Compare Classical Greece & Islands of the Aegean by Titan Travel vs Greece: Ancient Ruins & Iconic Islands by G Adventures
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 3,109 | $ 3,484 |
| Price Per Day | $ 239 | $ 290 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Large ship cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes | N/A | N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A | N/A |
| Meals Included | N/A | 11 breakfasts, 1 dinner |
| Description | This is Greek Island cruising at its best, beginning with a two-night hotel stay in Athens - giving you time to experience the capital’s many wonders, including the world-famous Acropolis. Take a drive to the monastery of Osios Loukas, followed by Delphi, home of the ancient Oracle of Apollo. Then explore Mycenae, the Greek amphitheatre of Epidaurus, and the Minoan site of Akrotiri that was wonderfully well-preserved beneath volcanic ash. In Crete learn more about the Palace of Knossos and in Rhodes, visit the Acropolis of Lindos, then step ashore on the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of Achilles, before relaxing on the waterfront in beautiful Mykonos. |
Step back in time on a journey to Greece, where iconic ruins bring ancient history to life. Explore the awe-inspiring monuments of Athens and the stunning Cyclades islands; and run and jump in the footsteps of ancient Greek athletes at the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Then venture to the olive-covered hills and rugged coasts of the Peloponnese, where some of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey played out; and savour the delightfully fresh flavours of Greek cuisine. |
Day 1 UK - Athens
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Athens. On arrival, you are met by Voyages to Antiquity representatives and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 Athens
Athens has been influenced by many, and has itself influenced the world. Choose to visit to the Acropolis, the 5th century BC site dominated by the Parthenon; or visit Illissia Mansion, home to the Byzantine and Christian Museum which holds the world’s largest collection of icons, and then the Byzantine Monastery of Kaisariani with its fine frescoes and elegant gardens.
Day 3 Athens - Delphi
We drive to Osios Loukas, a World Heritage-listed Byzantine monastery, en route to Delphi. Rooted deep in ancient Greek myths, a sanctuary to Apollo was created here and, between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the Delphic Oracle sat within it, channelling the god’s wisdom. It was also the site of the Pythian Games, the second most important after the Olympics. We stay at a hotel in Delphi tonight.
Day 4 Delphi - Nauplia
Mycenae was one of the greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilisation. Hear stories of great Greek victories and tragedies on a tour of a town that rivalled Troy, before we continue to Nauplia, where we stay tonight.
Day 5 Epidaurus - Piraeus
We visit Epidaurus, known throughout the Hellenic world for its unique medical facilities. Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, with the exception of the theatre. We continue to Piraeus to embark Aegean Odyssey (4T).
Day 6 Santorini
Enjoy the wonderful scenes and visit the picturesque villages of Santorini, including Oia, a village famed for its whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches. Then choose from Akrotiri, an archaeological site that reveals an amazingly well-preserved city of houses, streets, squares and workshops, or Argyros Winery. Ship to shore tender service.
Day 7 Heraklion
We spend the morning at the magnificent Palace of Knossos, with its flamboyant decoration, courts, audience chambers and residential areas is an impressive and inspiring site. The guided tour will take you through this legend-rich, entrancing complex that sprawled across five acres, where everything from the throne room to royal living quarters is reconstructed with meticulous care. On our return to Heraklion, we will visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilisation of Crete. An optional afternoon tour to explore Cretan village life is also available.
Day 8 Agios Nikolaos
A day at leisure to enjoy the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos.
Day 9 Karpathos
Enjoy the dramatic scenery and wild mountains in Karpathos, a craggy island that has largely escaped commercialisation. Karpathos has many customs practised nowhere else in Greece, and women can still be seen wearing the island’s traditional, colourful clothes. It is believed that Prometheus and his Titans were born here.
Day 10 Rhodes
Leave behind the port where the Colossus once stood and discover a stunning ensemble of Gothic architecture in Rhodes Town. Many structures date to the era of the Knights of St John. Visit the restored Grand Master’s Palace which served as a fortress and later, a summer residence of Mussolini. Or you may prefer to take an excursion to the Acropolis at Lindos. At the summit is the Doric Temple of Lindian Athena, an archaeological jewel with views over St Paul’s Bay, where the Apostle is said to have sought shelter.
