13 Day Greek Odyssey Tour & Mediterranean Cruise Athens Delphi Ocean Cruises Cape Sounio Epidaurus Mycenae Canal of Corinth Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Nauplion Olympia Time to get excited FROM $3,499 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE You’ll cruise the Mediterranean coast in luxury, stopping at charming seaside villages and historic port cities in Greece, Montenegro and Italy. Fancy the magic and mystery of enchanting Venice, or the romantic beauty of Santorini? It’s all here, with dazzling landscapes and clear waters. Book Now TOUR ITINERARY The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 1 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Destination Athens Meals included Hotel 3 Jason Inn, or similar Welcome to Greece! Athens, home to beautiful ruins and ancient delights, is the perfect place to begin your Classical Greece tour. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world. DAY 2 Destination Athens Cape Sounio Athens Meals included Breakfast Hotel 3 Jason Inn, or similar You’ll have some free time in the morning. To get a feel for the sheer power and wealth of Athens in ancient Greece, head to the hilltop Acropolis, the citadel that has overlooked Athens for 2,500 years. Below, a park-like promenade links many iconic sights. Not far from the Acropolis, you’ll find souvenir shopping easy in the quaint Plaka area, with plenty of leather sandals, pottery and hand-painted ceramics. You can also find typical liquors like anise-flavoured Ouzo, and Greek olives, spices and capers. In the afternoon, we’ll take a drive along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza as we head to the most southern point of Attica, Cape Sounio. This is where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. Steeped in mythology and legend, the temple was erected in the middle of the 5th century BC to honour the ancient Greek god of the sea. On the way, you’ll have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the small islands offshore. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you’ll have free time to walk on the rocky promontory of Sounio and enjoy this picturesque seaside setting. You’ll return to your hotel and in the evening there’s a chance to book the optional Night Out in Athens tour. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 2 TOUR ITINERARY OPTIONAL TOUR - NIGHT OUT IN ATHENS (14 DAY GREEK ODYSSEY) Your evening begins with a short panoramic drive through the city centre. On the slopes of the sacred hill you’ll be able to see, admire and take photos of the illuminated Acropolis. Then take a pleasant walk through the narrow picturesque streets of Plaka, the old city. We’ll end up at a typical Greek tavern where you’ll enjoy a traditional feast, then a floor show with live music and Greek folk dances in traditional costumes. DAY 3 Destination Athens Olympia Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Hotel 3 Olympic Village Hotel, or similar This morning we’ll take the coastal road to the Corinth Canal for a brief stop. At just over six kilometres long, it’s one of the world’s smallest canals. Its steep limestone walls soar about 90 metres above the water, but it is only 20 metres wide at sea level. Then we’ll head to the 4th-century Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. It’s regarded as the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece. Then it’s onto the town of Nauplion (also known as Nafplio) for a short photo stop before driving onto Mycenae. Here we’ll visit the imposing ruins, including the impressive Tomb of Agamemnon (or Treasury of Atreus), one of the most impressive monuments surviving from the Mycenaean period. Then we’ll leave for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripoli and Megalopoli. You’ll stay overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games. DAY 4 Destination Olympia Delphi Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Hotel 3 Hermes Hotel, or similar Ancient Greeks honoured the god Zeus with athletic contests called the Olympics – this morning we’ll see the ruins of Olympia, where these games were held for centuries. A visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site means you’ll see the The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 3 TOUR ITINERARY Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ruins of the towering Temple of Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Then we’ll drive through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay, from Rion to Antirion. We’ll pass through the picturesque towns of Nafpactor (Lepanto) and Itea before arriving in Delphi, nestled on the slopes of dramatic Mount Parnassus. DAY 5 Destination Delphi Athens Meals included Breakfast Hotel 3 Jason Inn, or similar Regarded as the centre of the world by ancient Greeks, the town is the seat of the most important Greek temple and oracle of Apollo. This morning we’ll visit the vast, well-preserved ruins of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be fascinated by the Delphi Archaeological Museum, housing many ancient Greek artefacts from the excavations at Delphi. The permanent exhibition covers over a thousand years of history, from the Mycenaean era to Greco-Roman times. You’ll have a couple of hours of free time before departing and driving through the village of Arachova, renowned for its colourful rugs and carpets. Arachova is known for its traditional architecture and character, as well as formaela, a hard cheese produced exclusively here. It’s famous throughout Greece and is registered as a protected designation of origin. We’ll return to Athens via Levadia and Thebes, arriving early in the evening. Of course you’ve discovered the variety and excitement of the Athens food scene, especially street food. There’s a lot more to it than souvlaki and spanakopita – try koulouri, a sesame seed-coated ring of bread. It’s like a Greek take on a bagel. DAY 6 Destination Athens Embark cruise Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Hotel Ship: MSC Musica, or similar The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 4 TOUR ITINERARY After breakfast, you’ll check out (you can leave your luggage at reception during your tour). We’ll explore the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. We’ll make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. It’s a replica of the original stadium that was constructed around 335 BC to host the Panathenaic Games for runners. As we continue, we’ll pass the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace), guarded by the Evzones in their colourful uniform. We’ll see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the University of Athens and the National Library of Greece. We’ll also see Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the central square of the city. On the Acropolis, the best way to experience the glory of ancient Athens, we’ll visit the architectural masterpieces of the golden age of Athens. This includes the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, a complex of ancient sanctuaries built between 421 BC and 395 BC. And of course, we’ll visit the beautiful Parthenon, a cultural icon. This architectural masterpiece is the largest temple of the classical antiquity period. We’ll continue on to visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the Classical era – the Acropolis museum. It’s home to one of the most valuable collections of ancient Greek art in the world. An excavation site is now open underneath the modern building, so visitors can now walk through an ancient Athenian neighbourhood. You’ll find yourself up close to the impressive marble masterpieces found on the Acropolis. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the port of Piraeus and embark on your cruise. This has been the port of Athens since Classical times. Your lavish home for the next eight days will certainly impress you. In the central foyer when you step onboard you’ll find a three-tier waterfall, transparent piano and floating suspended on a crystal floor above a pool of shimmering water. Not only will your Mediterranean cruise take you to historic and beautiful ports, but your stay on the ship promises to be just as exciting as the destinations you’ll explore.