Athens, the Beautiful Aegean and Complete Greece Int

Mediterranean Cruise Day07:00 a.m. – Kusadasi (Turkey). On the Turkish coast, you’ll have time to shop in the bazaars before taking an included excursion to see the ancient city of Ephesus.12:00 p.m. – Departure from Kusadasi. We’ll head for Patmos. 04:00 p.m. – Patmos. This is the island where the St. John the Apostle wrote the Apocalypse; you can visit the cave where he lived near the Monastery of the Apocalypse.09:00 p.m. – Departure from Patmos. We’ll spend the night on board. Perhaps enjoy a dance in the nightclub?

Mediterranean Cruise DayYou’ll spend some time in Heraklion, the lively capital of Crete and the cradle of the great Minoan civilization. Second stop, Santorini, the dreamlike Greek island known for its ravines and iconic blue and white villages. Overnight on board.

We’ll depart early in the morning towards northern Greece, stopping at Kamena Vourla, a charming seaside tourist hub surrounded by stunning landscapes. We´ll then proceed north, stopping at the Thermopylae Mountain Pass, the historic site of the famous battle. Next, we´ll visit Kastraki, a picturesque village with beautiful views of the entire valley, where you´ll have free time for lunch. Afterward, we´ll explore the Meteora, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission to one of its renowned monasteries is included. Dinner will be provided in Kalabaka.

We´ll journey across the mountains of the Peloponnese hinterland to Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. There will be free time to explore Areos Square with its cafes and restaurants. Afterward, we´ll continue to Olympia, where we´ll visit the Archaeological Site (ticket and guided tour included). This is where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, attracting athletes from across Greece and its colonies. The most impressive landmarks here include the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Arena. Our next destination will be Patras, Greece’s third-largest city. It´s a bustling port city overlooked by a medieval fortress, home to Greece´s largest cathedral, a significant pilgrimage site, along with the nearby old church of St. Andrew. Dinner will be included.

After breakfast, we’ll cross the Rio-Antirrio bridge, a spectacular cable-stayed bridge that connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland. Our first stop is Nafpaktos, located on the Gulf of Corinth. Its Venetian fortress overlooking the city is a reminder of its historical significance as Lepanto, where the Christian and Turkish fleets clashed in battle—a conflict during which the famous Cervantes lost his arm. You’ll have free time to stroll around its picturesque harbor and explore the beautiful old town. Continuing along the Gulf of Corinth, we’ll reach Mycenae, a colossal citadel dating back to the 18th century BC, considered the cradle of European civilization (admission included). Enjoy free time for lunch and to explore the site. Next, we’ll visit the imposing Fortress of Acrocorinth (tickets included), where the remains of an ancient temple of Aphrodite stand on the highest point of the settlement. We’ll then continue our journey, making a brief stop at the Corinth Canal. We’ll arrive in Athens in the evening.