Your Itinerary
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Ancient Lands Moderate A Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 Day 5 Arrive Athens (2 Nights) Rhodes – at sea History is everywhere you look in Greece's lively capital. Gods and goddesses glow Prepare for an encounter with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World today. alabaster white in the Mediterranean sunshine, for centuries having watched over the Arriving in Rhodes, a complimentary Shore Experience will lead you along the path place where western civilisation was born. Since this is a place of beginnings, it's a of religious knights who once conquered the island of Rhodes. These Knights of fitting place to start your discovery of ancient lands. But first, you'll be transferred to Saint John of Jerusalem ruled the island from 1310 to 1522 and you'll hear all about your hotel in the city before exploring Athens your way and enjoying all its the island which became a bastion for Christianity in the East, defying pirate raids characteristic xenia which will make you feel completely at home. and Turkish sieges for centuries. There's time to explore it for yourself as you trace the thick stone walls, gates and cobblestone lanes of its capital before returning to Hotel - Zafolia your cruise. Day 2 Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Athens sightseeing and free time Day 6 All the treasures of Athens are brought to life this morning. You'll join an expert Local Crete – Santorini Specialist who'll share the history, myths and legends of places you've always wanted to see like the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch where Socrates once Sailing overnight, you'll arrive early just in time for an exploration of Crete's ancient questioned ancient Athenians' understanding of the meaning of life. Imagine that with capital and Europe's oldest city, Heraklion. If you choose to join and Optional every step you take exploring the Acropolis, you're standing in the very place where Experience, the rise and fall of the Minoan civilisation and culture will keep you the ancient Greeks once shaped world views, political ideologies and philosophies captivated as you explore the ruins of the Palace of Knossos, with its ruby red that have stood the test of time. Standing just as tall today are the ancient ruins of entrance and charging bull fresco. You'll learn about the ancient city's long history the Parthenon and the stadium built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. from Neolithic times to the invasion of Crete by the Greeks, as well as the myth and What better way to spend the rest of your day than soaking up the sizzling energy legend that gave rise to the Minotaur. Then trade history for epic sunsets as you of Athens with its funloving locals? Of course, that could mean indulging in a feast continue to Santorini where you could choose an Optional Experience to the of Greek souvlaki or gyro at a traditional taverna, with a bit of opa thrown in for good stunning clifftop village of Oia, passing quaint villages and sunkissed vineyards measure. along the way. Included Meals - Breakfast Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 3 Day 7 Embark 4day cruise – Mykonos (4 Nights) Disembark – Athens free time (1 Night) Get ready for islandstyle living as you embark on your idyllic Aegean cruise. You're The islands of the irresistible Aegean will want to keep you in their warm embrace in for sunkissed days, laidback lunches and the beauty of the Greek Isles you've forever, but it's time to return to Athens this morning and you'll be glad you did. Get only dreamt about, over the next four glorious days. Set sail for Mykonos and keep your final fix of this vibrant city your way. For history buffs, there's time to get stuck your eyes peeled for its 16thcentury windmills that overlook the island's capital, into those ancient sites you weren't able to see when you first arrived. Or perhaps Chora, and its glistening bay. There's no better way to explore 'Little Venice' than you'll want to head to Monastiriki for antiques and Greek handicrafts or explore the getting lost in its maze of cobblestone lanes lined by whitewashed houses and lanes of Plaka under the shadow of the Acropolis in search of a buzzing café with tumbling cerise bougainvillea. Take a break and spend some time with the locals in your name on it. However you choose to spend your evening, make sure it's filled a café or bar, sampling some of the favourite ouzo before you get going on the next with aragma, the small joys of life. leg of your journey. Hotel - Zafolia Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included Meals - Breakfast Day 4 Kusadasi – Patmos Day 8 Depart Athens The ancient Greek city of Ephesus is the highlight this morning. You'll see the former Mediterranean trading centre firsthand an astoundingly wellpreserved Your epic adventure through ancient lands has sadly come to an end. You've seen collection of ancient buildings that hint at what was once a powerful city. Walk down all the historic sights, kicked back and enjoyed the local hospitality in the glittering Curetes Street past the homes of rich Ephesians to the Library of Celsus and Greek Isles and discovered ancient capitals and stunning island landscapes. It's imagine its ancient residents gathering within the marble walls. Return to the time to say a fond farewell to newfound friends before catching a transfer to the comfort of your cruise ship and sail to Patmos where the Book of Revelation was airport for your return flight. Find out more about your free airport transfer at written by St. John. This is where the Apostle is said to have recorded his Revelation costsavertour.com/freetransfers. from Jesus. On an Optional Experience, you'll have an opportunity to join many Breakfast Christian pilgrims who visit the Cave of the Apocalypse. Included Meals - Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Minoan Palace of Knossos 1st European Civilization HERE'S A SAMPLE OF YOUR CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES The ancient city of Knossos the residence of the wise King Minos and the Minotaur, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. The palace of Knossos spreads AVAILABLE ON DAY 2 around a large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Cape Sounion Room, the fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”, the imposing Grand Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to Staircase, the Queen’s Megaron. Walking through the apartments of the see the fifth century B.C Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can Knossos palace and observing the finds even as a visitor, you will feel part spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the temple’s sixteen of this cultural heritage. There is time for a stop in the city of Heraklion columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the before boarding the ship again. ancient temple perched above a 197foot drop down to the Aegean Sea Adult Price: €74.00* below. Stand above the site of the world’s first lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below, thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea. AVAILABLE ON DAY 6 Adult Price: €45.00* Spectacular Oia Village Perched On The Caldera Rim We'll travel first to Megalochori village, one of the most authentic, unspoiled villages of the island with its distinctive architecture and character. We'll continue East, viewing distant settlements like Kamari AVAILABLE ON DAY 2 and Monolithos, and pass through the island's capital Fira. Then, it's off to Traditional Greek Taverna Meal With Entertainment the small traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, with their This is an evening excursion to a taverna in the centre of Athens. Enjoy delicate architecture, before eventually arriving at the settlement of Oia. excellent traditional Greek food in a lively atmosphere while being You'll have plenty of time to stroll through the village's marblepaved entertained by dances and music from all parts of the country. Wine, beer alleys, gaze at the adorably cute shops, and take Instagramworthy and soft drinks are also included. Although the venue does have an official pictures of the characteristic buildings carved into the rocks, including the ending time, guests are more than welcome to stay on in the taverna, to distinctive captains' manors. join in with the local residents! (Casual dress.) Adult Price: €74.00* Adult Price: €55.00* AVAILABLE ON DAY 6 AVAILABLE ON DAY 2 Akrotiri Village Excavations Dinner "Meze" Style In Psiri With Acropolis Illuminations Marvel at Santorini's towering cliffs, as tender boats convey you to the Enjoy a lovely dining experience at a wonderful restaurant located in the port at Athinios, where a coach will take you to Santorini's most lively area of Psiri. Dining is “meze style”, giving you the opportunity to significant archaeological site, the ancient village of Akrotiri. On the way taste many Greek cuisine dishes, which are served in the centre of the we'll stop at the ruins of the island's famous windmill for photos and to table. Also enjoy the local freeflowing wine! Afterwards see the Acropolis enjoy the incredible panoramic view.