\n| \n DAY 1, Monday – Depart for Greece<\/span>
\nDepart for Greece<\/p>\nDAY 2, Tuesday – Arrive in Athens<\/span>
\nArrive in Athens, the classical capital of Greece and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to discover the ancient wonders of this city known as the cradle of Western Civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by a light dinner
\nOvernight:<\/b>\u00a0Athens
\nMeals:<\/b>\u00a0Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 3, Wednesday – Athens City Tour<\/span>
\nThe exploration of Athens begins with a panoramic drive through the city center. View the Panathenian Stadium and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Continue on to visit the Acropolis, the ancient architectural masterpiece built during the Golden Age of Athens and the new Acropolis Museum, a striking modern building built at the base of the monument where many of the original statues from the Acropolis are now displayed. The rest of the day is at leisure. Be sure to walk to Constitution Square, where you might catch a glimpse of the colorfully-costumed Evzone guards, outfitted in the traditional Greek style. Tonight, perhaps walk through the lively Plaka area, the oldest section of Athens, a neighborhood of charming restaurants, shops and sidewalk cafes
\nOvernight:<\/b>\u00a0Athens
\nMeals:<\/b>\u00a0Breakfast<\/p>\nDAY 4, Thursday – Sightseeing en route to Olympia<\/span>
\nDepart Athens via the scenic coastal road to the mighty Corinth Canal, dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Continue via Nauplion to Mycenae, the heartland of Greek mythology. Visit the Acropolis of Mycenae and the Tomb of Atreus, built around 1250 B.C. From here, drive through the Central Peloponnese Peninsula, whose major cities in classical times were Corinth and Sparta. Continue to Olympia, birthplace of the first Olympic Games
\nOvernight:<\/b>\u00a0Olympia
\nMeals:<\/b>\u00a0Breakfast, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 5, Friday – Tour the Olympia Archaeological Site<\/span>
\nMorning visit to the archaeological site of Olympia, including the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, and the ancient stadium where the Olympic Games were first held in 776 B.C. Visit a local store, where you will have a chance to taste local olive oil and spices. Then, drive north through the plains of Eliad and Achaia, crossing the Corinth Strait via a cabled bridge from Rion to Antirion. Pass the town of Nafpactos en route to Delphi, home of the ruins of the Tholos Temple
\nOvernight:<\/b>\u00a0Delphi
\nMeals:<\/b>\u00a0Breakfast, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 6, Saturday – Archaeological Tour of Delphi, Travel to Kalambaka<\/span>
\nTour the excavated site of Delphi and the archaeological Museum, perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered one of the most significant places in Greek history, its stunning setting and ancient ruins are truly inspirational. Walk the Sacred Way to the imposing 4th century B.C. Temple of Apollo, site of the most important oracle in the classical world. Then travel over the Pourmaraki Pass towards the small town of Kalambaka, situated amidst smooth sandstone cliffs in the foothills of Meteora
\nOvernight:<\/b>\u00a0Kalambaka
\nMeals:<\/b>\u00a0Breakfast, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 7, Sunday – Meteora Sightseeing, Return to Athens<\/span>
\nVisit Meteora, meaning “suspended in the air”, with its mystical Eastern Orthodox monasteries incredibly nestled perilously close to the edge of bizarre rock formations. Admire the exquisite specimens of Byzantine art and the panoramic vistas over the Peneios Valley. Stop at a workshop of Byzantine icons and souvenirs. Browse the store’s vast collection of icons, created using old traditional methods. Afterward, a scenic drive takes you along the coast, past Thermopylae. Arrive in Athens in the early evening
\nOvernight:<\/b>\u00a0Athens
\nMeals:<\/b>\u00a0Breakfast<\/p>\nDAY 8, Monday – Embark Cruise, Arrive in Mykonos<\/span>
