Day 1: USA-Athens
Board your overnight flight to Athens. Relax and enjoy dinner, movie, and breakfast on board.
Day 2 : Arrive in Athens, Greece:
Our representatives will meet you after clearing customs, and you’ll be transferred to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your transatlantic flight or to begin your explorations of this fascinating and historic city.
Day 3: Athens - Piraeus (Embarkation 11am)
Arr. Mykonos 6pm – Depart 11pm
Drive to Piraeus for embarkation. At 11am, sail into the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea, easily settling into the cruising routine of sunbathing, sipping cool drinks, splashing in the pool, and reveling in the delights prepared by the ship's expert chefs. Later, dock at the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. Time to wander at whim through narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques and shady taverns before returning on board. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey - Patmos, Greece
Kusadasi, Turkey. Arrive 7:00am – Depart 12:00 noon): Kusadasi is a picturesque Turkish town located 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.
Patmos, Greece
Patmos, Greece (Arrive 4:00pm – Depart 9:00 pm): 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. (B,L,D).
Day 5: Santorini, Greece (Arrive 8:00pm – Depart 9:00pm)
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. The optional shore excursion is available to the cliff-top village of Thera for one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Piraeus, Greece – (Arrival at 6:00 am)
Arrival in Piraeus Greece (Athens) and disembarkation. Transfer to the bus station to begin your escorted tour of Classical Greece. Departure at 08:30 a.m.
Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth canal and on to visit the Theater of Epidaurus famous for its acoustics. Then proceed to the town of Nauplion (short stop) and on to Mycenae to visit the Archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Later depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnesus and the Towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic games. Dinner and overnight at your A-Class hotel in Olympia.
Day 7: Your Classical Tour of Greece beginbs today
Olympia - Delphi
In the morning visit the Archaeological site holding the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Iliad and Achaia passing over the magnificent bridge, which crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass the picturesque towns of Naypactos and Itea before arriving in Delphi. Dinner and overnight at your A-Class hotel in Delphi.
Day 8: Delphi-Kalambaka-Meteora
After breakfast we will visit the archaeological site and the museum at Delphi Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora's gigantic rocks. Dinner and overnight at your A-Class hotel in Kalambaka.
Day 9: Meteora-Athens
Today we will visit the striking scenery of Meteora, perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in midair holding ageless Monasteries. Here you’ll b able to see exquisite samples of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalamabaka and drive through Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae. (Visiting the Leonidaís monument) to arrive in Athens early in the evening. Overnight at your hotel in Athens
Day 10 - Friday: Athens-USA
After breakfast, departure for Athens airport for your return flight home, arriving later today. (B)
Athens
Hotel Stanley (4 star)
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.
Cruise Info:
M/V Louis Majesty
Ship Info
Louis Majesty is a smart, stylish and contemporary ship. Her tastefully appointed décor with soothing colors, well appointed staterooms and suites and the warm hospitality you experience on board will take you to a dreamy voyage in the treasures of the Mediterranean.
Staterooms
All 731staterooms are equipped with shower, WC, wash basin, air condition, telephone and TV and can accommodate 1,800 passengers. All cabin categories SJO, SJ & S have fridge. Hairdryer in all S staterooms.
Public rooms
The ship's public areas are of high standard. You will take pleasure in the fine international cuisine offered in Four Seasons Restaurant, Seven Seas Dining Room and Le Bistro Restaurant, relax in the elegant Coffee Bar/Espresso Point and Polo Club Piano Bar, enjoy cocktails in the lively Rendez Vous Bar, Royal Fireworks Lounge and dance the night away in Frame 52 Disco. Other facilities on board feature Monte Carlo Casino, Internet café, library & card room, boardroom, video arcade, kid's corner & pool, swimming pool, 2 hot tubs, fitness centre, Sana Wellness Center & Sauna. The vessel has stabilizers, is fully air-conditioned, with telephone, fax, satellite telephone and physician on board.
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.
Hotels used during the Classical Tour of Greece:
Olympia
Hotel Amalia Olympia (4 star)
Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games was built on the banks of Kladeos River in the Alphios valley, in the tranquility of an environment dominated by green forests. The Amalia Olympia is ideally situated in a similar setting, surrounded by gardens and trees, not far from the archaeological sites; the Olympic Stadium, the Sanctuary of Zeus, the Temple of Hera and the archaeological museum. This hotel offers 160 fully air-conditioned rooms, all with private facilities, direct dial telephone, three channel radio and satellite TV. The hotel also offers a restaurant, a coffee-shop, a bar, spacious lounges, shops, and an outdoor swimming pool with a Greek Taverna restaurant.
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Best Western Hotel Europa (4 star)
The Best Western Hotel Europa is built on a hill overlooking Ancient Olympia, with a scenic view of the Arcadian Mountains and the Valley of Alpheios to the South. The 78 rooms and two suites offer the luxurious facilities to those visiting Olympia for a short stay, and the family atmosphere in the hotel enables our guests to enjoy the authentic Greek hospitality for long and unforgettable holidays. Start your day with a complimentary buffet breakfast. Our hotel offers a restaurant, tennis court and free parking. Our rooms feature satellite television, refrigerator and hairdryer.
Delphi
Hotel Amalia Delphi (4 star)
Located within walking distance to the famous attractions of Delphi, the Archaeological Museum, the temple of Apollo and the Castalia Fountain, Amalia Delphi has 184 rooms, fully air-conditioned, all with private bathrooms, direct dial telephone and satellite TV. Among the facilities are a restaurant, a coffee-shop, a souvenir and jewelers shop, various lounges and verandas, beautiful gardens and ample parking. Hotel amenities also include an outdoor swimming pool with bar, where you can enjoy the wild beauty and grandeur of the landscape over the Corinthian Gulf.
Kalambaka
Hotel Amalia Kalambaka (4star)
Built in 1991, the Amalia Kalambaka offers 175 modern furnished, fully air-conditioned rooms, all with private bath or shower, direct dial telephone, a three channel radio and TV Set. Additionally, the hotel offers a coffee-shop, bar, restaurants, spacious lounges with traditional interior decorations including Byzantine-like frescoes, an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by its beautiful gardens, Conference Room with audiovisual equipment, shopping arcade and ample parking space.
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Divani Kalambaka (4 star)
Surrounded by the majestic, towering rocks known as Meteora, in the charming village of Kalambaka, is the Divani Meteora Hotel. With a design that is modern, yet harmoniously blending with the adjacent natural splendor, the completely renovated hotel offers a remarkable window to the stark beauty of Meteora.The 165 deluxe rooms are decorated with the subtle fabrics of designer Andre Warwick, stylish oak furnishings and rich wooden floors, including spacious sitting lounges and verandas. All rooms have a balcony and most of them have a breathless view to Meteora rocks and equipped with the latest in modern amenities, including electronic key card locks, individually controlled air-conditioning, pay and satellite television, mini bar, direct telephone lines.
