21 Day Cultural Treasures with 14 Day Cruise

   $2679
Land Only
   $3699*
Air & Land
 
Home : : April 2008 - October 2008
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Highlights

Package Includes

  • Round trip flights NYC-Athens
    Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
  • Airline fuel surcharges
  • 19 nights accommodations
  • All transfers
  • 49 meals: 19 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 17 dinners
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager (Days 3-6)
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Entrance fees per itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Greece. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Athens
Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Athens

DAY 3, Monday - Athens, Nauplion, Olympia
Depart Athens via the scenic coastal road to the Corinth Canal, where you will visit the amphitheater of Epidaurus, still used today. Continue via Nauplion to Mycenae, the heartland of Greek mythology. Visit the archaeological site known as the Treasury of Atreus, and the Tomb of Agamemnon, built around 1250 B.C. From here, drive the Central Peloponnese Peninsula, whose primary cities were Corinth and Sparta in classical times, through to the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Continue to Olympia, birthplace of the first Olympic Games
Overnight: Olympia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Tuesday - Tour Olympia, Arrive Delphi
Visit the archaeological site of Olympia, including the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, and the Archaeological Museum, housing Greek works of art such as Nike of Paionios and terracotta statues that date to the 5th century B.C. Drive north through the plains of Eliad and Achaia, crossing the Corinth Strait via a cabled bridge from Rion to Antirion. Pass the towns of Nafpactos and Itea en route to the city of Delphi, home to the ruins of the Tholos Temple
Overnight: Delphi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Wednesday - Delphi, Kalambaka
In the morning, visit the excavated site and museum of Delphi, where you will find the sacred Omphalos, once kept in Apollo's Temple, along with the Kourus Statues, Kleobis and Viton, and the 32 foot high Sphinx of Naxos, perched atop an Ionic column. Continue to the small town of Kalambaka, situated amidst smooth sandstone cliffs in the foothills of Meteora
Overnight: Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Meteora, Return to Athens
Visit Meteora, meaning "suspended in the air," with its ancient monasteries nestled precariously close to the edge of the bizarre rock formations. View exquisite specimens of Byzantine art and then continue past Thermopylae, arriving in Athens in the early evening
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Friday - Embark Cruise
Transfer to the pier in Piraeus (Athens) for embarkation. The ship sails at 5:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Saturday - At Sea
Enjoy a day at sea aboard the ship as you sail southward across the sparkling Mediterranean to Egypt
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Sunday - Port Said (Cairo, Egypt)
This morning, call at Port Said (Cairo) in Egypt, where visitors can set off on excursions to Cairo to see the Great Pyramid at Giza, Old Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, housing the treasures of the pharaohs, or any of the numerous attractions of the city. Return to the ship and sail for Ashdod (Jerusalem, Bethlehem) at 9:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Monday - Ashdod (Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Israel)
Arrive Ashdod (Jerusalem, Bethlehem) at 7:00 am. Built on a site occupied by the Canaanites as far back as the 17th century BC, modern Ashdod serves the largest port city in Israel and as one of the most important industrial areas in the country. Ashdod is also a perfect jumping-off point for visits to Jerusalem and Bethlehem to see the incredible landmarks of the Holy Land. Easily within a day's travel are the Western (Wailing) Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and King David's Tomb or even Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity. At 6:00 pm sail for Limassol
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Tuesday - Limassol (Cyprus)
Today, call at Limassol. Situated at the base of Troodos Mountains, the modern resort of Limassol is a haven for travelers looking to unwind as well as the center of Cyprus' winemaking industry. Enjoy the day at leisure before sailing to Antalya at 5:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Wednesday - Antalya (Turkey)
This morning, call at Antalya, founded in ancient times as "Heaven on Earth." Today, the city is a major resort hot spot, drawing more visitors per year than Istanbul. Travelers come to enjoy the rich history of the region as well as the renowned beaches, restaurants, and nightlife. At 1:00 pm, depart Antalya and sail for Santorini
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Thursday - Santorini and Delos (Greece)
Disembark in Santorini and spend the morning exploring the island, known for its breathtaking caldera, sandy beaches, and whitewashed buildings set along the sea-cliffs. At noon, sail for Delos, the ancient Greek sanctuary island that offers some of the richest excavation sites of the Greek isles. Here, enjoy the evening at leisure before sailing for Piraeus at 11:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14, Friday - Piraeus (Athens, Greece)
Disembark in Piraeus (Athens) at 6:00 am. From here, enjoy the opportunity to explore Athens independently.
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Saturday - Santorini and Heraklion (Greece)
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Santorini before sailing to Heraklion at 11:00 am. One of the four prefectures constituting the island of Crete, Heraklion is famous for its proximity to the ancient Minoan palace complex of Knossos, as well as being the birthplace of the painter El Greco. At 8:00 pm sail for Rhodes
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16, Sunday - Rhodes (Greece)
Arrive this afternoon in Rhodes, the largest and most populous of the Dodecanese Islands. Historically famous for the Colossus of Rhodes that once stood at the harbor, the island now draws visitors who want to explore the crooked cobblestone streets of the medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes or visit the Palace of the Grand Masters, where the Knights of St. John were based during the Crusades. At midnight, sail for Patmos
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17, Monday - Patmos (Greece) and Kusadasi (Turkey)
Spend the morning on the island of Patmos, perhaps most renowned as the site of St. John's apocalyptic Revelations. The Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the apostle is said to have received his visions, are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 10:30 am sail to the Turkish resort town of Kusadasi. Renowned for its beaches and stunning view out onto the Aegean, the city is situated close to the ruins at Ephesus, where a single pillar from the Temple of Artemis still stands, as well as the amphitheater where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18, Tuesday - Istanbul (Turkey)
In the early evening, disembark in Istanbul for time at leisure to enjoy this great city by night. Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, the capital city of Turkey is truly a fusion of the Eastern and Western worlds. Home of the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Byzantine Church of St. Sophia, Istanbul boasts some of the world's most impressive architecture
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19, Wednesday - Istanbul
Enjoy another day in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar and Spice Market offer excellent opportunities to witness daily life in the city and perhaps find something interesting to take home. Depart this evening at 6:00 pm and sail to Mykonos
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 20, Thursday - Mykonos (Greece)
Arriving at 3:00 pm, enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure on Mykonos, one of the most picturesque islands of the Cyclades. With its signature Cycladic architecture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife, Mykonos offers travelers a taste of the good life. At 11:00 pm set sail and return to Piraeus
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 21, Friday - Piraeus (Athens)
Disembark in Piraeus (Athens) at 6:00 am. Transfer to the airport in Athens for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Optionals

Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards.

Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, and save money. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards.

Rates & Hotels

Click On A Date To Book Online
* All Prices are in USD
2008 Land/Cruise Only Air & Land/Cruise
May 17 (Sold Out) 2719 3599
May 31 2709 3899
Jun 14; 28 2719 3899
Jul 12 2699 3839
Jul 26; Aug 9 2679 3859
Aug 23 2699 3839
Sep 6; 20; Oct 4; 18 2819 3699

*Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, cruise port taxes of $380, and tips (see Terms & Conditions).

Triple accommodations upon request in categories F, D, B, A

Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Return flights from Athens should be scheduled no earlier than 10 am on the day of departure to allow sufficient time to disembark the cruise and transfer to the airport. If this is not possible, a night in Athens will be required.

Click here for Ports of Call information.

The cruise line obtains a group visa for all passengers for all ports that require such documentation.

Cruise itinerary is subject to change.

Athens Hotel: Upgrades are available at the following hotels, for an additional cost: Titania Hotel, Divani Palace Acropolis and the Royal Olympic.

Day use room at Sofitel Athens Airport available at extra cost on day of departure from Greece.

Cabin Categories
Cabin F - [details]
Cabin D - [details]
Cabin B - [details]
Cabin A - [details]
Cabin TB - [details]
Cabin TA - [details]
Cabin SC - [details]