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Ancient Lands Superior
8 Day Aegean Cruise of Ancient Greece and Turkey
Trace the splendour of great ancient empires, criss-crossing the Aegean Sea from the land of gods and goddesses to the sun-drenched seaside villages of the Cyclades islands. Take a walking tour of the Acropolis, enjoy sundowner views over Little Venice in Mykonos, and soak up the laid-back island vibes of Crete and Santorini.
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7 Cities
Select a day
- Day 1 Arrive Athens (2 Nights)Navigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 2 Athens SightseeingNavigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 3 Embark 4-Day Cruise – MykonosNavigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 4 Kusadasi – PatmosNavigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 5 Rhodes – At SeaNavigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 6 Heraklion – SantoriniNavigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 7 Disembark – Athens Free TimeNavigation Chevron Right Icon
- Day 8 Depart AthensNavigation Chevron Right Icon
The Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Athens (2 Nights)
Your fascinating exploration of an ancient land begins in the vibrant city of Athens. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel before spending the rest of your day discovering the Athenian's zest for life and their characteristic xenia.
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Marriott
Day 2
Athens Sightseeing
Join a 'Local Specialist' today to uncover the treasures of ancient Athens. Our morning sightseeing tour takes us to the Royal Palace, the Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian's Arch where Socrates once questioned ancient Athenians' understanding of the meaning of life. We'll enjoy a captivating walking tour of the Acropolis with views of the Parthenon and marvel at the stadium built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Spend the rest of the day embracing the energy of Athens. Ramble up the cobblestone lanes of Plaka, see the archaeological treasures of ancient Greece or indulge in a feast of Greek souvlaki or gyro at a traditional taverna, with a bit of opa thrown in for good measure.
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Cape Sounion
Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to see the fifth century B.C Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the temple’s sixteen columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the ancient temple perched above a 197-foot drop down to the Aegean Sea below. Stand above the site of the world’s first lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below, thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea.
Adult Price: €45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Delphi
The slopes of Parnassus Mountain are home to Delphi, home to the Oracke and the centre of the universe for the ancient world. Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Stadium & the Temple, as well as the museum of Delphi - home to over 10,000 artefacts, including the famous bronze Charioteer. In addition, you will also pass through the typical mountain Greek village of Arachova - famous for its cheese, matured in nearby caves, and for its flokati rugs.
Adult Price: €100.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Traditional Greek Taverna Meal With Entertainment
This is an evening excursion to a taverna in the centre of Athens. Enjoy excellent traditional Greek food in a lively atmosphere while being entertained by dances and music from all parts of the country. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also included. Although the venue does have an official ending time, guests are more than welcome to stay on in the taverna, to join in with the local residents! (Casual dress)
Adult Price: €55.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Dinner "Meze" Style In Psiri With Acropolis Illuminations
Enjoy a lovely dining experience at a wonderful restaurant located in the lively area of Psiri. Dining is “meze style”, giving you the opportunity to taste many Greek cuisine dishes, which are served in the centre of the table. Also enjoy the local free-flowing wine! Afterwards see the Acropolis beautifully illuminated as you return to your hotel (Casual dress).
Adult Price: €50.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
Embark 4-Day Cruise – Mykonos
We leave Athens this morning, sailing through the azure waters of the Aegean en route to Mykonos with its iconic windmills that greet visitors as they arrive in its beautiful bay. Spend your day getting lost in its labyrinthine cobblestone lanes lined by whitewashed houses and bougainvillea.
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Experience
Myconian Countryside tour with Hora & Little Venice
Join our Local Specialist as we head south from Chora, stopping at the leeward beach of Ornos, a picturesque fishing harbour and popular anchorage. We'll continue to the small beach of Agia Anna and Kalafatis beach. Then, we'll visit the traditional village of Ano Mera and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in 1542. The pretty village square is a perfect spot for a short break. Returning to Chora, we'll stop at Paraportiani where we’ll see the Mykonos Folklore Museum, housed in an old two-storied merchant baron's house. Continuing, we'll visit the "Little Venice" of Mykonos, Alefkandra, with its windmills and otherworldly sunsets that are a highlight of the island.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 4
Kusadasi – Patmos
Visit the bustling port of Kusadasi in Turkey for a complimentary Shore Experience to explore ancient Ephesus. Later, we cruise to Patmos where the Book of Revelation was written by St. John, whose Cave of the Apocalypse you may choose to visit on an optional Shore Experience.
