Best of Greece with 7-Day Idyllic Aegean Cruise Premier

Best of Greece with 7-Day Idyllic Aegean Cruise Premier

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17 Days From

$5014

Best of Greece with 7-Day Idyllic Aegean Cruise Premier

17 Days Starting and ending in Athens

Visiting: Athens, Corinth, Archaeological Site of Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi, Thermopylae, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Milos

Tour operator:

Trafalgar

Tour code:

ACOLMZN20

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Cruise

From: $5014

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Abandon your sea legs for the shores of Mykonos, Milos and Santorini, renowned as the most romantic town in Greece with its Venetian architecture and nostalgic Neoclassical mansions.

Highlights

  • content:

    Must-see Highlights

    • Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth and village of Oia with a Local Specialist
    • Visit the Acropolis and Museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient theater at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the home of the Oracle at Delphi, and the incredible rock monasteries in Meteora, ancient Ephesus, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Milos and Mykonos
    • View the Parthenon, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae
    • See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae
    • Scenic Cruise along the Bosphorus strait
    • Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth with a Local Specialist

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    Make Travel Matter®

    Delphi: Meet passionate beekeeper Nikiforos at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey, known to be one of the most nutritious in the world. See the bees thriving in their natural habitat and learn about their role in nature regeneration. This experience advances Global Goal 15: Life on Land. Traditionally a beekeeping area, Delphi has lost most of its beekeeping activity. The decline in bee populations has seen a significant loss of biodiversity. Thanks to their effort, Nikiforos and his family and rebuilding a local activity and directly contributing to regenerating the land.

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    Be My Guest

    Olympia: Say "opa!" to a traditional Greek experience with the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm. Join the family for dinner and dancing, and learn about their history on the land.

  • content:

    Trafalgar Difference

    Delphi: Designed by renowned architect Nikos Valsamakis in 1965, the hotel is a notable example of postwar Greek architecture. It integrates seamlessly with the Delphic landscape, with rooms arranged to follow the terrain.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Welcome To Athens

Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Meals Included: Dinner

Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you will have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal.

Day 2: Explore Amazing Athens Dive Into Culture

Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Meals Included: Breakfast

Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. Along our journey into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena,the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.

Day 3: Journey To Corinth, Mycenae And Nafplion

Location: Athens, Corinth, Archaeological Site of Mycenae, Nafplion

Accommodation Name: Amalia Nafplio

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. We continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where we'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist. Later, we'll travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.

Day 4: Continue To Ancient Olympia Connect With Locals

Location: Nafplion, Olympia

Accommodation Name: Amalia Olympia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the Karabelas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.

Day 5: Onwards To Patras And Delphi

Location: Olympia, Delphi

Accommodation Name: Amalia Delphi

Meals Included: Breakfast

We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. We'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, we skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.

Day 6: Off To Thermopylae And Kalambaka

Location: Delphi, Thermopylae, Kalambaka

Accommodation Name: Amalia Kalambaka

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, who would descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult with the most important oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. View the statues immortalising the strength of the athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games, held in honor of Apollo and the Arts. Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close to the unique biodiversity of the area. A scenic afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defense by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly region, traveling north through the 'breadbasket of Greece' towards Kalambaka.

Day 7: Admire Meteora And Return To Athens

Location: Kalambaka, Athens

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are our first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to Athens, where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.

Day 8: Athens Your Way

Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend the day at leisure and see the city's ancient sites.

Day 9: Embark On Your 7-Day Cruise

Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the morning on your own exploring what was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. See the city's ancient sites before boarding your cruise ship this afternoon for your seven-day cruise through the Aegean.

Day 10: Explore The Vibrant Streets Of Thessaloniki

Location: Thessaloniki

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will have time to explore Greece's second largest city. Walk along the waterfront and enjoy the many cafes along Aristotelous Square and see ancient monuments such as the Arch of Galerius.

Day 11: Explore The Iconic Ephesus Ruins

Location: Kusadasi

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Kusadasi, your gateway to the ancient City of Ephesus. You'll join an included Ancient Ephesus sightseeing tour revealing the Hellenistic and Roman heritage of this UNESCO-listed site. Stroll along its marble colonnades and admire the façades of the Library of Celsus and Temple of Artemis before returning to your ship for your evening departure.

Day 12: Crete

Location: Crete

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your morning on Crete, Greece’s largest island, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. Home to myths and legends, including Zeus' birthplace and the Minotaur, you may choose to embark on an epic tour to the capital city of Heraklion and absorb the rich history of Europe’s first advanced civilization with a visit to King Minos' Palace in Knossos. Alternatively drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavor of Cretan lifestyle.

Day 13: Enjoy Sunny Santorini

Location: Crete, Santorini

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up in Sunny Santorini the Cycladic Island with sheer cliffs and dazzling panorama. Explore the capital of Thira, with its clifftop restaurants and cafés, breath-taking views, and amazing sunsets. You could consider an optional Shore Experience this afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches which vie for the best views over the caldera. This evening is free for you to explore Santorini's buzzing nightlife.

