Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and get settled at your hotel. There's time to wander around the ancient capital on your own before meeting up with your Travel Director and group for a light dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Light meal with Travel Director and travel companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center)
Optional Activities
- Explore Athens independently after hotel transfer
- Day 2
Athens
A local guide leads the morning tour through ancient Athens, hitting the Acropolis and Parthenon, Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, and the Olympic stadium. After checking out the Acropolis Museum, the rest of your day is open. Head to the Plaka district, Syntagma Square, or hunt down the best souvlaki in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center)
Included Activities
- Guided morning sightseeing tour of the Acropolis complex with Local Specialist
- Explore the Acropolis and admire the Parthenon
- Visit the Royal Palace
- Visit the Temple of Zeus
- See Hadrian's Arch
- Visit the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896
- Included visit to the Acropolis Museum
Optional Activities
- Stroll through the Plaka
- People-watch in Syntagma Square
- Search for souvlaki
Landmarks Acropolis Parthenon Royal Palace Temple of Zeus Hadrian's Arch Panathenaic Stadium Acropolis Museum Plaka Syntagma Square - Day 3
Athens to Corinth - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Nafplion
You'll travel south through the Corinth Canal into the Peloponnese. A local specialist takes you through ancient Corinth, then on to Mycenae to see the Beehive Tombs and Lion Gate with ruins from Agamemnon's palace. Later you'll reach Epidaurus to walk through the ancient theater and Sanctuary of Asclepius. By evening, you're in the Venetian town of Nafplion with dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hotel dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Nafplio)
Included Activities
- Cross the Corinth Canal
- Explore ancient Corinth with Local Specialist
- Visit Mycenae - see the Beehive Tombs (Treasury of Atreus) with Local Specialist
- Visit the Lion Gate at Mycenae
- Explore the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace
- Visit the ancient theater at Epidaurus
- View the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus
Landmarks Corinth Canal Ancient Corinth Mycenae Lion Gate Treasury of Atreus (Beehive Tombs) Agamemnon's Royal Palace Ancient Theater of Epidaurus Sanctuary of Asclepius 
- Day 4
Nafplion to Olympia
Heading through the Arcadian mountains toward Olympia, you'll stop at a family honey farm to taste thyme-infused honey and learn how they protect biodiversity. Then explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games. This evening, the Karabelas family invites you to their olive and wine estate for homecooked meals, traditional dancing, and real Greek hospitality.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Be My Guest dinner with Karabelas family including homecooked food and traditional dancing)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Olympia)
Included Activities
- Visit family-run honey farm for MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience
- Taste thyme-infused honey straight from the hive
- Learn about traditional practices protecting biodiversity
- Explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games at Olympia
- Be My Guest experience with the Karabelas family at their olive and wine estate
- Homecooked food with the Karabelas family
- Traditional dancing with the Karabelas family
Landmarks Ancient Olympia - Day 5
Olympia to Patras to Delphi
A local specialist walks you through the ancient Olympic site and museum, showing the ruins of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. You'll travel north along the coast to Patras, cross the Gulf of Corinth, and continue toward Delphi. If you're interested, there's a cooking lesson available to prepare some local dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Delphi)
Included Activities
- Visit the ancient Olympic site with Local Specialist
- Visit the museum at Olympia
- View the ruined remains of the Temple of Zeus
- View the ruined remains of the Temple of Hera
Optional Activities
- Interactive cooking lesson to prepare local dishes in Delphi
Landmarks Ancient Olympia Temple of Zeus Temple of Hera 
- Day 6
Delphi to Thermopylae to Kalambaka
With your local guide, you'll walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo and see statues of ancient athletes from the Pythian Games. Then drive to Thermopylae, where Leonidas and the Spartans held their famous stand against the Persians. After that, you'll cross the Thessaly plain heading toward Kalambaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Kalambaka)
Included Activities
- Walk the Sacred Way with Local Specialist
- Visit the 4th-century Temple of Apollo
- See statues honoring athletes from the Pythian Games
- Visit Thermopylae
