9 days from $1599*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

Athens is the city where past meets present and east meets west, and where you will begin your magical visit to Greece. Enjoy three nights in the city that is known as the birthplace of Western civilization, and four nights sailing to the magnificent Greek islands of Mykonos, Kusadasi in Turkey, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini, Greece's most popular island.

Our package includes flights, superior hotel accommodations in Athens for three nights, a Greek Island cruise for four nights, buffet breakfast daily, all meals aboard the cruise, and transfers. Explore Athens and the islands on your own, or take interesting and inexpensive optional tours. All the flexibility and fun is yours for incredibly low prices. After your tour, take advantage of an inexpensive and exciting Classic Greece extension!

Space is limited and at these prices, it will surely sell out quickly.

Athens & 4 Day Greek Isles Cruise Tour Program

Click here for arrival & departure times for port calls.

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Athens, Greece, begins this evening as you check in for your overnight jet flight.

Day 2: Arrive Athens. Late morning arrival in Athens, the birthplace of western civilization. You'll be met by our representative and then escorted to your centrally located hotel within a short distance of Constitution Square and the famous Plaka (Old Town). Hotel Titania

Day 3: Athens, Piraeus & Mykonos. Transfer to Piraeus this morning to board your Greek Island cruise ship, the M/V Ocean Countess. Set sail at 11:00 AM and spend the afternoon enjoying the sun, warm seabreezes, pool and shipboard facilities. Arrive at Mykonos later this afternoon, where chic crowds flock to the island's trendy restaurants, discos and clubs each night, and where you can sit seaside, sipping ouzo and watching the sunset while listening to traditional Greek music.

Before heading back to the ship, enjoy a stroll through Mykonos town with its labyrinth of winding alleyways and whitewashed buildings, basket-laden donkeys, cascading geraniums and upscale shops and cafes. Please note that in November and March, arrival at Mykonos (about 6:30 pm) is after sunset. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey & Patmos, Greece. Arrive at Kusadasi in Turkey. Just ten kilometers from the port of Kusadasi is the ancient city of Ephessos, where you'll find an archaeological site that ranks among the wonders of the world. Explore this fascinating town where history truly comes to life on an optional tour that includes the the Great Theatre of Ephessos, which had a capacity of 25,000 people, and the Library of Celsus dating from 135 A.D.

Later this afternoon, return to your ship for lunch aboard as you sail toward Patmos, Greece. You'll arrive later this afternoon and disembark at Skala harbor, a lively place with whitewashed houses, flowered courtyards, tavernas and shops. The Island of Patmos is famous in history as the place where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. An optional tour takes you to the cave where St. John lived and the nearby Monastery, built on one of the island's highest points, housing priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Rhodes. Today you'll visit Rhodes, the beautiful "Island of Roses". In the heart of the island's biggest city, also named 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 the time. Lindos, with its whitewashed houses clustered beneath a soaring castle-capped acropolis, is Rhodes' most picturesque village and most important Doric settlement because of its natural harbor and vantage point built 125 meters above sea level. Wander about on your own or take advantage of optional shore excursions. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Heraklion & Santorini. The ruins of Knossos—the capital of Minoan Crete and today the island's major tourist attraction—are just five kilometers from Heraklion city center and an optional shore excursion will take you to see this fascinating site. Other points of interest here include Heraklion's Archaeological Museum, one of the finest in Greece, housing exquisite findings from Knossos and other Minoan ruins, numerous Venetian fortresses, fountains and loggias scattered throughout the city and the Historical Museum of Crete, with its Byzantine and folklore collections.The open air market is a must-see, where a boisterous crowd buys and sells everything from goats and sheep to huge cauldrons of fresh yogurt.

Return to the ship to continue sailing to Santorini. This striking island, with breathtaking panoramas and rugged landscapes, is actually a volcanic crater slightly immersed in the sea. The island is famous for its whitewashed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques which cling to steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule. Enjoy an optional tour of Santorini that takes you up along the rocky Caldera (volcanic crater). Drive uphill along the rocky sides of the Caldera and pass through many traditional villages to Oia, a village that brims with many fine examples of Cycladic architecture. Return to the ship for a final evening at sea. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Piraeus & Athens. Arrival at Piraeus and disembark from your ship. Enjoy a full day to explore Athens on your own or on optional tours (see below). Our Athens representatives will be glad to make suggestions if you prefer to explore independently. To make the most of your visit and enrich your experience, our representatives will offer you a chance to join some exclusive excursions to the city's highlights as well as memorable evening activities. Hotel Titania (B)

Day 8: Athens. Enjoy a full day to explore Athens. Your hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city, within short distance of many major attractions, as well as the best shopping and dining. Explore on your own or continue your touring on optional excursions. We suggest an evening at the Plaka, where you'll find typical Greek tavernas complete with music and celebratory throwing of plates. It's an experience not to be missed! (B)

Day 9: Athens/USA. Early this morning board your homebound flight. Your magical journey to Greece ends as you arrive the USA later today.

