Spectacular Greece with Island Cruise (2024)

Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.

For flight details, see Before You Depart.

Welcome to Athens, the capital of Greece. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met and transferred to our conveniently located hotel for some time to relax. Later, we'll come together as our tour director hosts a welcome dinner.

Our guided morning tour takes us to the famed Acropolis, a must-see UNESCO World Heritage site described as the “most striking and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times.” We'll see the stunning Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, the Erechtheum with its graceful Porch of Caryatids, and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus before descending the Acropolis for a panoramic drive past the Royal Palace, government buildings and elegant homes of modern Athens. We'll enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Athens independently. Consider exploring Plaka, Athen's lively old town which is located within easy walking distance of our hotel.

Today we take off for a three-day road trip to the classical cities of mainland Greece. We'll visit the wonderfully preserved 2,300-year-old theater of Epidaurus. Next, we'll visit ancient Mycenae, founded by Perseus and built with the help of the mythological Cyclops, or at least that’s what the poets say! Here, we'll see excavations that reveal the splendors vividly described by Homer including the Beehive Tombs, Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate (Europe’s oldest known monument), the remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. In Nafplio, a picturesque and romantic city, we'll have time to explore and relax. This afternoon, we'll depart for Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. We'll enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening after check-in.

This morning, we'll join a local expert to tour the archaeological site and museum at Olympia, where the games were conceived as a tribute to Hercules, son of Zeus. As an enduring link between the ancient games and today’s Olympics, the Olympic flame is still lit here in Olympia. We'll view the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus, as well as see the magnificent Hermes of Praxiteles, the most famous statue in the Olympia Museum. After visiting Olympia, we will pass through the beautiful medieval town of Nafpaktos on our way to Delphi. Tonight, we'll gather for dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, we'll visit Delphi archaeological site where we'll marvel at the ruins of Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the marble Sacred Way and admire the fourth-century BC theater still in use today. We'll also see the glorious “Charioteer of Delphi,” one of the best known and preserved examples of classical bronze statues. On our way back to Athens, we'll stop in Arachova, a ski resort town in the mountains, for some free time to wander around the town. After we arrive in Athens later today, we'll check into our hotel.

Today, we'll visit a local winery in the outskirts of Athens for a wine tasting. Our tour starts with a walk by the vineyards up to the winery, as we learn about the different cultivation methods whilst enjoying panoramic views from the vineyard. At the winery and barrel ageing cellar, we'll learn about the different winemaking techniques followed by a tasting of 6 different wines focusing on primarily Greek grape varieties. We'll return to our hotel and have some free time this afternoon before we come together for dinner at a local taverna.

Sailing is the best way to see the idyllic Greek Islands, and today we'll embark on four sun-kissed days and starry nights with the award-winning Celestyal Cruises! Refreshed with a sumptuous breakfast, we’ll journey to the port to board our ship and settle into the cruising lifestyle. Our first port of call is Mykonos, where iconic windmills and whitewashed homes harmonize with stylish restaurants and trendy clubs. We'll have have free time to stroll through the town, explore shops and winding streets, and watch the local scene from a seaside taverna or café before heading back to the ship.

This morning, we dock in Kusadasi, Türkiye, a short drive from Ephesus. Considered the world’s best-preserved classical city and famous for its Temple of Artemis, Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. We'll return in time for lunch on the ship as we sail to scenic Patmos, a significant Christian pilgrimage destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site. See optional tours for information about an excursion to the countryside and the Grotto of Apocalypse. We'll enjoy dinner tonight on our ship.

Today’s port of call is beautiful Rhodes, home to a large medieval city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin ruins. We'll visit picturesque Lindos, where whitewashed houses are clustered beneath a clifftop acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Here we’ll see the powerful fortifications that still stand today, including the Citadel of the Knights, a rare combination of Greek setting and Gothic architecture! We'll continue sailing later today.

Awaken to Crete, an island rich with history and culture. We'll come ashore in the bustling capital Heraklion, where we can enjoy some free time to stroll the charming Lion’s Square, sample a bougatsa (local pastry) at a café or join an optional excursion to see the ruins of the Palace of Knossos.

We'll return to the ship in time for lunch, as we continue sailing to romantic and utterly breathtaking Santorini, set on a volcanic crater immersed in the sea. Santorini is actually a group of islands, and we'll stop in Thira. We'll fall in love with the whitewashed houses, narrow streets and outdoor cafes that line the steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule. We might consider an optional tour of the photogenic Oia Village. Later, we'll return to the ship for a final night at sea.

Today we bid farewell to the wonderful crew of our Celestyal ship near Athens. The ship disembarkation starts at approximately 6am. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight, and will touchdown in the U.S. later today.

Note: For departures on United Airlines, the group transfer will disembark the ship and go straight to the airport. For departures on Emirates Airlines, the group will visit Sounio, a seaside town for free time to explore before heading to the airport.