Day 14: Marvel At Mykonos

Location: Mykonos

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a full free day to explore the narrow rambling streets of Chora, strolling past white-washed cottages and tumbling cerise bougainvillea in search of a quiet spot overlooking the Old Port with a refreshing drink. You could choose an optional visit the Sacred Island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo, where an archaeological treasure trove awaits.

Day 15: Journey To Milos

Location: Mykonos, Milos

Accommodation Name: MV Celestyal Journey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dock in the former home of the famous Venus de Milo. There's time to explore the 'Island of Colors' on an Optional Experience, alternatively you may prefer trek to the heart and soul of Milos sampling the best of local cuisine on the move, in a tour designed to stimulate and excite the senses. Depart this evening for Athens, celebrating a final evening on board with new friends.

Day 16: Disembark In Athens

Location: Athens

Accommodation Name: Divani Palace Acropolis

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, disembark from your cruise ship and transfer to your hotel.

Day 17: Journey Home

Location: Athens

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfers are provided to the airport for your return flight home.

What's Included

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

  • Optional Experiences and free time

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

What's Not Included

  • Flights

    Flights to and from the destination are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.

  • Visa Fees

    Visa fees, if applicable, are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel in luxury air-conditioned coaches with Wi-Fi, and enjoy a 7-day cruise on the MV Celestyal Journey through the Aegean Sea.

Accommodation

Stay in a selection of cherry-picked hotels including Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens, Amalia Nafplio, Amalia Olympia, Amalia Delphi, Amalia Kalambaka, and the MV Celestyal Journey cruise ship.

Dining Summary

  • 12 Dinner (D)
  • 16 Breakfast (B)
  • 6 Lunch (L)

Dive Into Culture

  • Athens: Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of local experiences can I expect during the tour?

    You will have several local experiences, including a traditional Greek dinner and dancing with the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm in Olympia, and a visit to a family-run honey farm in Delphi where you can taste thyme honey and learn about beekeeping.

  • Are there any unique cultural activities included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes several cultural activities such as a guided tour of the Acropolis and its museum in Athens, a visit to the ancient theater at Epidaurus, and a walk through the Lion Gate and royal beehive-tombs in Mycenae.

  • What kind of meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes breakfast daily, up to half of your evening meals, and several lunches. Specific meals include a light meal on the first evening, a dinner with the Karabelas family in Olympia, and a farewell dinner in Athens.

  • What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?

    You will stay in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. Some of the hotels mentioned include Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens, Amalia Nafplio, Amalia Olympia, Amalia Delphi, and Amalia Kalambaka.

  • What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides luxury air-conditioned coach transportation with Wi-Fi in most countries, and alternative transportation such as rail journeys. Additionally, there is a 7-day cruise through the Aegean on the MV Celestyal Journey.

  • Are there any optional activities available during the tour?

    Yes, there are optional activities available such as an interactive cooking lesson in Delphi, a tour to the capital city of Heraklion in Crete, and a visit to the Sacred Island of Delos from Mykonos.

  • What historical sites will I visit during the tour?

    You will visit numerous historical sites including the Acropolis and its museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient theater at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the home of the Oracle at Delphi, and the rock monasteries in Meteora.

  • What kind of cruise experience is included in the tour?

    The tour includes a 7-day cruise through the Aegean on the MV Celestyal Journey. During the cruise, you will visit Thessaloniki, Kusadasi (gateway to Ephesus), Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos.

  • Will there be any free time during the tour?

    Yes, there will be free time during the tour. For example, you will have free time to explore Athens on your own, enjoy Santorini's nightlife, and explore the narrow streets of Chora in Mykonos.

  • What kind of guided tours are included in the itinerary?

    The tour includes guided tours with Local Specialists in various locations such as Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, and Ephesus. These tours provide in-depth insights into the historical and cultural significance of each site.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1947

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Renato Arrieta  

Best tour I joined so far

14-Jan-2023

My first time with Trafalgar and I see no reason why I should not join them again.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
King Ng, Lafayette, California  

Very well planned trip with timely breaks during the coach ride..

08-Nov-2021

It was a well organized tour group and we hit lots of interesting and beautiful scenes. Like our previous trips with Trafalgar, tourists were treated with well manner and professional tour guide/director, making our trip very enjoyable and delightful!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Best of Egypt

14-Jan-2023

We really did see the best of Egypt and beyond. Our tour guide, Mohammad, guided us through the rich history and the urban and rural life of such a unique and delightful country. We felt very safe and pampered.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Marshal Daguio  

Wonderful Best Of Turkey

06-Nov-2021

It was my first time with Trafalgar Tour and I had a wonderful trip from day 1 till the last day. The Tour Director, Yocel Atik is very knowledgeable and Excellent. The health director and coach driver are helpful and supportive as well. The hotels selected were comfortable especially Rixos Hotel and Movenpick Hotel. The Best of Turkey is better than I expected.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Barbara, Canada  

Irish Experience

09-Nov-2021

I am single and travel alone. I always feel secure and well-looked after when I travel with Trafalgar

Feefo Trusted Reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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