Venture to the epicenters of ancient Western Civilization during this pairing of guided Delphi and Meteroa tours and an extensive Greek Isles cruise. Explore the high halls of medieval Meteora monasteries perched on clifftops. Delve into tales of Titans, Olympians and early deities as you step between limestone blocks hewn by hand, etched by turmoil and strewn among the angular shadows of the Parthenon’s marble pillars. Raise your voice and test perfect acoustics in classical amphitheaters near the storied Temple of Delphi and the Epidaurus Theatre. Pull up a bar stool at a bustling estiatorio and sample grilled pita bread paired with a creamy spread of tangy taramasalata--a pureed blend of potato, lemon juice and briny local fish roe. Wander among the white-walled shops of Santorini and the stirring cloth sails of village windmills on Mykonos. Slip between broken walls in Ephesus, a former trading port along the picturesque Turkish Coast, plus appreciate the special dinner at Ephesus during our Destination Discovery Event and the small ship delightful ports of Ermoupoli, Monemvasia and Agios Nikolaos.

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport you transfer to St. George Lycabettus Hotel, known for its famous Greek hospitality. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure and you are perfectly positioned in the heart of Athens just steps away from Kolonaki’s shops, museums, galleries and eateries.
 
Overnight at the hotel.

After your morning breakfast, depart for the Archaeological site of Delphi, considered by the ancients to be the physical and spiritual center of the earth.  This shrine of Apollo, set nearly 2,000 feet up on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, exerts even today, a potent grip on visitors. Here was the most respected oracle of antiquity.  See the Castalian Spring, in which worshippers first purified themselves; the Sacred Way, once lined with statues and treasures; the Grand Temple of Apollo, beneath which the Pythia sat; the theater with its excellent acoustics; and the well preserved stadium with the marble starting blocks in position. Then visit the Delphi Museum to see the Omphalos, which marked the center of the world, and the magnificent bronze Charioteer, one of the finest pieces surviving from the 5th century B.C. A traditional lunch of tzatziki, olives, dolmades, Greek salad, and other Greek treats will be served at the village of Delphi. After lunch board your coach for the drive to the picturesque town of Kalambaka that sits at the foot of Meteroa, to the Divani Meteora Hotel. After check-in, the evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Following breakfast you will head to Meteora, one of the largest and most important groups of monasteries in Greece.  The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of the cultural map of Greece. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature. The area was originally settled by monks who lived in caves in the rocks during the 11th century. But as the times became more unsettled they climbed higher and higher up the rock face until they were living on the inaccessible peaks. There were no steps then, and the main access was by means of a net or retractable wooden ladders up to 131 feet (40m) long. This was how the monasteries were reached until the 1920s but now there are roads, pathways and steps to the top. You will see examples of these nets, used today for bringing up provisions. Of the original 24 monasteries only 6 are now inhabited, and you will visit 2 of them. Departing from Meteora the tour will proceed to Kalambaka where lunch will be served.
 
Return to Athens late in the afternoon to overnight at the St. George Lycabettus Hotel, passing the heroic monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae. The evening is at your leisure
 
Please note: Both ladies and gentlemen should be modestly dressed for these visits - ladies must wear skirts covering their knees, no trousers, and gentlemen should wear long trousers. Both must cover their shoulders.

After your morning breakfast you will depart for the Acropolis tour. The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. Climb the smooth marble steps as visitors have for centuries. History opens before you as you reach the Propylaea, one of the masterpieces of classical architecture, serving as the entrance to the complex of buildings. You’ll see the Temple of Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erectheum, with its classical Porch of Maidens, the Caryatids. Stand in awe of the Parthenon, designed as a shrine to Athena and at one time housing a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess. In the museum see all the surviving treasures of the Acropolis together in one place. The collections on display are finds of the Acropolis, Post Parthenon, Roman Period and the excavation site when the new museum was built. The highlight of the Museum is the display of the Parthenon Frieze located on the top floor. Departing from the Acropolis, transfer to the port of Piraeus for embarkation on your waiting yacht.

With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed. 

This charming seaside town on the Peloponnese is one of the most romantic cities in Greece. Enjoy the medieval old town with narrow cobblestone alleys, and neoclassical mansions with bougainvillea trees adorning the balconies. Take an optional tour to the UNESCO site of Epidaurus or the UNESCO site of Mycenea, ancient ruins including the famous Lion’s Gate. Stroll the Syntagma Square and take in the beauty of the Palamidi Castle with its 999 steps carved from the rocks. The view is breathtaking. 

Wake this morning to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos, the classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills, in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts. An optional  tour including a scenic ferry ride takes you back to the 6th   century B.C. to the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

Wake this morning to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos, the classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills, in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts. An optional  tour including a scenic ferry ride takes you back to the 6th   century B.C. to the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

Ermoupoli, the capital of Syros, opens the door to a little-known Greek island packed with rainbow-colored houses clinging to the hillsides. Not much has changed here since medieval times and the narrow cobblestone streets full of stairways and arches create a delightful maze. Sites to see include the Aghios Georgios Cathedral at the top of the hill, the Capuchin and Jesuit monasteries, and the picturesque main square known as the Piatsa.

Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty. In Ephesus, one of the greatest outdoor museums in the world, you’ll explore legendary sites steeped in history. Also visit the houses of Bulbul Mountain, where the roof of one forms the terrace of the next. This evening we present our Destination Discovery Event -- dinner in the moonlight and a concert near the  Celsus Library or on Harbor Street in ancient Ephesus. 

 

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known worldwide as the sacred island where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation, Patmos is the ideal place for nature lovers with its coastline of sheer cliffs and its volcanic soil.  Highlights of Patmos include the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Holy Monastery of the Apocalypse

This gracious oasis, known as the “Island of Roses,” was home to the legendary Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today it is a yachting paradise, whose shores are lined with sparkling beaches and lush green mountainsides. A scenic drive leads you through quaint villages and lemon groves to the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, standing guard over the picturesque town or to the Old City of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Agios Nikolaos is a colorful blend of traditional tavernas, upscale boutiques, fish markets, bars and coffee houses. Stroll the harbor and stop by a tavern for Cretan specialties such as xynomizythra (a tangy soft white cheese) or kalitsounia (small savory herb pies).

As our ship approaches the spectacular cliffs rising from the deep azure sea, you’ll understand the magic of this area, where some say the ruins of Atlantis remain hidden. Visit the village of Oia and see the iconic Santorini blue domes or take a guided tour of Bronze Age excavations at the UNESCO site of Akrotiri. Toast the day with a crisp, cold glass of local Assyrtiko wine.

This Gibraltar-like town tied to the mainland by a single thread of causeway holds treasures that are old even by Mediterranean standards, with town walls and several churches dating to the 12th century. Climb to the upper town for an up-close look at the castle and Agia Sophia, a Byzantine church. Wander the lanes of the lower town lined with Venetian mansions, many of which have been lovingly restored. Savor the sun on a smooth pebble beach. 

With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.