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Classical Greece Land & Cruise
Aegean Sea
Ancient Wonders, Culture & History
Local Cuisine & Drinks
Meteora Monasteries
Ephesus
Discover Greece’s renowned cities and world-famous ancient architecture during this spectacular getaway, featuring an Aegean Sea cruise that visits five Greek islands and a Turkish coastal city. Arrive in Athens and stay at an upscale hotel conveniently located in the city center, perfect for individual exploration. Enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis, Parliament, the Temple of Zeus, and the Olympic Stadium. Next, travel to Delphi for intriguing archaeological discoveries and tours of monasteries in the sky at Meteora. We then board our Celestyal Cruises ship for a four-night cruise with ports of call in Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini, and Kusadasi, plus an included excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus. Delight in beautiful accommodations, wonderful amenities, and all meals included onboard. We disembark in Piraeus, then return to Athens for a visit to the National Archaeological Museum and time at leisure before celebrating our adventures with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Acropolis of Athens
Visit the most striking and complete ancient Greek citadel that still exists today! Constructed on a rugged cliff 500 feet above Athens during the 5th century BC, the summit provides breathtaking views of the city down below. Stand in awe before the grand ruins of the Parthenon, Propylaea gateway, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion. Don’t forget to stroll through the archeological Acropolis Museum to discover the Parthenon Gallery, The Caryatids, and nearly 4,000 artifacts unearthed from this famous site.
Celestyal Cruises’s Discovery
Voyage through the glistening Aegean Sea and discover the traditional flavors, stunning landscapes, and romanticism of the Greek islands. This elegant cruise ship is the perfect place for relaxation, which can be amplified at the onboard Sozo Spa and Wellness, inspired by the Greek custom that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. You may also enjoy socializing at one of the many lively bars, swimming in the pool, or indulging in regional cuisine with all meals included. Each dish is accompanied by complimentary drinks of your choice - a special variety of delicious Greek beverages, beers, house wines, spirits, soft drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, exotic teas, and coffee.
Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum
Travel to the heart of mythical and spiritual ancient Greece. According to legend, Zeus released two eagles here, one from the east and one from the west, and they met at Delphi, the center of the world. The sanctuary of Delphi is set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus with sweeping views across the Pleistos Valley. Explore the Temple of Apollo, The Siphnian Treasury, the Sphinx of Naxos, Delphi Stadium, and the Delphi Archeological Museum to gain deeper appreciation for its ruins and what they tell us about the stories of Greek culture.
Rhodes
Enjoy an exciting day on the largest island of the Dodecanese chain and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Located northeast of Crete, Rhodes was formerly surrounded by medieval fortresses, and you can still see remnants of its occupation by the Knights of St. John at places like Palace of the Grand Masters today. Watch stories of these knights who ruled the island from 1310 to 1522 unfold before your eyes as you dive into the fascinating ancient Greek history in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Day 1: Fly to GreeceWe begin with an overnight flight across the Atlantic.
