Greece: 4 Island Cruise, Athens, Olympia, Temple of Zeus, Acropolis, Ephesus, FOOD!
Friday, May 5, 2017 5:00 PM to
Map (Aegean Sea, Santorini )
Yes!!! We are going to Greece! We will sail to Mykonos, Crete, Patmos, and Rhodes onboard a Celestyal Cruise ship. We’ll also visit Athens, Olympia, Thebes, Delphi, Nafpatkos, Mycenae, and the Turkish towns of Kusadasi and Ephesus. Look below for a detailed itinerary. Please email me: HERE to sign up. Those of us in Tucson can carpool to Phoenix.
PASSPORT MUST BE VALID UNTIL NOVEMBER 16, 2017 OR LATER
INCLUDED:
Roundtrip airfare from Phx (price adjusted for your airport)
Airport transfers
Airport Hotel in Phoenix (First night)
Double Occupancy Cabin and Hotel Rooms: Greece: 9 nights (first class and deluxe hotels)
Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks aboard ship
19 meals
Travel Insurance (over 55 has an additional cost)
Airline taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges
All Hotel taxes and port charges
Intra-Greece ground transportation and transfers by air- conditioned motorcoach
Cruise ship gratuities
Comprehensive sightseeing tours in Athens, Olympia and Delphi
Three included shore excursions and 2 optional shore excursions available to purchase on board the cruise
English-speaking cruise escort
Professional guide for included sightseeing tours
NOT INCLUDED:
Meals in transit and those above the 19 already listed
Other gratuities
Baggage fees/airport parking/drive to Phoenix
Upgraded airline seats
Optional tours
Hotel in Phoenix on return (optional)
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Spend the night in Phoenix at our airport hotel. We’ll have dinner together and then get a good night’s sleep before our early morning flight.
Day 2
Depart USA.
Our magical journey to Greece and the Greek Isles begins as we fly through New York today on your overnight flight.
Day 3
Arrive Athens (Greece), the capital of Greece and the birthplace of western civilization. We’ll be met at the
airport and escorted to our conveniently located hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Athenian Callirhoe Hotel
Day 4
Greek Island Cruise: Embark Cruise/Mykonos.
After a sumptuous breakfast, we’ll journey to the port of Piraeus, embark our cruise ship and settle into our cabins. Over the next four days we’ll sail the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea and explore the fascinating Greek Isles. Spend the afternoon settling into the cruising routine of enjoying the sun, sea breezes, the pool and other shipboard facilities. Anticipate temperatures in the 70’s. Later arrive at the spectacular island of Mykonos renowned for its characteristic windmills and dazzling whitewashed houses. Mykonos is also famous for the stylish crowds that flock to the island’s beautiful beaches by day and to the trendy restaurants and clubs by night. Enjoy leisure time to stroll through the picturesque town with its labyrinth of narrow alleys, striking buildings and inviting shops. We can relax at a seaside cafe or a local taverna and enjoy a drink as we view the passing scenery before heading back to the ship. Set sail later tonight. Celestyal Cruises (B,L,D)
Day 5
Greek Island Cruise: Kusadasi – Ephesus (Turkey) / Patmos (Greece).
Dock this morning at the Turkish port of Kusadasi located a short driving distance from the ancient city of Ephesus. Considered the world’s best-preserved classical city and famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis, Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, and this tour is included as part of our package!
Return to the ship in time for lunch and set sail towards the lively Island of Patmos, Greece, known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. Here we may join an optional excursion to visit St. John’s Monastery(63 Euro). Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Greek Island Cruise: Rhodes.
Today’s port of call is Rhodes, the beautiful “Island of Roses”. In the heart of the port city of Rhodes is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, a fascinating web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin ruins. Its mighty fortifications provide the finest surviving examples of defensive architecture of all time. Rhodes most picturesque town is Lindos where whitewashed houses are clustered beneath a soaring castle-capped acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Enjoy an included shore excursion to beautiful Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights. Set sail later today. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Greek Island Cruise: Crete (Heraklion)/Santorini.
Early morning arrival to the island of Crete, rich with history and culture. Awake to the island’s bustling capital, Heraklion, where we can visit one of the island’s most picturesque places: the Lion’s Square. Stop in a local cafe where we can savor a “bougatsa”, a local Cretan pastry. We may also join an optional excursion to see the ruins of the Palace of Knossos (67 Euro).
Return to the ship in time for lunch and continue sailing to Santorini, a volcanic crater immersed in the sea and perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. In the town of Thira whitewashed houses, narrow streets, outdoor cafes and glittering boutiques line the steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule. Join an included tour to explore the spectacular Oia Village. Return to the ship for a final night at sea on board our cruise ship. (B,L,D)
Day 8
Disembark/Athens/Delphi.
After breakfast bid farewell to our cruise ship and its wonderful staff and embark on a three-day road excursion to the classical cities of mainland Greece. We’ll pass through several ancient towns, including Thebes (home of King Oedipus). en route to Delphi, majestically set on the slopes of breathtaking Mt. Parnassus. On an included guided excursion, we’ll explore the ancient site of Delphi, the most beautiful and celebrated ancient site of all. This is where the Oracle representing the revered god Apollo presided over the ancient world. Marvel at the ruins of Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the marble Sacred Way and admire the 4th-century BC theater still in use today. We’ll also visit Delphi’s museum that houses the famous bronze Charioteer, one of antiquity’s greatest statues.This evening, we’ll enjoy an included dinner. Amalia Hotel (B,D)
Day 9
Delphi/Nafpatkos/Olympia.
This morning, we’ll depart Delphi for Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, passing through the beautiful medieval town of Nafpatkos. Arrive in Olympia and enjoy a tour with a local expert of the archaeological site and museum at Olympia, where the Olympic games were conceived as a tribute to Hercules, son of Zeus. These games were the most important international event in the Hellenic world and continue today with the lighting of the Olympic flame that is carried by runners throughout the world. View the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. We’ll also visit the museum and see Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Later, enjoy an included dinner. Arty Grand Hotel (B,D)
Day 10
Olympia/Mycenae/Athens.
After breakfast, en route to Athens, visit the amazingly well preserved 2300 year-old theater of Epidaurus. Continue to ancient Mycenae, which, according to the poets, was founded by Perseus and built with the aid of the mythological Cyclops. Marvel at the excavations that reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Later, arrive back in Athens and check into our deluxe, city-center hotel. Royal Olympic Hotel (B)
Day 11
Athens.
An included guided morning tour features a visit to the awe-inspiring Parthenon, the crowning beauty atop the Acropolis. This massive Doric temple was dedicated to Athena, the divine patroness of Athens. Just north of the Parthenon view the Erechtheum with its graceful Porch of Caryatids. We’ll also see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus before descending the Acropolis for a panoramic drive to view the Royal Palace, government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city that stand in a striking contrast to the remains of Athens’ glorious past. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Athens independently. Our hotel is located within easy walking distance to Athens’ lively and inviting old town, the Plaka! (B)
Day 12
Athens/USA.
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA. Our memorable journey ends as we arrive back in New York later today and on to Phoenix. (B)
COST:
$4499.00/person (double occupancy: inside cabin)
Single: add $649
Upgrade to a porthole cabin: $199 double, $299 single
Upgrade to a window cabin: $299 double, $399 single
DEPOSIT:
$1200.00: Due within 1 week of rsvp.
Signed waiver and copy of passport due from each participant with deposit. All monies are non-refundable. Pricing is accurate at time of posting. Air is subject to increase until purchased with deposit.