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Experience
Patmos Countryside Tour with Hora and the Grotto of the Apocalypse
We'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Patmos to enjoy a panoramic guided tour of the island, including a magical visit to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where it is said St John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation. We'll then reach the medieval town of Hora to enjoy a leisurely walk, marvel at the views of the Monastery of St John the Evangelist, and finish our tour at Scala, the port of Patmos, where we'll enjoy a welcoming coffee, tea or refreshment.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
Rhodes – At Sea
Enjoy a complimentary Shore Experience this morning to walk in the footsteps of the religious knights who once conquered the island of Rhodes and explore the fascinating medieval Old Town with its thick stone walls, gates and cobblestone lanes.
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Heraklion – Santorini
Sailing overnight, we arrive in Heraklion on the island of Crete where you could enjoy a fascinating encounter with centuries-old Minoan culture at the Palace of Knossos. We continue to Santorini where you might like to enjoy an Optional Experience to the stunning clifftop village of Oia, passing quaint villages and vineyards along the way.
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Experience
Minoan Palace of Knossos - 1st European Civilization
The ancient city of Knossos the residence of the wise King Minos and the Minotaur, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. The palace of Knossos spreads around a large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”, the imposing Grand Staircase, the Queen’s Megaron. Walking through the apartments of the Knossos palace and observing the finds even as a visitor, you will feel part of this cultural heritage. There is time for a stop in the city of Heraklion before boarding the ship again.
Adult Price: €74.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Spectacular Oia Village Perched On The Caldera Rim
We'll travel first to Megalochori village, one of the most authentic, unspoiled villages of the island with its distinctive architecture and character. We'll continue East, viewing distant settlements like Kamari and Monolithos, and pass through the island's capital Fira. Then, it's off to the small traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, with their delicate architecture, before eventually arriving at the settlement of Oia. You'll have plenty of time to stroll through the village's marble-paved alleys, gaze at the adorably cute shops, and take Instagram-worthy pictures of the characteristic buildings carved into the rocks, including the distinctive captains' manors.
Adult Price: €74.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Akrotiri Village Excavations
Marvel at Santorini's towering cliffs, as tender boats convey you to the port at Athinios, where a coach will take you to Santorini's most significant archaeological site, the ancient village of Akrotiri. On the way we'll stop at the ruins of the island's famous windmill for photos and to enjoy the incredible panoramic view. You’ll then have a chance to to go back in time to explore the amazing ruins of Akrotiri. These advanced people grew crops and built two- and three-story homes, shops and workshops surrounding the village square thousands of years ago. Akrotiri was a bustling town, but its inhabitants abandoned it before the Thera eruption, a mystery archaeologists and historians are still trying to solve. The ash from the volcano buried the city, preserving many of its structures and some of its incredible frescoes. Driving on to Fira, the capital of Santorini and its largest town, we'll visit the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedra famed for its elegant construction and its beautiful frescoes painted by Christoforos Assimis. Stay in Fira to shop and enjoy a coffee or a snack or take the Santorini Cable Car to the port below, an incredible descent of more than 200 meters toward the deep blue waters of the caldera. Our tender boats will be ready, once you disembark from the cable car, to bring you back to the ship.
Adult Price: €74.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 7
Disembark – Athens Free Time
We return to Athens this morning to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Spend the day exploring the city's art and architecture that span centuries, shopping in quaint Kolonaki or people-watching over strong Greek coffee in Syntagma Square.
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon Hotel - Marriott
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 8
Depart Athens
Our epic adventure through ancient lands has come to an end. We say a fond farewell to newfound friends before catching a transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Trip Summary Meals Icon Included Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Cape Sounion
Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to see the fifth century B.C Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the temple’s sixteen columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the ancient temple perched above a 197-foot drop down to the Aegean Sea below. Stand above the site of the world’s first lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below, thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea.
Adult Price: €45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Delphi
The slopes of Parnassus Mountain are home to Delphi, home to the Oracke and the centre of the universe for the ancient world. Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Stadium & the Temple, as well as the museum of Delphi - home to over 10,000 artefacts, including the famous bronze Charioteer. In addition, you will also pass through the typical mountain Greek village of Arachova - famous for its cheese, matured in nearby caves, and for its flokati rugs.
Adult Price: €100.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Traditional Greek Taverna Meal With Entertainment
This is an evening excursion to a taverna in the centre of Athens. Enjoy excellent traditional Greek food in a lively atmosphere while being entertained by dances and music from all parts of the country. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also included. Although the venue does have an official ending time, guests are more than welcome to stay on in the taverna, to join in with the local residents! (Casual dress)
Adult Price: €55.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Dinner "Meze" Style In Psiri With Acropolis Illuminations
Enjoy a lovely dining experience at a wonderful restaurant located in the lively area of Psiri. Dining is “meze style”, giving you the opportunity to taste many Greek cuisine dishes, which are served in the centre of the table. Also enjoy the local free-flowing wine! Afterwards see the Acropolis beautifully illuminated as you return to your hotel (Casual dress).
