Tag: Athens Greece Vacation

Athens 3 days Greek Islands Turkey Cruise

13/09/2014 Easytraveller No Comments Vacation Packages

Heraklion_Crete_Island_Greece_Knossos_Palace

Athens city tour with visit to Acropolis and its Museum, three days Greek Islands Turkey cruise visiting Mykonos, Patmos, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Heraklion (Crete) and Santorini and all these in just 6 days

 

WEDNESDAY: ATHENSUpon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Karyatides_Acropolis_Athens_GreeceBalance of day at leisure.

Academy_of_Athens_GreeceTHURSDAY: ATHENS Morning sightseeing tour of Athens including all famous monuments: House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Adrian’s Arch, Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the Royal Palace, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Tour will end by visiting the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum, “State of the art” in museum construction and very rich in content.
Afternoon free to visit Plaka (The old Athens city) with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants and taverns.

FRIDAY: ATHENS – MYKONOS Morning transfer to Piraeus port to embark your Mykonos_Myconos_Island_Greeceselected cruise ship. Our cruise ship will leave the port of Piraeus at 11:00 for a 4 full days of fun and experiences. We go along the Athens Riviera in the Saronic Golf to the south end of Attica passing close to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion. This afternoon is a good opportunity to get around and know your ship and the services we provide.
In the afternoon we arrive in Mykonos, known around the world as the Ibiza of the Aegean, the most popular destination of the Mediterranean. An international “jet-set” known for its beautiful sandy beaches, hundreds of tiny white chapels and incredible night life. Stroll around the streets of the capital that are considered the most beautiful of the Greek islands and enjoy the great night life. It’s easy to get lost in its maze of gleaming white walls dotted with blue domes and windows and balconies full of flowers. Have a coffee or a cocktail in one of the famous bars and promise to return for longer stay and more experiences.

Ephesus_Turkey_Augustus_GateSATURDAY: KUSADASI – PATMOS Kusadas? a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast. In ancient time settlers include the Aeolians in the 11th century BC and Ionians in the 9th century who made Kusadasi a centre of art and culture. In the early years of Christianity. St John the Evangelist and (according to Roman Catholic sacred tradition) Mary (mother of Jesus) both came to live in the area.
Take the opportunity to visit Ephesus, an ancient Greek city and later a major Roman city, on the coast of Ionia. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
You can also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, purported to have been the last home of Virgin Mary, based on the visions of Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich. It is a popular place of Catholic pilgrimage which has been visited by three recent popes.
Then on to the island of Patmos, a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Participating in the optional tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Monastery & the Grotto (the Cave of the Apocalypse) of St. John, where he lived and recorded the Book of Revelation.

SUNDAY: HERAKLION (CRETE) – SANTORINI  We will spend this morning to explore Santorini_Thira_Island_Greecethis beautiful city, the capital of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. Archaeological treasures, magnificent ruins and museums, glorious beaches and fabulous restaurants make Crete a complete vacation spot.
You can participate in one of the optional tours and visit the ruins of Knossos, which in Minoan times was the largest centre of population on Crete and are located within close proximity or the archaeological Museum of the city, one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete.
One of the jewels of small volcanic archipelagos five islands is undoubtedly Santorini. Santorini was created due to a volcanic eruption culminated in the explosion of a volcano caldera, therefore, its rugged landscapes dotted with huge cliffs. Santorini’s capital, Fira, with white-washed houses, narrow streets and open air cafes that cling to a steep cliff, is at the top of the beautiful island where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the bay. Discover Santorini villages that retain their authenticity, with beautiful blue and white buildings and barren volcanic rocks. It is a very fascinating and picturesque island. A magical place that has nothing to do with the rest of the Greek islands, a place to spread the peaceful and hospitable nature of its people.

Academy-Athens-GreeceMONDAY: PIRAEUS – AIRPORTEarly morning return to Piraeus port. After breakfast, disembarkation and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

 

 

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Athens city Break, Full day Delphi, Full day Cruise

01/09/2014 Easytraveller No Comments Vacation Packages

Hydra_Island_Greece_Boy_on_dolphin

Athens city Break package with 2 full day excursions!
Athens city tour with visit to Acropolis and its Museum, Full day bus tour to the Archaeological site of Delphi and a mini cruise to Saronic Golf Islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra with lunch and entertainment on board the cruise ship

DAY 1: ATHENS: Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of Academy_of_Athens_Greeceday at leisure.

