Athens & 4 Day Greek Isles Cruise
Athens, then a 4 day cruise to Mykonos, Kuşadası & Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini & Crete; travel on your own with flights & hotel included. Optional Classical Greece extension.
Overview
| Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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| Departures | March – November 2025 | ||
| Themes | Small Ship Cruises | ||
| Activity Level | Recreational | ||
| What to Expect | This is a moderately-paced, independent package. Excursions with local tour guides include a reasonable amount of walking and requires and average level of physical fitness. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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A Mediterranean vacation would not be complete without this stunning tour of Athens and the Greek Isles. Athens is the city where past meets present and where you will begin your magical visit to Greece. Enjoy three nights in the city that is the birthplace of Western civilization, and four nights sailing to the magnificent Greek islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini, plus Kuşadası in Turkey.
Our package includes round-trip flights, superior hotel accommodations in Athens for three nights, a Greek Island cruise for four nights, breakfast daily, all meals aboard the cruise, and transfers. Explore on your own, or take interesting and inexpensive optional tours of Athens and the Greek Islands. All the flexibility and fun is yours for incredibly low prices. And, if your schedule permits, why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare, and join us on an inexpensive and exciting Classic Greece extension?
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Round trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) via scheduled carriers including taxes & fees, with other gateways available on request
- 3 nights in Deluxe hotel accommodations at the Royal Olympic Hotel in Athens
- 4 nights standard inside cabins (cat. IA) aboard the Celestyal Discovery
- Port Charges and Cruise Tips
- 15 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
- On-board Drink Package during dining hours
- 2 Shore Excursions: Ancient Ephesus, Medieval Tour of Lindos
- Sightseeing in Athens
- All group transfers
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional shore excursions: Knossos ruins, Santorini Oia Village
- Optional tour of Cape Sounion
- Optional Classical Greece extension (Value Vacation, groups may be larger)
Why you'll love it
- Stroll through the island of Mykonos, enjoying the surrounding natural beauty, friendly locals, and decadent cafes.
- Discover the ancient city of Ephesus and enjoy a guided tour among the Agora, the Odeon, Trajan's Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Great Theatre, the Residences of the Patricians and more.
- Spend the afternoon in Patmos and have the chance to tour the cave where St. John once lived as well as the Monastery, perched on one of the highest points on the island.
- Tour Lindos, the most picturesque village in Rhodes and one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times.
- Explore the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, enjoying the sprawling view of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay.
- Discover the ancient ruins of the Minoan Palace at Knossos.
- Browse the stalls full of fresh foods and other goods at the open-air market in Heraklion.
- Admire the ancient monuments and temples of the past and the modern structures of the present during your guided tour of Athens.
- Visit the well-known Acropolis and the variety of monuments that occupy its rocky base.
- View the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, and National Library during your drive along Panepistimiou Avenue.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Athens
- 3 Athens & Mykonos
- 4 Kuşadası, Turkey & Patmos, Greece
- Optional Excursion: Patmos countryside tour with Chora & Grotto (purchased locally), $77
- 5 Rhodes
- 6 Heraklion & Santorini
- Optional Excursion: Spectacular Oia Village (purchased locally), $86
- 7 Athens
- Optional Excursion: Cape Sounion (purchased locally), $55
- 8 Athens
- 9 Athens/USA
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Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Note: Some departures will follow Celestyal Cruise's winter schedule and will note stop in Crete on Day 6 and spend the full day in Santorini.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your exciting journey to Greece begins this evening as you check in for your overnight flight
Day 2 Athens
- Arrive in Athens, Greece and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar
Full Day ItineraryOur representative will meet you and then escort you to your hotel, centrally located near Constitution Square and the famous Plaka (Old Town). Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, once hailed as the Paris of the Mediterranean, is now a bustling modern city, a colorful tapestry of Eastern and Western influences, full of outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets, parks and gardens, street bazaars, dilapidated mansions, and ancient ruins.
Day 3 Athens & Mykonos
- Embark on your cruise ship and set sail to the Greek Isles
- Spend the evening at leisure on the island of Mykonos
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, transfer to the port to board your cruise ship, Celestyal Discovery. Spend the afternoon enjoying the sun, sea breezes, pool, and shipboard facilities.
This evening, arrive at the gorgeous island of Mykonos and transfer from the port via a complimentary shuttle. Enjoy an independent stroll through Mykonos town with its labyrinth of winding alleyways, whitewashed buildings, basket-laden donkeys, cascading geraniums, and upscale shops and cafés.
