Compare Spectacular Greece with Island Cruise by SmarTours vs Cruising the Islands of Greece & Turkey by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Depart USA.

Your magical journey to Greece and the Greek Isles begins as you depart New York today on your overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrive Athens (Greece).

Accommodation: Athenian Callirhoe Hotel

Arrive today in Athens, the capital of Greece and the birthplace of western civilization. You’ll be met at the airport and escorted to your conveniently located hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 3: Greek Island Cruise: Embark Cruise/Mykonos.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Celestyal Cruises

After a sumptuous breakfast journey to the port of Piraeus, embark your cruise ship and settle into your cabin. Over the next four days you’ll sail the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea and explore the fascinating Greek Isles. Spend the afternoon settling into the cruising routine of enjoying the sun, sea breezes, the pool and other shipboard facilities. Later arrive at the spectacular island of Mykonos renowned for its characteristic windmills and dazzling whitewashed houses. Mykonos is also famous for the stylish crowds that flock to the island’s beautiful beaches by day and to the trendy restaurants and clubs by night. Enjoy leisure time to stroll through the picturesque town with its labyrinth of narrow alleys, striking buildings and inviting shops. You can relax at a seaside cafe or a local taverna and enjoy a drink as you view the passing scenery before heading back to the ship. Set sail later tonight.

Day 4: Greek Island Cruise: Kusadasi – Ephesus / Patmos (Greece).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Dock this morning at the Turkish port of Kusadasi located a short driving distance from the ancient city of Ephesus. Considered the world’s best-preserved classical city and famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis, Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, and new in 2017, smarTours is including this tour as part of your package!

Return to the ship in time for lunch and set sail towards the lively Island of Patmos, Greece, known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. Here you may join an optional excursion to visit St. John’s Monastery. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Greek Island Cruise: Rhodes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today’s port of call is Rhodes, the beautiful “Island of Roses”. In the heart of the port city of Rhodes is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, a fascinating web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin ruins. Its mighty fortifications provide the finest surviving examples of defensive architecture of all time. Rhodes most picturesque town is Lindos where whitewashed houses are clustered beneath a soaring castle-capped acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. New in 2017, enjoy an included shore excursion to beautiful Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights. Set sail later today.

Day 6: Greek Island Cruise: Crete (Heraklion)/Santorini.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Early morning arrival to the island of Crete, rich with history and culture. Awake to the island’s bustling capital, Heraklion, where you can visit one of the island’s most picturesque places: the Lion’s Square. Stop in a local cafe where you can savor a “bougatsa”, a local Cretan pastry. You may also join an optional excursion to see the ruins of the Palace of Knossos.

Return to the ship in time for lunch and continue sailing to Santorini, a volcanic crater immersed in the sea and perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. In the town of Thira whitewashed houses, narrow streets, outdoor cafes and glittering boutiques line the steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule. Join an included tour (new in 2017!) to explore the spectacular Oia Village. Return to the ship for a final night at sea on board your cruise ship.

Day 7: Disembark/Athens/Delphi.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Amalia Hotel

After breakfast bid farewell to your cruise ship and its wonderful staff and embark on a three-day road excursion to the classical cities of mainland Greece. You’ll pass through several ancient towns, including Thebes (home of King Oedipus). en route to Delphi, majestically set on the slopes of breathtaking Mt. Parnassus. On an included guided excursion, explore the ancient site of Delphi, the most beautiful and celebrated ancient site of all. This is where the Oracle representing the revered god Apollo presided over the ancient world. Marvel at the ruins of Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the marble Sacred Way and admire the 4th-century BC theater still in use today. You’ll also visit Delphi’s museum that houses the famous bronze Charioteer, one of antiquity’s greatest statues.This evening, you’ll enjoy an included dinner.

Day 8: Delphi/Nafpatkos/Olympia.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Arty Grand Hotel

This morning, depart Delphi for Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, passing through the beautiful medieval town of Nafpatkos. Arrive in Olympia and enjoy a tour with a local expert of the archaeological site and museum at Olympia, where the Olympic games were conceived as a tribute to Hercules, son of Zeus. These games were the most important international event in the Hellenic world and continue today with the lighting of the Olympic flame that is carried by runners throughout the world. View the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. You’ll also visit the museum and see Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Later, enjoy an included dinner.

Day 9: Olympia/Mycenae/Athens.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Royal Olympic Hotel

After breakfast, en route to Athens, visit the amazingly well preserved 2300 year-old theater of Epidaurus. Continue to ancient Mycenae, which, according to the poets, was founded by Perseus and built with the aid of the mythological Cyclops. Marvel at the excavations that reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel.  Later, arrive back in Athens and check into your deluxe, city-center hotel.

