Greece Explorer & Cruise - 14 Days
Greece Explorer & Cruise - 14 Days
Greece Explorer & Cruise - 14 Days
14 Days Starting in Athens and ending in Santorini
Visiting: Athens, Athens Walking Tours, Olympia, Delphi, Kalabaka, Mikonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, Thera
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 45
Age range:
Children are welcome on these tours. However please note that finding family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children can be difficult - please check with the Ground Handler before confirming any family bookings.
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
SEMI-INDEPENDENT TOUR: Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Greek heroes with this two-week tour which travels from Athens to Santorini, ending with a 4-day cruise around the beautiful Aegean. Along the way, visit the incredible Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi and ancient Ephesus in Turkey, relax on the sunny beaches of Mykonos and explore the medieval old town in Rhodes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Athens
Location: Athens
Welcome to Greece! Transfer to your hotel upon arrival at Athens airport, where you may spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 : Athens City Tour
Location: Athens Walking Tours
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our adventure begins with a tour of Greece's 3000-year old capital city, named after the goddess Athena. We start with a panoramic tour of important sites including the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896), Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Syntagma Square. Travelling back in time, we then enjoy a guided visit of the Acropolis, the ancient hilltop sanctuary housing the architectural masterpieces of Classical Athens: the Parthenon, Propylaia, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion. This is followed by a tour of the Acropolis Museum, recently voted one of the best museums in the world. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the old Plaka neighbourhood and maybe shop for some souvenirs on Ermou street.
Day 3 : Olympia
Location: Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Athens - Epidaurus - Mycenae - Olympia. After breakfast, we depart for the Peloponnese, the rocky peninsula home to many of Greece's greatest archaeological sites. First we stop at the gaping Corinth Canal, a narrow waterway separating the Peloponnese and mainland Greece. We continue to Epidaurus, a hub of ancient healing with a theater famed for its acoustics.
After a short seaside stop in Nafplion, we visit Mycenae, the ancient civilization described by Homer as "rich in gold" and excavated by Heinrich Schliemann. The site includes the towering Cyclopean walls, the beehive tomb of Agamemnon, and the famous Lion's Gate. In the afternoon, we cross the mountains of the Peloponnese to arrive in Olympia for dinner.
Day 4 : Olympia
Location: Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Olympia - Delphi. Built on the banks of the River Alfios, the lush green sanctuary of Olympia once housed the original ancient Olympic Games, held every four years in honour of Zeus. Today we enjoy a tour through its remains, including the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, and Phidias's workshop. We continue to the local museum, one of the richest in Greece with famous works such as the Hermes of Praxiteles. In the afternoon, we head return to mainland Greece, over the Rio-Antirio bridge, to Delphi for dinner.
Day 5 : Delphi
Location: Delphi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Delphi - Kalambaka. The sanctuary at Delphi was revered in antiquity as a center of pilgrimage, home to the Pythia (oracle) in the Temple of Apollo. We will follow the Sacred Way, the path followed by ancient visitors through the sanctuary. We then visit the local museum, where we'll find the bronze Charioteer statue and the omphalos stone. Afterwards, we cross the mountains of central Greece back to the mainland, arriving in Kalambaka for our overnight stay.
Day 6 : Kalambaka
Location: Kalabaka
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kalambaka - Athens. This morning we visit Meteora, a stunning World Heritage site where a series of towering rock formations shelter a number of sacred Eastern Orthodox monasteries. In the afternoon we return to Athens for the night, briefly stopping at Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans made a famous last stand against the Persians in 480 BC.
Day 7 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today offers free time to further explore the delights of Athens. Alternatively a optional tour to Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon will be available.
Day 8 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning transfer to the port for an exciting day cruise to the Saronic gulf islands. Our first stop will be the picturesque island of Hydra, well know to the international jetset. On Hydra you can explore the little cobble-stoned streets. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the Mitropolis at your own pace. Next, we visit the island of Poros with its clock tower facing the Peloponnese. Last comes Aegina, a weekend retreat for many Athenians. Make sure to buy some pistachios, as Aegina is world-famous for its production. A buffet lunch will be served on board, and on the way back you will have to opportunity to see and participate to some traditional Greek dances!
Day 9 : Mykonos
Location: Mikonos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning return to the port to board the elegant Celestyal Cruises ship and embark on a three night 'Iconic Aegean' cruise, from Athens to Santorini. We'll arrive in Mykonos this afternoon. Take advantage of the free shuttle service provide by the cruise line to explore the bustling Chora (Mykonos town) until late in the evening.
Day 10 : Patmos
Location: Patmos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mykonos - Patmos. Our cruise takes us to Turkey this morning, we sail to Kusadasi for an excursion to the town's covered bazaar and the ancient city of Ephesus, where the Temple of Artemis - among the Seven Wonders of the World - was once located.
Returning to the ship this afternoon, we continue back to Greece and the island of Patmos. Here we find the hilltop Monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the apostle is believed to have witnessed the events of the Book of Revelation, an optional excursion to visit these places is offered.
Day 11 : Rhodes
Location: Rhodes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Patmos - Rhodes. In the morning we arrive in Rhodes. An included 'medieval tour' takes in the sights of this World Heritage city, including the Acropolis of Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights (Old Town). Overnight, our cruise continues south to the island of Crete.
Day 12 : Heraklion
Location: Heraklion
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Rhodes - Heraklion - Santorini. We arrive in Heraklion, the capital of Crete, early this morning, where you have the option of an excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Immortalized in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, this Bronze Age settlement stood at the heart of one of Greece's earliest civilizations. We reach the island of Santorini in the afternoon, where we leave our cruise and transfer to our hotel.
Day 13 : Santorini
Location: Thera
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure in Santorini, an Aegean paradise widely considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Explore the whitewashed towns of Fira and Oia with their views of the volcano which birthed the island, watch the spectacular sunset from the black-sanded beaches, or cruise the caldera on a boat tour.
Day 14 : Santorini
Location: Thera
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our Greek odyssey ends today. Enjoy the morning at leisure before an included transfer to Santorini airport to meet your onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3-4 star hotels and inside cabin on cruise ship
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10 nights 3-4 star hotels, and 3 nights inside cabin on the cruise ship
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13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 6 dinners
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One arrival transfer on Day 1 (Athens) and one departure transfer on Day 14 (Santorini) included per booking
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Guided sightseeing in Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, and either Samos or Kusadasi
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Services of an English-speaking tour guide for all scheduled sightseeing
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Entrance fees for all included sites
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A 4-day/3-night Greek Islands cruise, with all meals, drinks package, port taxes, service charges and 2 shore excursions included
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Note: Touring is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups, not solely On The Go. You will join travellers who booked through other operators for sightseeing each day, some staying in different hotels, and spend your evenings at leisure. The group
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
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A hotel tax of €3.00 per room per night to be paid directly to the hotel at time of check in. Please budget Euro 30, for the duration of the tour. See Trip Notes additional info for details
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A hotel tax of €3.00 per room per night to be paid directly to the hotel at time of check in. See Trip Notes additional info for details
Age Policy
Children aged up to 12 are welcome on these tours. However please note that finding family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children is not easy - so please check with the Ground Handler before confirming the booking.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
One arrival transfer on Day 1 (Athens) and one departure transfer on Day 14 (Santorini) included per booking
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.