board and overnight while sailing to Kusadasi, Turkey.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Kusadasi, Turkey - Patmos, Greece

In the morning, we arrive at the port of Kusadasi. Disembark for an inclusive half-day excursion to Ephesus*. The tour leads us to the Temple of Diana, Fountain Trajian, the Forum, the Odeon (Concert Hall), Library of Celsus, Thermal Baths of Scolastika, and the Great Theatre. Walk along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Then, visit the House of Virgin Mary*. Before heading back to the harbor, enjoy some free time in Grand Bazaar. Lunch on board while sailing to Patmos, an island where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. On arrival, why not take an optional excursion to the Grotto of Revelation and St. John’s Monastery? Dinner on board and overnight, while sailing to Crete Island.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Aegean Cruise – Rhodes

Your ship docks at Rhodes, known as the ‘Island of Knights,' early this morning. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of this rugged island's highlights, viewing the rocktop Acropolis of the whitewashed village of Lindos* and exploring Rhodes' Old Town, Europe's largest inhabited medieval town. Enter this walled enclave of cobbled streets, built by the Knights of St. John over 500 years ago during the time of the Crusades, and admire the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters and Street of the Knights*, the latter lined with the lodging ‘inns' of knights from different countries. This evening, your ship sets sail for Crete. 

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Aegean Cruise – Heraklion (Crete) - Santorini

Today's first port of call is Heraklion, Crete's bustling capital. Here, choose to participate in an optional tour to the Palace of Knossos, the remnants of a vast Minoan palace that was the mythological seat of King Minos. Explore the restored ruins of this 7,000-year-old royal complex and uncover the mysterious legend of the Minotaur. Alternatively, choose to stay in Heraklion and explore its old town areas independently, perhaps discovering highlights such as its Venetian harbor fortress, lively shopping areas, and Lion Square, centered on the 17th-century Venetian Morosini Fountain. Later, cruise to Santorini, the most spectacular of Greece's Cyclades Islands, formed by a massive volcanic eruption in around 1,600 BC. Marvel at the sea-filled caldera and Santorini's white buildings atop its black cliffs as you approach this postcard-worthy island, and after docking in the afternoon, set off to experience its charms. If you wish, join an optional tour to the clifftop town of Oia, whose cliffside terraces are renowned for offering the best viewpoints for watching Santorini's celebrated sunsets. Tonight, your ship cruises back toward Piraeus. Optional Tour: Crete knossos palace, Santorini the Iraq mount city.

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Piraeus Port – Meteora – Kalambaka

Your wonderful 4-night cruise ends this morning when you disembark at Piraeus for your 4-day tour of some of Greece's major classical and medieval treasures. Settle into a deluxe coach and travel through picturesque countryside to the lovely town of Kalambaka in central Greece, situated near the UNESCO-listed rock monasteries of Meteora*. Teetering high on sandstone pillars that were first settled by hermits in the 11th century, these medieval sanctuaries were largely built between the 12th and 15th centuries as inaccessible religious retreats. Visit a selection of breathtakingly situated monasteries to view some of the priceless icons and treasures they hold and soak up the bird's-eye views from their jaw-droppingly high terraces. This evening, enjoy dinner at your 4-star hotel in Kalambaka before retiring for the night. 

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 Kalambaka – Delphi – Nafpaktos

A visit to the magnificent classical site of Delphi* is one of the highlights of any tour of Greece. This morning, venture southward to this mountainside complex, set on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus. Once considered the ‘navel of the earth,' this ancient sanctuary has its roots in the 6th century BC, and was home to the oracle of Apollo, which issued cryptic predictions and advice to visiting leaders and pilgrims. Walk up to the site for a guided tour of the highlights, including the Sanctuary of Apollo where the oracle, Pythia, the temple priestess, delivered her prophesies, and the beautiful Doric Treasury of the Athenians, built to house offerings to Apollo. Plus, don't miss the Delphi Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful statue of the bronze charioteer. Having explored Delphi, continue to Nafpaktos and check in to your 4-star hotel in this delightful beachside town. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel. 

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 Nafpaktos – Epidaurus - Mycenae - Nafplion

Depart Nafpaktos this morning and make the journey to Epidaurus*, sitting on the north-eastern Argolid peninsula of the Peloponnese. Delve into the age-old ruins of this once-thriving small city, the former home of a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. Stop to view Epidaurus' highlight: its incredible 4th-century theater, one of the greatest and best-preserved Greek theaters, and known for its incredible acoustics — it's said that guests seated on the highest rows could hear a coin drop on the stage. Next, continue to the remains of Mycenae*, a hilltop town associated with the legend of King Agamemnon who commanded the 10-year expedition against Troy, and which was considered to be the Homeric city of Atreides, which the poet described as ‘rich in gold.' Explore the best of the ruins here, seeing such prized features as the Lion Gate, Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs. Afterward, transfer to the seaside city of Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece and home to a charming old town crowned by the mighty Venetian fortress of Palamidi. Enjoy dinner at your hotel in Nafplion tonight. 

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 Nafplion – Athens

Enjoy this morning at leisure in Nafplion, perhaps shopping for handicrafts in the cobbled streets or visiting the Palamidi Fortress. Later, relax on a road transfer back to Athens, where after checking in to your hotel in the heart of the city, you have the rest of the day to spend as you please. This evening, sit down to a special Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant. 

• Includes Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 Athens - USA

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport and fly homeward. You will be in the United States the same day.

• Includes Breakfast