RL - 11 days Athens/Athens
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Athens plus seven-day cruise to Mykonos, Patmos, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini
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| Day 1 (Tue.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. |
| Day 2 Arrival in Athens, Greece. (Wed.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Athens host and traveling companions for a welcome drink. |
| Day 3 Athens. (Thu.) Morning sightseeing features the Parthenon's crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus and Theater of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the Royal
Palace, government buildings, and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of a glorious past. The afternoon is free. How about a Greek-style dinner tonight? Your host knows where to find local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek. (BB) |
| Day 4 Athens-Piraeus-Cruising. (Fri.) Morning at leisure in Athens. In the afternoon drive to Piraeus, where you embark on Louis Hellenic's sleek cruise liner. Around 7 p.m. sail into the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea, easily settling into the cruising routine of sunbathing
and sipping cool drinks. (BB,D) |
| Day 5 Cruising: Istanbul, Turkey. (Sat.) Plenty of time to get acquainted with the ship's amenities as you cruise towards Istanbul. (FB,L,D) |
| Day 6 Istanbul. (Sun.) Full day at leisure for optional sightseeing in this fascinating city, gateway between East and West and the Islamic and Christian world. Depart early evening for Kusadasi. (FB,L,D) |
| Day 7 Cruising: Mykonos, Greece. (Mon.) This morning cruise towards the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. Arrive in the afternoon with plenty of time to wander at whim through narrow paved streets lined with trendy boutiques
and shady tavernas. (FB,L,D) |
| Day 8 Cruising: Patmos-Kusadasi, Turkey. (Tue.) Early morning arrival in Patmos. The tiny island is where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. Mid-morning departure for Kusadasi arriving
early afternoon. An optional excursion takes you to Ephesus, the Greek, Roman and Byzantine excavations. (FB,L,D) |
| Day 9 Cruising: Rhodes. (Wed.) Dock in Rhodes, largest of the Dodecanese Islands and site of the Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC. Most of the day is dedicated to the island of Rhodes. Explore the sights in the historic Old City with its
ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility: join an optional excursion to Lindos and the fabulous Temple of Athena. Rhodes' sun-drenched beaches also beckon. (FB,L,D) |
| Day 10 Cruising: Heraklion & Santorini. (Thu.) Early arrival in Heraklion, capital of Crete. Enjoy a fascinating excursion to Knossos, center of the 3,000 BC., Minoan civilization. Mid-day departure for Santorini the "Black Pearl of the Aegean" (weather permitting). An optional
excursion takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for a breathtaking view. (FB,L,D) |
| Day 11 Piraeus-Athens. (Fri.) After breakfast on board disembark at Piraeus and return to Athens. The remainder of the day is free to catch up on last-minute shopping. (FB) |
| Day 12 (Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB) |
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