Classic Greece and Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
Classic Greece and Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
Classic Greece and Iconic Aegean Islands Cruise
9 Days
Visiting: Athens, Mykonos, Kuşadası, Heraklion, Nafplion
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FGCIA
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
From the mainland to the islands, Greece is a fascinating country of contrasts and on this holiday you’ll experience it all.
Delve into ancient history and discover the monumental sights of Athens before setting sail on an elegant cruise ship for a luxurious island-hopping adventure. Admire stunning coastal scenery, traditional whitewashed villages and breathtaking views as you explore the islands of Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and more. Returning to the mainland, you’ll journey east across the Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese peninsula and round off your holiday with two full days at leisure.
By combining a city stay in Athens with visits to iconic Greek islands and a lesser-visited part of the mainland, this holiday will help you uncover everything Greece has to offer. Plus, with free time to do your own thing and a range of optional shore excursions on the cruise, there’s plenty of opportunity to tailor your trip and make it uniquely yours
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Athens Tiare Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner, D
Your holiday begins with a flight to Athens. When you arrive, we’ll drive you to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind after the journey.
If you want to head out and explore your surroundings, the ancient Plaka district below the Acropolis is a good place to get your bearings. As you wander around the narrow, picturesque streets you’ll come across neoclassical buildings and churches, and plenty of cafés where you can stop for a refreshing drink.
Day 2 Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Athens Tiare Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
Join your Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide on a sightseeing tour of the incredible city of Athens. There is so much to discover, with ancient sites around every corner! We’ll see the Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the first modern-day Olympics in 1896 and pass by the Parliament building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You’ll see Hadrian’s Arch, said to have been built to celebrate the arrival of Roman emperor Hadrian to the city before reaching the iconic Acropolis. This hilltop citadel is home to several ancient ruins, including the world-famous Parthenon with its unmistakable Doric columns. You will also visit the spectacular, Acropolis Museum, a showcase of exhibits and archaeological findings recovered from the site.
At the end of our tour, we’ll visit Shedia Home, a social enterprise café for Athenians experiencing homelessness or social exclusion, supported by Travelsphere Cares and Planeterra. While you are here, have a drink and enjoy an talk from one of Shedia’s guides who will share insight as to what life is like for Athenians and how Shedia's programs are providing opportunities through work.
You have free time in the city to make your own discoveries this afternoon. Perhaps take a stroll at Filopappou Hill for fabulous views of the Acropolis, especially at sunset, or simply sit and enjoy some delicious Greek food in the Old Town of Plaka
Day 3 Mykonos
Location: Mykonos
Accommodation Name: Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
The next exciting chapter of your Greek adventure begins this morning. We will travel to the port and board Celestyal Discovery, an elegant cruise ship and our home for the next three nights.
After setting sail, we’ll make our way to sun-kissed Mykonos. Affectionately known as the Island of the Winds, this magical island is dotted with 16th-century white windmills, traditional villages and gleaming whitewashed houses. Step ashore and spend the early evening exploring its stunning coastline, sandy beaches, vibrant cafés and bars.
Day 4 Kusadasi And Patmos
Location: Kuşadası
Accommodation Name: Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
This morning, the Turkish coast and charming port of Kusadasi await. Enjoy some time to yourselves and relax on one of the sandy beaches or browse the city's famous bazaar. This lively collection of shops selling clothes, jewellery and souvenirs is surrounded by the Old Town’s historic walls.
Alternatively, through the cruise company, you can book an optional guided tour of Ephesus. One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, it is home to the incredible Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
This afternoon, your voyage continues to the volcanic Greek island of Patmos, where St John the Apostle allegedly wrote the Book of Revelations. The cruise company offer an optional shore excursion to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St John lived during his exile from Rome.
Day 5 Heraklion And Santorini
Location: Heraklion
Accommodation Name: Celestyal Discovery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BLD
Our next port of call is the city of Heraklion in Crete and as we arrive, you’ll want to be on deck to admire the imposing 16th-century walls of Koules Fortress. Spend a tranquil morning by the waterfront or join an optional shore excursion. The cruise company offers opportunities for you to explore the Cretan countryside or delve into history at the Palace of Knossos. Here you’ll learn about Europe’s first civilisation and the Cretan legend of the half-man, half-bull, Minotaur.
This afternoon, we’ll sail across the Sea of Crete to the spectacular island of Santorini and its breathtaking caldera. An included shore excursion takes us to the picture-perfect village of Oia, where we’ll see traditional whitewashed houses and stunning, blue-domed churches. This evening, why not sip a drink in a café as the sun sets over the bright-blue water of the caldera – the perfect way to finish your island adventures!
Day 6 Nafplion
Location: Nafplion
Accommodation Name: Agamemnon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
We’ll take to the road and travel from Athens to the Peloponnese peninsula today. After crossing the famous Corinth Canal, we’ll stop at the incredible UNESCO-listed site of Epidaurus. This ancient city was once held in high regard as a place of miraculous healing and is said to have been the birthplace of Asklepios, the god of medicine. We’ll see ruins of the city’s buildings and temples and a wonderfully preserved theatre which accommodated thousands of spectators in its day.
Next, we’ll head to an olive farm and take a stroll through its verdant olive groves before visiting a mill to uncover the secrets of Greek olive oil production. Known as liquid gold, we’ll enjoy a tasting of two different varieties of olive oil and learn how to recognise its finest qualities.
Finally, we’ll arrive in the pretty coastal town of Nafplio. Once the capital of Greece, we’ll stay here for the next three nights.
Day 7 Nafplion
Location: Nafplion
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Agamemnon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
Today has been left free for you to explore the town of Nafplio at leisure. You might choose to soak up the sun on the beach or take a dip in the lido. There’s also the option of exploring the town’s charming, cobbled streets or taking a boat across the bay to Bourtzi Castle, an impressive 15th-century fortress built to protect the city. If you’re feeling active, we recommend climbing the steps up to Nafplio’s most famous landmark, Palamidi Castle, for fabulous views over the town and surrounding area.
This evening, why not head into town and see what’s on offer for dinner. You’ll find restaurants serving a wide range of dishes, from seafood and grilled meat to traditional Greek fayre and meze.
Day 8 Nafplion
Location: Nafplion
Accommodation Name: Agamemnon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, B
Make the most of your final day in Nafplio by doing as much or as little as you please. Shop for last-minute souvenirs, walk along the seafront or just relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.
If you want to see even more of this amazing part of Greece, join your Holiday Director for a final optional excursion to the ruins of the ancient City of Mycenae. This fortified palace complex was discovered in 1874 and we’ll see highlights including the magnificent Lion Gate and the royal cemetery known as Grave Circle A. We’ll then head to one of the best wineries on the Peloponnese peninsular, where a sommelier will introduce us to the art of Greek winemaking and guide us through a tasting.
Day 9 Uk
Meals Included: B
It’s time to say goodbye to Greece as we take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
What's Included
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Return flights from London
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5 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
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15 included meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners and welcome drink
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Aegean Island cruise: 3-night full-board cruise sailing on Celestyal Discovery
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
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Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not offer single share options
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, Im afraid not
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like minded travellers
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Book with Confidence
When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
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We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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