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 arts, culture and cuisine to breathe new life into the ruins.
Your tour begins upon arrival at Athens International Airport (ATH), where you’ll be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is 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 mouthwatering 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 a cruise aboard 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.
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 Turkiye’s most popular resort towns and a launchpad 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. Among 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 on the Aegean. After breakfast, choose to relax aboard your Celestyal cruise, or opt to go ashore to magnificent Rhodes.
Renowned for its historic winemaking 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, the 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 mountain, 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 dedication of deities Athena and Nike – goddesses of wisdom and victory, respectively – since approximately 420 BCE.
Later this afternoon, check into 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.
Optional Activity:
- Delphi full-day excursion with lunch (surcharges apply).
Your Mediterranean adventure continues after breakfast with an included flight from Athens Airport (ATH) to Rome Airport (FCO), where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your comfortable Roman hotel.
Benvenuto in Italia! Enjoy the night at your leisure, maybe heading out to sample the city’s renowned cuisine.
The original ‘romantic’ citiy, Rome is a buzzing blend of contemporary culture and rich history.
Step out on a morning discovery tour, marvelling at the cobbled alleys and impressive sites that pepper this urban landscape. Your tour culminates at the enormous Saint Peter’s Square, right at the doorstep of Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City. Join your guide as you enter the jaw-dropping Sistine Chapel. Turn your eyes to the heavens and survey the profoundly moving ceiling fresco, painted by the inimitable Michelangelo.
Later, you may like to choose to spend your leisure time absorbing the views at Piazza Navona and the incredible Pantheon. Don’t miss your chance to throw a coin into the legendary Fontana di Trevi and make a wish.
In the evening, join your fellow travellers for an indulgent dinner at a local restaurant in the vibrant Trastevere neighbourhood.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then set about a day of discovery at your leisure.
Choose to view the masterworks of Caravaggio, Canova and Raphael at the Borghese Gallery, watch the playful resident cats of Largo di Torre Argentina leaping and lazing around the temple ruins, or cool off with a scoop at hidden gem Gelateria del Teatro.
Perhaps you’ll decide to join an optional art tour, visiting the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and witnessing the grand sculpture of Moses at San Pietro in Vincoli.
Optional activities:
- Rome art tour (surcharges apply).
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then relax as you watch the Italian countryside roll by on your way to historic Pompeii.
Mark your arrival with a tour of the remarkable ruins and learn about their epic history. Wander the bones of this long-dormant city, eerily preserved in volcanic ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 BCE.
In the afternoon, savour a light lunch at a local vineyard and taste the full-bodied and fruity flavour of Lacryma Christi, made from grapes grown in the volcanic soil on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.
Spend the evening as you desire.
Fill up with an energising breakfast at your hotel, then spend your day freely exploring. Return to the eerie silence of the ruins for a deeper dive into history or stop at one of Pompeii’s many cafes and restaurants for fresh seafood or perhaps some delicious ragu.
Alternatively, choose to take an optional early tour to the exclusive island of Capri for a traditional lunch and a visit to a limoncello factory.
Optional activities:
- Capri day tour (surcharges apply).
Prepare for a full day cruising the incredible Amalfi Coast, sailing between the beloved towns of Positano and Amalfi.
This UNESCO World Heritage-listed region is renowned for its colourful houses and terrace towns that climb the steep cliffside. The coast is home to hidden gems such as the natural swimming hole of Bagni Regina Giovanna and Li Galli, the legendary home of the sirens. Stop at idyllic Positano and walk along the beach, then later disembark for a chance to explore the rainbow of structures, covered passages and awe-inspiring Piazza del Duomo.
Later, return to your hotel for a well-earned dinner and a relaxing evening in comfort.
Tuck into a buffet breakfast before making your way to sweeping Caserta. The astounding detail and architecture of the Royal Palace offer wonders both micro and macro as you stroll the grounds of the largest former royal residence in the world.
Later, continue to Rome for your final evening in Italy. Dust your hands with flour and put your kneading to the test at a memorable pizza-making masterclass, then dine with your fellow travellers at an unforgettable farewell feast.
After breakfast, it’s time to wave goodbye as you transfer to the Rome Airport (FCO) and say arrivederci to your European experience.