- Day 2: Arrive in AthensUpon arriving in Athens, we check in to our luxurious accommodations that are conveniently located near the Acropolis. Enjoy a restful afternoon or take time to explore the city independently before getting to know fellow travelers at tonight’s Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 3: City Tour & Leisure TimeSavor an included breakfast every morning of our getaway. Today, we meet our local guide for a fascinating tour of Athens featuring Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the Temple of Zeus, Olympic Stadium, and the Acropolis, which offers storied masterpieces of classical Greek architecture and beautiful vistas. This afternoon, we have free time in the heart of the city at Syntagma Square. Later, you may freshen up and relax at the hotel before our dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4: DelphiWe depart for Delphi this morning, traveling through the picturesque village of Arachova on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and Thebes, Livadeia. Reaching our destination, we explore the Delphi Archaeological Site and Museum with a local expert. Admire the Oracle of Delphi, one of the most important shrines in ancient Greece. Built over a sacred spring, it’s considered the center of the world and symbolizes unity. Afterwards, we pass through charming villages en route to our comfortable accommodations in Kalambaka.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5: MeteoraWe travel to Meteora today, where monasteries lie between the earth and sky atop huge rocks featuring priceless historical and religious treasures. Enjoy a guided tour through some of these ancient pinnacles that were home to hermit monks as early as the 9th century, once their ideal place for solitude and prayer. Before returning to our hotel in Athens, we visit the battlefield area of Thermopylae to see the Leonidas Monument, created in honor of the Spartan king who heroically sacrificed himself during the famous battle in 480 B.C.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6: Cruise to MykonosOur spectacular four-night cruise on the Aegean Sea with Celestyal Cruises aboard Celestyal Cruises’s Discovery begins today and our first destination is Mykonos, known for its beautiful sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife. Enjoy time in the evening to explore this Mediterranean paradise’s open-air tavernas, whitewashed buildings, and cobblestone streets. Later, we set sail for Kusadasi.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: Kusadasi & PatmosOur exciting day includes two ports of call: Kusadasi and Patmos, both brimming with historical sites. In the morning, we arrive on the Turkish coast for an exciting shore excursion - a guided tour of ancient UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean’s largest Roman archaeological sites. See the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Houses of the Patricians, and the former Temple of Artemis location, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the afternoon, our ship sails to the Aegean island of Patmos. Choose from free time in Skala village or book optional tours of the Monastery of Saint John, who authored the Book of Revelations, or the Cave of the Apocalypse, where he received his visions. After dinner, our cruise ship departs for Rhodes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8: RhodesWe dock in Rhodes this morning, the largest island in the Dodecanese chain. The present-day city still looks much as it did in the 1300s, surrounded by Byzantine walls and fortresses built by the Knights of Rhodes. Embark on a guided tour through Lindos and discover a clifftop archaeological site with extraordinary views of the Mediterranean Sea in its awe-inspiring Acropolis. Next, we visit the Medieval City of Rhodes for a guided tour that includes the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights, also known as the Kastello. Your afternoon is free to explore the cobbled Street of the Knights, winding alleys, towers, and decorated facades. After dinner, we cruise to Crete.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9: Crete & SantoriniEnjoy two ports of call to explore on your own today, beginning with Heraklion on the island of Crete. View its astonishing Venetian fortress at the harbor gate and discover the wonders of Old Town, such as the gorgeous pedestrian mall on August Street, or book an optional tour of Knossos Palace. Later, we visit Skala on the volcanic isle of Santorini. Marvel at the breathtaking caldera, created by the island’s volcano in ancient times, or sign up for an optional tour to Oia, a romantic cliffside town that is the most photographed location in all of Greece.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10: National Archaeological MuseumAfter breakfast on the ship, we disembark and enjoy a picturesque drive back to where our adventure began in Athens, at the same charming hotel. We visit the National Archaeological Museum, devoted to ancient Greek art and antiquities, then the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. Browse unique gifts at the Monastiraki flea markets or take a stroll through Anafiotika or Plaka, both charming neighborhoods with great shops and eateries. This evening, we celebrate our unforgettable Greek adventures at a delicious Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11: Fly HomeWe return home with wonderful memories of our Greek adventure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 2 nights at Divani Palace Acropolis in Athens
- 1 night at Grand Meteora Hotel in Kalambaka
- 1 night at Divani Palace Acropolis in Athens (before our cruise)
- aboard Celestyal Cruises’ Discovery
Attractions & Highlights
- Athens guided walking tour feat. the Acropolis & time at leisure
- Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum
- Meteora monasteries guided tour
- Battlefield area of Thermopylae
- Time at leisure in Mykonos, Patmos, Heraklion & Santorini
- All meals included aboard the ship
- Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Patmos, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Crete, Greece; Santorini, Greece
- Ephesus guided walking tour
- Rhodes guided walking tour feat. Lindos Acropolis & Medieval City’s Palace of the Grand Master of the Nights
- National Archaeological Museum
22 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Dinner in Athens
- All meals included aboard the ship
- Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
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