Visit the most archaeologically important sites in and around Athens, including the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon and Ancient Corinth, with a stop at the extraordinary manmade Corinth Canal as well.
PLEASE NOTE: This is an extensive 4-day program that covers a lot of ground by luxury coach. There is a lot of driving involved but guests will have a unique opportunity to visit two of the most precious and sacred sites in a beautiful and unspoiled part of Northern Greece. Due to the amount of walking over uneven ground and steps at the various ancient sites, this program is not suitable for guests who utilize a wheelchair, walker, cane or who have other mobility restrictions.
DAY 1
Disembark the ship in Piraeus, Greece, meet your guide and set off to Athens for a guided visit to the Acropolis site. You will pass by landmarks such as Constitution Square, the Houses of Parliament, the Neoclassical-style university buildings, the Royal Palace and the Old Olympic Stadium of Athens. The stadium is built entirely of marble and offers a great view of the Acropolis in the distance. The highlight is when you arrive at the foot of the magnificent Acropolis, one of the most famous and photographed ancient monuments in the world.
During the walking tour, the guide describes the history. Once you get to the top, you will have some free time to wander round and admire the ancient temples of Athena Nike and the towering Parthenon.
Afterwards, you will visit the breathtaking Acropolis Museum, whose collection of artifacts was excavated from the Acropolis. After browsing the museum, you will proceed to your hotel to check-in.
Note: Expect high temperatures in the summer months and heavy crowds. There are upwards of 100 or more un-even steps to get to the top of the monument. There is handrail in some spots but not everywhere. Those not wishing to venture to the top can remain at the bottom and wait for the group to return. The ground at the top is uneven. Large bags are not permitted here and must be left on the tour bus.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure with meals on your own.
DAY 2
After breakfast you will depart your hotel for a guided visit of the Temple of Poseidon. Enjoy a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road, which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and passes through the beautiful suburbs of Glyfada, Kavouri, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and Lagonissi.
At Cape Sounion you will visit the 5th century BC Temple of Poseidon, standing some 200 feet above the sea at the edge of a cliff. It is one of the most breathtaking and deeply moving sights in all of Greece. This is the place where the ancient Greeks worshipped their mighty god of the seas, Poseidon.
Lunch will be served in a traditional rustic taverna located in the small town of Kalyvia. In this eatery, you will enjoy truly traditional Greek cuisine.
In the evening, you will take a stroll through the enchanting historical area of Athens with its traditional streets, restaurants, shops and colorful old quarter, where ancient monuments and Byzantine churches are abundant. In the Plaka neighborhood, you will enjoy a traditional Greek dinner before walking back to your hotel.
DAY 3
After an American breakfast, you will board the coach and head to the Isthmus of Corinth to view the famous Corinth Canal, which is four miles long, 70 feet wide and has sloping sides 170 feet high. It connects the Ionian and Aegean seas to provide a maritime short cut. Note: this program does not include a transit of the canal.
Your next stop will be at Ancient Corinth. The ruins that lie in this area are a surprising mix of a 6th-century BC Greek city and a 44 BC Roman city -- the latter was built after Julius Caesar placed a colony on this desolate site. You will see the ruins and excavations of both, including where the Christian Basilica, the starting lines of a Greek racetrack, a sacred spring with its bronze lion's-head spouts, and the elaborate Roman fountain of Peirene were located.
After lunch you will visit the somber and mighty ruins of ancient Mycenae -- vestiges of a kingdom that, for 400 years, was the most powerful in all of Greece. Enter the Citadel of Mycenae on foot, approaching it through the famous Lion Gate. Inside are the shaft graves discovered by Schliemann. You will also visit the Beehive Tomb, known sometimes as the Tomb of Agamemnon, the Greek Commander-in-Chief during the Trojan War.
A short drive will bring you to the first capital of modern-day Greece after the war of Independence. Nafplion is now regarded as one of the most romantic destinations in Greece, and you will walk through its Venetian and neoclassical buildings, old neighborhoods and large squares. You will see the famous Bourtzi protecting the entrance to the harbor and Akronafplia and Palamidi castles, which add a sense of drama to this stunning seaport town.
DAY 4
After your breakfast and check out, transfer to the Athens airport for your flight home. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
Day 1
9:00am Disembark the ship Piraeus, Greece
Meet your guide and depart for Athens
10:00am Visit the Acropolis
11:45am Visit the Acropolis Museum
1:00pm Depart for your hotel
1:15pm Arrive at your hotel and check-in
Lunch and dinner are on own
Overnight at the Divani Caravel or similar hotel
*Note that guests on Grandeur's September 25 sailing will stay at the Divani Acropolis Hotel as Divani Caravel is not available
Day 2
AM Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
9:30am Depart for a coastal panoramic drive to Cape Sounion
10:50am Arrive at the Temple of Poseidon for a guided visit
11:50am Depart for lunch
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Return to your hotel
3:00pm Arrive at your hotel
7:00pm Depart for a guided walk in the Plaka neighborhood with dinner
10:00pm Walk back to your hotel
Overnight at the Divani Caravel or similar hotel
*Note that guests on Grandeur's September 25 sailing will stay at the Divani Acropolis Hotel as Divani Caravel is not available
Day 3
AM Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:00am Depart for the Corinth Canal
9:00am Photo stop at the Corinth Canal
9:20am Depart for Ancient Corinth
9:50am Guided visit of Ancient Corinth – Restrooms on site
11:00am Depart for Mycenae
11:30am Guided visit of Mycenae
1:00pm Depart for lunch
1:15pm Lunch
2:45pm Continue to Nafplion
3:15pm Guided walk through Nafplion
4:45pm Return drive to Athens
7:15pm Arrive at your hotel
Evening at leisure, dinner on your own
Overnight at the Divani Caravel or similar hotel
*Note that guests on Grandeur's September 25 sailing will stay at the Divani Acropolis Hotel as Divani Caravel is not available
Day 4
AM Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
11:00am Official check out time at the hotel
TBA Transfer to the Athens International Airport
Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests with late flights
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers:
•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather
Sunny and hot
July and August average 90 F during the day and 73 F in the evening
September average is 83 F during the day and 67 F in the evening
October average is 74 F during the day and 60 F in the evening
What to Bring
Sunglasses, hat, light loose clothing, comfortable walking shoes, cameras, chargers and sunscreen
Currency
EURO
Electricity
220V. Bring a universal travel adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required to travel to Greece
Hotel
Divani Caravel
Leof. Vasileos Alexandrou 2, Athina 161 21, Greece
Phone: +30 21 0720 7000
OR
Divani Acropolis (Grandeur's September 25 sailing)
Parthenonos 19, Athina 117 42, Greece
Phone: +30 21 0928 0100
*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests:
•3 nights in Athens – standard double room – Divani Caravel or similar hotel
•Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Athens
•Deluxe chartered coach for day trips
•Professional and fully qualified English-speaking guide throughout
•Meals as listed in the itinerary including beverages (Kalyvia and Kolizeras)
•Entrance fees to all sites visited (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Corinth, Temple of Poseidon)
•Any applicable taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Any meals not listed above
Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Price: $1,399 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
