SUNDAY: ATHENS – HALF-DAY CITY TOUR

This tour gives you the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our knowledgeable guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop).

Continue past the Prime Minister’s residence (former Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Arch of Hadrian, the Parliament and the monument to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, Constitution Square (Syntagma). At the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the golden age of Athens: the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “brings order to the mind”, the Parthenon.

The tour will end by visiting the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum, “state of the art” in museum construction and very rich in content.

Free afternoon to visit the ancient city of Athens (Plaka) with many restaurants, taverns and souvenir shops

MONDAY:

At the scheduled time, transfer to the port of Piraeus to embark on the 4-night cruise by

the Greek islands and Turkey of the company Miray Cruises with departure at 12:00. The first port will be to the exciting island of Mykonos, famous for its wonderful beaches, international shops and incredible nightlife.

Mykonos is 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 nightlife. Stroll around the streets of the capital that are considered the most beautiful of the Greek islands and enjoy the great nightlife. 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 a longer stay and more experiences.

Arrival at 19:00 and departure after midnight.

.

SANTORINI

In the morning, arrive at the fantastic island of Santorini, the site of the beautiful postcard landscapes

and the blue-domed churches. One of the jewels of the small five-island volcanic archipelagos is undoubtedly Santorini. Santorini was created due to a volcanic eruption culminating in the explosion of a volcano’s caldera, hence its rugged landscapes dotted with towering cliffs.

Santorini’s capital, Fira, with its whitewashed houses, narrow streets and sidewalk cafes clinging to a cliff, sits at the top of the beautiful island where you can take in gorgeous views of the bay. Discover the Santorini villages that retain their authenticity, with beautiful blue and white buildings and barren volcanic rocks. It is a very fascinating and picturesque island. It is a magical place that has nothing to do with the rest of the Greek islands, a place to spread the peaceful and hospitable character of its people.

The sunset from the Caldera and the Greek and Mediterranean food in the islands of restaurants and taverns are not to be missed.

WEDNESDAY: RHODES

In the morning arrival in Rhodes, also known as the island of Rosas. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes showed sailors the entrance to the ancient port. The medieval city and the famous Castle of the Crusader Knights of the Order of Saint John are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, being the second best preserved medieval city. Do not miss it!

THURSDAY: KUSADASI (TURKEY ) – PATMOS

Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast. In ancient times settlers included 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.

The optional tour is 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, which purported to have been the last home of the 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.