GR-Tour #8

Aegean Discovery


16 days/14 nights Athens 3,
Classical Sites 4, Cruise 7



Included features
• Round trip economy class airfare NYC-ATH-NYC.
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Athens with breakfast daily.
• All transfers as per itinerary with assistance and baggage handling.
• Half day guided tour of Athens.
• 5 day/4 night fully escorted tour of Classical Greece with breakfast
  & dinner daily.
• 7 days cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. Accommodation in twin
   bedded inside cabins with
• Sightseeing with air-conditioned motor coach and English speaking
   two lower beds and all meals on board. 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 14, L = lunch 6, D = dinner 11). 

Day 1 Thu USA-ATHENS
 Depart New York via overnight transatlantic flight to Athens.


Day 2 Fri ATHENS

You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is for you to relax and for your own activities.

Day 3 Sat ATHENS-NAFPLION

 Greece through the centuries will unfold before you
on this 5-day classical tour. Depart Athens via the
coastal highway to the Corinth canal. Then to 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. Overnight in Nafplion. B, D

Day 4 Sun NAFPLION-OLYMPIA

 Depart Nafplion driving through the rugged terrain of central Peloponnese, passing through the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis to Olympia, site of the original Olympic Games. Visit the Temple of  Olympian Zeus, the remains of the ancient Stadium, the superb museum and more. Overnight
ιn Olympia. B, D
Day 5 Mon OLYMPIA-DELPHI

 You will drive to Patras, the capital of Peloponnese. Then take the car-ferry 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, where Kings and Caesars consulted the Oracle. You will visit the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, Castalia Spring and more. Overnight in Delphi. B, D  











Day 6 Tue DELPHI-METEORA

 Additional sightseeing this morning includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sacred Way and the suburb museum with the famous Bronze Charioteer. After lunch (optional) depart for Kalambaka passing through numerous picturesque villages and typical towns of central Greece. Overnight in Kalambaka. B, D

 Day 7 Wed METEORA-ATHENS

 Amid striking scenery perched atop huge needles of rock, stand ageless monasteries where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. As you return to Athens, visit Leonida’s monument at the battlefield of Thermopylae and the spa at Kamena Vourla. Early evening you will arrive at your Athens hotel. (B)

Day 8 Thu ATHENS

 Α morning city tour introduces you to Athens & Greece’s

antiquities. Sightseeing is highlighted by the House of
Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the
National Library, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic
Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch & more.
Visit the Acropolis with the Parthenon & the Acropolis
museum. The afternoon is free for your own activities. B

Day 9 Fri PIRAEUS (CRUISING)

The morning is at leisure in Athens. Late afternoon you
will be transferred to Piraeus harbor to board the cruise
ship for a 7 day cruise to the Greek islands and Istanbul.
Evening sailing.BD

Day 10 Sat ISTANBUL

Enjoy a morning at leisure as you sail through the Dardanelles to the Sea of Marmara. In the evening. Istanbul’s fabled skyline greets you. Dinner on board and a chance to enjoy nightlife ashore. B, L, D

Day 11 Sun ISTANBUL
Set on two continents this ancient city combines its cultures well. Explore on your own or take an optional tour to see the Blue Mosque, the St. Sophia basilica, the immense Grand Bazaar and the incredible jewels of Topkapi palace. Evening sailing. B, L, D
Day 13 Tue PATMOS-KUSADASI

 You sail in to Patmos this morning the quiet & pretty island where St. John wrote the book of Revelations.  An optional excursion visits the monastery, which houses an original manuscript of the gospel and the grotto. In the afternoon sail in to the Turkish port of Kusadasi, getaway to Ephesus. Enjoy the lively surroundings or take an optional excursion to the ruins of the ancient city. Evening sailing. B, L, D
Day 12 Mon MYKONOS

 Early afternoon you will arrive to Mykonos. Winding streets and a sun-drenched harbor surrounded by small tavernas & overflowing shops & galleries. Spend the day exploring this jet-set island. You sail at midnight B, L, D   


























Day 14 Wed RHODES

Early morning you will arrive in to Rhodes. A picturesque island with excellent beaches good shopping & an intriguing history. Explore on your own or take an optional excursion to Lindos or to the old city where you may visit the crusader palace of the grand masters & more. B, L, D

Day 15 Thu HERAKLION-SANTORINI

Early morning you call at Heraklion (Crete) the center of the

ancient Minoan civilization. Do not miss an optional
excursion to King Minos’ palace at Knossos. At noon you will
sail to the volcanic island of Santorini. Lots of fine shopping
& splendid views from the mountain-top village. Explore on
your own or take an optional excursion to the Akrotiri
excavations. Evening sailing. B, L, D

Day 16 Fri PIRAEUS-USA

Early morning you arrive into Piraeus harbor. Disembark after
 breakfast and transferred to the airport for your flight home.
 B

USA Departure : Friday
Tour # 8  Athens 4 Nts, Classical 4 Nts  and Cruise 7 Nts
Hotel   Esperia Palace Park Ath.Plaza
Mar 21, 28    2008 Dbl $2,476 $2,583 $2,703
Apr   04, 11, 18, 25 Dbl $2,712 $2,849 $2,979
May  02, 09, 16, 23, 30 Dbl $2,765 $2,902 $3,270
Jun   06, 13, 20, 27 Dbl $3,065 $3,202 $3,570
Jul    04, 11, 18, 25 Dbl $3,175 $3,287 $3,494
Aug  01, 08, 15, 22, 29 Dbl $3,175 $3,287 $3,494
Sep  05, 12, 19, 26 Dbl $2,742 $2,979 $3,147
Oct  03, 10, 17, 24, 31 2008 Dbl $2,542 $2,679 $3,147
       
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 $ 190 not included
Regardless of the hotel category, cruise accommodations are based on inside cabin with
2 lower beds & private facilities. For upgrade to outside cabin with 2 lower beds please
add $250
For land only rates please deduct:
Mar 24-Apr 30,$500.00 May 01-25, $700.00, May 26-Sept 06 $1000, Sept 04-Oct 31 $ 750.00

 Click for Add-On airfares