12-Day Greece Tour with Greek Island Cruise from Athens: Delphiand Santorini | 2 Countries and 14 Cities | 11 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 8 Dinners

What you'll experience

Highlights

12 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Home - Athens

   Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you will have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal.

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
2. 2

   Day 2 — Athens

   Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. Along our journey into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena,the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.
   The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.

   

   Acropolis

   

   Plaka

   

   Syntagma Square

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
3. 3

   Day 3 — Athens - Nafplion

   We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries.
   We continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where we'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist.
   Later, we'll travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.

   

   Mycenae

   

   Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Amalia Hotel Nafplio
4. 4

   Day 4 — Nafplion - Olympia

   We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the Karabelas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Amalia Hotel Olympia
5. 5

   Day 5 — Olympia - Delphi

   We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. We'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, we skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.

   

   Temple of Zeus, Olympia

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Amalia Hotel Delphi
6. 6

   Day 6 — Delphi - Thermopylae - Kalambaka

   Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, who would descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult with the most important oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. View the statues immortalising the strength of the athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games, held in honor of Apollo and the Arts.
   Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close to the unique biodiversity of the area. A scenic afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defense by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly region, traveling north through the 'breadbasket of Greece' towards Kalambaka.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Amalia Hotel Kalambaka
7. 7

   Day 7 — Kalambaka - Athens

   The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are our first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to Athens, where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.

   

   Meteora

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
8. 8

   Day 8 — Athens - Mykonos

   We leave the bustling city streets of Athens and cruise to Mykonos, where the Windmills of Kato Mili extend a warm evening welcome as they have to arriving seafarers for centuries. You'll have the evening free to explore the winding lanes of Chora, strolling past whitewashed cottages and tumbling cerise bougainvillea as you admire the pretty boutiques, then follow your nose to the best seafood in town. As the sun sets over Mykonos, there's no better place for cocktails than Little Venice.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: MV Celestyal Discovery
9. 9

   Day 9 — Mykonos - Patmos

   Visit the Turkish shores of Kusadasi for a complimentary Shore Experience to ancient Ephesus. We continue to Patmos, the site where the Book of Revelation was written by St. John. Here, you could choose to see the Cave of the Apocalypse and St. John's Monastery as an Optional Experience.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: MV Celestyal Discovery
10. 10

    Day 10 — Patmos - Santorini

    You may decide to explore Crete's ancient Minoan culture and heritage at the Palace of Knossos. Admire its bright wall paintings that were restored at the turn of the 20th century and explore centuries of history that predate Christ. Or choose to drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavor of Cretan lifestyle.
    Continue to Santorini, watching as this Cycladic island comes closer on the horizon, rising out of the Aegean with its distinctive cliff-top towns. You could consider an optional Shore Experience this afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches which vie for the best views over the caldera.

    

    Crete

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: MV Celestyal Discovery
11. 11

    Day 11 — Santorini - Athens

    This morning, disembark from your cruise ship and board a transfer to your hotel.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
12. 12

    Day 12 — Athens - Home

    Transfers are provided to the airport for your return flight home. 

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Special notes

• Important info:
  - UNITED KINGDOM: Traveling or transiting through the UK & Northern Ireland after January 8, 2025. A new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required for entry and transit. Applications open November 27, 2024. For more details and to apply for the ETA, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.
  - AEGEAN CRUISE: Occasionally the itinerary may be altered due to sailing conditions on the Aegean Sea, ferry schedules, religious holidays or unforeseen circumstances. This cruise is operated by Celestyal Cruises. Port taxes, service charges, a drinks package & crew gratuities are included.
  - Passports with a minimum of 6 months validity after return date are required and are at your expense. 
  - Non-US citizens please check if visas are needed with your nearest consulate.
  - Day 1 is the start date and first hotel night included with the journey. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1. 
  - To give ample time for check-in and security, we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
• Travel insurance:
  - We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip.
  - Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events.
• Luggage:
  - Travelling with the local operator entitles each guest to travel with one suitcase not exceeding 23kg (50lbs) in weight, with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30” x 18” x 10”). Carry-on/hand luggage is restricted to one piece per person, not exceeding 12”x11”x6” (30x28x14 cm) to fit under your coach seat or in the small overhead compartment. Telescopic handles or wheels not permitted.
  - Internal flights: Luggage allowance is limited to 1 piece per person (maximum of 20Kg/44lbs) and 1 hand luggage per person (maximum of 7Kg/15lbs).
  - We strongly recommend that you test the weight of your baggage prior to travel. You should be able to lift and comfortably transport it for short distances.
  - Baggage allowances vary from airline to airline and you should check with your chosen carrier for details prior to travel.
• Border crossings and visa requirements:
  - Each guest must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of their trip and that they have acquired all necessary visas and permits. Multiple-entry visas may be required if you are entering a country more than once on your holiday.
  - Guests are advised that only the countries you plan to visit can provide up-to-date information about their specific visa requirements. Guests should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the countries they plan to visit well in advance of travel. Please check your itinerary carefully. Remember that requirements vary based on a passport's place of issue and that the process can take time.
  - Check that multi-entry visas have the correct entry dates and destinations before you travel. Please be aware that with some itineraries, you may travel through a country without making an overnight stop. If this happens on your itinerary, you will still need a visa to enter/exit the country.
  - Please ensure that you carry proper identification with you at all times, as border crossings will need to see your entry documents and passports. Usually crossing borders is a very straightforward process that is managed by your Travel Director. However, be advised that you may be required to open your luggage and answer simple questions about the length of your stay, purpose of travel, etc.

Pricing notes (children, single supplement)

* Price for Single Occupancy applies when one person stays in one standard hotel room.
* Price for Double/Triple Occupancy applies when two/three people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Maximum room capacity: 3 people including adult and child/infant.
* Triple room bookings are available on the majority of our tours, suitable for 2 adults and 1 child. When booking your trip, we define a child as somebody aged 5 – 17, we do not accept children under the age of 5. A triple room is not recommended for 3 adults, as the third bed is often a rollaway, which may not be comfortable for an adult. 
* If you're on a trip as a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children), then you would require 1 triple room (for 1 adult and 2 children), and 1 double room (1 adult and 1 child).

Travel tips

Tour operator