Karyatides_Acropolis_Athens_Greece   DAY 2: ATHENS: Morning sightseeing tour of Athens including all famous monuments: House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Adrian’s Arch, Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the Royal Palace, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Tour will end by visiting the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum, “State of the art”  in museum construction and very rich in content. On Mondays the new Acropolis Museum is closed.
Afternoon free to visit Plaka (The old Athens city) with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants and taverns.

DAY 3: ATHENS – AEGINA – POROS – HYDRA: This small cruise will take you to Hydra_Island_Greece_02 Hydra, Poros and Aegina and bring you back in the evening full of fun and with the taste of the Greek islands.
Morning transfer to the pier of Piraeus, to embark your cruise ship for your full day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Good opportunity to know a little bit of Greek Islands and visit a small part of Ancient Greece in the optional tour to the temple of Aphea Athina in Aegina. On the return trip you enjoy a program with Greek music and songs and join the dancers on Greek folklore dancing. Included is the transfers to and from the port, port taxes and lunch on board.

Delphi_Greece_Tholos_Athina_Pronea   DAY 4: ATHENS – DELPHI: Full day excursion to the Archaeological site of Delphi, once known as the centre of Earth. This tour will show you the ruins of ancient Delphi and also a big part of mainland Greece full of green places and beautiful villages. Ancient Greece was full of religious places like Delphi, also connected with athletics and medical services.
Delphi was the centre of Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World.
On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.
Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.
You will have your lunch in a local restaurant and will return to Athens in the evening

DAY 5: ATHENS – AIRPORT: According to your departure flight, you will be Euzones-at-unkown-soldier-monument-Athens-Greecetransferred to the airport.

 

 

 

 

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Delta connects again nonstop New York and Athens

31/05/2013 Easytraveller No Comments Travel News

Delta-Air-Lines   “We are delighted to see the return of our summer seasonal flight between Athens and New York, offering customers more choice, nonstop convenience and onward connections to more destinations in the U.S. than any other carrier including popular destinations such as Florida and California,” said Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s senior vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The route is popular with both business and leisure travelers and we are already seeing very positive booking figures. This summer, our passengers will also be able to enjoy a range of new in-flight amenities, complementing Delta’s award winning on board service.”

Our BusinessElite customers will have the opportunity to experience the new Westin Heavenly® In-Flight bedding, designed and manufactured exclusively for Delta by Westin Hotels & Resorts. In addition, Delta has also introduced a new BusinessElite amenity kit featuring Tumi and Malin+Goetz products.

Nonstop service between Athens International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy airport will recommence on Sunday 2 June 2013. The flight will operate daily using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 298 seats, and will be operated in junction with Air France KLM.

In 2012, Delta carried over 125,000 passengers between Greece and the U.S. with an average load factor of nearly 85% on the route.

We had a wonderful time in Greece!

10/12/2012 Easytraveller No Comments Clients Impressions

Athina_Pronaia_Sanctuary_Delphi_GreeceDear Apostolos,

 We have been traveling for quite some time and now I have the opportunity to provide feedback on our wonderful trip.  Thank you so much for arranging it!  The accommodations were very good and the tour was well paced.  The only thing I would do differently next time was allow more time, especially on Crete. Good job!
Blaine and I have spent two weeks in Greece and had a wonderful time. The first week was filled with the classical portion of the Greek mainland. I got so confused with the various gods, goddesses, foreign occupations and wars that I broke down and bought a book about mythology and spent a good part of some evenings researching the political history. It helped to orient us to this beautiful country.
In Athens and in Iraklion (capitol of Crete) we witnessed political demonstrations. They did not appear to get violent but we chose not to stick around in case they did. In Athens we also toured the Acropolis, Plaka (old city) and the National Archeology Museum. Amazing!!!
We had the most wonderful guide for the tour to classical Greece (Corinth, Epidarus, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora). His name was Yani and had unending enthusiasm and a vast wealth of knowledge. He was probably the best guide we have ever had. The group was also interesting. We traveled with people from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England, Singapore, Malaysia and, of course the US. The group was a mixture of gay and straight people and reminded me a lot of the poeple who attend our UU church in Denver. Conversations at meal times were very entertaining! One night we ran into our guide, Yani and bus driver, Nicholas outside a Greek taverna. He invited us and several others from our group to join him. The wine flowed and at the end of the evening her refused to let any of us pay!
The second week we were on our own touring several Greek islands. My favorite was Mykonos because no cars were allowed within the town walls and everything was in walking distance. However, the hotel in Santorini was the fanciest place I have ever stayed. It had five swimming pools! We took a day trip to the island of Delos. It has the largest archaeological site in Europe and was the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Yesterday we went to Knossos, I city that was founded in 1700 BC.
Iraklion was the only place we had language difficulties and navigational challenges. Not much is in English and the roads were wound within the Venetian walls of the 15th century. The problem was solved by buying ticket to a hop on hop off tour bus. We sat on the upper level and were able to figure out where we were. We ate at this amazing place called the Fish Tavern which was cheap, good and overlooked the Venetian harbor.
Today we are off to Istanbul.
I hope everyone is well and happy,
Hasta pronto!
Felicita
Phylis and Cloyce
USA

We really, really enjoyed ourselves in Greece!

