Yassas, and welcome to beautiful Greece! Widely regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation, Athens is a bustling city that brings history to life. A plethora of archaeological sites shape its topography and museums housing precious ancient artefacts pepper the landscape. Make no mistake, though – Athens is ever-evolving, drawing on its extensive history of arts, culture and cuisine to breathe new life among the ruins.
Your tour begins upon arrival at Athens International Airport (ATH), where you’ll be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel for the rest of the day to be spent at your leisure. Choose to climb the sunny trails of Lycabettus Hill for one of the best views over Athens, then reward yourself with some mouth-watering moussaka at a local restaurant. Soak up the atmosphere on the cobbled streets of the Plaka – Athens’ welcoming old town – or step inside and browse the myriad of traditional shops.
In the evening, meet with your tour leader for a sumptuous welcome dinner and the chance to get to know your fellow adventurers.
Wake to a filling buffet breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the port and trade cobblestones for the cruise deck as you embark on the Celestyal Discovery. Elegant design and comfortable cabins await as you’re welcomed aboard for your unforgettable four-night cruise through the spectacular Greek islands. From rugged cliffs to romantic ruins, your odyssey carries you through crystalline waters in the premium comfort of your exterior cabin. Arrive at vibrant Mykonos in the early evening and watch as the whitewashed houses and alleys light up in the glow of the island’s famous nightlife.
This evening, mark your departure with a welcome dinner of the freshest ingredients prepared by local chefs.
Optional Activity:
- Mykonos shore excursion (surcharges apply).
Wake to the soothing sound of the Aegean Sea lapping at your doorstep and enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast aboard.
Gaze out over Kusadasi, one of Türkiye’s most popular islands and home to the ruins of Ephesus. One of the most important trading centres of classical Greece, Ephesus is a remarkably preserved monument to the region’s extensive history. Amongst the tumbled blocks and skeletal facades lie the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to Patmos, famed for its biblical connections. Once the refuge of Saint John the Theologian as he wrote the Book of Revelations, this idyllic island has consequently earned the hefty title of ‘Island of the Apocalypse’.
Choose to take excursions ashore or relax in sun-drenched style on the deck – floating on Aegean waters, the ancient world is your oyster.
Tonight, savour the centuries-old flavours of traditional Greek cuisine as you watch the glittering lights along the shore.
Optional Activity:
- Kusadasi shore excursion (surcharges apply).
- Patmos shore excursion (surcharges apply).
Breathe in the salty air of another day in the Aegean. After breakfast, choose to relax aboard your Celestyal cruise, or opt to go ashore to magnificent Rhodes.
Renowned for its historic wine-making and picturesque medieval Old Town, here once stood the legendary Colossus of Rhodes – a gargantuan statue of the sun god Helios, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World since lost to the passage of time. Opt to step ashore and visit the Doric Temple of Athena in the hilltop Acropolis of Lindos. Wander into the Old Town of Rhodes and pass through the imposing Gate d’Amboise into the Knights’ Quarter, then rest your eyes upon the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes – one of very few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece.
Later, board your vessel once more and relax with another spectacular Greek dinner aboard.
Optional Activity:
- Rhodes shore excursion (surcharges may apply).
After a restful sleep and an energising breakfast, you’re free to take the day at your leisure, unwinding in serenity or hopping ashore to explore Greece’s largest island, Crete.
Home to one of the earliest known civilisations of the Aegean, Crete’s ancient Minoan towns leave traces of the distant past scattered along its world-famous beaches. At the cusp of the Mediterranean Sea, Crete is also regarded as the birthplace of Mediterranean cuisine, full of fresh and fragrant ingredients to match the bright days and slow pace. Just outside the city of Heraklion is the Palace of Knossos, beneath which it’s believed lies the fabled labyrinth of the Minotaur.
In the afternoon, glide over the sparkling seas to Santorini. The breathtaking beauty of its white-terraced town and blue-domed houses is amplified by the fiery glow of the setting sun against the hillside. Volcanic sand beaches and panoramic views over the cliffs make Santorini a bucket list destination for travellers the world over. Opt to make landfall and wander the bright streets of this fantastical island community, making way for hard-working donkeys and stopping in for a glass of vinsanto – a refreshing local dessert wine.
Back aboard your vessel, tuck into another tantalising traditional dinner.
Optional Activity:
- Crete shore excursion (surcharges apply).
- Santorini shore excursion (surcharges apply).
Savour one last buffet breakfast aboard as you cruise into Lavrion, the Port of Athens.
Seize the day with a morning tour of Athens led by your expert local guide. Stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, birthplace of the modern Olympics in 1896, then gaze up at the surviving columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Visit the Hellenic Parliament and study the astounding artefacts of the Numismatic Museum of Athens – a collection of over half-a-million coins, medals, gems and stamps dating back more than 3,000 years.
Stand in awe at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, marvel at the neoclassical Academy of Athens and survey the millennia-old structure of Hadrian’s Arch.
Complete your Athens adventure with a trip to the legendary Acropolis. This ancient citadel lords over the city with the weight of history as its foundation. Circle your way up the mount, stopping to discover numerous cultural sites and hidden remnants on your way to the jaw-dropping Temple of Athena Nike. Instantly recognisable and utterly unparalleled, this ancient temple has stood in the dedication of deities Athena and Nike – goddesses of wisdom and victory respectively – since approximately 420 BCE.
Later this afternoon, check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of your day freely wandering the streets of this historic metropolis. If you prefer, spend your time relaxing in your hotel with stunning views of the nearby Acropolis.
Today’s itinerary is yours to write. While away the hours at the stunning Acropolis Museum and dig deeper into the countless relics of this historic site. Sit down at a local cafe and sample anise-flavoured ouzo over freshly rolled dolmades.
For the history enthusiasts, opt to join a full-day tour of nearby Delphi, famed for its mythic Oracle at the dramatic Temple of Apollo.
In the early evening, convene with your group for a mouth-watering farewell dinner and the chance to recount your Greek island odyssey.
Optional Activity:
- Delphi full-day excursion with lunch (surcharges apply).
Savour one last breakfast at your hotel before you transfer back to Athens International Airport (ATH). As your journey comes full circle, you may be headed home but your island-hopping adventure will linger in your mind.