Classic Greece and Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise

Delve into ancient history and discover the monumental sights of Athens before setting sail on an elegant cruise ship for a luxurious island-hopping adventure. Admire stunning coastal scenery, traditional whitewashed villages and breathtaking views as you explore the islands of Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and more. Returning to the mainland, you’ll journey east across the Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese peninsula and round off your holiday with two full days at leisure.

By combining a city stay in Athens with visits to iconic Greek islands and a lesser-visited part of the mainland, this holiday will help you uncover everything Greece has to offer. Plus, with free time to do your own thing and a range of optional shore excursions on the cruise, there’s plenty of opportunity to tailor your trip and make it uniquely yours

Itinerary

Day 1 UK - Athens

Your holiday begins with a flight to Athens. When you arrive, we’ll drive you to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind after the journey.

If you want to head out and explore your surroundings, the ancient Plaka district below the Acropolis is a good place to get your bearings. As you wander around the narrow, picturesque streets you’ll come across neoclassical buildings and churches, and plenty of cafés where you can stop for a refreshing drink.

Meals included: D

Day 2 Athens

Join your Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide on a sightseeing tour of the incredible city of Athens. There is so much to discover, with ancient sites around every corner! We’ll see the Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the first modern-day Olympics in 1896 and pass by the Parliament building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You’ll see Hadrian’s Arch, said to have been built to celebrate the arrival of Roman emperor Hadrian to the city before reaching the iconic Acropolis. This hilltop citadel is home to several ancient ruins, including the world-famous Parthenon with its unmistakable Doric columns. You will also visit the spectacular, Acropolis Museum, a showcase of exhibits and archaeological findings recovered from the site.

At the end of our tour, we’ll visit Shedia Home, a social enterprise café for Athenians experiencing homelessness or social exclusion, supported by Travelsphere Cares and Planeterra. While you are here, have a drink and enjoy an talk from one of Shedia’s guides who will share insight as to what life is like for Athenians and how Shedia's programs are providing opportunities through work.

You have free time in the city to make your own discoveries this afternoon. Perhaps take a stroll at Filopappou Hill for fabulous views of the Acropolis, especially at sunset, or simply sit and enjoy some delicious Greek food in the Old Town of Plaka.

Meals included: B

Day 3 Mykonos

The next exciting chapter of your Greek adventure begins this morning. We will travel to the port and board Celestyal Discovery, an elegant cruise ship and our home for the next three nights.

After setting sail, we’ll make our way to sun-kissed Mykonos. Affectionately known as the Island of the Winds, this magical island is dotted with 16th-century white windmills, traditional villages and gleaming whitewashed houses. Step ashore and spend the early evening exploring its stunning coastline, sandy beaches, vibrant cafés and bars.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 4 Kusadasi and Patmos

This morning, the Turkish coast and charming port of Kusadasi await. Enjoy some time to yourselves and relax on one of the sandy beaches or browse the city's famous bazaar. This lively collection of shops selling clothes, jewellery and souvenirs is surrounded by the Old Town’s historic walls.

Alternatively, through the cruise company, you can book an optional guided tour of Ephesus. One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, it is home to the incredible Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This afternoon, your voyage continues to the volcanic Greek island of Patmos, where St John the Apostle allegedly wrote the Book of Revelations. The cruise company offer an optional shore excursion to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St John lived during his exile from Rome.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 5 Heraklion and Santorini

Our next port of call is the city of Heraklion in Crete and as we arrive, you’ll want to be on deck to admire the imposing 16th-century walls of Koules Fortress. Spend a tranquil morning by the waterfront or join an optional shore excursion. The cruise company offers opportunities for you to explore the Cretan countryside or delve into history at the Palace of Knossos. Here you’ll learn about Europe’s first civilisation and the Cretan legend of the half-man, half-bull, Minotaur.

This afternoon, we’ll sail across the Sea of Crete to the spectacular island of Santorini and its breathtaking caldera. An included shore excursion takes us to the picture-perfect village of Oia, where we’ll see traditional whitewashed houses and stunning, blue-domed churches. This evening, why not sip a drink in a café as the sun sets over the bright-blue water of the caldera – the perfect way to finish your island adventures!

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 6 Nafplion

We’ll take to the road and travel from Athens to the Peloponnese peninsula today. After crossing the famous Corinth Canal, we’ll stop at the incredible UNESCO-listed site of Epidaurus. This ancient city was once held in high regard as a place of miraculous healing and is said to have been the birthplace of Asklepios, the god of medicine. We’ll see ruins of the city’s buildings and temples and a wonderfully preserved theatre which accommodated thousands of spectators in its day.

Next, we’ll head to an olive farm and take a stroll through its verdant olive groves before visiting a mill to uncover the secrets of Greek olive oil production. Known as liquid gold, we’ll enjoy a tasting of two different varieties of olive oil and learn how to recognise its finest qualities.

Finally, we’ll arrive in the pretty coastal town of Nafplio. Once the capital of Greece, we’ll stay here for the next three nights.

Meals included: B

Day 7 Nafplion

Today has been left free for you to explore the town of Nafplio at leisure. You might choose to soak up the sun on the beach or take a dip in the lido. There’s also the option of exploring the town’s charming, cobbled streets or taking a boat across the bay to Bourtzi Castle, an impressive 15th-century fortress built to protect the city. If you’re feeling active, we recommend climbing the steps up to Nafplio’s most famous landmark, Palamidi Castle, for fabulous views over the town and surrounding area. This evening, why not head into town and see what’s on offer for dinner. You’ll find restaurants serving a wide range of dishes, from seafood and grilled meat to traditional Greek fayre and meze.

Meals included: B

Day 8 Nafplion

Make the most of your final day in Nafplio by doing as much or as little as you please. Shop for last-minute souvenirs, walk along the seafront or just relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

If you want to see even more of this amazing part of Greece, join your Holiday Director for a final optional excursion to the ruins of the ancient City of Mycenae. This fortified palace complex was discovered in 1874 and we’ll see highlights including the magnificent Lion Gate and the royal cemetery known as Grave Circle A. We’ll then head to one of the best wineries on the Peloponnese peninsular, where a sommelier will introduce us to the art of Greek winemaking and guide us through a tasting.

Meals included: B

Day 9 UK

It’s time to say goodbye to Greece as we take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Meals included: B