Adult Price: €50.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Myconian Countryside tour with Hora & Little Venice
Join our Local Specialist as we head south from Chora, stopping at the leeward beach of Ornos, a picturesque fishing harbour and popular anchorage. We'll continue to the small beach of Agia Anna and Kalafatis beach. Then, we'll visit the traditional village of Ano Mera and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, founded in 1542. The pretty village square is a perfect spot for a short break. Returning to Chora, we'll stop at Paraportiani where we’ll see the Mykonos Folklore Museum, housed in an old two-storied merchant baron's house. Continuing, we'll visit the "Little Venice" of Mykonos, Alefkandra, with its windmills and otherworldly sunsets that are a highlight of the island.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Patmos Countryside Tour with Hora and the Grotto of the Apocalypse
We'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Patmos to enjoy a panoramic guided tour of the island, including a magical visit to the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where it is said St John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation. We'll then reach the medieval town of Hora to enjoy a leisurely walk, marvel at the views of the Monastery of St John the Evangelist, and finish our tour at Scala, the port of Patmos, where we'll enjoy a welcoming coffee, tea or refreshment.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 6
Minoan Palace of Knossos - 1st European Civilization
The ancient city of Knossos the residence of the wise King Minos and the Minotaur, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans. The palace of Knossos spreads around a large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”, the imposing Grand Staircase, the Queen’s Megaron. Walking through the apartments of the Knossos palace and observing the finds even as a visitor, you will feel part of this cultural heritage. There is time for a stop in the city of Heraklion before boarding the ship again.
Adult Price: €74.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 6
Spectacular Oia Village Perched On The Caldera Rim
We'll travel first to Megalochori village, one of the most authentic, unspoiled villages of the island with its distinctive architecture and character. We'll continue East, viewing distant settlements like Kamari and Monolithos, and pass through the island's capital Fira. Then, it's off to the small traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, with their delicate architecture, before eventually arriving at the settlement of Oia. You'll have plenty of time to stroll through the village's marble-paved alleys, gaze at the adorably cute shops, and take Instagram-worthy pictures of the characteristic buildings carved into the rocks, including the distinctive captains' manors.
Adult Price: €74.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 6
Akrotiri Village Excavations
Marvel at Santorini's towering cliffs, as tender boats convey you to the port at Athinios, where a coach will take you to Santorini's most significant archaeological site, the ancient village of Akrotiri. On the way we'll stop at the ruins of the island's famous windmill for photos and to enjoy the incredible panoramic view. You’ll then have a chance to to go back in time to explore the amazing ruins of Akrotiri. These advanced people grew crops and built two- and three-story homes, shops and workshops surrounding the village square thousands of years ago. Akrotiri was a bustling town, but its inhabitants abandoned it before the Thera eruption, a mystery archaeologists and historians are still trying to solve. The ash from the volcano buried the city, preserving many of its structures and some of its incredible frescoes. Driving on to Fira, the capital of Santorini and its largest town, we'll visit the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedra famed for its elegant construction and its beautiful frescoes painted by Christoforos Assimis. Stay in Fira to shop and enjoy a coffee or a snack or take the Santorini Cable Car to the port below, an incredible descent of more than 200 meters toward the deep blue waters of the caldera. Our tender boats will be ready, once you disembark from the cable car, to bring you back to the ship.
Adult Price: €74.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
About this trip
About this trip
What's included
7 nights
Accommodation
15 Meals
7 breakfasts, 4 cruise lunches, 4 cruise dinners
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Local Specialist
For included sightseeing in Athens
Sightseeing highlights
VISIT the Acropolis in Athens, the trendy island of Mykonos, the thriving Turkish port of Kusadasi, the idyllic island of Patmos, the medieval Old Town of Rhodes, the port town of Heraklion and the cliff-top town of Fira on Santorini
VIEW the Parthenon, the white-washed houses and windmills on Mykonos and the Caldera on Santorini
SEE Hadrian's Arch and the 1896 Olympic Stadium in Athens
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Daily breakfast and up to half your evening meals
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Handcrafted Highlights
VIP entry to many sights
LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
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Trip Notes
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Website Terms of Use page.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.