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Aegean
Odyssey
Athens & the Islands
Tour membership limited to 12-24 guests
13 days from $4,495 -- air, land & cruise inclusive
The glory that was Greece still is today, as our small group
discovers cruising the Aegean aboard a four-masted "mega-yacht"
to idyllic islands and secluded harbors. We also explore
Athens, birthplace of Western civilization; and visit ancient
Delphi, home of the legendary Oracle, on this singular tour
mixing exquisite leisure and effortless learning.
Day
1: Depart U.S. for Athens, Greece
Day
2: Arrive Athens After
arriving in the Greek capital, there's time to relax at
our hotel before a walking tour of Hermes Street and the
lower Plaka district. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner
at the Dionyssos Restaurant overlooking the Acropolis. D
Day
3: Athens On
this morning's tour we visit the sublime Acropolis and Parthenon;
and the renowned Acropolis Museum. Our afternoon is free
in this historic and monumental city. B
Day
4: Delphi We
travel today to central Greece to explore the ruins at Delphi,
the most beautiful and celebrated ancient site of all. Nestled
between twin cliffs and spilling out onto the Sacred Plain,
Delphi is where the Oracle representing the revered god
Apollo presided over the ancient world. We also visit Delphi's
museum that houses the bronze Charioteer, one of
antiquity's greatest statues. After lunch in a local restaurant
and free time in the village, we return to Athens late afternoon.
B,L
Day
5: Athens/Piraeus This
morning is at leisure for independent exploration; early
this afternoon we transfer to Athens' port of Piraeus to
board Star Clipper and begin our Aegean odyssey.
B,D
Cruise Option A (see rate chart for dates)
SOUTHERN CYCLADES ITINERARY
Day
6: At Sea Today
is free to relax and get acquainted with Star Clipper,
a four-masted "mega-yacht" that offers an authentic sailing
experience and a casual on-board atmosphere. B,L,D
Day
7: At Sea/Rhodes After
a relaxing morning at sea, we reach beautiful Rhodes, the
"island of roses" redolent with history. Our included shore
excursion features a walking tour of the lively walled city
of Rhodes Town, including the 14th-century Palace
of the Knights of St. John and the archaeological museum.
B,L,D
Day
8: Bodrum, Turkey Known in
antiquity as Halicarnassus, this Turkish port dates back
some 5,000 years. We have ample time to discover the bustling
town, and to visit such important sites as the medieval
Castle of St. Peter, with its acclaimed Museum of Underwater
Archaeology. B,L,D
Day
9: Dalyan River, Turkey We
call on Turkey again today, at the Dalyan River whose reed
delta shelters endangered loggerhead turtles. We have a
choice of two optional excursions by boat: the therapeutic
mud baths native to the area or the ancient site of Caunos.
B,L,D
Day
10: At Sea/Santorini Another
relaxing morning cruising the Aegean on our way to Santorini.
Our waterborne approach offers a breathtaking sight: clusters
of bright whitewashed buildings perched atop the jagged
cliffs of a crescent-shaped caldera. Here we enjoy an included
excursion to the the picturesque village of Oia and a local
winery. B,L,D
Day
11: At Sea/Hydra We reach our
final port around lunchtime: historic and scenic Hydra,
a car-free preservation area with fashionable shops, art
galleries, cafés, and European-style architecture. B,L,D
Cruise Option B (see rate chart for dates)
NORTHERN CYCLADES ITINERARY
Day
6: At Sea Today
is free to relax at sea. B,L,D
Day
7: Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey After
spending the morning at a secluded beach, early this afternoon
we arrive in Kusadasi, popular Turkish port and principal
departure point for visiting the ruins at Ephesus. We explore
the splendid ruins, the world's best preserved classical
city, on an included excursion. On our return to Kusadasi
we stop for a demonstration of the art of Turkish carpet
weaving. B,L,D
Day
8: Pythagoria, Samos We spend
today on the island of Samos, just a short distance from
Asia Minor. With white sand beaches, charming villages,
and colorful harbors, Samos ranks among the region's prettiest
islands. We're free to explore on our own, or to join in
an optional tour to the Roman ruins at Heraion. B,L,D
Day 9: Patmos Called
the "Jerusalem of the Aegean" for its religious heritage,
Patmos is rich in both history and natural beauty. Our included
shore excursion visits the Monastery of St. John, housing
priceless icons and manuscripts; and the Cave of Revelation.
B,L,D
Day
10: Delos/Mykonos Today's
first stop is the island of Delos, once the religious and
political center of the Aegean, and today an important archaeological
site. On our included shore excursion we take a guided walk
of the ruins here and visit the local museum. After lunch
we cruise to nearby Mykonos, where this afternoon and evening
are free to enjoy this popular island as we wish. B,L,D
Day
11: Sifnos Excellent
beaches, lovely villages, and more than 350 churches and
chapels dot this colorful island known as a center of folk
arts. Our day is free to explore on our own. B,L,D
Day
12: Piraeus/Athens We
disembark and transfer to Athens to tour the acclaimed Benaki
Museum. After lunch at the museum's café, we check in mid-afternoon
at our hotel, where tonight we toast our odyssey at a farewell
dinner. B,L,D
Day
13: Depart for U.S. Early
this morning we transfer to the airport for our connecting
flights to the U.S. B
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. Athens touring, including the Acropolis and Parthenon
. Full-day excursion to ancient Delphi
. Seven-night cruise aboard "mega-yacht" Star Clipper
. Choice of two out-standing Cyclades itineraries: Northern
Cyclades with Ephesus, Delos, Mykonos... Southern Cyclades
with Rhodes, Bodrum, Santorini
. Included shore excursions: Southern Cyclades - Rhodes, Santorini;
Northern Cyclades - Patmos, Delos, Ephesus
. Ability to sail to secluded harbors and hideaways
. Informal shipboard atmosphere
. Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
. 11 nights' accommodations: 4 nights in Superior First Class
hotels; 7 nights aboard Star Clipper (Deluxe)
. 28 meals: 11 breakfasts; 8 lunches; 9 dinners
. Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance
fees
. Two (Option A) or three (Option B) private shore excursions
. Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
. Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
. Luggage handling for one bag per person
. Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport
and hotel porters, and all drivers
. $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys
Unlimited tour
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