Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and head to your hotel to get settled. The rest of the day is yours to explore this vibrant capital, which blends ancient history with modern city energy. This evening you'll meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a light meal together.
- 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 check-in
- Day 2
Athens
This morning a Local Specialist guides you through the ancient Acropolis complex, including the Parthenon, Royal Palace, and Temple of Zeus. Then you'll spend time at the Acropolis Museum to see displays of ancient treasures. You'll also see Hadrian's Arch and the Olympic stadium from 1896. After that, your afternoon and evening are free to wander the Plaka neighborhood, relax in Syntagma Square, or search for the city's best souvlaki.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- 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 with its treasures including the Parthenon
- View the Royal Palace
- Visit the Temple of Zeus
- Included visit to the Acropolis Museum
- See Hadrian's Arch
- Visit the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896
Optional Activities
- Stroll through the Plaka
- People-watch in Syntagma Square
- Search for local souvlaki
Landmarks Acropolis Parthenon Royal Palace Temple of Zeus Acropolis Museum Hadrian's Arch Panathenaic Stadium Plaka Syntagma Square - Day 3
Athens - Corinth - Mycenae - Nafplion
You'll depart Athens and cross the Corinth Canal into the Peloponnesian Peninsula. A Local Specialist shows you around ancient Corinth, then you'll travel to Mycenae to see the Beehive Tombs (Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate, and Agamemnon's Royal Palace ruins. Next comes Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and Sanctuary of Asclepius. You'll arrive in the charming Venetian town of Nafplion by evening and have dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Nafplio)
Included Activities
- Cross the Corinth Canal
- Guided exploration of ancient Corinth with Local Specialist
- Visit Mycenae to see the Beehive Tombs (Treasury of Atreus)
- See the Lion Gate at Mycenae
- View 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 Agamemnon's Royal Palace Epidaurus Ancient Theater Sanctuary of Asclepius 
- Day 4
Nafplion - Olympia
You'll travel through the Arcadian mountains toward Olympia. On the way, you stop at a family-run honey farm to taste thyme-infused honey and learn about traditional beekeeping. In Olympia, you'll walk through the ancient athletic grounds where the Olympic Games began in 776 BC, seeing temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera and the original stadium. Your evening is free to explore the village, find a local taverna, or relax at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- 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 beekeeping and biodiversity protection
- Explore the ancient athletic grounds of Olympia
- Walk among ruins of temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera
- Visit the original Olympic stadium
Optional Activities
- Explore the quiet village center of Olympia
- Visit a local taverna
- Relax at the hotel
Landmarks Ancient Olympia Temple of Zeus at Olympia Temple of Hera at Olympia Olympia Stadium 
- Day 5
Olympia - Patras - Delphi
This morning a Local Specialist takes you deeper into Olympia's history, visiting the ancient Olympic site and museum, plus the ruined temples. Later you'll head to the Karabelas family olive and wine estate for a Be My Guest experience with a homecooked meal, traditional dancing, and Greek hospitality. After that, you leave Olympia and travel north along the coast to Patras, cross the Gulf of Corinth, and continue to Delphi. An optional cooking lesson is available if you're interested in learning local dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Homecooked meal at Karabelas family olive and wine estate), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Delphi)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of ancient Olympic site with Local Specialist
- Visit Olympia museum
- Explore ruined Temples of Zeus and Hera
- Be My Guest experience with Karabelas family at olive and wine estate
- Homecooked meal with Karabelas family
- Traditional dancing with Karabelas family
- Travel to Delphi
Optional Activities
- Interactive cooking lesson in Delphi for local dishes
Landmarks Ancient Olympia Olympia Museum Patras Delphi 
- Day 6
Delphi - Thermopylae - Kalambaka
You'll walk the Sacred Way in Delphi with a Local Specialist to reach the 4th-century Temple of Apollo, seeing statues honoring athletes from the Pythian Games. After that, you'll enjoy a scenic drive to Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his Spartans held their famous stand against the Persians. You'll cross the fertile Thessaly plain before arriving in Kalambaka by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amalia Kalambaka)
Included Activities
- Walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo with Local Specialist
- Visit the 4th-century Temple of Apollo
- See statues honoring athletes of the Pythian Games
- Visit Thermopylae where Leonidas and his Spartans held the line
- Travel through Thessaly plain
