Classical Greece
with Iconic Aegean 3-Night Cruise

12 Day Tour from Athens to Athens

Vacation overview

You've seen photos of the ancient Acropolis, dating back to the 5th century BC—now’s your chance to see it in person. You've watched the Olympics on TV—now’s your chance to walk among the ruins in Olympia, where the Olympics began in 776 BC. You've dreamed of cruising in the Greek Islands—now’s your chance to sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea and visit these islands yourself. All of this and more await you on this Greece guided tour and Aegean cruise.

History comes alive on your guided visits to many of Greece's ancient sites. In addition to the Acropolis and Olympia, visit ancient Corinth, dating to the 8th century BC; the ruins in Mycenae, dating from 1,350 to 1,200 BC; the amazingly well-preserved, 2,300-year-old open-air theater in Epidaurus; Thermopylae, where the battle between the Greeks and Persians took place in 480 BC; Delphi, where you’ll hear about the Oracle. 

You’ll also enjoy a 3-night cruise on the Aegean Sea cruising to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. Visit Mykonos, Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses; Heraklion, Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges with archaeological treasures and beautiful scenery; Santorini (weather permitting), still an active volcano offering one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas; Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation; as well as Kusadasi, Turkey.

Get a true sense of Greek life with a cooking demonstration to learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer. Also enjoy a dance lesson, where you’ll learn how to dance the sirtaki. 

From the picturesque fishing villages and stunning islands to ancient historic sights, this guided tour of Greece and 3-night Greek cruise is a dream vacation!

Interested in this trip?

Contact Joy from 6AM – 5PM Monday-Friday at
918-339-4805 or email Joy@thejoyoftravel.net

Itinerary

Day 1   ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE

Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your Globus Host and traveling companions for a welcome drink.

Day 2   ATHENS

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the world-famous ACROPOLIS, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Here, see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and enjoy a panoramic view that includes glimpses of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the beautifully preserved Theseum, where Socrates taught. Later, a city orientation tour features the Old Parliament House and a picture stop at the Panathenaic Stadium. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and was host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight is your chance to join an optional dinner outing to try out local fare. 

Day 3   ATHENS–CORINTH–MYCENAE–EPIDAURUS–NAUPLIA

Cross the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two highlights today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, known as the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Also visit the museum. Then, a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. 

Day 4   NAUPLIA–OLYMPIA

Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then, spend the afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the king of deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Tonight,  enjoy a COOKING DEMONSTRATION and learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer. 

Day 5   OLYMPIA–PATRAS–DELPHI

Via the busy seaport of Patras, proceed to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. A highlight this evening is  a DANCE LESSON, where you’ll learn how to dance the sirtaki, made famous in the movie Zorba the Greek, accompanied by a glass of the traditional Ouzo. 

Day 6   DELPHI–METEORA AREA

Drive past Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its rock-top monasteries. Visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view (ladies should pack one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting the monasteries). 

Day 7   METEORA AREA–THERMOPYLAE–ATHENS

Today’s highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders in 490 BC. Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 8   ATHENS–LAVRION/PIRAEUS (EMBARKATION)–MYKONOS

This morning, head for Lavrion/Piraeus, where you will sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Later, dock at the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. Time to wander through narrow paved streets before returning on board. 

Day 9   CRUISING: KUSADASI, TURKEY–PATMOS, GREECE

Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. Visit the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of EPHESUS. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of PATMOS, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation. Also see the Grotto of the Apocalypse. 

Day 10   CRUISING: HERAKLION, CRETE–SANTORINI, GREECE

First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. A few miles away is KNOSSOS, the center of the 3000 BC Minoan civilization. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Join one of the optional shore excursions either to the volcano or up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. 

Day 11   LAVRION/PIRAEUS (DISEMBARKATION)–ATHENS

After breakfast on board, disembark at Lavrion/Piraeus and return to Athens. The rest of the day is free. 

Day 12   ATHENS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.