Gr-Tour #4

Classics & Aegean Highlights

Choice A: 11 days/9 nights
Athens 3, Classical Sites 3, Cruise 3.

Choice B: 12 days/10 nights
Athens 3, Classical Sites 3, Cruise 4.
Included features

• Round trip economy class airfare NYC-ATH-NYC.
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Athens with breakfast daily.
• All transfers as per itinerary with assistance and baggage handling.
• Half day guided Athens sightseeing.
• 4 day/3 night escorted classical tour with breakfast & dinner daily.
• 3 day/3 night (Choice A) or 4 day/4 night (Choice B) cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey
  with all meals on board.
• Sightseeing with air-conditioned motor coach and English speaking professional tour guides.
• Entrance fees to all places on included sightseeing.
• Hotel service charges and taxes.
• Host service in Athens.
• Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast 9, L = lunch 3, D = dinner 6).

Itinerary 

Choice A:
Day 1 Fri USA-ATHENS
Depart New York via overnight transatlantic flight to Athens with meals on board.
Day 2 Sat ATHENS
Upon your arrival at the Athens airport you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 3 Sun ATHENS

Highlights of the morning city tour include the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the University, the National Library, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Proceed to the Acropolis to visit the museum and the architectural masterpieces of the golden age of Athens. The afternoon is free for your own activities. B
Day 4 Mon ATHENS-NAFPLION

Depart Athens via the coastal highway to the Corinth canal for a short stop. Afterwards, visit Mycenae, where ancient history comes in life with its remarkable Cyclopean Walls, the Tomb of Agamemnon and the 3,000 year old Lion Gate. Continue to the 4th century BC Amphitheater of Epidaurus to test the incredible acoustics. Then proceed to the picturesque town of Nafplion for dinner and an overnight stay. B,D
Day 5 Tue NAFPLION-OLYMPIA

Today you will depart Nafplion driving through the rugged terrain of central Peloponnese, home of Pan and the Nymphs passing through the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis to Olympia, one of the most venerated sanctuaries of ancient Greece, site of the original Olympic Games. Visit the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the remains of the ancient Stadium, the superb museum and more. Dinner and overnight stay in Olympia. B,D



Day 6 Wed OLYMPIA-DELPHI

Drive through the plains of Elia and Achaia to the city of Patras, the capital of Peloponnese. Then cross from Rion to Antirion and continue passing through the picturesque town of Nafpaktos and the seaside areas of Eratini and Itea to the sacred Delphi, on the slopes of Mt. Parnasus. You will visit the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, Castalia Spring and more. Dinner and overnight stay in Delphi. B, D

Day 7 Thu DELPHI-ATHENS

Additional sightseeing this morning includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sacred Way and the suburb museum with the famous Bronze Charioteer. After lunch (optional) drive through the Village of Arachova, famous for its colorful rugs and carpets and continue passing through the towns of Thebes and Levadia to Athens, where you will be transferred to your hotel. B

Day 8 Fri PIRAEUS (CRUISING)-MYKONOS

After your morning transfer to Piraeus, board your cruise ship for a 3-night cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. Arrive in Mykonos later afternoon, a sophisticated international resort with traditional Greek charm. Take in its whitewashed houses flower filled streets, thatched-roof windmills, 300 tiny churches, friendly tavernas and beautiful beaches. Late evening sail to Rhodes. B,L,D

Day 9 Sat KUSADASI-TURKEY, PATMOS-GREECE


 Early morning arrival in Kusadasi. A picturesque
town on the coast, with many opportunities for
shopping. Nearby, lies the ancient city of
Ephessos, founded by Athenians.
An optional tour to Ephessous will allow you to
discover the treasures of the Greek, Hellenistic
and Roman monuments. See the . Odeon, the Library
of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scholastic and the
magnificent Greek amphitheater. 
At noon we leave Kusadasi for the isle of Patmos,
arriving 4 hours later. Often Patmos is called the
Jerusalem of the Aegean. It is the sacred island,
where St John the De vine, whilst in exile , wrote the
 book of the Revelation.B,L,D

