• Half day guided tour of Athens with entrance fee to the Acropolis and Museum.
• Free roommate matching
• Single Travel Company Tour Representative (restrictions apply)

Athens and Greek Island Hopping  on Land & By Ferry
Itinerary

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Tue, Sept 14                         Depart USA
                Today you leave your hometown on your overnight flight to begin your wonderful Greek Islands Adventure!

Wed, Sept 15                        Arrive Athens!
On arrival, transfer to our hotel and depending on your flights’ arrival time you’ll have time to start exploring!   After a group meeting this evening, you’re free to explore Athens at your leisure with others from the group.   Maybe see the Acropolis sound and light show, or wander through the Plaka located on the northeastern slopes of the rock of the Acropolis.  The Plaka was the center of Athens even in antiquity and now is a neighborhood full of interesting shops, restaurants, museums, jewelry shops and is for the locals as well as the tourists. The nightlife is just as exciting with people out strolling at all hours of the evening.  Welcome to Greece! 

Thur, Sept 16                       Athens
                After breakfast this morning we’ll have a tour of some of the highlights of Athens with a visit to the Acropolis. This afternoon is free to continue exploring Athens, shop in the Plaka and continue enjoying this big city. Dinner is at leisure with new friends from the group….maybe in the Plaka! (B) 

Fri, Sept 17                          Athens to Mykonos – Arrive 6pm

After breakfast, transfer to the port to board our ferry and sail to Mykonos arriving at 6pm. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel which will be our home for the next 3 nights. Get settled in and then start exploring this fun island!

Mykonos lies almost in the center of the Cyclades islands (cyclades means the circle islands, because they form a circle around Delos) and is the jewel of these islands.  It is known for its’ beautiful harbor fringed with a cluster of whitewashed houses and is one of the most popular and stunning of all the Greek Islands.  Some of the closest islands are Delos, Tinos, Andros, Naxos and Ikaria.  It is a cosmopolitan island and is visited by the international jet set also. (B)

 Sat, Sept 18                          Mykonos at Leisure

Breakfast and then our day is at leisure to explore this island with new friends from the group- lots to see and do!

In Mykonos town you can find traditional and fine dining, trendy bars, designer shops and the famous Myconian nightlife. Walk the maze of narrow alleyways and streets and don’t forget to check-out the many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches. Make sure you are back to a waterside café for a view of the gorgeous sunset!

Mykonos beaches are magnificent, the nightlife is lively, and Delos -birthplace of Artemis and Apollo- is only a couple of miles away (this is probably the reason that brought tourism on the island in the first place).  You’ll have time to take a boat ride to Delos with its interesting ruins while you’re staying on Mykonos and you shouldn’t miss the opportunity as it is one of Greece's most famous archaeologic sites. Under the jurisdiction of Mykonos and situated just 2 kilometers to the west, the entire island has been declared a national museum. Access to the island has been made readily available through excursions that leave daily from the main harbor of Mykonos and some of the more popular beaches.

Tonight, maybe enjoy a seaside restaurant and then join in the party atmosphere of Mykonos town wandering around the intricate maze of narrow cobblestone streets.  (B)

Sun, Sept 19                         Mykonos at Leisure

After our breakfast, we have another full day to continue where we left off yesterday exploring this fun island!   Maybe visit one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece, the church- Paraportiani, which is near the main harbor entrance. This church is the central feature of the "Kastro" or castle area, the oldest section of town and its’ name means inner or secondary door, which it was to the Medieval stone walls which encircled the area.  After sightseeing we can take advantage of the local beaches and don’t forget to watch the sunset from one of the local taverns with all the locals and visitors. (B)

Mon, Sept 20                        Mykonos to Pier for Cruise Embarkation               
Another day and your last chance to shop or sightsee on the island before our afternoon transfer from the hotel to our island hopping ferry ship!  Get settled into your cabin that you’ll have for 3 nights and then start exploring the ship and take in the nightlife as we sail towards exotic Turkey. (B)

