Day 1-Wednesday: USA-Athens
Overnight flight to Athens with Delta Airlines
Day 2-Thursday: Athens
Welcome to Athens. Our representatives will meet you after clearing customs, and you’ll be transferred to your centrally located hotel. Overnight in Athens.
Day 3 – Friday: Embarkation- Sailing at 5:00PM
Following breakfast you will be taken to the Port of Piraeus. Set sail at 6:00 pm on your 7 days cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey
Days 4 & 5– Saturday & Sunday: Istanbul, Turkey
Arrive Istanbul 3:00 pm Sat– Depart Istanbul 7:00pm
As you approach Istanbul from the sea, the graceful minarets of countless mosques appear on the horizon and the Islamic call to prayer carries over the water. Istanbul's blend of East and West has resulted in some of the most magnificent architecture in the world, including Agia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. At the Topkapi Museum, formerly Sultan's Palace, the treasures of the Ottoman Empire are on view. Bargain for your own treasures in the Grand Bazaar.
Day 6- Monday: Mykonos, Greece
Arrive Mykonos 3:00pm – Depart at Midnight
* Weather conditions may require disembarkation by tender.
Mykonos combines in a unique way the luxuriant and sophisticated lifestyle with the simple and yet charming life of a Cycladic Island. The visitor is invited to stroll in the narrow streets bordered by the most famous boutiques to visit the hundreds of tiny chapels, to take pictures of the famous windmills and the white cubic houses with their flower-filled balconies. Have a pleasant leisurely afternoon. Enjoy the sunset of the waterfront. Try a refreshing drink or traditional ouzo, or maybe go shopping. (B, L, D)
Day 7-Tuesday: Patmos-Kusadasi
Patmos, Greece
Arrive 7:00am – Depart 10:30am
This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is near the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The Monastery of St. John built on one of the island's highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury.
Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Arrive 2:30pm – Depart 8:30 pm
Kusadasi, a picturesque Turkish town is approximately 17 km from Ephesus the ancient Greek colony founded by the Athenians. A tour to nearby Ephesus should not be missed, for here history truly comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces like the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where St. Paul was arrested and cast out of the city.
Day 8 -Wednesday - Rhodes, Greece
Arrive 7:00 am – Depart 6:00 pm
The beautiful "Island of Roses" has a rich and varied history. On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city of Rhodes behind when they were defeated by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The Ottoman Turks then occupied Rhodes for almost 400 years leaving mosques, minarets and a Turkish bath to mark their presence.
Day 9-Thursday – Crete –Agios, Nikolaos
Arrive 7:00am – Depart 11:30am
Heraklion, the capital of Crete and its principal commercial port is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion displays many of the treasures found during the excavations.
Santorini, Greece
Arrive 5:00pm – Depart 9:00pm
*Weather permitting, disembarkation by tenders
The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Fira white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, accessible by cable-car or mule. To the south is Akrotiri where recent Minoan excavations support the theories that Santorini might be the fabled lost continent of Atlantis.
Day 10-Friday: Arrival at Pireaus at 6:00am - Full-Day Excursion to Delphi
Arrival in Piraeus Greece (Athens at 6:00Am. Breakfast, disembarkation, and transfer to your hotel. Today, we will depart for a full day tout to Delphi beginning with a ride through the fertile plain of Bocotia, past the towns of Thebes, Levadia, with a short stop at Arachova, famous for its colorful rugs and carpets. Continue on to Delphi, the center of the Ancient World - the Omphalos (Navel) of the Earth. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, see the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Also visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the museum. Lunch is included with your tour today. Return to your hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 11- Saturday : Athens-USA
M/V Cristal
Ship Info
Cristal is a luxurious cruise ship, with a unique yaught –like modern design and a cruising speed of 18 knots. She features an array of amenities with all the comforts of an upscale vessel, spacious staterooms and suites, elegant lounges and restaurants, internet corner and open promenades.
Staterooms
All 480 staterooms are equipped with shower, WC, telephone, hairdryer & TV and can accommodate max. 1,200 passengers on board.
Public rooms
On board Cristal you will enjoy our delicious variety at buffet Traviata or dine more formally in the elegant La Scala and Caruso Restaurants. Enjoy the sun & sea breeze at Riviera pool bar, sip your favourite drink at Romeo & Juliet Bar and have lots of fun in the Metropolitan Show Lounge and Stars Lounge & Disco with a fantastic view of the starlit night and the endless ocean. Other facilities feature Monte Carlo casino, Internet Corner, 2 conference rooms, photo gallery, Duty Free & Travel Value shops, swimming pool, whirlpool bath, fitness centre, beauty salon, spa & massage. The vessel is fully air-conditioned, has stabilizers, telephone, fax, satellite telephone and physician on board.
Ship Itineraries
Cristal takes you to an unforgettable journey of the Greek Islands, Turkey and Egypt, with her two 8 day “Greece & Turkey” and “Three Continents & Istanbul” cruises.
Athens
Hotel Stanley (4*)
The 4-Star air-conditioned Stanley Hotel is located 700 mtrs from the city center of Athens and a forty five minute drive from the Airport
The hotel was built in 1966 and was recently renovated. It features a roof-top restaurant and bar.