25/07/2012 Easytraveller No Comments Clients Impressions

Santorini Island Greece

Apologies I wasn’t able to get around to this email as I’ve been swarmed by work the moment I reached Singapore.

Well, I must say that I’m really impressed by how things are co-ordinated. Everything’s like clockwork. Our entire trip went without a hitch. No disappointments at all. The tour guide that were arranged for us was very knowledgeable and it made our trip enriching. Maybe only the fact that most museums and sightseeing spots are closed at 3pm. So we couldn’t quite cover everything in Athens.

But all in all, it was a fantastic holiday thanks to easytraveller.

Thank you for customising the package to fit the hotels we preferred. We really, really enjoyed ourselves in Greece and we see ourselves coming back some time!

Cheers
Selwyn
Singapore

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Classical Greece Tour Vacation Package 8 days

19/06/2012 Easytraveller 8 Comments Vacation Packages

Olympia_Philippion_TempleAncient Classical Greece Tour Vacation Package and a taste of Greek Islands!
Enjoy the beauties of Aegina, Poros and Hydra in our Mini Cruise. Admire the harmony of Ancient Greece Monuments in our 4 days Classical Greece Bus Tour visiting Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nauplion, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora.

DAY 1: ATHENS: Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of Athens_Metro_Dafni_Stationday at leisure.

Acropolis Museum Athens GreeceDAY 2: ATHENS: Morning sightseeing tour of Athens including all famous monuments: House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Adrian’s Arch, Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the Royal Palace, the Academy, the University and the National Library. Tour will end by visiting the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum, “State of the art” in museum construction and very rich in content. On Mondays the new Acropolis Museum is closed.
Afternoon free to visit Plaka (The old Athens city) with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants and taverns.

DAY 3: ATHENS-AEGINA-POROS-HYDRA:  This small cruise will take you to Hydra, Poros and Aegina and bring Hydra_Island_Greece_Boyyou back in the evening full of fun and with the taste of the Greek islands.
Morning transfer to the pier of Piraeus, to embark your cruise ship for your full day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Good opportunity to know a little bit of Greek Islands and visit a small part of Ancient Greece in the optional tour to the temple of Aphea Athina in Aegina.
On the return trip you enjoy a program with Greek music and songs and join the dancers on Greek folklore dancing. Included is the transfers to and from the port, port taxes and lunch on board.
Olympic_Flame_Lighting_Olympia_Greece   DAY 4: ATHENS-OLYMPIA: Leave by the Coastal Road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit Epidaurus which was a small city  in ancient Greece, at the Saronic Gulf. Reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius, the healer, Epidaurus was known for its sanctuary, the cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC.as well as its theater, which is once again in use today.
The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The theatre is marvelled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of non amplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 15,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.
Then proceed to the Town of Nauplion ( short stop) drive on to Mycenae. and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Departure for Olympia Through Central Peloponnese and the Towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Dinner and overnight in Olympia, the Cradle of the Olympic Games.
DAY 5: OLYMPIA-DELPHI: Olympia was a sanctuary of ancient Greece,  known for having been the site of the Delphi_Greece_Tholos_Athina_ProneaOlympic Games in classical times, the most famous games in history.
The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within the temenos  are the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum) and Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made. The hippodrome and later stadium were also to the east.
To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuries representing the various city states.
Olympia is also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Antipater of Sidon.
Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi . Dinner and overnight.
Meteora_Monasteries_Holy_Monastery_of_Varlaam   DAY 6: DELPHI-METEORA:
Delphi was the centre of Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World.
On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios.
Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias.. Depart for Kalambaka, a small Town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, gigantic rocks. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: METEORA-ATHENS: Meteora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Thermopylae_Greece_Spartans_monument_of_Leonidasmonasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the north western edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece.  The Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (visit the Leonida’s monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.
DAY 8: ATHENS-AIRPORT: According to your departure flight, you will be transfrred to the airport
 
 

16.5 million tourists in Greece for the year 2011

28/12/2011 Easytraveller 1 Comment Travel News

Corfu Kerkyra Island GreeceJust before the end of 2011, arrivals of tourists are expected to reach 16.5 million and tourism revenues go up more than 10% over last year, equivalent to a 1% increase in GDP.

