Cruise & Tour

	Croisière & Circuit With our Essential Greece cruise & tour,you can enjoy the treasures of civilization and explore the Greek Islands! Journey through mainland Greece and see the Byzantine sights
of Thessaloniki, the remarkable archaeological sites of Pella and Vergina as well as traditional little villages – all of this while experiencing the splendour of Greece’s mountainous landscapes and the beautiful Aegean Sea throughout your holiday!

15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS
8-day Grand Tour of Greece, 4-day Greek Island & Turkey Cruise, 3 days Athens

DAY 1: Arrive Athens / Piraeus / Mykonos
Upon arrival in Athens, transfer to the port of Piraeus to begin your cruise. Arrive in Mykonos in the early evening. The undeniable party paradise of the Greek Islands, Mykonos offers a touristic mix, which drives its non-stop nightlife and packs its sophisticated bars and restaurants. (L, D)

DAY 2: Kusadasi (Turkey) / Patmos
A dynamic resort town, Kusadasi has an electric holiday atmoshpere born from its beaches, nightlife, charming kebab stands and open-air restaurants, all located at the waterfront. Continue on to Patmos, whose whitewashed homes are emblazoned with breathtaking colours, is the perfect backdrop for its architectural masterpiece, the heroic Monastery of St. John the Theologian. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Rhodes
You’ll have the entire day in the magical island of Rhodes, which is consistently blessed with the warm, soothing gaze of Helios, the God of the Sun. You will fall in love with spontaneity and spirit found in the tangle of streets filled with gardens, plazas and fountains, elegant aristocratic homes, shops of every description and quaint cafes. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Crete / Santorini
Spend the morning in Crete, a land oftranslucent seas, boundless beaches, museums, palaces and pastry shops. The afternoon will be spent in Santorini, which is one of the most stunning places on earth! (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Athens (Piraeus)
Following disembarkation, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Athens. Overnight in Athens. (B)

DAY 6: Athens
The entire day is at your leisure. Overnight in Athens. (B)

DAY 7: Athens / Corinth Canal / Epidaurus Mycenae / Nafplion
Begin your Greece Coach Tour, with your first stop at the Corinth Canal and behold the impressive sight of this man-made canal over 6 kilometres long and 23 metres wide and rises 90 metres above the water. Continue on to Epidaurus, a renowned ancient site in Greece. Spend the afternoon in legendary Mycenae, Kingdom of Agamemnon, then continue on to Nafplion. You’ll be in awe of its scenic harbour and its medieval architecture built by the Venetians in the 15th-century. Overnight in Nafplion. (B, D)

DAY 8: Nafplion / Mystras / Sparta
After breakfast, continue on a scenic route, where you’re first stop will be near Tripolis, then continue on to Mystras for a guided city tour of this once large Byzantine City where ruins of Orthodox churches remain. Proceed to Sparta where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure. Overnight in Sparta or Kalamata. (B, D)

DAY 9: Sparta / Kalamata / Olympia / Patras
Early morning departure and pass through an olive grove Kalamata, which is famous for its olive trees and the kalamata olive. Then, on to Olympia, where you will have the majority of the day to visit the museum and the Olympia ruins, the location of the first ever Olympic Games. You’ll then drive through picturesque villages and unpoiled land to the Mercouri Estate Winery. Tour the estate and experience th beauty of the vineyards and have a chance to sample three different wines produced here. Continue on to Patras. Overnight in Patras. (B, D)

DAY 10: Patras / Delphi / Arachova
Start the day with a city tour of Patras, Greece’s third-largest city and the main port for boats from Italy and the Ionian Islands. You’ll visit St. Andrews before continuing on to Delphi, one of the most compelling sights in Greece. Visit the museum and ruins and proceed on to Arachova. Overnight in Arachova or Delphi. (B, D)

DAY 11: Arachova / Thessaloniki
Mid-morning arrival in Lamia for a brief stop then resume your way to Thessaloniki with a lunch stop in Platamonas. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Thessaloniki, the capital of Macedonia. An international city, it’s also one of the few cities that has so many monuments from the Ancient, Middle and Byzantine Eras. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B, D)

DAY 12: Thessaloniki / Pella / Vergina / Thessaloniki
Start the day with a visit of Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. It is famous for its marvelous mosaics made from naturally coloured stones. Continue on to Vergina, where the royal tomb of Phillip II was discovered in 1977. Enjoy some free time before returning to Thessaloniki. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (B, D)

DAY 13: Thessaloniki / Kalambaka
This morning, you’ll depart for Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic gray rocks where Pinios River flows down from the Pindus mountain range. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure where you may choose visit the many monasteries and churches surrounding the area. Overnight in Kalambaka. (B, D)

DAY 14: Kalambaka / Meteora / Athens
After breakfast, depart for Meteora and visit two of its monasteries. Then continue on to Athens, with brief stops at Lamia and Thiva enroute. Overnight in Athens. (B)

DAY 15: Athens / End of tour
Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)

 

Your Ship (or similar)

(4 nights) Tonnage: 22,412 gross tons Cabins: 569 cabins Passenger decks: 10 Cruising speed: 21 knots Air-conditioning throughout Swimming pool

Essential Greece Tour Includes

• Roundtrip flight in Economy class
• Roundtrip transfer between the airports, quayside and hotels
• Cruise cabins have two lower beds (limited number are double beds)
• Services of an English and/or Frenchspeaking guide throughout the duration of the tour
• Guided tours and entrance fees as detailed in the package description
• All local taxes and hotel service charges where applicable
• Baggage handling of one suitcase per person (unless otherwise indicated in tour description)
• Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Parties aboard cruise ships Greece
• The services of a representative
• Seven-night Grand Tour of Greece in airconditioned touring motor coaches, airconditioned hotel rooms, tour guide and all entrance fees and breakfast and dinner daily.
• Four-night Greek Island & Turkey Cruise in an air-conditioned inside cabin with 2 lower beds, private shower and toilet. All onboard entertainment and services. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snacks daily. Shore excursions are optional.
• Three nights accommodation in Athens in an air-conditioned hotel room including breakfast.

Essential Greece Trip Does Not Include

• Excess baggage
• Meals other than those detailed
• Optional tours
• Gratuities
• All drinks and wine
• Items of a personal nature

Essential Greece Early Booking Bonus

Early Booking Bonus !
Book and pay by February 10, 2008 and save up to $200/per person for departures April 01 to October 31, 2008.
Book and pay between February 11 and March 31, 2008 inclusively and save up to $100/per person for departures April 01 to October 31, 2008.
If this promotional offer applies to your holiday, prices shown have already been discounted accordingly.

Honeymoon Bonus
Also available, please inquire.

willing to share!
Travellers willing to share may pay the double occupancy rate and be paired up with another passenger of the same sex.

Essential Greece Useful Information

The day-by-day itinerary shown here is for Sunday departures.

For Friday departures the vacation is identical except that the 3 nights in Athens are divided 2 nights on arrival in Greece and 1 night before departure.

Hotel rooms in Europe are generally smaller than in North American hotels. Please keep in mind that rooms with 2 double beds are quite rare. All hotels provide towels; some do not offer face cloths. In most European countries the current is 220V.

Essential Greece Remarks

Please inquire for more details and pricing regarding hotel and/or cabin upgrades.

Remark : Departing and arrival time, days and inclusions mentionned in the tour can change without notice.

This information is valid for departures from January 1st, 2008 until October 31st, 2008.