History tour with 3-day cruise

Duration: 10 Nights

Program only valid for private groups of 20 or more people

DAY 1, SATURDAY: ATHENS ARRIVAL

Welcome to Greece! The birthplace of Western civilization! Upon your arrival in Athens, you will meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Your adventure in the historic city of Athens has begun!

DAY 2, SUNDAY: ATHENS – CAPE SOUNION

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Athens, including a visit to the Acropolis with the famous Temple of Parthenon and the magnificent museum. Continue with a panoramic tour of the city highlights and later start our drive to Sounion, passing by the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and countless coves, from where one has a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf. Arrive at Cape Sounion, dominated by the spectacular temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea. After the visit, drive back to Athens.

DAY 3, MONDAY: ATHENS – CORINTH – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – TOLON

Today’s journey begins with a visit of the ancient city of Corinth where the apostle Paul lived and preached. He wrote his first and second letters to the Corinthians here. On to Mycenae where you can see remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with Cyclopean walls, the Lionesses' Gate, the Mycenaean Palace and the tomb of King Agamemnon. Continue to Epidaurus with its famous well-preserved theater and drive to the seaside town of Tolon for overnight.

DAY 4, TUESDAY: NAFPLIO – OLYMPIA

This morning we drive to the beautiful seaport town of Nafplio, where we enjoy some free time. Drive through central Peloponnese to ancient Olympia which holds the stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 776 BC. Thereafter they were held every 4 years. We visit the archaeological site and museum. The starting line is still visible etched on the marble in the stadium, inviting you to run and in your imagination compete with the ancient athletes!

DAY 5, WEDNESDAY: OLYMPIA – PATRAS - DELPHI

We start our drive via Patras to Rion, driving through Nafpaktos in central Greece. Continue to visit the archaeological site in Delphi where the priestess Pythia pronounced her famous prophecies in the Temple of Apollo. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Treasury of the Athenians.

DAY 6, THURSDAY: DELPHI - ATHENS

This morning we visit the Archaeological Museum in Delphi containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.After the visit, we start our drive back to Athens.

DAY 7, FRIDAY: EMBARK CRUISE – MYKONOS

In the morning, we transfer to the port for embarkation on the cruise ship for our 3-day cruise to the Greek islands and Kusadasi (Ancient Ephesus) in Turkey. At 6:00 p.m. arrive at Mykonos and stroll on your own through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways, climb to the picturesque church of Paraportiani or walk along the waterfront of «Little Venice» to the famous windmills. Sail for Kusadasi at 11:00 p.m.

DAY 8, SATURDAY: KUSADASI (EPHESUS) – PATMOS

This morning we can attend the optional excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great city. At 1 p.m. sail for Patmos, Greece and arrive after approximately three hours. We have an optional tour to the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist and the Grotto of the Revelation. Return to the ship and sail for Heraklion, Crete at 9 p.m.

DAY 9, SUNDAY: CRETE – SANTORINI

At 7 a.m. we arrive at Heraklion, Crete and may join the optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur (half-bull and half-man). Sail for Santorini at 11:30 a.m., where we arrive at 4:30 p.m. Ride the cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched high on the rim of the ancient volcano. After having a taste of this magnificent island, we sail back to Athens at approximately 9:30 p.m.

DAY 10, MONDAY: PIRAEUS (ATHENS)-DEPARTURE

After disembarkation you will transfer to the airport for your departure flight. As your journey comes to an end, we hope that the experiences, sites and memories that you acquired in this land of light, with its deep blue sea, friendly people, and legends of old, will inspire you for a lifetime and will bring you to Greece once more!