For the next years the role of tourism is expected to be a catalyst for leaving the country from crisis. According to a recent study by the McKinsey Company on behalf of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and the Union of Greek Banks, 220,000 new jobs can be created by the increase in incoming tourists in the most dynamic sector of the Greek economy.

By 2021 the contribution of tourism to the GDP of Greece is estimated to exceed 1 / 5 which means that the direct gross value added of tourism (direct and indirect contribution) can increase by 18 billion and reach 50 billion euro. Again, according to the study data, these numbers represent 44% of the number of new jobs over the next decade, but 36% of the estimated total development of the country.

In 2010, directly and indirectly employment in the tourism industry in Greece was 746,000, according to the WTCC (World Travel & Tourism Council) which is equivalent to 17.9% of total employment in the domestic economy, while during the last decade tourism contribute consistently above 16% of the GDP and covers 1 / 3 of the trade deficit.

The Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises stresses that Greece can serve 20 million arrivals by 2014, ie 20% more than the year’s record high of 16.5 million arrivals, with what this means for increasing employment.

Posted by the Easytraveller Team

29th Athens Classic Marathon

27/10/2011 Easytraveller No Comments Travel News

Athens Classic Marathon The interest shown by runners all around the world for the Athens Classic Marathon 2011 has reached its peak. This year’s Athens Classic Marathon event will be equivalent to last year’s success, not only regarding number of participation but also regarding the quality reached. According to the registrations progress so far, SEGAS and the Athens Classic Marathon Organizing Committee cannot but express their satisfaction from the fact that Greek and foreign runners are participating in the Race.
In a very difficult period for Greece, SEGAS, a sports federation, decidedt to show to the world that Greece may be going through difficult times but does not lose the values that diachronically carry through its history and its culture!
After concerted efforts of the President of SEGAS, UNESCO, the largest international supporter of the United Nations, is now a supporter of the Athens Classic Marathon.
In the agreement signed in Paris by UNESCO and its 193 member countries, UNESCO decided to support the efforts of our country, recognizing the Athens Classic Marathon not only as a premier sporting event but as a worldwide historical and cultural event, a bridge that connects the past with the present.
The participation of 20,000 runners from 96 different countries, the interest of top celebrities and international media puts Greece on the spot of the world, giving to our country, global visibility and revenues exceeding 20,000,000 Euros based on last year’s data.
This year’s Athens Classic Marathon becomes an international event. Following last year’s anniversary of the 2,500 years from the Battle of Marathon, SEGAS decided to utilize and extend this legacy, linking this year’s event with values like social cohesion, the power of human will and solidarity. These values that emerge through the Athens Classic Marathon are denatured into an act through SEGAS’ extensive social responsibility program that has been developed by the Federation over the last four(4)years.
Posted by the Easytraveller Team

Greek cuisine on board Lufthansa flights

18/10/2011 Easytraveller No Comments Travel News

Greek menu on Lufthansa flightsPassengers travelling from Athens to Germany with Lufthansa will experience the aroma of Greek cuisine both in Business and Economy class.

Departing from Athens international airport Lufthansa’s passengers will receive a delicate «taste of Greece», as part of the airline’s commitment to promote local products and flavours and add a local flair to its meals.
“The delicious recipes promote Greek flavours and local dishes. They are a delight not only for the palate, but also for the eye”, said Paulo Yoshikawa, Lufthansa’s Director for Greece and Cyprus, not able to hide his enthusiasm. “Breakfast, lunch or dinner are all made from fresh ingredients and come with plenty of vegetables and herbs”, he added
Characteristic recipes with Greek flair are “fish a-la-Spetsiota” – a delicious seafood dish from the island of Spetses, tagliatelle with seafood (kalamari, prawn, octopus) in tomato & ouzo sauce or spinach “sfougatto” (quiche) with potato croquette grilled tomato wedge & village sausage.
Innovative and modern, always aiming for a superior travel experience, Lufthansa is among the few European airlines that offers hot menus from the classical Greek cuisine in Economy Class, too.
“Greek recipes are inspiring, full of freshness and health. The ingredients, the flavours, the combination of herbs and materials offer a tasteful, healthy and light meal for our air travelling”, said Mrs. Brenner, Area Manager Product Design and Caterer Management Europe and North Africa.
Through sense, natural tastes and aromas, Lufthansa passengers will virtually “travel” to the islands or the small mountainous villages of Greece. Food will be a feast to the eyes and the mouth and leave the travellers with the best last impression of the country.
Posted by the Easytraveller Team


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