8D7N Grecian Voyage

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in. You are free to explore the city at your own leisure. Overnight in Athens.

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to Piraeus port and embark on your cruise ship. Depart for the Cycladic island of Mykonos at 11.30 am. Upon arrival at Mykonos and 6.00 pm, you are free to disembark and explore the maze of narrow alleys, hunt for bargains from the arrays of shops, and see the striking windmills the island is known for. Return to the ship and depart for Kusadasi at 11.00 pm. Overnight on board.

You will arrive in Kusadasi at 7.30 am. After breakfast, go on a half-day tour of Ephesus. Built 3,000 years ago, Ephesus shaped the history of Greek, Turkish and Christian civilizations from its privileged location, chosen (according to legend) by the oracle of Delphi. A site of pilgrimage, due to its proximity to the Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 Wonders of the World) and the presence of major Christian figures (the apostles Paul and John and the Virgin Mary) within the city walls, Ephesus is currently one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The splendour of its golden age is visible throughout its streets and exceptionally well-preserved ruins. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site you will have the opportunity to breathe in the centuries of cultural effervescence, visible in the Ephesus Agora, Odeon, the Houses of the Patricians, the beautiful Temple of Hadrian and the astonishing Library of Celsus. You will also have the opportunity to bargain and shop local merchandise such as carpets, leather goods, and souvenirs. Return to the ship and cruise to Patmos at 1.00 pm. Upon arrival in Patmos at 5.45 pm, you can take an optional excursion to the Monastery and Grotto of St. John, or explore the island at leisure. Return to the ship and depart for Crete at 9.30 pm. Overnight on board.

You will arrive in Crete at 7.00 am. After breakfast, go on a tour of the Minoan Palace of Knossos. The bus tour will take you along the proud Venetian heritage of Heraklion – the Koules Fortress (the stronghold overlooking the Heraklion harbour), the Venetian Loggia (the 17th century administrative and social center), the harmonious Morozini fountain and the 10th century Church of St. Titus. As you explore the Palace of Knossos, considered Europe’s oldest city, you are entering and experiencing the incredible world of the legendary Minoan civilization. The long and winding roads of Crete’s ancient city gradually expose the remarkable art, architecture and daily life of the Minoan people. Breathe in the millennia of history and imagine the legends of Daedalus, Theseus and the Minotaur come to life in the remarkable Hall of the Royal Guard and the Double Axes, the King’s Chamber or the Queen’s Apartment. Enjoy free time to savour the beauty and uniqueness of Crete’s largest city (and the fourth largest in Greece). The city is brimming with an assortment of museums that satisfy every taste- entre, full of busy cafes and elegant shops or retrace the steps of its Venetian rulers at the impressive fortified port, the vast arches and the arsenals. Return to the ship and cruise to Santorini at 12.00 pm. Upon arrival in Santorini at 4.30 pm, disembark and transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Santorini.

After breakfast at the hotel, you are free at leisure to explore Santorini. Santorini – also known as Thera in Greek – is the island immortalized by poets and painters, thanks to its celebrated light, multi-coloured cliffs and picture-perfect sunsets. On this island all senses are magnified, a product of its many contrasts: black earth against whitewashed homes clinging to the cliffside, or wild volcanic sculptures against sleek Cycladic lines. Overnight in Santorini.

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you are free at leisure until your transfer to the port. Depart for Athens at 3.30 pm. Upon arrival in Athens at 11.25 pm, transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight in Athens.

After breakfast at the hotel, go on a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens. See Syntagma Square, the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Athens Academy, the University, the National Library, and Hadrian’s Arch. Pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and visit the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era was held in 1896. On the Acropolis, visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens; the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon. Admire the wonders of the classical era at the Acropolis Museum. After the tour ends, the rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Athens.

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will be transferred to Athens International Airport for your departing flight.
Thank you and don’t forget to book your next travel arrangement with CIT!