The past maintains a vibrant presence in Greece, the cradle of Western civilization. Set off on an unforgettable adventure that features three UNESCO World Heritage sites including the monasteries of Meteora and Delphi, religious center of the ancient Greek world. Stand in awe of Athens’ iconic Acropolis, yet another UNESCO World Heritage site crowned by the magnificent Parthenon.
JEWELS OF ANCIENT GREECE
Starting at $ 2,699
Pre-Cruise Itinerary Overview
4 days, 3 nights
Day 1: Upon arrival at the Athens airport, a representative meets you and assists with your transfer to a centrally located hotel. Check in for your overnight stay, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Consider a stroll around Syntagma Square and the nearby National Garden, a 35-acre urban oasis of greenery and blooms; or dinner at a family-run taverna in Plaka, Athens’s old neighborhood that still clings to its village ambiance.
Overnight: Athenaeum Intercontinental or similar
Meals: N/A
Day 2: After breakfast, set out for Delphi, the religious center of the ancient Greek world. Drive north from Athens and then up Mt. Parnassus the fabled home of Apollo and his Nine muses past countless olive groves before reaching Delphi.
Enjoy lunch on your own and in between explore the UNESCO World Heritage-designated sanctuary and the museum.
Built on the sloping hillsides of Mt. Parnassus with amazing scenery, Delphi was considered the omphalos or “navel of the world” by the Ancient Greeks, who made pilgrimages here to receive the prophesies of its Pythia or high priestess. View the Temple of Apollo — where the god supposedly spoke directly to Delphi’s oracle — as you wander around this magnificent monumental complex. You also visit the museum, filled with treasures unearthed at the site. Afterward Check into your comfortable hotel, for dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel Kastalia or similar
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Sit back and relax on your morning drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora in central Greece, soaking in the mountainous scenery along the way. Meteora’s nearly inaccessible sandstone cliffs serve as the surreal setting for a series of monasteries, built by early Greek Orthodox monks who sought isolation and spiritual ascension. Twenty-four monasteries were constructed between the 11th and 16th centuries, comprising one of the largest and most important monastic communities in the ancient world. Only six of these monasteries remain, two of which you visit today. Admire the incredible views, priceless religious icons, and post-Byzantine frescoes, enjoying some free time for lunch on your own.
Afterward, head to the nearby town of Kalambaka and check into your hotel before dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight: Divani Meteora Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Make an early morning transfer back to Athens for a guided tour of its World Heritage-designate Acropolis. UNESCO describes the Acropolis of Athens as “the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world,” and you gain deeper insight into its trove of 5th-century treasures including its crowning glory, the Parthenon. Enjoy some free time for lunch on your own, then proceed to the port of Piraeus and embark your Seabourn ship.
Meals: Breakfast
Post-Cruise Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Disembark your Seabourn ship in the port of Piraeus and set out for Delphi, the religious center of the ancient Greek world. Enjoy lunch on your own and in between explore the UNESCO World Heritage-designated sanctuary and the museum.
Built on the sloping hillsides of Mt. Parnassus with amazing scenery, Delphi was considered the omphalos or “navel of the world” by the Ancient Greeks, who made pilgrimages here to receive the prophesies of its Pythia or high priestess. View the Temple of Apollo — where the god supposedly spoke directly to Delphi’s oracle — as you wander around this magnificent monumental complex. You also visit the museum, filled with treasures unearthed at the site. Afterward Check into your comfortable hotel, for dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel Demotel Anemolia or similar
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 2: Sit back and relax on your morning drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora in central Greece, soaking in the mountainous scenery along the way. Meteora’s nearly inaccessible sandstone cliffs serve as the surreal setting for a series of monasteries, built by early Greek Orthodox monks who sought isolation and spiritual ascension. Twenty-four monasteries were constructed between the 11th and 16th centuries, comprising one of the largest and most important monastic communities in the ancient world. Only six of these monasteries remain, two of which you visit today. Admire the incredible views, priceless religious icons, and post-Byzantine frescoes, enjoying some free time for lunch on your own.
Afterward, head to the nearby town of Kalambaka and check into your hotel before dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight: Divani Meteora Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Make an early morning transfer to Athens for a guided tour of its World Heritage-designate Acropolis. UNESCO describes the Acropolis of Athens as “the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world,” and you gain deeper insight into its trove of 5th-century treasures including its crowning glory, the Parthenon. Enjoy some free time for lunch on your own, then check in at your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps taking a stroll around Syntagma Square and the nearby National Garden, a 35-acre urban oasis of greenery and blooms. This evening, consider dining at a family-run taverna in Plaka, Athens’s old neighborhood that still clings to its village ambiance.
Overnight: Hotel Athenaeum Intercontinental or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: At the appropriate time, transfer to the Athens airport for your homeward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note:Modest attire is required; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Important: It is each guest's sole responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in mid-cruise adventures or overnight journeys, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your overland adventure or overnight tour, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. The Journey rates include hotel accommodation on a double room basis in Athens, Kalambaka and Delphi. The best available accommodation was booked for the dates and voyages applicable to this Journey. Airport assistance and transfers, transportation by A/C bus, all entrance fees indicated in the itinerary, licensed English-speaking guide, water on the transportation, and meals as indicated are also included. Rates do not include gratuities or personal expenses.
4 days, 3 nights