Classical Greece Post-Tour Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare and visit the classical cities of Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, and Delphi? Your extension includes superior hotels, most meals and guided touring of the most fascinating of the classical cities of Greece including entrance fees to places visited.

Day 8: Athens, Mycenae & Olympia. After breakfast this morning, board your touring coach and begin a tour of the classical cities of Greece. Drive across the Corinth Canal, which connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean, to the Peloponnesian Peninsula, where 4,000 years of history are more fully and comprehensibly illustrated than anywhere else in Europe.

Here we'll visit the famous theater of Epidaurus, the best preserved in Greece, which reached the height of its fame in the 5th & 4th centuries B.C. The acoustics are so perfect that even from the last of the 55 tiers, every word can be heard. Continue to ancient Mycenae, which, according to the poets, was founded by Perseus and built with the aid of the mythological Cyclops. Drive on to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic games, for dinner and overnight. Hotel Amalia Olympia (B,D)

Day 9: Olympia, Nafpaktos & Delphi. This morning we'll tour the archeological 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 from 776 B.C. to 393 A.D. and continue today, with the lighting of the Olympic flame that is carried by runners throughout the world. Visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and the Museum.

This afternoon we drive via Patras to Rion, Antirion and picturesque Nafpaktos, where according to mythology, Hercules slew the Erymanthine boar and where we'll view the lovely circular Venetian harbor. Continue our drive to Delphi for dinner and overnight. Hotel Amalia Delphi (B,D)

Day 10: Delphi & Kalambaka. After breakfast we'll explore the ancient site of Delphi, located on the slopes of the breathtaking Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Here lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the museum, which contains masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture including the famous bronze Charioteer.The site had been sacred since at least the Bronze Age. According to legend, the shrine was originally guarded by the she-dragon Pytho. She was killed by Apollo who then took over the oracle. In antiquity, Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world.

Later, we'll depart for the small town of Kalambaka, built at the foot of the majestic gray rocks, at the point where river Pinios leaves the Pindos Mountain. Hotel Amalia Kalambaka (B,D)

Day 11: Meteora & Athens. This morning we will visit the spectacular Meteora monasteries, perched upon the summits of some precipitous and isolated rocky pinnacles, which rise above the almost flat valley of the Pinios river, 9 km beyond Kalambaka. The monastic history of Meteora goes back to the 11th century AD, when the monks constructed inaccessible eagle's nests in the crannies of these rocks and today, four are still occupied.

Later this afternoon we'll drive back to Athens, via Thermopylae, famous battleground from the Persian wars. Arrive in Athens and check in at our hotel. Hotel Titania (B)

Day 12: Athens/USA. This morning, board your homebound flight. Your magical journey to Greece ends as you arrive the USA later today.

Optional Tours in Athens

$199/person if pre-booked

To take full advantage of your visit to Greece, we offer a discounted package of the most popular optional tours featured on our tour. These are not "seat in coach" tours that pick up passengers in various hotels. All the optional tours are operated for Friendly Planet groups only.

*Half Day Athens
Enjoy a morning tour of the principal modern and classical sites, including Constitution Square, the Panathenian Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Presidential Palace, The Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parthenon with its many monuments atop the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. (€52 per person)

*Athens by Night Dinner/Tour
Your evening dinner-tour begins with a gorgeous orientation drive along the illuminated boulevards of Athens, as far as Piraeus, Greece's principal commercial port. Continue to Marina Zea, one of the busiest yacht harbors on the Mediterranean and home to many luxury pleasure yachts belonging to Greece's shipping and jet-set communities. From here, a short drive to lovely Mikrolimano, another picturesque yacht and fishing harbor. Return to Athens and the renowned "Plaka" district, located around the base of the Acropolis, for dinner with live floor show at a typical Greek taverna. (€60 per person)

Ancient Corinth
Drive west from Athens, along the scenic coastal highway to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal. Continue to the site of Ancient Corinth, one of the most celebrated cities of antiquity, owing its great importance to its strategic physical location that controlled the only land route into the Peloponnese. Here you'll view remains of the ancient Romans as well as the ancient Greeks, with a portion of the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest ruins in Greece. (€58 per person)

The special package price of $199 per person is available when booked and prepaid prior to departure. If you don't want to book the entire package, individual optional tours will be available for booking when you arrive in Greece. These tours, when purchased individually in Greece, cost €170 per person (approximately $220 per person).