Day 4 Kuşadası, Turkey & Patmos, Greece
- Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of ancient Ephesus
- Spend the afternoon at leisure on the Greek island of Patmos
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive in Kuşadası, Turkey this morning. Just ten kilometers from the port is the ancient city of Ephesus, where you'll find an archaeological site that ranks among the world's wonders. At the archaeological site, you will be given a guided tour of the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of Kouretes, the Baths of Scholastica, Trajan's Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Residences of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, and the Temple of Hadrian.
The Great Theatre, built in the 4th century B.C., could accommodate 24,000 spectators and is famous even today for its acoustics. The excavation findings, which have yet brought to light only 13% of ancient Ephesus, reside in the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus in Seljuk.
Later this afternoon, return to your ship for lunch aboard as you sail toward Patmos, Greece. 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, priceless housing icons, and manuscripts in its Treasury. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Optional Excursion: Patmos countryside tour with Chora & Grotto (purchased locally), $77Begin your panoramic tour from the port and drive to the central part of the island. Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse in the main town, Chora. This grotto is believed to be where John received the visions he recorded in the Book of Revelation. The nearby Monastery of St. John the Theologian, built on one of the island's highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury. The grotto and monastery have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 5 Rhodes
- Enjoy a half-day medieval tour of Lindos
- Spend the remainder of day at leisure to explore the Greek island of Rhodes
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryToday, visit Rhodes, the beautiful "Island of Roses." In the heart of the 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 the 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. Drive along the scenic south-eastern coastline, dotted with whitewashed villages, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls, which the knights of St. John constructed in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St Paul's Bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill to the grand staircase leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. Should you wish to make your way up by mule, a fee must be paid to the local muleteer. After the guided tour of the Acropolis, visit the Captains' mansions of Lindos. Wealthy merchant seafarers built these lovely old residences between the 16th and 18th centuries to prove their success. Set in large courtyards and sheltered behind high walls, these homes vary in size from simple, two-story houses to large, handsome Gothic mansions with Byzantine and Moorish architectural features.
Continue to the Church of the Virgin Mary, known as the Church Panagia of Lindos. Just a few minutes walk from the main square into the labyrinth of Lindos' alleys, the church of Panagia is an enchanting sight. Surrounded by high walls and a small courtyard, this old church was originally built in 1300 but has since been submitted to numerous reconstructions. The most prominent external feature is a high-rise, stone-built campanile tower, typical of the Rhodian churches. The main building has a cross-shaped plan superimposed by an octagonal dome, whitewashed walls, and red byzantine tile roofs. Afterward, go through D'Amboise Gate to walk along the Street of the Knights. Here, you will find the residences of the Knights, separated according to Order, and to this day bear their corresponding crests.
Day 6 Heraklion & Santorini
- Enjoy the morning at leisure in Crete
- Spend the evening at leisure in Santorini, or join an optional excursion
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive in Heraklion early this morning. An optional shore excursion will take you to see the ruins of Knossos, the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization on Crete, just five kilometers from Heraklion city center. The palace at Knossos was an intricate collection of over 1,000 interlocking rooms, used as a religious and administrative center and for workshops for artisans and food processing. The ruins have primarily been excavated, and much of them colorfully painted and restored.
Back in Heraklion, the open-air market is a must-see, where a boisterous crowd buys and sells everything from goats and sheep to vast cauldrons of fresh yogurt. Other points of interest include the Archaeological Museum, one of the finest in Greece, exquisite housing 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.
Return to the ship to continue sailing to Santorini. This striking island is a volcanic crater immersed in the sea and famous for its breathtaking and rugged landscapes, whitewashed houses, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques clinging to cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car, or mule.
Note: November 2, 2024 departure will follow the winter cruise schedule and will not stop in Crete and spend the full day in Santorini.
Optional Excursion: Spectacular Oia Village (purchased locally), $86Enjoy a half day of sightseeing, beginning with a scenic drive where you will have the unique opportunity to admire the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring islands. Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture built on the Caldera rim. Explore the village, walking along the cobblestone streets, admiring the white-washed houses with blue shutters and domes, some of the most photogenic in Greece. Your coach will bring you back to the port of Athinios, where you will embark on your tender boat to return the ship for a final evening at sea.
Day 7 Athens
- Disembark the ship in Athens
- Enjoy a tour of Athens, including the Acropolis
- Spend the afternoon at leisure, or enjoy an optional excursion
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryDisembark from your ship in Athens.
Enjoy the striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of a glorious past and elegant modern structures during your tour of Athens. Visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, the University, and the National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis Museum, a marvel of architecture with an entire exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens.