Day 11 Nisyros
Discover the treasures of beautiful Nisyros, created according to mythology, during the war between Gods and Giants. The long history has left faint traces of Minoan and Mycenaean cultures, many classical sculptures, Roman baths and byzantine churches, although standing in ruins today. Ship to shore tender service.
Day 12 Delos - Mykonos
Discover the tiny, deserted isle of Delos, the religious centre of the Cyclades. Some of the richest archaeological treasure troves in Greece await as you leave the sacred harbour on your guided walking tour, including the spectacular Avenue of the Lions and the guardians of the sacred lake where Leto gave birth to the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo. The afternoon is then at leisure in Mykonos, a cosmopolitan island said to have been formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. This charming, whitewashed resort also offers spots of historical interest. Ship to shore tender service.
Day 13 Piraeus - Athens - UK
We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Day 1 Athens
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Athens
Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Explore the iconic Acropolis with an archaeologist guide and wander among the columns of the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena. Continue to the ancient Agora—where Athenians gathered to discuss the affairs of the day—and listen to our guide bring these timeless ruins to life. Afterwards, be enriched and refreshed with drinks and a tour of local non-profit cafe, Shedia Home.
Day 3 Athens/Delphi
Take free time to explore Athens on your own, or choose to visit the National Garden. Afterward, journey to Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo—seat of the fabled oracle of Delphi and considered the center of the world by the ancients.
Day 4 Delphi/Olympia
Explore mystical Delphi on a guided tour, then continue discovering the ruins on your own and visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi to admire the many artifacts discovered at the site. Travel along the breathtaking Gulf of Corinth, crossing into the Peloponnese via the Rio-Antirrio bridge, an impressively long multi-span cable-stay bridge. Wind your way to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and channel your inner champion as you discover this remarkable site, where ancient Greek athletes would gather every four years to compete in a series of sporting events honoring Zeus.
Day 5 Olympia/Náfplio
Browse the Olympia Museum this morning, then travel to Náfplio, a charming port town and the first capital of modern Greece. In Náfplio, lose yourself in the winding lanes of the old town, and take in glimpses of the sapphire-hued Aegean Sea from the hilltops.
Day 6 Náfplio
Embark on an excursion to the Bronze Age city of Mycenae, where the legendary king Agamemnon ruled. Take a guided tour of the ruins, enclosed within Cyclopean walls, and enter the citadel through the famed Lion Gate—one of Europe’s oldest monumental sculptures. Return to Náfplio and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Opt to climb up to the Akronafplia fortress, or hit the beach.
Day 7 Athens/Náxos
Drive back to Athens, stopping en route at the ancient site of Epidaurus and the ruins of Corinth, where the Christian apostle Paul is said to have visited in the first century A.D. From Athens, board a ferry to the Cyclades islands. Relax on board, enjoying sparkling views of the sea, and disembark at Náxos, the largest island in the archipelago.
Day 8 Náxos
The Cyclades are known around the word for their dazzling white villages and golden beaches. On Naxos, while away your time exploring the storybook old town; opt to walk to the emblematic Temple of Apollo, overlooking the sea; or stretch out on a sandy beach.
Day 9 Santorini
Catch a ferry to postcard-perfect Santorini. Get to know this much-photographed isle at your own pace, discovering candy-colored doorways and sugar-cube buildings; and take in a spectacular sunset from the village of Oía. Savor the taste of local produce—marked by the island’s volcanic soil—or unwind at the beach.
Day 10 Santorini
This morning, sail Santorini’s breathtaking sunken caldera, and learn about the volcanic origins of the surrounding crescent-shaped ring of islands. Later, enjoy free time to explore Santorini.
Day 11 Santorini/Athens
Fly back to Athens for an adventure in Greek cookery. Head out with a local expert to a teaching kitchen and learn how to craft mezze, a platter of appetizers commonly served in southeast Europe and the Middle East. Wash down these tasty snacks with a glass of ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and cheer our journey with your best “opa!”
Due to strict weight restrictions, plan on packing light for your flight. Because of current weight limits and the inability to add on more weight, checked baggage should be no heavier than 15kg, and hand luggage should weigh no more than 6kg.
Day 12 Athens
Depart at any time.
