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 arrive in Athens and transfer to our hotel for a 2-night stay. The rest of the day is free 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.
Our Classical Coach Tour begins with the striking scenery of Meteora - its ageless monasteries perched atop massive rocks that appear to be suspended in mid-air. We will see exquisite Byzantine art before continuing to Kalambaka, located at the foot of an amazing rock complex.
We proceed through the mountains to Delphi, once known as the “centre of the world” and home to The Oracle - an area rich in archaeological treasures and mythology. We will see the Treasure of Athenians, site of The Oracle, the Theatre and the Stadium.
Today we enjoy the scenic drive along the picturesque coastline of Corinth Bay, with views of the Peloponnese Mountains in the distance. After a photo stop at Rio-Antirrio Bridge we continue to Olympia where we visit the Temple of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium, the museum featuring Hermes of Praxiteles and the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC.
We travel to Mycenae, and visit the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Then we continue to the seaside town of Nafplion for a brief visit before proceeding to Epidaurus to see the ancient theatre - famous for its astonishing acoustics. Later we return to Athens for one night.
We take the ferry to Mykonos for our 3-night stay. Afternoon at leisure.
Two free days to enjoy our resort hotel, stroll along the beach or explore the village’s small churches and shops along the cobblestone streets. The island’s landmark windmills are everywhere and the esplanade along the small harbour is lined with quaint cafes and outdoor patios.
At leisure.
This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of Mykonos, before embarking on our 4-day cruise.
We cruise to the resort town of Kusadasi (Turkey), on the Turkish Riviera. Our included excursion will be to the incredible white marble ruins at Ephesus, once the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Here the Temple of Diana was counted among the Seven Wonders of the World, and St. Paul wrote his most profound epistles here. A white marble avenue (the Arcadian Way) stretches through the city, with ruins of once great buildings such as the Library of Celsius and the Temple of Hadrian. The ancient public latrines always provide some humour! We then sail to the “Holy Island” of Patmos - once an important Christian pilgrimage site. You may join an optional excursion or explore on your own.
Our included excursion begins with a walking tour of the old walled city of Lindos, on the island of Rhodes, with its medieval buildings, winding alleys, towers, turrets and the impressive Grand Master’s Palace. A highlight is the Street of the Knights - residences of the Knights of Rhodes.
We begin the day on Crete - the largest Greek island and home of the 4,000 year-old Minoan Empire. On our included excursion we discover the proud Venetian heritage of Heraklion - the Koules Fortress (overlooking the harbour), the Venetian Loggia (the 17th century social centre), the harmonious Morozini Fountain and the 10th century Church of St. Titus. We then visit the wonderful open-air museum of the Palace of Knossos, considered Europe’s oldest city, and discover the incredible world of the legendary Minoan civilization. We then cruise to Santorini, noted for its dramatic volcanic landscapes with black cliffs surrounding a fantastic cauldron-shape bay, and beautiful white houses with blue domes. The island is easy to explore on foot, or take an optional excursion to picturesque Oia Village, enroute taking in the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. There will be time to explore the village with its cobblestone streets and blue shuttered white-washed houses.
We disembark our ship and transfer to Athens airport for our direct flight 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).