Optional Excursion: Cape Sounion (purchased locally), $55Drive along the coastal road past countless coves and the beautiful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza to Cape Sounion. Dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon, the sanctuary at Sounion is one of Attica's most important archaeological sites. Although evidence suggests that the site dates back to the prehistoric period, the sanctuary is first mentioned in Homer's Odyssey, where Menelaos stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides. Learn about this area's rich history as you take in stunning views of the Aegean on this fascinating optional excursion.
Note: This optional excursion is sold locally at approximately €49 per person.
Day 8 Athens
- Enjoy a full day to explore Athens on your own, or join an optional excursion
- Or, continue on our optional Classical Greece Extension
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar Breakfast
Day 9 Athens/USA
- Bid farewell to Athens as you're escorted to the airport to board your return flight
- Arrive in the USA later today
At the ports of Mykonos, Patmos, and Santorini, disembarkation is by tender boats, weather permitting. Kusadasi and Patmos stops might be in inverted order. Passengers taking the optional shore excursions disembark first. The itinerary listed, including ports of call, embarkation/disembarkation times, shore excursions, and prices, was correct at the time of publication. We and our partner, Celestyal Cruise Lines, will do our utmost to adhere to the itinerary as listed. Still, due to sea conditions and other factors, minor changes to the itinerary may be necessary, and some shore excursions shown may not be available. Celestyal Cruise Lines may also substitute another ship from their fleet of similar size and amenities. We will do our best to inform travelers immediately of such changes.
Classical Greece 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. This extension is part of our Value Vacation, and groups may be larger than our Small Group Tours.
Day 8 Athens, Mycenae & Olympia
- Drive across the Corinth Canal to Olympia
- Eroute, visit the famous theatre of Epidaurus
- Spend the evening at leisure in Olympia
Amalia Hotel Olympia or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, board your touring coach and begin a tour of Greece's classical cities. 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 elsewhere in Europe.
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 every word can be heard, even from the last of the 55 tiers. Continue to ancient Mycenae. According to the poets, Mycenae was founded by Perseus and built with the aid of the mythological Cyclops. Drive on to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games, for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 Olympia, Nafpaktos & Delphi
- Enjoy a morning tour of the archaeological site and museum at Olympia
- Embark on an afternoon drive via Patras to Rion, Antirion and picturesque Nafpaktos
- Spend the evening at leisure in Delphi
Amalia Hotel Delphi or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, tour 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 from 776 B.C. to 393 A.D. and continue today, with the lighting of the Olympic flame that runners carry across the globe. Visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and the Museum.
This afternoon, 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.
Day 10 Delphi & Kalambaka
- Enjoy a morning tour of Delphi
- Spend the evening at leisure in Kalambaka
Amalia Hotel Kalambaka or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, 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 center of the world.
Later, depart for the small town of Kalambaka, built at the foot of the majestic gray rocks, where the river Pinios leaves Pindos Mountain.
Day 11 Meteora & Athens
- Enjoy a morning tour of Meteora monasteries
- This afternoon, drive back to Athens via Thermopylae
- Spend the evening at leisure in Athens
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, visit the spectacular Meteora monasteries, perched upon the summits of some steep and isolated rocky pinnacles, which rise above the almost flat valley of the Pinios River, 5.5 miles 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, drive back to Athens via Thermopylae, a famous battleground from the Persian wars. Arrive in Athens and check into your hotel.
Day 12 Athens/USA
- Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to Athens as you board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
This 5-star, family-run hotel is located directly opposite the Temple of Zeus and the National Garden, overlooking the Acropolis and a short walk to the new Acropolis Museum.
Surrounded by beautiful gardens and trees, Amalia Hotel Olympia is ideally situated not far from the archaeological sites of the Olympic Stadium, the Sanctuary of Zeus, the Temple of Hera and the archaeological museum.
Superbly located on a mountain slope at the foot of Mount Parnassus, the Amalia Hotel Delphi enjoys a breathtaking view of the green valley below stretching all the way down to the sea and the picturesque ports of Itea and Galaxidi. The Amalia Hotel is also conveniently located near the museum and archaeological sites of Delphi, considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center of the world.
Located on a 14-acre property just a few minutes away from the town of Kalambaka, the Amalia Hotel Kalambaka boasts extensive gardens and beautiful views of the Meteora Rocks.
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
The Celestyal Cruise ship Discovery is the perfect vessel for exploring the Mediterranean. Its sleek design and top-of-the-line amenities offer guests an unforgettable travel experience. From the moment you step aboard, the dedicated, friendly staff ensures your every need. Whether you're looking to relax in one of the ship's many luxurious lounges or indulge in a gourmet meal at one of its restaurants, there's something for everyone. With stops in some of the most beautiful destinations in Greece and Turkey, you'll have ample opportunity to explore ancient ruins, stroll through picturesque villages, and soak up the sun on pristine beaches.
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