Tour Details - Best of Greece Plus 7 Day Aegean Cruise Superior 2012

Welcome to Athens! You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax or spend time exploring the wonders of this ancient city. In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and light meal with your travelling companions and your Travel Director.(Welcome Reception)

Classical Athens was a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, and is widely seen as the cradle of Western Civilisation and the birthplace of democracy. One of the world’s oldest cities, discover the rich heritage of Athens during your morning sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. Explore the Parthenon on the Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena and one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments. Marvel at the Agora, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. See Hadrian’s Arch, built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. In the evening, perhaps choose to dine in the lively Plaka area of the city.(Buffet Breakfast)

Cross the mighty Corinth Canal to the Pelopponesian Peninsula and visit the ancient city of Corinth. In Mycenae − a mighty kingdom of ancient Greece and a military stronghold − see the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace. On the way to Nafplion, explore the amphitheatre and view the Sanctuary of Aesculapius, the God of Medicine in Epidaurus. The rod of Aesculapius, a snake-entwined staff, remains the symbol of medicine to this day.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Enjoy a spectacular drive east across the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia. Connected to many gods and myths, Olympia is also the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening enjoy a Be My Guest dinner of authentic local cuisine at a restaurant located on an olive farm.(Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Spend the morning visiting the ancient Olympic stadium and the Temples of Zeus and Hera − the wife of Zeus and one of the most important deities in Greek mythology. Driving north to Patras, you cross the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Tour Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassos with an expert Local Guide and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world. Walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo dating from the 4th century. It was here that every four years athletes competed in the Pythian Games, a precursor of the modern Olympics. A picturesque early afternoon drive brings you to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defense by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. After seeing the memorial, cross the fertile Thessaly region, the ‘bread basket of ancient Greece’ and travel over the Pourmaraki Pass towards Kalambaka.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Drive to Meteora, one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. Visit two of the six monasteries built on sandstone rocks above the town. A scenic drive brings you back to Athens. Why not consider joining your travelling companions for a celebration dinner on your final night?(Buffet Breakfast)

You are transferred to Piraeus. Board your ship and cruise to Turkey.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Relax as you cruise towards Istanbul for an early evening arrival.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

A free day to enjoy this fabled city. Why not visit Topkapi Palace before sailing for Izmir?(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Relax and enjoy the facilities as you cruise to Izmir(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

An early arrival in Patmos. Then cruise to Mykonos arriving mid-afternoon with time to explore the island.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

An early arrival in Rhodes. Time to explore the medieval Old Town declared a World Heritage Site and the village of Lindos.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

An early arrival in Heraklion on the Island of Crete for free time before continuing your cruise to spectacular Santorini.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

On arrival you are transferred to Athens Airport.(Breakfast)