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8-Nights Best of Greece with 3-Island Cruise

Greece/Greek Isles
8-Nights Best of Greece with 3-Island Cruise
Greece/Greek Isles
Trafalgar
Vacation Offer ID 1504614
Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.
Overview

Trafalgar

Best Of Greece With One-Day 3-Island Cruise
Walk in the very place western civilization was born as your travels reveal all the best of Greece highlights. From the other-wordly clifftop Meteora monasteries to walking the Sacred Way as the ancients once did in Delphi, this journey back in time will bring centuries of history to life.


Dining Summary
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
  • Olympia: Say "opa!" to a traditional Greek experience with the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm. Join the family for dinner and dancing, and learn about their history on the land.
Dive Into Culture
  • Athens: Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.
Iconic Experience
  • Athens: Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
  • Corinth: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Join a Local Specialist and gain insight into Corinth's eventful past.
  • Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Specialist.
  • Archaeological Site of Olympia: Join a Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia, the women's games in honor of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
  • Delphi: With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
  • Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
  • Meteora: With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Delphi: Meet passionate beekeeper Nikiforos at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey, known to be one of the most nutritious in the world. See the bees thriving in their natural habitat and learn about their role in nature regeneration. This experience advances Global Goal 15: Life on Land. Traditionally a beekeeping area, Delphi has lost most of its beekeeping activity. The decline in bee populations has seen a significant loss of biodiversity. Thanks to their effort, Nikiforos and his family and rebuilding a local activity and directly contributing to regenerating the land.
Must-see Highlights
  • View the Parthenon, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae
  • See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae
  • Scenic Cruise to Aegean islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina
  • Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth with a Local Specialist
Trafalgar Difference
  • Delphi: Designed by renowned architect Nikos Valsamakis in 1965, the hotel is a notable example of postwar Greek architecture. It integrates seamlessly with the Delphic landscape, with rooms arranged to follow the terrain.

Whats Included
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Featured Destinations

Aegina

Aegina

The second largest island in the Saronic Gulf and easily reached from the mainland, Aegina (20 mi/30 km southwest of Athens) is usually seen on a full-day cruise from Trocadero or Piraeus (some trips also include the islands of Hydra and Poros). The boats arrive at Aegina's main port and town of the same name.

We recommend taking the tour of the sixth-century-BC Temple of Aphea (Aphaia) Athena to see the Doric architecture—it's one of the best-preserved temples in Greece. If you're not touring the temple, be sure to visit the museum (which has, among other things, a stele, a small sphinx and a fine ceramic collection) or just walk around the bay. During your stroll, note the pistachio trees for which the island is known.

Buses provide service to most historic sites, but we prefer to tour by horse-drawn carriage or rented bicycle.

Destination Guide
Poros

Poros

This Saronic island, located 35 mi/55 km southwest of Athens, is known for its wine and unique architecture. As most cruise tours give visitors about 90 minutes to see it, you'll have to choose from among the following: the Panagia Monastery; the ruins of Poseidon's Temple (the climb up takes an hour); a hike through the pine trees; secluded tree-shaded beaches (take shoes—the shores can be rocky); or just a leisurely stroll around the picturesque town.

If you have time, we recommend staying two or three nights. Cross the channel to the mainland to see the ruins of Troezene (next to a ravine with a natural rock bridge) or the miles/kilometers of lemon groves near the town of Galatas.

Destination Guide
Hydra, Greek Isle

Hydra, Greek Isle

Hydra, in the Saronic Gulf off of the Greek mainland, may have served as the natural model for ancient architects when they were designing the marvelous acoustically magical amphitheaters in Greece and Rome. Its horseshoe-shaped harbor welcomes boats at all hours. As with most Greek islands, Hydra's port is the center of activity and is lined with tourist shops, restaurants and merchants. It is a wonderful place to sit in a cafe, munching on a Greek salad, writing postcards or watching the world go by. Around the corners to either side of the port are beaches, although some are more rock than beach. Mandhraki beach offers sand for those who want to feel grit between their toes. The beach to the west, in Kamini, is rocky, as is the one at Vlykhos, a half an hour further west. Most of what people consider premium tanning spots on this island are rocks. The further from town, the more private the area is likely to be. Every sound down at the port can be heard, no matter where one is in the town. Even from the Monastery of Profitis Ilias at the top of the mountain, every sound is crystal clear.
Destination Guide
Kalambaka

Kalambaka

Kalambaka is a small modern town with near Meteora. The most interesting feature of the town is the dramatic backdrop of the steep Meteora rocks that frame the northern part of the skyline. The town is clean and quiet, with one main street that runs through it like a backbone, and several squares adorned with lavish fountains that become pivot points for families and boisterous children late in the evening. Most restaurants and cafes are located along the main street and in the few side streets in the center of town.