 Tues, Sept 21                       Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus)/Patmos            Cruising               
Arrive Kusadasi at 7am until noon. Stroll the market shops in Kusadasi and perhaps negotiate a great deal on a Turkish hand stitched rug. Or take an optional tour to Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean and known for being one of the best places to get the feeling for what life was like in Roman times. It is the site of a Christian shrine and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Legend says that the Virgin Mary, with St. Paul, came to Ephesus at the end of her life, circa 37-45 AD.  In 1967 Pope Paul VI visited the site, where a chapel now stands, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend. Also the Basilica of St. John is located near Ephesus and St. John is said to have lived the last years of his life here and after his death a shrine was located over his grave.  
                  In the afternoon we sail for Patmos arriving at 4pm and departing at 9pm. Here you can take an optional excursion to the Monastery and Cave where John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation or explore on your own with friends from the group. (B)(L)(D)

Wed, Sept 22                        Rhodes                 Cruising               
We arrive early morning in Rhodes for a full day in this port of call. (7am-6pm).

Rhodes, named the sun island, or island of light, because of its’ over 3,000 hours of sun per year, is the biggest of the Dodecanese islands and one of the most popular holiday islands in Greece for both tourists and the Greeks from the mainland. The natural beauty of the island, as well as the warm hospitality offered by the people of Rhodes, makes this a great island to visit. You may want to take an optional excursion to the City of Rhodes and the rocky Acropolis of Lindos to visit the Temple of Athena.

Then our late afternoon departure to Heraklion,Crete. (B)(L)(D)

Thur, Sept 23                       Heraklion (Crete) to Disembarkation in Santorini                   Cruising

We arrive early in Heraklion, Crete (7am-11:30am). 

Heraklion has many breathtaking locations, as well as beautiful sandy beaches.  Maybe take an optional excursion of the city of Heraklion or enjoy the Museum and the Palace of King Minos at Knossos-an ancient town only 5 km from the capital and it was the center of the Minoan civilization.

Santorini is known for its’ beautiful beaches, ancient archaeological sites, its busy port at Athinios, and of course its quite amazing sunsets. (B)(L) 

Fri, Sept 24              Santorini at Leisure  
Your day is free to enjoy so much!   With its sheer cliffs topped with gleaming white houses, Santorini is a truly unique island.  Ride a donkey down a steep cliff, eat some fresh feta cheese, buy some unique jewelry, or indulge in sweet Baklava.  Spend your day relaxing on the beach, or explore the town of Fira, Santorini’s capital along the edge of the caldera with its breathtaking cliff-top restaurants, winding narrow streets, stepped, white-washed houses, unique marketplaces, and picturesque churches.  Or take a caique to the active volcanic island of Nea Kameni or visit the site of Akrotiri - the lost city of Atlantis. (B)  

Sat, Sept 25                 Santorini at Leisure
                After breakfast your day is at leisure to continue exploring this beautiful island. Maybe visit Oia, the most charming and well preserved of all of the Santorini villages, and it's located along the caldera edge, 12 km from the main town of Fira. The sunset’s here are the island’s most famous, and there are plenty of fine dining restaurants from which to relax as you watch the setting of the sun. (B)

Sun, Sept 26                         Santorini to Athens

Today we will be transferred to the airport for a quick flight to Athens, where we’ll be met at the Athens airport and transferred to our hotel.  The rest of the day is time for last minute shopping, sightseeing, or people watching.  Enjoy the evening with your new friends from the group.  How about a farewell dinner together? (B) 

 Mon, Sept 27                       Athens to U.S.A.
Fond farewells this morning as our tour ends after breakfast at the hotel and we transfer to the airport. (B)

Price
$1999.00         Land/ferry- inside cabin, per person, based on double occupancy (roommate matching available)
ADD $90.00 for an ocean view cabin, per person, based on double occupancy. 

Room/cabin to yourself
If not taking our free roommate matching option to save on your room/cabin price-and you want an inside single room/cabin, your price is $2999.00.  To upgrade to an ocean view cabin by yourself, add $125.00 

Add $105.00 to above prices for Cruise Port Charges (subject to change).