With a Greek Islands Cruise
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for Athens, direct from Toronto.
We transfer to our Athens hotel for a 2-night stay, with free time until our Welcome Dinner.
On our city tour we will see Hadrian's Arch, the Stadium, Temple of Zeus and the former Royal Palace. The highlight will be the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and the incredible Parthenon. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the Plaka or revisit one of the many attractions.
Morning at leisure before we embark on our 4-night cruise. Our first stop is lovely Mykonos with its beautiful beaches and charming whitewashed buildings.
We sail to the resort town of Kusadasi on the Turkish Riviera and take an excursion to the ruins at Ephesus. A white marble avenue (the Arcadian Way) stretches through the city, lined with the ruins of once-great buildings such as the Library of Celsius and the Temple of Hadrian. Then we depart for the “Holy Island” of Patmos, once an important Christian pilgrimage site. Join an optional excursion or explore on your own.
Today’s excursion begins with a walking tour of the old walled city of Lindos, where we’ll see medieval buildings, winding alleys, towers, turrets and the impressive Grand Master’s Palace. A highlight is the medieval Street of the Knights, which is lined with the 14th-century residences of the Knights of Rhodes.
We start our day on Crete, home of the 4,000 year old Minoan Empire, and explore the proud Venetian heritage of Heraklion, including the Koules Fortress, the Venetian Loggia, the harmonious Morozini Fountain, and the 10th century Church of St. Titus. We visit the wonderful open-air museum of the Palace of Knossos, considered Europe’s oldest city, and learn all about Minoan civilization. Then we cruise to Santorini, noted for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and beautiful white houses with blue domes. The island is easy to explore on foot— we’ll have free time to wander or take an optional excursion to picturesque Oia Village.
We disembark in Athens and begin our coach tour with a stop in Meteora, where ageless monasteries are perched atop massive rocks that appear to be suspended in mid-air. We will view exquisite Byzantine art before continuing to Kalambaka, located at the foot of an amazing rock complex.
We proceed through the mountains to Delphi—an area rich in mythology and archaeological treasure. We will see the Athenian Treasury, the site of the Oracle, the Theatre and the Stadium.
Today we enjoy a scenic drive along the picturesque coastline of Corinth Bay, with views of the Peloponnese Mountains in the distance. After a photo stop at the beautiful Rio-Antirrio Bridge, we continue to Olympia to visit the Temple of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium, the museum (featuring the famous sculpture of Hermes of Praxiteles), and the site of the first Olympic Games, held in 776 BC.
In Mycenae, we visit the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. We continue to the seaside town of Nafplion then proceed to Epidaurus to see the ancient theatre, which is famous for its astonishing acoustics. Finally, we return to Athens for one night.
From Athens, we take a ferry to Mykonos for our 3-night stay at a seaside resort hotel. Upon arrival, we will take a tour of the island, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Two free days to enjoy our resort hotel, stroll along the beach or explore the village’s cobblestone streets, charming churches and shops. The esplanade along the small harbour is lined with quaint cafés and patios, and the island’s picturesque windmills are easy to spot.
Two free days to enjoy our resort hotel, stroll along the beach or explore the village’s cobblestone streets, charming churches and shops. The esplanade along the small harbour is lined with quaint cafés and patios, and the island’s picturesque windmills are easy to spot.
After a free morning, we fly to Athens for our Farewell Dinner and final overnight.
We fly direct to Toronto.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