- See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the warrior and his 300 Spartans
Landmarks Sacred Way Temple of Apollo Thermopylae Leonidas Monument - Day 7
Kalambaka to Meteora to Athens
This morning takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora. Your local specialist helps you explore two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries sitting on massive rounded rock formations. Later you'll drive back to Athens for a final group dinner where everyone shares memories from the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Final dinner with travel companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center)
Included Activities
- Visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries of Meteora with Local Specialist
- UNESCO World Heritage site visit at Meteora
Landmarks Meteora Monasteries - Day 8
Athens
You have the whole day free to explore Athens at your own pace. Walk through ancient sites, try restaurants, or relax at a cafe whenever you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center)
Optional Activities
- Explore the city's ancient sites
- Day 9
Athens to Aegean Cruise
Spend the morning checking out what was once the Cradle of Western Civilization and Athens' ancient sites at your own speed. By afternoon, you'll board your cruise ship for a seven-day voyage through the Aegean Sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Explore the city's ancient sites independently before boarding
- Day 10
Thessaloniki
You'll explore Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city. Walk along the waterfront, grab coffee at the many cafes around Aristotelous Square, and check out ancient monuments like the Arch of Galerius.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Included Activities
- Stroll along the waterfront of Thessaloniki
- Explore Aristotelous Square and its cafes
- View the Arch of Galerius
Landmarks Aristotelous Square Arch of Galerius 
- Day 11
Kusadasi - Ephesus
The ship docks in Kusadasi, your entry point to ancient Ephesus. An included tour reveals the Hellenistic and Roman heritage of this UNESCO site. You'll walk past marble colonnades and see the Library of Celsus and Temple of Artemis up close. Then it's back to the ship for departure this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Included Activities
- Included Ancient Ephesus sightseeing tour with Local Specialist
- Walk the Arcadian Way
- Visit the Library of Celsus
- Visit the Temple of Artemis
- Explore Hellenistic and Roman heritage of Ephesus
Landmarks Ancient Ephesus Library of Celsus Temple of Artemis 
- Day 12
Crete
You wake up on Crete, the largest Greek island. Choose between touring Heraklion and visiting King Minos' Palace in Knossos to learn about Europe's first advanced civilization, or head into the countryside for an authentic taste of Cretan life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Epic tour to Heraklion and visit to King Minos' Palace in Knossos
- Drive into the countryside to experience Cretan lifestyle
Landmarks Heraklion Palace of Knossos - Day 13
Santorini
You arrive at Santorini with its sheer cliffs and sweeping views. Explore the capital Thira, find clifftop restaurants and cafes, and soak in the views and sunsets. An optional Shore Experience this afternoon can take you through villages and vineyards toward Oia and its white buildings with blue-domed churches. The evening is yours to experience Santorini's nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Included Activities
- Explore the capital of Thira
Optional Activities
- Optional Shore Experience passing villages and vineyards to Oia
Landmarks Thira Oia - Day 14
Mykonos
A full free day in Chora means wandering through narrow streets past white-washed houses and pink bougainvillea. Find a quiet spot overlooking the Old Port and relax with a drink. Or take an optional trip to Delos, birthplace of Apollo, where you can see archaeological sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Included Activities
- Explore Chora village
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to the Sacred Island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo
Landmarks Chora Windmills of Kato Mili Delos 
- Day 15
Milos
The ship stops at Milos, where the famous Venus de Milo was found. Explore the 'Island of Colors' on an optional experience, or taste your way through Milos sampling local food while walking around. This evening you'll depart for Athens and celebrate your final night aboard with the friends you've made.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Final evening celebration on board with new friends)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Explore the 'Island of Colors' on Optional Experience
- Trek to the heart of Milos sampling local cuisine on the move
Landmarks Milos - Day 16
Athens
You'll leave the cruise ship this morning and transfer to your hotel in Athens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Palace Acropolis)
- Day 17
Athens
Transfers take you to the airport for your flight home.
