Ancient Greece Uncovered with Aegean Islands Cruise

Fly to the Greek capital where you’ll meet your friendly tour manager and be transferred to your hotel. This evening, you’ll have time to explore the many bars and restaurants of the renowned Plaka district in this cosmopolitan city.

Take breakfast this morning, before touring Athens with its wealth of treasures for its visitors. You’ll start with a visit to the famed Acropolis, the ancient citadel and its surrounding monuments sprawled across a rocky outcrop overlooking the city.

Next, visit the Acropolis Museum, one of the most important museums in the world, which houses the findings of the archaeological site, Athenian Acropolis. Finally, enjoy a walking tour of Plaka, situated at the base of the Acropolis, and the oldest and most beautiful neighbourhood in Athens. The guide will lead you around its narrow-cobbled stone streets, family-run tavernas and sidewalk cafés.

After a leisurely morning and breakfast, continue your journey to visit the Argolis region. The first highlight of this fascinating day will be the Corinth Canal and hopefully you’ll get to see how ships navigate this man-made wonder.

Next up is Epidaurus, a small city famed for its temple and theatre. Dating back over 2,600 years, the theatre was built with outstanding acoustics, which allows for people seated at the top of the theatre to perfectly hear sounds from the stage. It’s also here that modern medicine first developed its theories and there’s an excellent museum dedicated to this.

Following breakfast, your first visit of the day is UNESCO-listed Mycenae, among the most important archaeological sites in Greece. According to mythology, this was the town of the legendary king Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. It was also the setting of many myths in ancient Greek tragedies, especially the tragedies connected to Agamemnon and his family.

While in the city, learn about the defensive prowess and innovative engineering that characterised Mycenanean civilisation with a first stop at the ancient citadel, and admire its imposing citadel walls. You can also visit the Treasury of Atrius, the largest Bronze Age tholos (a classical Greek tomb) across the Aegean Sea, ahead of stops at the city’s rich collection of archaeological sites.

At the end of the day, return to your hotel.

Today, enjoy a hotel breakfast ahead of a visit to the site of Olympia, the home of the Olympic Games movement. Before entering the main site, tour the museum of Olympia, which contains the remains of one of the Seven Ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Zeus. During your visit of Olympia, learn about the origins of the Olympic movement. Here, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can practice your 100m spirit at original racetrack, which dates back over two millennia. Often overlooked by most visitors, are the picturesque gardens, which contain a wide variety of flora and fauna.

This evening, settle into your Olympia hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll leave the Peloponnese to return to the mainland with your journey to Delphi. One of the highlights of this journey is to cross on the Rion-Antirion Bridge, which is one of the world’s largest bridges. There’ll be time to stop at the picturesque town of Nafpaktos, which has excellent views across the Gulf of Corinth. With its peaceful setting, you can enjoy a coffee or an ice cream before continuing to Delphi for one night.

Take breakfast this morning and explore one of Greece’s most iconic sites, Delphi and its renowned museum. Containing a wide variety of ancient friezes, statues and ancient artefacts, this museum also houses the 5th-century bronze sculpture of the Charioteer. From the museum, continue to visit the main site of Delphi, which dates to the era of Apollo and Zeus and the fabled oracle. A guide will take you around the magnificent treasury houses, the theatre, and the ruins of one of the ancient world’s most holy sites. After your visit, you’ll drive through the picturesque Greek countryside back to your hotel for the night in the Greek capital.

Enjoy a final breakfast in Athens this morning before transferring to the city’s seaport and boarding the elegant Celestyal Discovery, your base for the next four days. You’ll then leave the Greek mainland behind, setting sail for picturesque Mykonos.

Upon arrival in Mykonos, you’ll be free to spend the evening as you see fit, perhaps watching the world go by from a local taverna or taking a stroll through the distinctive, white-washed streets of Chora, the island’s main town. Those in search of a more structured time can also take part in a range of optional activities available which can be booked prior to boarding Celestyal Discovery.

After a memorable evening, depart Mykonos and settle into your cabin for a first night at sea.

