Enjoy the unique opportunity to visit two of the most precious and sacred sites which lie in the most beautiful and unspoiled parts of Northern Greece.
NOTE: This is an extensive 4-day program that covers a lot of ground both on foot and by luxury coach. There is a lot of driving involved. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties due to the amount of walking, steps and uneven ground.
DAY 1
Upon arrival to the Athens International airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the center of Athens. The remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure with meals on your own.
Overnight at the Divani Caravel Hotel or similar hotel.
Note that check in time at the hotel is at 2:00pm.
DAY 2
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then meet your guide in the lobby to begin your sightseeing tour of Athens.
Begin with a visit to the famous site of the Acropolis. En route you will drive by Constitution Square, the House of Parliament, the Neo-Classical style university buildings, the Royal Palace and the Old Olympic Stadium of Athens.
Arriving at the foot of the Acropolis, one of the most photographed ancient monuments in the world, you will set off with your group on a walking tour to the top. Your guide will stop along the way to brief you on its history. Once you get to the top you will have some free time to explore and take photographs. Admire the ancient temples of Athena Nike and the towering Parthenon as well as the gorgeous view of the city of Athens below.
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 all. Those not wishing to venture to the top can remain at the bottom and wait for the group to return. At the top the ground is uneven. Large bags are not permitted here and will need to be left on the tour bus.
Next you will visit the breathtaking Acropolis Museum – an impressive building that was completed and opened in 2009 and has an exhibition space of more than 14,000 square meters. It houses every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. It also lies over the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.
Following your visit of the museum, take a stroll with your group through the enchanting, traditional streets of Plaka, the colorful old quarter of Athens, rich in neoclassical, ancient monuments and Byzantine Churches. Here in the Plaka, you will have a traditional Greek lunch before returning to your hotel where you will have some free time.
In the evening you will be met by your guide and you will transfer to the picturesque Mikrolimano Area in Piraeus where you will dine at Varoulko Restaurant. Lefteris Lazarou, Greece’s top-awarded Michelin Star Chef created the restaurant’s menu, so you will not be disappointed in this fantastic dining experience.
Overnight at the Divani Caravel Hotel or similar hotel.
DAY 3
The next day enjoy breakfast at your hotel and board your coach for the drive to Delphi. The beautiful drive into the land of central Greece will bring you to the magnificent site of Delphi.
Delphi was considered by the ancients to be the physical and spiritual centers of the earth. This shrine of Apollo set nearly 2,000 feet up on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Here was the most respected oracle of antiquity. Even the most intelligent men, who lived during the brilliant civilization of Athens, believed implicitly in the responses of the god. These were given by the inspired priestess, the Pythia, and were interpreted, usually with an ambiguous touch, by the priests. Delphi grew fabulously rich with offerings, and though they have almost all disappeared now, you can admire the ruins and try to picture it as it was during its 1,000 prestigious years.
Walk up the Sacred Way past the beautiful small Treasuries to the Temple of Apollo, location of the oracle; continue to the Museum with its superb collection of votive offerings and statues, including the world-famous Charioteer. A traditional country lunch will be offered at the nearby village of Arachova. After lunch you will board your coach and commence the drive to the town of Kalambaka, after check-in your dinner will be served at the hotel and the evening will be at your leisure. Kalamaba is the picturesque town that sits at the foot of Meteora. After check-in your dinner will be served at the hotel and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at the Divani Meteora Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 4
After breakfast you will board your coach for the visit of the Meteora Monasteries. Admire the extraordinary rocks of Meteora which were formed as a result of the force of the nature and they appear to be suspended in the sky, crested with the celebrated monasteries. Today only six monasteries are inhabited, two of which have become nunneries. You are invited to delve into two of these remarkable phenomena, seemingly floating in the sky and serving as an example of the post-Byzantine era.
After the visit of the Monasteries you will commence your drive to the port of Piraeus in order to board your vessel for your cruise.
NOTE: Scheduled visits are for the Monastery of the Great Meteoron “Megalo Meteoro” and The Nunnery of St. Stefanos “Agiou Stefanou”. Should one be closed it will be substituted with Moni Varlaam.
Steps vary from one to the other - The Monastery of the Great Meteoron has approximately 200 steps, St.Stefanos Monastery has approximately 10 steps and Moni Varlaam has approximately 80 steps.
Coaches are able to drop off guests approximately 300- 500 feet from each Monastery.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. •Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further 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.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 2:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 2:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Athens International airport
Transfer to your hotel
2:00pm Check in - Time at leisure and meals on own
Overnight at the Divani Caravel Hotel or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:00am Depart for a panoramic drive around Athens ending at the Acropolis
9:00am Visit the Acropolis, guided
11:00am Depart for the Acropolis Museum
11:15am Guided visit of the Acropolis Museum (restrooms here)
12:45pm Depart for lunch in the Plaka Area
1:00pm Lunch
2:30pm Return to your hotel for some free time
6:45pm Depart the hotel for dinner
9:00pm Return to your hotel
Overnight at the Divani Caravel Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:00am Check out and depart the hotel for Delphi
10:00am Restroom stop in Livadia
10:15am Arrive in Delphi
10:45am Guided visit of the Site and Museum – Restrooms on site
1:00pm Depart for Lunch venue in Arachova – Restrooms at the lunch venue
1:15pm Lunch
2:15pm Depart for Kalambaka
6:30pm Arrive in Kalambaka
Dinner and overnight
Overnight at the Divani Meteora Hotel or similar
DAY 4
AM Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
8:45am Depart hotel for Meteora, Visit Monasteries
11:00am Depart for the Port of Piraeus comfort stop and quick lunch included
4:45pm Board your ship in Piraeus
Important Note:
Large bags are not permitted at the Acropolis
There are a large number of uneven steps without handrails at the Acropolis site
The Monasteries scheduled to visit are:
•The Monastery of the Great Meteron “Megalo Meteoro” (closed on Tuesdays)
•The Nunnery of St. Stefanos “Agiou Stefanou” (closed on Mondays)
•If necessary, we will substitute a monastery that is closed with the: Moni Varlaam
Expected Weather:
Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 40°F to 90°F and is rarely below 32°F or above 95°F. The warm season lasts from June to September with an average daily high temperature above 83°F. The cold season lasts from December to March with an average daily high temperature below 61°F.
What to Bring: Sunglasses, hat, comfortable walking shoes. Sweater or jacket during the cooler months. Dress code is applicable at the Meteora Monasteries (knees and shoulders must be covered for the females)
Currency:
EURO
Electricity:
220V. Please bring a travel adaptor if you have electronic devices as the hotels do not provide these
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required
Accommodation:
Athens:
Divani Caravel Hotel or similar
Vassileos Alexandrou Av., 2, Athens
Tel: +30 210 720 7000
Kalambaka:
Divani Meteora Hotel or similar
National Road, Trikala Ioannina
42200Kalambaka, Greece
Tel. +30 2432023330
*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in the program.
Program Includes for guests:
Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Athens
Deluxe coach for touring
Professional and fully qualified English-speaking guide
Accommodation in Athens at the Divani Caravel Hotel or similar (standard double room)
Accommodation in Kalambaka at the Divani Meteora Hotel or similar (standard double room)
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Entrance fees to all sites visited
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 arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival 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 for guests:
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Any meals not listed above
Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar 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, and gravel or 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. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
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. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.