Destination Guide
Delphi

Delphi

Itea is the port for Delphi, one of the ancient wonders of classical Greece. A short drive there reveals the Sacred Way and the famed Shrine of Delphi, where the mythological Oracle was said to foretell the future. An amazing bronze charioteer is among the many treasures in the Delphi Museum.
Destination Guide
Olympia, Greece

Olympia, Greece

Olympia is the great Panhellenic sanctuary. The site of ancient Olympia is situated at the foot of wooded Mount Kronos in an area of gentle hills; excavations began in 1875 and are considered one of archaeology’s great achievements. A direct consequence was the revival of Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin; the first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. Today, visitors to Olympia are overwhelmed by the impact of ancient remains and their significance. The site’s most important excavations include numerous monuments, such as Temple of Zeus in the Sacred Precinct, Treasuries, and Stadium. There is an excellent Archaeological Museum with a large collection of bronzes, pottery and sculptures unearthed during the excavations.
Destination Guide
Nafplion (Nauplia)

Nafplion (Nauplia)

A former capital of Greece and a popular port on the eastern Peloponnese coast, Nafplion impresses visitors with grand, medieval architecture erected by Venetians during the 15th century. The most dominant structure is Palamidi Fortress towering high above town. The port is a lively town with a scenic harbor, a picturesque center to explore on foot and pebble beaches. Several monuments remain from its Turkish past, including mosques and parliament building. Handicrafts and local costumes are on display at the Folk Art Museum. Palamidi Castle has an incomparable view from the fortress’ lofty position. Spend time strolling along the waterfront, exploring around main square and narrow streets of Old Town. Platia Sintagmator, the city’s main square, is fronted by a former mosque, now the meeting place of Greek Parliament. Here is also the Archaeological Museum, which features an outstanding collection of Mycenaean finds. The entrance to Akronafplia Citadel has a gate built of Roman bricks, a Byzantine gatehouse with frescoes dating from 1291, and Venetian bastions. From the port, don't pass up a tour to Mycenae. There is evidence that the site has been inhabited since 4000 BC, but reached its peak of civilization during 1500 - 1000 BC. It was here that the mighty Agamemnon ruled and the site still contains massive structures which give visitors a glimpse of what this magnificent city once was.
Destination Guide
Athens

Athens

Even though you've probably come here to see the "glory that was Greece," perhaps best symbolized by the Parthenon and the superb statues and vases in the National Archaeological Museum, allow some time to make haste slowly in Athens. Your best moments may come sitting at a small cafe, sipping a tiny cup of the sweet sludge that the Greeks call coffee, or getting hopelessly lost in the Plaka -- only to find yourself in the shady courtyard of an old church, or suddenly face to face with an ancient monument you never knew existed. With only a little advance planning, you can find a good hotel here, eat well in convivial restaurants, enjoy local customs such as the refreshing afternoon siesta and the leisurely evening volta (promenade or stroll) -- and leave Athens planning to return, as the Greeks say, tou chronou (next year).
Destination Guide

View Full Itinerary

Valid Date Ranges

November 2024
11/15/2024 11/23/2024 $2,625 per person
11/22/2024 11/30/2024 $2,789 per person
December 2024
12/06/2024 12/14/2024 $2,625 per person
12/20/2024 12/28/2024 $2,625 per person
12/27/2024 01/04/2025 $2,625 per person
January 2025
01/03/2025 01/11/2025 $2,789 per person
01/31/2025 02/08/2025 $2,425 per person
February 2025
02/07/2025 02/15/2025 $2,425 per person
02/14/2025 02/22/2025 $2,425 per person
02/21/2025 03/01/2025 $2,425 per person
02/28/2025 03/08/2025 $2,425 per person
March 2025
03/07/2025 03/15/2025 $2,425 per person
03/14/2025 03/22/2025 $2,425 per person
03/21/2025 03/29/2025 $2,425 per person
03/28/2025 04/05/2025 $2,425 per person
03/31/2025 04/08/2025 $2,425 per person
April 2025
04/04/2025 04/12/2025 $2,795 per person
04/07/2025 04/15/2025 $2,795 per person
04/14/2025 04/22/2025 $3,125 per person
04/25/2025 05/03/2025 $2,895 per person
Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.