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Greece, click here.

Itinerary Outline & Port Call Times

Day	Port of Call	Arrival	Departure
Monday	Piraeus/Athens, Greece		11:00 AM
Monday	Mykonos, Greece	6:30 PM	11:00 PM
Tuesday	Kusadasi, Turkey	7:00 AM	12:00 Noon
Tuesday	Patmos, Greece*	4:30 PM	9:00 PM
Wednesday	Rhodes, Greece	7:00 AM	6:00 PM
Thursday	Heraklion, Crete, Greece	7:00 AM	11:00 AM
Thursday	Santorini, Greece*	4:30 PM	9:00 PM
Friday	Piraeus/Athens, Greece	7:00 AM

*Itinerary Notes: Ports of Patmos and Santorini: Disembarkation by tender boats, weather permitting. Passengers taking the optional shore excursions will disembark first.

Monarch Classic Cruises M/V Ocean Countess

Click here for specifications, deck plans and more photos of the ship.

The luxurious and newly refurbished M/V Ocean Countess is known as Monarch Classic Cruises’ “Regal Lady of the Sea.” With her chic design and array of modern amenities and comforts typical of those of an upscale hotel, the M/V Ocean Countess provides the perfect floating base for exploring the beauty of the Greek Isles.

With 400 spacious deluxe, superior, and standard cabins, the M/V Ocean Countess has a passenger capacity of 800.  All cabins are tastefully decorated and equipped with air-conditioning, closet space, private bathroom, TV, and international direct-dial telephone.

Specifications
Length: 537 ft.	Breadth: 75 ft.
Tonnage: 17,593 tons	Cruising Speed: 17 knots
Passenger Capacity: 800	Passenger Decks: 6
Total Cabins: 400

ASIA
A Taste of China
A Taste of Malaysia & Borneo
Beautiful Bhutan - Festivals Tour
Best of China & Yangtze Cruise
Best of India & Nepal
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Borneo Adventure
Japan Panorama
Taj Mahal Express
Treasures of Thailand
AFRICA
Discover Morocco
Kenya Wildlife Safari
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Pyramids, Nile Cruise & Petra
South African Explorer
EUROPE
Athens Express
Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin
Enchanting Germany
Italian Treasures
Spain & Portugal
MIDDLE EAST
Classic Israel: Land of the Bible
Dazzling Dubai
Pyramids & Petra
SOUTH AMERICA
Amazing Peru
Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
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Patagonian Explorer
Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos
SOUTH PACIFIC
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MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES
Athens & Greek Isles Cruise
Classical Greece by Sea
easyCruise Greek Isles, Turkey
Greece, Turkey & Croatia Cruise
Italy, Greece & Turkey Cruise
Italy, Greek Isles & Croatia Cruise
Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Malta Cruise
Spain, France & Italy Cruise

Region:	-- all regions -- Africa Asia Europe Middle East South America
Country:	-- all countries --
Duration:	-- any length -- Up to 8 days 9 - 12 days 13 - 16 days 17 days or more
Budget:	-- any budget -- Up to $1000 Up to $2000 Up to $3000 Up to $4000
Month:	-- anytime -- January February March April May June July August September October November December

Athens & 4 Day Greek Island Cruise
Included Features

• Round trip flights from New York via Olympic Airways non-stop service including fuel surcharges. Other gateways available upon request. (flight schedule)
• 3 nights superior hotel accommodations at the Hotel Titania in Athens
• 4 nights in standard inside cabins (cat. F) aboard the Monarch Classic M/V Ocean Countess
• Buffet breakfast daily in Athens and all meals aboard the cruise
• On the Classical Greece extension, 3 nights accommodations at the Superior First Class Amalia Hotels in Olympia, Delphi and Kalambaka
• On the Classical Greece extension, buffet breakfast and dinner daily (except in Athens
• All group transfers
• Professional, English-speaking tour host throughout

Shop & Compare

Our tours may look similar to others you've seen, but we invite you to shop & compare. There are important differences that make Friendly Planet tours the best you can find.

No Compromise on Quality: Despite our extraordinary prices, there are no compromises on our Athens & Greek Islands cruise/tours. In Athens and on our Classical Greece extension, you'll stay in Superior First Class, centrally located hotels that are noted for their amenities and service.

