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DESTINATION
Europe: Mediterranean
PROVIDER
Globus
DURATION
13 days
Valued At Pay Only Save
$4,489 per person $4,399 per person $180 per couple
Ancient ruins, stunning scenery, abundant sunshine, fascinating islands, the crystal-clear Aegean, and scrumptious cuisine—this incredible cruise and tour through Greece lets you experience it all! History comes alive on your guided visits to many of Greece's ancient sights. Visit Athens’ iconic Acropolis; ancient Corinth, dating back to the 8th century BC; Olympia, where the Olympics began in 776 BC; the 3,000-year-old ruins in Mycenae; the amazingly well-preserved, 2,300-year-old open-air theater in Epidaurus; Thermopylae, where the battle between the Greeks and Persians took place in 480 BC; Delphi, home to the mysterious Oracle; and more.   You’ll also enjoy four nights on the Aegean Sea, cruising to some of the world’s most beautiful islands and ports. In addition, Globus has included some unique experiences to give you a true sense of Greek life—enjoy a cooking demonstration to learn how to make traditional Greek tzatziki, sample ouzo, and join a dance lesson to learn how to dance the sirtaki! This unforgettable Greece cruise and tour is a vacation of a lifetime.
Athens

Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis.

Corinth

Guided visit.

Mycenae

Guided visit of the excavations and museum.

Epidaurus

Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theatre.

Olympia

Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum; learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetiser.

Delphi

Guided visit of the excavations, visit the Archaeological Museum; learn to dance the sirtaki and have a glass of Ouzo.

Meteora Area

Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen's Monasteries.

Thermopylae

Guided visit.

Meals

Welcome drink in Athens; full buffet breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners with wine.

Free Wi-Fi

Available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.

Day 1 / Athens, Greece.

Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your travelling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Day 2 / Athens.

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the world-famous ACROPOLIS, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Here, see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and enjoy a panoramic view that includes glimpses of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus, and the beautifully preserved Theseum, where Socrates taught. Later, a city orientation tour features the Old Parliament House and a picture stop at the Panathenaic Stadium. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and was host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight is your chance to join an optional dinner outing to try out local fare.

Day 3 / Athens-Corinth-Mycenae-Epidaurus-Nauplia.

Cross the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two highlights today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendours 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. Also visit the museum. Then, a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theatre. Overnight in nearby Nauplia.

Day 4 / Nauplia-Olympia.

Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then, spend the afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honour of the king of deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles' magnificent statue of Hermes. Tonight, enjoy a COOKING DEMONSTRATION and learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer.

Day 5 / Olympia-Patras-Delphi.

Via the busy seaport of Patras, proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. A highlight this evening is a DANCE LESSON, where you'll learn how to dance the sirtaki, made famous in the movie Zorba the Greek, accompanied by a glass of the traditional Ouzo.

Day 6 / Delphi-Meteora Area.

Drive past Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN'S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view (ladies should pack one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting the monasteries).

Day 7 / Meteora Area-Thermopylae-Athens.

Today's highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas' 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes' huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders in 490 BC. Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8 / Athens-Piraeus (Embarkation)-Mykonos.

This morning, head for Piraeus, where you will sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Later, dock at the mountainous island of Mykonos.

Day 9 / Cruising: Kusadasi, Turkey-Patmos, Greece.

Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. Visit the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of EPHESUS. Next, join an optional excursion to discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, and see the Grotto of the Apocalypse.

Day 10 / Cruising: Rhodes.

All day is dedicated to the island of RHODES. Explore the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Next is Lindos with the fabulous Temple of Athena. Sail from Rhodes around dinnertime.

Day 11 / Cruising: Heraklion, Crete-Santorini, Greece.

First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. A few kilometres away is KNOSSOS, the centre of the 3000 BC Minoan civilisation. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini. Join one of the optional shore excursions either to the volcano or up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas.

Day 12 / Piraeus (Disembarkation)-Athens.

After breakfast on board, disembark at Piraeus and return to Athens.

Day 13 / Athens.

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.