Three Continent Highlights

• Round trip economy class airfare New York-Athens-New York
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
• Athens half day city tour
• 7-day/7-night Three Continents cruise on a "Louis Cruises" ship (Inside cabins "IC" with 2 lower beds - upgrades available)
• 3 airport/port transfers with assistance and baggage handling
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• Sightseeing by airconditioned vehicles and English speaking professional tour guides
• All entrance fees on included sightseeing
• Meals as per itinerary: B=breakfast (10), L=lunch (6), D=dinner (7)
• Host service in Athens
• FreeGate travel bag and document portfolio
  

Itinerary

DAY 1: USA-ATHENS
Departure from the USA on your overnight flight to Athens.

DAY 2: ATHENS
Arrival today at the Athens International Airport where you will be met by FreeGate personnel and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 3: ATHENS (B)
After breakfast depart for a morning tour of Athens. You will be introduced to the most important sites, including the famed Acropolis and the renowned Parthenon. There will be a visit to the Acropolis Museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 4: ATHENS (B)
Day at leisure. You may embark on an optional tour, or on a shopping spree in the fashionable shops of the city.

DAY 5: ATHENS - CRUISE (B)
In the afternoon, transfer to the pier of Piraeus for your seven day Three Continents Cruise.

DAY 6: ISTANBUL (B,L,D)
Arrival into Istanbul, one of the world's greatest historic cities. Formally Byzantium, the center of the Eastern Roman Empire, this once-walled city is built on seven hills and situated astride two continents; here, East meets West in every way. The optional sightseeing tour of Istanbul will take you to the city's unique monuments, such as the Church of St. Sofia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. Afterwards, it is bargaining time at the numerous shops of the Grand Bazaar. Early evening embarkation to set sail for your next port of call.

DAY 7: MYKONOS (B,L,D)
Early afternoon arrival in Myconos. Stroll at leisure through the whitewashed, flower-decked alleyways to the sculpture like church of Paraportiani, or along the waterfront to the famous windmills.

DAY 8: CRUISE - AT SEA (B,L,D)
Full day at sea to enjoy the amenities of your vessel

DAY 9: ASHDOD (Jerusalem - Bethlehem, Holy Land) (B,L,D)
Perched on sand dunes, the ancient port of Ashdod is a gateway to the Holy Land. The ship will remain here from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. You may explore on your own, or purchase an optional full day tour to one of the world's most captivating cities, Jerusalem. In Jerusalem you will find 3 of the world's most venerated institutions: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western (Wailing) Wall, and the Dome of the Rock. You can also visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, Nazareth and Galilee.

DAY 10: PORT SAID (Cairo, Egypt, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM) (B,L,D)
At the entrance to the Suez Canal, Port Said is a bustling city and port. Here you may embark on an optional full day tour to Cairo, including lunch. In this magnificent city, the ancient monuments of the Egyptian empire have fascinated visitors throughout the centuries. The mystifying Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza, over four thousand years old, stand majestically on the outskirts of the city at the edge of the desert. Cairo's museum of Antiquities holds one of the finest collections of artifacts in the world, including the astounding treasures of King Tutankhamun's tomb. You can also take the optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel, Sakkara and the exotic and colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

DAY 11: AGIOS NIKOLAOS (B,L,D)
Morning at sea. This afternoon arrive at Agios Nikolaos, a quaint port town in Eastern Crete, where a pleasant optional excursion is available. Drive by the gorgeous natural Bay of Elounda, then to Kritsa, a charming village with splendid displays of blooming flowers, fruit trees and plants. The excursion continues to a local Olive Oil Farm, where olive oil, wine & raki are still produced using traditional methods. Enjoy Cretan traditional music and dances by local performers. Return to Agios Nikolaos and your cruise vessel.

DAY 12: ATHENS - DEPARTURE (B)
Upon disembarkation, you will be met and transferred to the airport for your return flight home.