Included Features:Your group transfers are all included, not expensive extras as in other tours. Breakfast daily in Athens and all meals aboard the cruise are also included.

Credit Cards or Cash: You asked, and we listened! Whether you pay by check, money order or your favorite major credit card, your tour price on this tour is the same. No extra cost to charge your dream vacation to Greece. Credit Card Authorization Form.

Personal Service: Most important of all, the extra ingredient that makes our tours stand apart from others—the wonderful, personal attention you'll receive from our friendly staff in the USA and our representatives in Greece —is completely free of charge. Compare our Greece programs to others, feature for feature. You'll see for yourself that ours are the very best value for money you'll find anywhere.

  TourCode: d-000

Athens & 4 Day Greek Isles Cruise Departures & Prices* Depart Return Book by Feb 11 After Feb 11 2009 DEPARTURES Mar 7 Mar 15 $1599 $1899 Mar 14 Mar 22 $1759 $2059 Mar 21 Mar 29 $1699 $1999 Mar 28 Apr 5 $1699 $1999 Apr 18 Apr 26 $1999 $2299 May 9 May 17 $1999 $2299 May 23 May 31 $2099 $2399 Jun 20 Jun 28 $2499 $2799 Jul 18 Jul 26 $2499 $2799 Aug 15 Aug 23 $2499 $2799 Sep 5 Sep 13 $2199 $2499 Sep 19 Sep 27 $2099 $2399 Oct 10 Oct 18 $2099 $2399

Tour prices are per person, double occupancy, including airfare. Prices in red reflect an early booking discount if you reserve by Feb. 11, 2009. * Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee for this tour of $135.

Taxes & Fees Service Price Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee +$135 Port Taxes & Fees +$90

Optionals & Upgrades Service Price Discounted Optional Tours Package* +$199 Single Supplement +$549 Cabin Upgrades Category A/B (outside, porthole) +$145 Category TA/TB (outside, window) +$350 Cabin Upgrade Single Supplements Category A/B Single Supplement +$74 Category TA/TB Single Supplement +$179

* Optional tours package must be pre-booked to receive discounted price.

Classical Greece Extension Service Price Classical Greece Extension   Apr 18, May 9, May 23, Jun 20, Jul 18, Aug 15, Sep 5, Sep 19, Oct 10 +$699 All other departures +$599 Single Supplement +$199

Departure Airport: This tour departs from New York Kennedy International (JFK). Ask about availability and prices for connecting flights from other cities.

Travel Insurance: Our comprehensive policy is available for only $99-$159 per person (depending on total trip cost) and is recommended to protect your investment.

AVAILABILITY: Our cruise tours are heavily in demand, and even if a departure shows as available, availability may be limited to certain decks or cabin categories. Please check with us by telelphone (800-555-5765) for up-to-the-minute status on our cruise programs. If you are reserving this tour less than 60 days prior to departure, confirmation is subject to space availability. We will advise you within 48 hours if we can confirm your reservation. In the meantime, no credit cards will be debited for deposits or payments until we are able to confirm your reservations.

Flight Schedule: Click here for a full flight schedule.

Transfers: Transfers for this tour are provided on a group basis only. For land-only passengers or for passengers deviating in any way from the group program, transfers are not provided. Individual, private transfers can be arranged at a supplement in price. Taxis and other forms of transportation are also available and may cost less than private transfers. If you wish to arrange private transfers, please request this service at the time of reservation.

Waitlisting on Friendly Planet Sold-Out Departures: If your preferred departure is sold out, you can place yourself on a waitlist by completing the online reservation form and submitting it to us. Just click on the "waitlist" button, complete the form and click "submit". In the comments box at the very bottom of the form, please write any notes regarding your request, especially any flexibility you might have in your dates of travel. This way, if your first choice doesn't clear, we can try for a second or third choice. We will make every effort to clear your space in a timely way so that you can join us on tour. You do not need to send any deposits for waitlists. When we clear your space, we'll contact you immediately by phone or email, and if you still wish to travel, we will arrange for deposits or payments at that time. We regret that we cannot accept waitlists beyond 35 days prior to departure. If you see "sold out" next to the dates you wish to reserve or waitlist, please note that this departure is now closed, including waitlist possibilities.

Already Booked? Print and complete your Tour Registration Form (PDF).

800.555.5765 / Fax 215.572.9803

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* Some tour prices reflect an early booking discount on select dates. Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee.

Though we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information on our site about our tours, sometimes oversights and typographical errors can occur. Please confirm all tour prices and details with us via email or phone prior to booking. We will not be held responsible for misunderstandings arising from such errors.

TourCode: d-000