Compare Spectacular Greece with Island Cruise by SmarTours vs Greece Island Hopper by TruTravels

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

YAMAS you're in Greece baby! Fly into Athens International Airport where you'll start the next 9 EPIC days. We take you to our accommodation in Athens. Chill out, relax, and soak in the warm Greek heat. You're on holiday after all. Later on, we meet up for a big welcome dinner. Meet your new TruFam, get to know each other over an Ouzo shot or 4, chat each other's ears off and find out all the essentials, name, age, where they're from, whether they prefer cats or dogs. You know, the important stuff!

Day 2 Athens

Have a chilled morning before we head out to ancient Acropolis Parthenon, built to be home to Athena, Greek Goddess of the City. The Acropolis oozes in culture and history and is the epitome of Greek heritage today. People travel from all around the world to visit the Acropolis, so walk around and take it all in. It really is a Bucket List destination. Afterwards, we head to the artsy neighbourhood of Exarchia. The walls are filled with colourful murals, the local shops are edgy and quirky and the company? Well...it couldn't be better. We spend the evening here for some 10/10 greek food, fill yourself up on saganaki, eat so much Tzatziki you think you'll turn into yoghurt or skip the food and wash the epic day down with a Mythos. (That's Greece's local beer by the way)

Day 3 Athens/Mykonos

DAY 3 MYKONOS BEACH CLUB & PARTIES We're up early, and we're off to Mykonos! We grab our transport down to the port where we hop on their ferry to our next destination. Mykonos, and yep we’re going big! We’re staying at Paradise Beach Club where we’ll be spending the day sipping cocktails, dancing on the beach and living our Tru best life. Throw out those terrible dance moves to the sounds of the resident DJ sipping on mojito after mojito. Is this paradise? Well yes, quite literally it is. The sun goes down as we party the night away. We grab dinner and see where the night takes us!

Day 4 Mykonos

We have a free morning before we're off on a sightseeing tour in the afternoon. We're taking you to THE hotspots, the hidden gems and everything in between, we're hitting up golden sand beaches, taking you to the best viewpoints before heading to Paradise Beach Club. We're practically VIPs. We spend the day, sunbathing, dancing ridiculously around to the sounds of the resident DJ sipping on mojito after mojito. Is this paradise? Well yes, quite literally it is. The sun goes down as we party the night away. We grab dinner and see where the night takes us!

Day 5 Mykonos/Íos

We're up early and off to the famous island of Ios! It's time to let loose! We check into our ultra cool party hotel. Ios is known as one of the best islands to visit in Greece, and we're about to show you why! Spend the afternoon wandering the white and blue alleyways of the cobbled greek streets, with every twist and turn you'll find more and more beauty. Whatever you fancy Ios has it. In the evening we freshen up before we head out to Ios' famous square! We're going on a bar crawl baby, a TruTravels bar crawl that is! We take you to the best spots with the best bartenders. Dance on the tables, party till the sun comes up, bust out all those dance moves you've been practising. Will this night go down in history? Hell yea! We don't do average, we do legendary.

Day 6 Íos

Wake up, you may have a bit of a fuzzy head, so grab an iced coffee and reenergize because today we’ve got the ultimate TruExclusive for you. We’re heading to a super secluded beach where we’ll relax and nurse off our hangovers before devouring a delicious picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon on a sun lounger, take a dip in the ocean or participate in a game of beach volleyball, hey whatever you fancy we’re in paradise, on our very own quiet beach, with a picnic of delicious greek food. What more could you ask for? The evening is ours to spend as we please, Ios has some of the best restaurants in the whole of Greece, so we hit up a personal favourite. After dinner, we can take the night any direction we'd like. Did someone say - ROUND 2?

Day 7 Íos/Santorini

Today we catch the ferry to Santorini where we stay in the beachfront area of Kamari. Chilled, zen backpacker vibes full of beach bars, cute restaurants and quirky shops plus...€3 Gyros. Winner winner. In the evening we take you wine tasting. Yeah, we fancy. Santorini produces some of the most delicious wine in the world, so it's only right we try it first hand. Watch the sun go down over the caldera as we become world-class wine connoisseurs, ok maybe not. But we'll definitely know the difference between white and red. After a few tipples of wine, we head into Fira, the capital of Santorini where we spend the evening and have dinner and a few drinks. Check out the lively Fira nightlife...we're in Santorini after all...THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Day 8 Santorini

Today we have a full day exploring Santorini and the day is yours to spend as you please. Hit up some of the local beaches, visit Perrissa, or head on over to Black Beach. If you've got some extra energy, take a walk up to Ancient Thira ruins located just off Kamari. In the late afternoon, we get dolled up as we head off to Oia. Walk along the promenade as you watch the sun go down with your TruFam. It's golden hour! Grab those ultimate insta snaps you've seen ALL over Instagram and watch the sun go down to the stunning view of the famous blue dome churches and whitewashed buildings. You haven't seen a sunset unless you've seen an Oia sunset. After a magical evening, we catch our ride back to Fira Town, where we party for our last night together!

Day 9 Santorini

All good things must come to an end, and after 9 days it's time to say goodbye. It's checkout day. We'll miss you, just like you'll miss us. Your Travel Ninja is on hand for any help with onward travel plans or if you're staying on in Greece longer and need some advice! Hey, if you just need a sadness induced hug, they're there for that too. We're bad at goodbye, so we'll say see you next time!