Day 10: Athens.

Meals: Breakfast

An included guided morning tour features a visit to the awe-inspiring Parthenon, the crowning beauty atop the Acropolis. This massive Doric temple was dedicated to Athena, the divine patroness of Athens. Just north of the Parthenon view the Erechtheum with its graceful Porch of Caryatids. You’ll also see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus before descending the Acropolis for a panoramic drive to view the Royal Palace, government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city that stand in a striking contrast to the remains of Athens’ glorious past. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Athens independently. Your hotel is located within easy walking distance to Athens’ lively and inviting old town, the Plaka!

Day 11: Athens/USA.

Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Your memorable journey ends as you arrive back in New York later today.

Day 1 Athens

Welcome to Athens, Greece’s historic capital city. You will be met on arrival at Athens International Airport and transferred to your hotel. There is a lot to do and see here in one of the world's oldest cities, so you may wish to arrive a few days early to explore. The Archaeological Museum of Athens is highly recommended. There are no activities planned for today, other than an important welcome meeting which will take place at your hotel this evening at 6pm.

Day 2 Athens

This morning, check-out of the hotel and enjoy a guided city tour. This afternoon transfer to the port where you will board the M/S Panorama at about 3 pm and set sail at around 4 pm. The first stop of your journey is Sounion, where a memorable sunset dinner awaits. Get to know your fellow travellers as you dine under the magnificent temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Towering 65 metres (213 feet) above the Aegean Sea, its marble columns have inspired many who came before, including poet Lord Byron. Sail overnight to Poliegos.

Day 3 Poliegos and Folegandros

Arrive in Poliegos. Meaning ‘many goats’ in Greek, the aptly named island is uninhabited apart from its large goat population, and is known for its untouched beaches, gorgeous rock formations and sea caves. Enjoy a swim in the clear Aegean Sea and a lunch barbecue on the beach before setting sail for Folegandros. Stretch your legs in the clifftop town of Hora, one of the oldest and most picturesque traditional towns in the Cyclades. Enjoy free time in port for dinner, perhaps gathering a few of your travel friends together for a seafood meal. Stay overnight in port.

Day 4 Ios to Santorini

Sail to los in the morning for a stop at Manganari Beach. Its remote location makes it a private paradise and an ideal spot for a relaxing morning swim. Enjoy a delicious onboard barbecue as you continue on to Santorini. In the afternoon, take a cable car from Thira Old Port up to town for a leader led orientation walk. Later transfer to Venetsanos Winery and enjoy some local tastings. Next stop is Oia for that picture- perfect view before having free time back in Thira to check out one of the many the local restaurants. Head back to the boat to relax and unwind perhaps under the stars on the deck.

Day 5 Amorgos

Depart early for Amorgos, where you will spend half a day touring the island. This tour includes a visit to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa (Monastery of the Virgin Mary). Built precariously into the face of a cliff, the 11th-century monastery offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Follow this with a stop at Aegiali Beach where there’s time to swim and enjoy a barbecue on the beach. Sail overnight to Samos.

Day 6 Kusadasi, Turkey - Samos, Greece

After an early morning customs clearance in Samos, continue to Kusadasi, a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast and the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. Tour this incredible archaeological site and learn about its varied history with a local guide. After a traditional Turkish lunch, indulge in some shopping and learn a thing or two about Turkish carpets. Spend the evening at port in Samos, then depart at midnight for Mykonos.

Day 7 Delos to Mykonos

In the morning, sail to the ancient World Heritage-listed site of Delos. The mythological birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis, this tiny island is considered one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites. Explore these awesome ruins with the help of a local guide, who will explain some history and point out key attractions. Head back to the ship for a late lunch and a swim stop, before continuing to Mykonos for a leader-led orientation walk followed by a free evening.

Day 8 Mykonos

Today is a free day to acquaint yourself with the glitz and glamour of Mykonos. Its charming Old Town is a delightful maze of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. Perhaps explore the chic boutiques that line the town’s photogenic walkways. Or you may opt to soak up the sun on one of the main beaches. Return to the ship for a captain’s dinner, then sail overnight to Athens.

Day 9 Athens

Enjoy breakfast with your fellow travellers before disembarking in Athens between 8 and 9 am. With no other activities planned for today, you are free to leave the marina at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend a couple more days exploring Athens at your own pace, we’ll be happy to organise additional land-based accommodation (subject to availability).