Day 10 Sun HERAHLION,CRETE-SANTORINI-GREECE

Early morning arrival in Heraklion Visit this pretty town, or take an optional excursion to Knossos only 3 miles way. The palace of Knossos was the administrative center of the whole region. The archeological museum is a real must visit. Depart Heraklion for Santorini. Santorini is unique island, considered to be the lost continent of Atlantis .Enjoy the most beautiful sunsets in the world, while relaxing over a cup of coffee or an ouzo. B.L,D

Day 11 Mon PIRAEUS-USA

Morning arrival into Piraeus Harbor. Disembark after breakfast & be transferred to the airport for your flight home. B
 
Choice B:
 
Day 1-8 Mon-Mon
Same itinerary as Choice A.
Day 9 Tue KUSADASI-PATMOS

Morning sail in to Kusadasi, getaway to Ephesus. Optional tour takes you to the ruins of the ancient city. In the afternoon the serene Patmos awaits you. Optional excursion visits the monastery and the grotto. Evening sailing. B, L, D

Day 10 Wed RHODES

Sail into the medieval Crusader City of the island of Rhodes. One of Europe’s favorite summer resorts. Take the day to explore on your own or take an optional tour to Lindos. B, L, D

Day 11 Thu HERAKLION-SANTORINI

This morning you call at Heraklion (Crete),
 the center of the ancient Minoan civilization.
Do not miss an optional shore excursion to
 King Minos’ palace at Knossos. At noon
you sail to Santorini, the black pearl of the
Aegean. Take a donkey-back ride up to
the mountain top village for a splendid
panoramic view of the Aegean or take an
optional excursion to the important Akrotiri
excavations. Evening sailing. B, L, D

Day 12 Fri PIRAEUS-USA

Early morning you arrive in Piraeus. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. B


Dates & Rates:
 
Tour # 4A   Athens 3 Nts  Classical Tour  3 Nts and Cruise 3 Nts
Hotel   Esperia Palace Park Ath.Plaza
Mar 21, 28   2008 Dbl $2,158 $2,199 $2,315
Apr   04, 11, 18, 25 Dbl $2,194 $2,232 $2,362
May  02, 09, 16, 23, 30 Dbl $2,512 $2,650 $2,717
Jun   06, 13, 20, 27 Dbl $2,765 $2,895 $3,170
Jul    04, 11, 18, 25 Dbl $2,765 $2,895 $3,170
Aug  01, 08, 15, 22, 29 Dbl $2,765 $2,895 $3,170
Sep  05, 12, 19, 26 Dbl $2,583 $2,695 $2,788
Oct  03, 10, 17, 24 2008 Dbl $2,183 $2,321 $2,388
Tour # 4B  Athens 3 Nts  Classical Tour 3 Nts  and Cruise 4 Nts
Hotel   Esperia Palace Park Ath.Plaza
Mar 18, 25   2008 Dbl $2,258 $2,266 $2,386
Apr   07, 14, 21, 28 Dbl $2,294 $2,332 $2,462
May  05, 12, 19, 26 Dbl $2,612 $2,750 $2,817
Jun   02, 09, 16, 23, 30 Dbl $2,865 $2,995 $3,270
Jul    07, 14, 21, 28 Dbl $2,865 $2,995 $3,270
Aug  04, 11, 18, 25 Dbl $2,865 $2,995 $3,270
Sep  01, 08, 15, 22, 29 Dbl $2,683 $2,795 $2,888
Oct  06, 13, 20, 27 2008 Dbl $2,283 $2,421 $2,488
 
 
USA departure : Option A:Friday, Option B : Monday
   
NOTES:    
Rates are per person in double occupancy & include airfare from New York.
Add on fares from most USA gateways are available, please inquire.
Airport departure taxes are not included as well as port charges
of $ 60 not included
Regardless of the hotel category, cruise accommodations are based on inside
cabin with 2 lower bedσ
 & private facilities. For upgrade to outside cabin with 2 lower beds please add $
For land only rates please deduct:
Mar 24-Apr 30,$500.00,  May 01-25, $700.00, May 26-Sept 07 $1100, Sept 04-Oct 31 $ 750.00

 Click for Add-On airfares