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Destination > Europe > Greece

Spectacular Greece and the Islands

Day 1: Home - Athens

Depart home for Athens Greece.

Day 2: Athens (D)

Arrive Athens airport and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to sightsee. Overnight in Athens.

Day 3: Athens (B, D)

Today after breakfast begin your morning walking tour of ancient and modern Athens. Highlights include the Royal Palace, the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Jupiter, Hadrians Arch, Constitution Square and a visit to the Acropolis to see the most perfect of buildings, the Parthenon. The afternoon is free to sightsee on your own and to shop the colourful Plaka district. Overnight in Athens.

Day 4: Athens - Delphi - Patras (B, D)

After breakfast at your hotel, board your private coach for your visit to Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and site to which ancient Greeks travelled to consult the Oracle. Visit the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Way, the treasures, the stadium, the Castalian spring and the museum to see the bronze statue of “The Charioter” There will be time for shopping in the small town of Delphi. Later this afternoon travel to Patras. Overnight in Patras.

Day 5: Patras - Olympia - Tolon (B, D)

Begin today with breakfast and then travel to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic games held in 776 B.C. Visit the original stadium, the treasures and gymnasiums of the athletes. Later this afternoon, continue to the coastal town of Tolon. Overnight in Tolon.

Day 6: Tolon - Nauplion - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Crete (B, D)

After breakfast, board your coach for the charming port town of Nauplion with its imposing Venetian Castle. Then continue to Mycenae to see the Palace of Agamemnon and the nearby Beehive Tomb, then on to the spa at Epidaurus to see the ancient theatre and visit the museum. Then it is on to the port via Corinth to see the canal. You will then be transferred to the port to catch your overnight ferry to Crete. Overnight on the ferry in 4 berth cabins.

Day 7: Heraklion (B, D)

Wake early this morning for breakfast aboard the ferry before you disembark in Heraklion, Crete. Board your private coach for your excursion to Knossos, the Palace of King Minos and center of the Minoan culture over 3000 years ago. Here, the legend is that Theseus killed the Minotaur. This is the site that was reconstructed by Sir Aurthur Evans in the early part of this century. Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 8: Agios Nicolaos - Krista - Heraklion (B, D)

You will begin today with breakfast and then embark on your morning visit to the Heraklion Museum housing a large collection of art and antiquities from the Minoan archaeological sites on Crete. Then your private coach will take you to the picturesque towns of Agios Nicolaos and Krista a tiny mountain village where local craftsmen offer a variety of traditional wares for sale. Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 9: Crete - Santorini (B, D)

Start today with breakfast and then be transferred to the port for your ferry crossing to Santorini, the island which is a volcanic crater partially submerged by the sea and perhaps the most beautiful of the Greek islands. Upon arriving in Santorini be transferred up the sharp cliff to the edge of the crater and on to your island hotel. The balance of your day is free to explore the island on your own and enjoy spectacular views at every turn. Overnight in Santorini.

Day 10: Akrotiri, Perissa, Santorini (B, D)

After breakfast embark on your morning excursion to Akrotiri, the ancient Minoan city that was buried by the eruption of the volcano in 1500 B.C. Continue to Perissa where you will have time to swim and sun bathe on the black sandy beach. The balance of your day is free for you to sight see on your own. Overnight in Santorini.

Day 11: Santorini (B, D)

Your last full day on this glorious island can be spent at leisure or you may choose to take an optional half day cruise of the Caldera visiting Nea Kameni to climb to the top of the crater in the center of the island and Palea Kameni where there will be an opportunity to swim in the underwater hot springs. This afternoon transfer to the airport for your short return flight to Athens. Overnight in Athens.

Day 12: Athens - Home (B)

Today transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Tour includes:

Return Airfare from Home
Return airfare from Santorini to Athens
Arrival and departure transfers
9 nights accommodation with private facilities
Breakfast daily
Dinner daily
Ferry crossings to Crete and Santorini including 4 berth overnight cabins for Crete crossing
All excursions as described in itinerary
Guided comprehensive tours as described in itinerary

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