Greek Odyssey & Aegean Cruise

Greek Odyssey & Aegean Cruise

Tours Starts: Athens, Greece

Tours Ends: Athens, Greece

Day 1

Depart for Athens

Your vacation begins as you depart on your transatlantic flight to Europe.

Overnight in flight

Day 2

Arrive in Athens

Arrive in Athens, Greece, the land of history’s greatest philosophers and the birthplace of democracy. If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, you will be transferred to your hotel to enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. This evening, you’ll get a chance to meet all your fellow travelers and your Tour Director at an informative welcome briefing and delicious included welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Athens Marriott or similar

Day 3

Olympia via Mycenae

Greet Athens with a kaliméra, or good morning, before crossing the Corinth Canal into the Peloponnese peninsula, home to many of Greece’s most legendary ancient sites. The first stop of the day is Mycenae. At the height of its powers, it was surrounded by massive walls and entered through the Lion Gate. The Bronze Age acropolis is one of the great cities of the Mycenaean civilization and played a vital role in classical Greek culture. It was the home of King Agamemnon, who led the expedition against Troy during the Trojan War. Your day ends in Olympia, where you will enjoy a cooking demonstration on tzatziki, one of Greece’s most sensational dips. The flavorful combination of garlic, cucumber, and tangy Greek yogurt pairs perfectly with grilled souvlaki or fresh baked pita bread. (B)

Hotel Amalia or similar

Day 4

Olympia

Today explore Olympia, the legendary home of the first Olympic Games. This ancient site on the Peloponnese peninsula hosted the original Olympic Games in the 8th century B.C. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium, and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia to see finds from the site, including a statue of Hermes attributed to the sculptor Praxiteles. After a stunning drive, spend the evening in Delphi, the perfect place for an included dance lesson. Learn how to dance the sirtaki, a traditional folk dance made famous by the film Zorba the Greek. Your evening will end with a complimentary glass of ouzo, the traditional anise-flavored aperitif that must be enjoyed with plenty of ice and a hearty “opa!” (B)

Hotel Amalia or similar

Day 5

Delphi

Start your day at the site of Delphi, the sanctuary to the god Apollo that was once home to the ancient world’s most powerful soothsayer, the Oracle of Delphi. Lying on the slopes of Mount Parnassus high above the Gulf of Corinth, this is one of the most famous historic sites in Greece. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delphi is one of the most important sites remaining from the classical period of ancient Greece. (B)

Athens Marriott or similar

OPTION: ATHENS BY NIGHT:

Enjoy a lively dinner at a century-old traditional Greek tavern, then enjoy a walking tour through the ancient city of Athens illuminated against the night sky. Picture-perfect. $89 p/p.Please add this option at time of booking.

Day 6

Embark in Athens (Departs at 6:00 PM)

Enjoy Athens at your leisure before an evening embarkation on the MSC's Lirica. You can venture to the Plaka district in the shadow of the Acropolis, Athens’ oldest neighborhood. The maze of cobblestone pedestrian streets is lined with shops, boutiques, souvenir stands, and flea market stalls that beckon all who pass. (B)

Day 7

Mykonos (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

The island of Mykonos is famous for its windmills, whitewashed buildings, and domed churches. You can enjoy exquisite Greek cuisine, including plenty of fresh seafood, in the waterfront cafes and tavernas in the area of Mykonos Town known as Little Venice.

Day 8

At Sea

Day 9

Haifa, Israel (7:00 AM – 9:00 PM)

One of the most picturesque regions in the Middle East, Israel’s third largest city is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Its Bahá'í Gardens are the largest hanging gardens in the world, and many visitors are also drawn to the Cave of Elijah. The boutiques on Massada Street and the artists village of Ein Hod featuring handblown glass and one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Haifa is also close to holy sites like Galilee, Nazareth, and Jerusalem.

Day 10

Limassol, Cyprus (9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

Limassol is home to many archaeological sites, as well as plentiful contemporary boutiques. Don’t miss the centuries-old Limassol Castle, home to the Cyprus Medieval Museum and its collection of pottery and tombstones.

Day 11

Rhodes, Greece (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

The remarkable walled city of this Greek island just off the coast of Turkey is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

Day 12

Kusadasi, Turkey (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Take a journey into the past in historic Ephesus, now known as Kusadasi. An important city to the Ancient Greeks, Ephesus was built, destroyed, and rebuilt again through the course of its history. It still boasts bountiful ruins and archaeological excavation sites, and was home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. During your day at leisure, you could visit the Roman Library of Celsus, the Gate of Augustus, the Tomb of John the Apostle, or the Basilica of St. John.

Day 13

Disembark in Athens (Arrive at 7:30 AM)

After disembarking this morning, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens to observe the striking contrasts and history that make this such a fascinating city. You will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament, the monument of the Unknown Soldier, and Constitution Square. Then it’s on to the most famous site in Athens—the Acropolis, atop which lies the 2,500 year old Parthenon Temple built to honor the goddess Athena. Finally, visit the new Acropolis Museum. Spend one last night exploring Athens on your own.

Athens Marriott or similar

Day 14

Depart for Home (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.