| 12 Days ~ Greece
~ Turkey ~ Greek Islands
Tour
Pace
The Grecian Delights is a delightful coach and
cruise combination, punctuated with restful 2 & 3 night stays in Athens. The
tour of mainland Greece, (which can be bought separately as the Glories of
Greece), has three overnight stops, but driving times are not long,
interspersed with frequent stops for sightseeing.
DAY 1 – ATHENS AT
LEISURE
After being met at the
airport and transferred to your hotel, there is time to relax or explore
before a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Metropolitan. (dinner)
DAY 2 – ATHENS
SIGHTSEEING
Your sightseeing tour
this morning delves deep into the glorious history of Athens. Highlight of
the tour, of course, is a visit to the Acropolis. Admire the Parthenon,
built to the honour of the goddess Athena and still amazing in its grace,
despite the loss of the Elgin Marbles. Then see the Temple of Zeus and
Hadrian’s Arch. Why not join your fellow travellers for a night out with
dinner and entertainment? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – ATHENS –
OLYMPIA
Cross the breathtaking
Corinth canal and continue to the ancient ruined city of Mycenae. Walk
through the Lion Gate, see the ‘Cyclopean’ stones used to build the city
walls and visit the Beehive Tombs. Cross the Arcadia Mountains to Olympia,
birthplace of the Olympic Games. Hotel: Antonios. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – OLYMPIA –
DELPHI
Tour Olympia, seeing the
sites of the ancient temples, Olympic Stadium and Gymnasium. Cross to the
mainland and follow the coast to Delphi, clinging to the side of Mount
Parnassus at 2,000 feet. Ascend the Sacred Way, past the Treasury of the
Athenians to the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle of Delphi breathed her
enigmatic ‘words’. Hotel: Amalia. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 5 – DELPHI –
KALAMBAKA
Cross fertile Thessaly,
the ‘bread basket of ancient Greece’, and head for the amazing
monasteries of Metéora, incredibly perched on pinnacles of rock. Visit one
of the monasteries and enjoy stunning views of the Pindos Mts. Hotel: Divani.
(Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 6 – KALAMBAKA
– ATHENS
A scenic drive along the
coast brings you to Thermopylae, site of the famous battle between the
Spartans and Persians. Now back to Athens. Hotel: Metropolitan. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 –
CRUISING – MYKONOS
Board your cruise ship in
time for lunch and set sail for the lovely island of Mykonos. See the
white-washed windmills guarding the harbour and spend the night exploring
the welcoming shops, narrow lanes, and outdoor tavernas. (Buffet breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner, Supper)
DAY 8 –
CRUISING – KUSADASI – PATMOS
Call in at at Kusadasi,
where you can explore the bazaar or perhaps visit the world famous ruins
of ancient Ephesus. Cruise on to the island of Patmos, where St. John
wrote the book of Revelations in the celebrated Grotto of the Apocalypse.
Tonight enjoy a Greek Evening and Dinner with entertainment. (Buffet
breakfast, Lunch, Specialty Highlight Dinner, Supper)
DAY 9 – CRUISING
– RHODES
Spend a full day on
Rhodes, former headquarters of the Knights of St. John, and home of the
mighty Colossus. Unfortunately it has disappeared, but there’s a great
deal left to enjoy on this beautiful island, including the Old City and
the golden beaches. Meet the Captain at dinner tonight. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, dinner, Supper)
DAY 10 – CRUISING
– KUSADASI – PATMOS
Sail to Heraklion, site
of the ruins of King Minos’ Palace and lair of the legendary Minotaur.
Later, anchor beneath the cliffs of Santorini, an island famous for its
sunsets, cuboid white houses and domed churches. (Full breakfast, Lunch, Specialty
Highlight Dinner, Supper)
DAY 11 –
ATHENS AT LEISURE
Disembark after breakfast
and transfer to your hotel. Later, there is time to shop in the Monastiraki
flea market or watch the costumed soldiers guarding the Royal Palace? Hotel: Metropolitan.
(Full breakfast)
DAY 12 –
ATHENS
Our memorable tour ends
this morning after breakfast with a transfer to Athens airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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