| Athens and the Islands: Day-By-Day Itinerary |
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| Day 1 : Overnight flight to Greece |
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| Day 2-3 :
Athens Arrive in Athens, Cradle of Democracy. Meet your bilingual EF Tour Director. On our EF walking tour, stroll past the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, where visiting heads of state are formally welcomed to Greece's capital. On Day 3, become acquainted with the antiquities of Athens on your guided tour. Visit key historical sites at the Acropolis, including the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike. |
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| Day 4 :
Delphi Journey through vineyards and orchards to Delphi, home of the mystical oracle. Zeus believed this site to be the center of the world after he set two eagles free at opposite ends of the earth and they met at Delphi. See the Temple of Apollo, where elected priests would interpret the oracle’s cryptic prophecies to waiting supplicants. Visit the Delphi Museum to view artifacts dating back to 550 B.C. |
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| Day 5-8 :
Island Cruise Board your ship in Athens for a 4-day cruise of Greece's islands. First stop is Mykonos, a haven for pirates in centuries past. On Day 6, visit the Turkish village of Kusadasi. Then sail on to Patmos, one of the 12 Dodecanese Islands off the western coast of Turkey. Dock at Rhodes, home to three major archaeological sites, on Day 7. On Day 8, visit Heraklion, fabled birthplace of Zeus, on the island of Crete. Crete was also the setting for the legend of Perseus, the Minotaur, and the labyrinth. Last stop is Santorini, an island of unique volcanic landscapes. In between ports of call, you'll enjoy recreation and relaxation aboard ship. |
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| Day 9 :
Cape Sounion Disembark back in Athens and join an excursion to Cape Sounion. View the Temple of Poseidon, which Pericles built in 440 B.C. Returning to Athens, you might opt to attend our festive Greek Evening at a local taverna. Enjoy traditional Greek dishes and dancing to the music of the stringed bouzouki. |
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| Day 10 : Depart
for home Depart for home. |
Athens and the Islands Itinerary
Day 1 Flight Overnight
flight to Greece (depart on a Thursday) Enjoy
jet accommodations as you fly across the Atlantic.
Day 2 Athens
Arrival in Athens • Touch
down in Athens, Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of Western civilization!
After clearing customs you are greeted by your bilingual EF Tour Director,
who will remain with you throughout your stay.
EF walking tour of Athens • Your
tour director introduces you to the endearing Plaka district. Stroll
past Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built to honor the
most powerful of all Greek gods—construction began in 515 B.C.
Day 3 Athens
Guided sightseeing of Athens • An
expert local guide introduces you to the antiquities of Athens.
Climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthenon, perhaps the world’s
greatest architectural feat. See the Temple of Athena Nike, which once
housed a gold statue of the goddess (her wings were clipped to keep her from
ever deserting the city). Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of war
and wisdom. After seeing the Presidential Guard in their traditional
costumes, pass the stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in
1896, as well as lively Omonia and Syntagma Squares.
Day 4
Athens
Guided sightseeing of Delphi • As
you tour Delphi, ponder the mysteries of what lies in your future, as did
Greece’s ancient military leaders, who left gifts for the Oracle in hopes
of good fortune in battle. Then visit the Temple of Apollo where, according
to legend, the god communicated with mortals. Your visit concludes with a
stop at the Delphi Museum, whose collection boasts many artifacts dating
back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of the mythical past of ancient Greece.
Day 5–8 Island Cruise
Island cruise • From
Athens, embark on a four day Royal Olympic cruise of the beautiful
whitewashed isles of Greece. (Please note that the cruise is seasonal, and
itinerary is subject to change.) Ports of call include Mykonos, Kusadasi,
Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Santorini, with optional land excursions at
most ports. In between ports of call, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy
the amenities on board ship. Free time options while you’re at sea include
shopping, games, fitness activities, swimming, and sunning.
Board your ship in Athens for a 4-day cruise of Greece's islands. First stop is Mykonos, a haven for pirates in centuries past. On Day 6, visit the Turkish village of Kusadasi. Then sail on to Patmos, one of the 12 Dodecanese Islands off the western coast of Turkey. Dock at Rhodes, home to three major archaeological sites, on Day 7. On Day 8, visit Heraklion, fabled birthplace of Zeus, on the island of Crete. Crete was also the setting for the legend of Perseus, the Minotaur, and the labyrinth. Last stop is Santorini, an island of unique volcanic landscapes. In between ports of call, you'll enjoy recreation and relaxation aboard ship.
Day 9
Athens
Return to Athens • Your cruise ends
with a return to Athens. Guided excursion to Cape Sounion •
Journey to Cape Sounion and view the Temple of Poseidon, located on a
promontory overlooking the Aegean Sea. Optional Greek Evening • Tonight,
opt to experience Greece’s unique and colorful culture during an evening
of traditional entertainment and cuisine. Enjoy an authentic meal composed
of typical dishes at a specially selected taverna in or near the famous old
Plaka district of Athens. Watch an enthralling belly-dance
performance, and witness the fancy footwork and twirling bravado of
traditional Greek dancing while musicians perform on bouzoukis,
stringed instruments unique to Greece. Musical instruments, which date from
the Bronze Age in Greece, have long played a central role in Greek
tradition, as have regional dances. Experience firsthand this thrilling
element of Greek culture!
Day 10
Home
Return home • Your tour director
assists with the transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your
return flight home from Athens.
