Best of the Eastern Mediterranean

• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
• 3-day/2-night Classical tour of Greece
• 7-day/ 7-night Greek Island cruise on "Louis Cruises" vessel
  (Inside cabins "IC" with 2 lower beds - upgrades available)
• Half-day Athens sightseeing tour
• 3 escorted transfers in Athens
• Meal plan as per itinerary: Breakfast (12), lunch (6), dinner(9)
• Sightseeing in air conditioned motorcoaches with English speaking professional tour guides
• Host service in Athens
• Entrance fees to all places visited on included sightseeing tours
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• FreeGate document portfolio
• Optional roundtrip airfare from most USA cities is available at low prices
  

Itinerary

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

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

DAY 3: ATHENS (B)
After breakfast, depart on an Athens city tour which will introduce you to the most important sites of the city. You will visit the famed Acropolis with its dominating view, and the site of the renowned Parthenon, one of the most impressive structures in the world, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Overnight.

DAY 4: ATHENS - OLYMPIA (B,D)
After breakfast, early morning departure to start the three-day Classical Tour. Drive to the Corinth Canal (brief stop). Continue to Epidaurus to visit the the world renowned theater and archaeological site, famous for its remarkable acoustics. After a short stop in Nauplia continue to Mycenae to see the Lion Gate and the Beehive Tombs of King Agamemnon. Continue driving through the Central Peloponnese, and arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: OLYMPIA - DELPHI (B,D)
In Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, visit the famous stadium, the impressive Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, and one of the greatest sculptures of all time, "Hermes" by Praxiteles. Afterwards, drive to Antirion. Continue past Nafpactos and Itea to Delphi for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: DELPHI - ATHENS (B)
The morning today is dedicated to the exploration of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the Delphi Museum. Free time for lunch and shopping at the local stores. Commence the return drive to Athens, passing by the village of Arachova, the towns of Levadia and Thebes. Arrival in Athens early in the evening for overnight.

DAY 7: ATHENS - CRUISE (B)
Morning at leisure in Athens. Afternoon drive to Piraeus, main port of Athens, and transfer to your awaiting cruise ship.

DAY 8: ISTANBUL (B,L,D)
Evening 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.

DAY 9: ISTANBUL (B,L,D)
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 innumerous shops of the Grand Bazaar. Early evening embarkation to set sail for your next port of call.

DAY 10: IZMIR (EPHESUS) (B,L,D)
Early afternoon arrival in the Turkish port of Izmir. Disembark and explore on your own, go on an optional excursion to Ephesus, the most complete ancient city ever excavated. Here you can walk through the marble streets of one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world, housing the Library of Celsus and the Great Amphitheater.

DAY 11: PATMOS - MYKONOS (B,L,D)
Early morning arrival in the island of Patmos. Here you can visit the Monastery of St. John and the Grotto, where the book of Revelations was written. In the afternoon the ship will sail to Mykonos. 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 12: RHODES (B,L,D)
Early morning arrival into Rhodes, the island of Roses. Take an optional excursion to the city of Rhodes as well as Lindos. St Paul landed in the bay during his voyages, the crusading Knights of St John left marks of their presence there also, as well as the Ottoman Turks which occupied Rhodes for almost 400 years. This combination makes for a spectacular setting.

DAY 13: HERAKLION (CRETE) - SANTORINI (B,L,D)
In the morning the ship will call at Heraklion, Crete. Here you may choose to discover the town on your own or embark on an optional excursion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, followed by a visit to the Heraklion Museum. The next destination today is the island of Santorini, the land of the fabled Atlantis. After strolling through the narrow streets of the town, enjoy the breathtaking view of the volcanic site below while sipping on a cool refreshment.

DAY 14: ATHENS - DEPARTURE (B)
Early morning arrival in Piraeus. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Accommodations	VALUE	OPTION A	OPTION B
ATHENS HOTELS	Polis Grand (4-star)	Amalia (Superior 4 -star)	Athens Plaza (5-star)
CLASSICAL TOUR HOTELS	Tourist Class	A Class	A Class
CRUISE	Inside cabins category "IC" with two lower beds (Upgrades available)

Departure Dates & Prices

* Other departures available on request - Let us customize your trip to suit your needs

Rates are per person in US Dollars, sharing a double/twin occupancy and are subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES (per person): Cruise Port taxes $262

CRUISE UPGRADES to Outside cabins Category "XB" please add $180 (per person/ double).

COMPETITIVE AIRFARES FROM MOST US CITIES AVAILABLE - PLEASE INQUIRE