Wake up on the Turkish coast this morning and dock in historic Kusadasi, the gateway to Ephesus. Here, you’ll have time to explore under your own steam or join an optional tour to the ancient ruins of Ephesus.

With a short trip outside of the city, you’ll be immersed in the region’s ancient Greek and Byzantine heritage with engaging insights from your expert guide. Marvel at the ancient Library of Celsus, once one of the largest Roman archives in the world and learn about the site’s original Greek settlement. Afterwards, return to Kusadasi for some more time at leisure, perhaps browsing the town’s bustling Grand Bazaar for souvenirs.

Early afternoon, depart Kusadasi early this afternoon and pass through the Mycale Strait to spiritual Patmos, docking a few hours later in the colourful port town of Skala. Known for its pretty hilltop monasteries, the island has become a popular Christian pilgrimage spot and promises a wealth of sights to enjoy. You can also visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John the Apostle is said to have written the Book of Revelations. While on the island, you’ll be free to spend the afternoon as you wish, perhaps with a visit to one of its secluded gold-sand coves or take in its imposing medieval walls. There will also be a range of optional excursions on offer.

This evening, reboard your ship for dinner before setting sail for another overnight sailing.

Legendary Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese Islands, awaits today and you’ll have a full day to embrace its laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. Disembarking Celestyal Discovery at Mandraki Harbour, which was once marked by the towering Colossus of Rhodes, you’ll have the chance to engage with the locals at the Nea Agora Bazaar.

Another captivating optional tour is also available today, bringing you to the time-worn Acropolis of Lindos, a short way south of Mandraki. Here, you’ll discover the ancient ruins of Rhodes’ Temple of Athena and learn about how the Acropolis evolved under the island’s changing rulers.

Back in Mandraki, you’ll have a full day at leisure and can discover the island’s diverse cultural heritage taking in the contrasting architecture of Mandraki’s most iconic landmarks. Marvel at the Palace of the Grand Masters, once home to Europe’s crusading Knights Hospitaller, or perhaps explore the ruins of the Greek Temple of Aphrodite. You can also stop at Suleymaniye Mosque, an 14th-century Ottoman temple built to commemorate the Turkish conquest of the island, for a closer look at Rhodes’ colourful history.

Those in search of the island’s striking natural landscapes can venture south into the magnificent Butterflies Valley, unwind in Mandraki’s serene Rodini Park or soak up the sun on one of the pristine nearby beaches. There will also be a number of optional visits across the island to enjoy if you’d like.

Early this evening, the ship will depart for the last leg of your Aegean odyssey, enjoying dinner with a view as the sun goes down.

Arrive early this morning and start the day with a visit to Crete’s welcoming capital, Heraklion, where you’ll be met by the towering walls of the 16th-century Koules Fortress, which watches over the city’s Venetian harbour. A walk along the city’s outstretched seawalls showcases a vivid array of art installations and panoramic viewpoints, ending at Heraklion Lighthouse. You can also enjoy an optional tour of the city, or explore the spectacular Palace of Knossos, the fabled home of King Minos, at your own pace. Back in the city, Heraklion’s array of cultural institutions, museums and galleries promise no shortage of memorable ways to spend your time.

At midday, continue across the Sea of Crete to the volcanic Cyclades Islands for a call at glamourous Santorini. Docking in the town of Fira, nestled in a natural harbour, crown your Aegean cruise with time to explore the island’s picturesque cliffside lanes and its iconic, white-washed buildings. Take the time to relax on the island’s exquisite coastal stretches, or amongst its lush vineyards which cover almost 50% of the island’s surface. If you’d prefer a few final moments’ sightseeing, be sure to pay the island’s iconic, blue-domed churches a visit or soak up breath-taking views of Santorini's volcanic calderas with a walk along its west coast.

Later, step back aboard Celestyal Discovery for a final dinner and the overnight cruise back to Athens.

Arrive in Athens early this morning and enjoy a final breakfast on Celestyal Discovery before transferring to the airport for your flight home.