Landmarks Delphi Sacred Way Temple of Apollo at Delphi Thermopylae Leonidas Monument Thessaly Plain 
- Day 7
Kalambaka - Meteora - Athens
Your first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora. A Local Specialist takes you to two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that sit on immense rounded rock towers above town. Later you'll drive back to Athens and enjoy a final dinner with your travel companions to reflect on your journey through Greece.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Final dinner with travel companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora
- Guided visit to two of six Eastern Orthodox monasteries with Local Specialist
- Scenic drive back to Athens
- Final dinner with travel companions
Landmarks Meteora - Day 8
Athens
You have the full day to explore Athens at your own pace. Check out the city's ancient sites on your schedule, or simply spend time soaking in the atmosphere of this historic capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center)
Optional Activities
- Explore Athens and the city's ancient sites independently
- Day 9
Athens - Embark on Cruise
This morning is yours to explore Athens on your own, visiting ancient sites at your pace. Later this afternoon you'll board your cruise ship and meet your new travel companions as you begin a seven-day cruise through the Aegean.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Explore Athens and the city's ancient sites independently in the morning
- Day 10
Thessaloniki
You'll arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. You have time to explore today, walking along the waterfront and checking out the many cafes around Aristotelous Square. You can also admire the Arch of Galerius and other ancient monuments. Return to your ship this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Walk along the waterfront
- Enjoy cafes along Aristotelous Square
- See ancient monuments such as the Arch of Galerius
- Explore Thessaloniki independently
Landmarks Arch of Galerius Aristotelous Square Thessaloniki Waterfront 
- Day 11
Kusadasi - Ephesus
You'll dock in Kusadasi and take an included sightseeing tour of ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO-listed site with Hellenistic and Roman heritage. You'll stroll along marble colonnades and see the Library of Celsus and Temple of Artemis. After exploring, you'll return to your ship for the evening departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Included Activities
- Included Ancient Ephesus sightseeing tour
- Explore Hellenistic and Roman heritage of UNESCO-listed Ephesus
- Stroll along marble colonnades
- Admire the Library of Celsus
- View the Temple of Artemis
Landmarks Ephesus Library of Celsus Temple of Artemis - Day 12
Crete
You arrive on Crete, Greece's largest island and fifth largest in the Mediterranean, known for myths like Zeus' birthplace and the Minotaur legend. You have two options: join a tour to Heraklion to visit King Minos' Palace in Knossos and explore Europe's first advanced civilization, or drive into the countryside to experience authentic Cretan lifestyle and culture.
- 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 Crete Heraklion Knossos Palace - Day 13
Santorini
You'll wake up in Santorini, the Cycladic island known for steep cliffs and panoramic views. Explore the capital of Thira with its clifftop restaurants and cafes. The afternoon is perfect for an optional Shore Experience where you'll drive through villages and vineyards on your way to Oia to see white buildings and blue-domed churches overlooking the caldera. Your evening is free to experience Santorini's nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Explore the capital of Thira independently
- Enjoy clifftop restaurants and cafes with breath-taking views
- Optional Shore Experience to Oia via villages and vineyards
- Explore Santorini's nightlife
Landmarks Santorini Thira Oia - Day 14
Mykonos
You have a full free day on Mykonos. Wander the narrow streets of Chora past white-washed cottages and red bougainvillea until you find a quiet spot overlooking the Old Port for a drink. Or you can choose an optional visit to Delos, the birthplace of Apollo, where archaeological remains await exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (MV Celestyal Journey)
Optional Activities
- Explore the narrow streets of Chora
- Stroll past white-washed cottages and bougainvillea
- Find a quiet spot overlooking the Old Port
- Optional visit to the Sacred Island of Delos
Landmarks Mykonos Chora Old Port of Mykonos Delos - Day 15
Milos - Athens
You'll dock in Milos, formerly home to the Venus de Milo statue. You have time to explore the Island of Colors on an optional experience, or choose a tour that takes you through local cuisine and the heart of Milos designed to engage your senses. This evening you'll celebrate a final night on board with your new friends as the ship departs for Athens.
- 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 through Milos sampling local cuisine
Landmarks Milos - Day 16
Athens
You'll disembark from your cruise ship this morning and transfer to your hotel in Athens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divani Palace Acropolis)
- Day 17
Athens - Departure
Transfers will take you to the airport for your return flight home.