\nMorning arrival at the pier for embarkation. Set sail at 11:30 AM, and sit back as you take in the spectacular scenery of the beautiful turquoise waters of the Aegean. Arrive at 6 PM in the ultra-popular and chic jet-set island of Mykonos with its whitewashed houses, iconic windmills and sophisticated town with trendy cafes and boutiques. Find a table at a harborside taverna and gaze at the bustle of Cycladic island life and the gorgeous views. Perhaps visit one of the island’s popular night clubs before returning to the ship departing at 11 PM for Kusadasi, Turkey
\nOvernight:\u00a0<\/b>Aegean Cruise
\nMeals:\u00a0<\/b>Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 9, Tuesday – Arrive in Kusadasi (Ephesus), Evening in Patmos<\/span>
\nToday, arrive at 7:30 AM in Kusadasi, Turkey. This splendid city is renowned for its significant historical and religious sites, including ancient Ephesus, one of the most exquisite cities in antiquity. Tour the magnificent archaeological site of Ephesus, home to the Library of Celsus and Fountain of Trajan. Enjoy free time in Kusadasi before returning to the ship in time for lunch and departure at 1 PM. At 5 PM, arrive in Patmos. This small island is steeped with an intense spiritual character, which inspired St. John the Divine to write the Book of Apocalypse. A large monastery in his name dominates the landscape above Chora, the island’s capital, surrounded by strong fortress-like walls. Follow the picturesque narrow lanes in the port of Sk\u00e1la and discover caf\u00e9s, shops and bakeries selling traditional honey and nut pastries. Time to linger until sailing at 9:30 PM to Rhodes
\nOvernight:\u00a0<\/b>Aegean Cruise
\nMeals:\u00a0<\/b>Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 10, Wednesday – Full Day in Rhodes<\/span>
\nView the magnificent panorama as the ship arrives at 7 AM in Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. Drive along the coastline to the tiny town of Lindos, with its whitewashed houses nestled on the hillside overlooking the crystal sapphire waters of the bay. Tour the Acropolis of Lindos and Temple of Athena before proceeding to the city of Rhodes. See the ruins of ancient Rhodes before enjoying a walking tour of the medieval Old Town. View the Palace of the Knights, continuing down Chevaliers Road, before transferring back to the ship. Set sail this evening at 6 PM
\nOvernight:\u00a0<\/b>Aegean Cruise
\nMeals:\u00a0<\/b>Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 11, Thursday – Arrive in Crete, Evening in Santorini<\/span>
\nAt 7 AM, arrive in Crete, largest of the Greek Islands. Crete’s remarkable history is highlighted by the ruins of the great Palace of Knossos, ceremonial and political center of the ancient Minoan civilization and residence of the mythical King Minos. Here, the mountain caves are thought to be the legendary birthplace of Zeus, according to Greek mythology. Free time to explore on your own or join the locals sitting in a caf\u00e9 drinking coffee. Return to the ship in time for a leisurely lunch on board and depart at 12 PM. At 4:30 PM, cruise into Santorini’s caldera as you marvel at the sapphire blue water, snow-white architecture and multicolored cliffs that characterize this enchanting getaway. The streets of bustling Fira, the island’s capital city, are a vision of pristine whitewashed buildings. Relax at a cliffside caf\u00e9 or wander the narrow footpaths before the ship sails towards Athens at 9:30 PM
\nOvernight:\u00a0<\/b>Aegean Cruise
\nMeals:\u00a0<\/b>Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner<\/p>\nDAY 12, Friday – Depart Greece<\/span>
\nDisembark at 7 AM and transfer to the airport in Athens for your departure flight
\nMeals:\u00a0<\/b>Breakfast<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDYSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYnRuJTIwd3AtY29sb3Jib3gtaW5saW5lJTIwY2JveEVsZW1lbnQlMjIlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmNvbG9yJTNBJTIwJTIzZmZmJTNCJTIwYmFja2dyb3VuZC1jb2xvciUzQSUyMCUyMzFmNmVlMyUzQiUyMGZvbnQtc2l6ZSUzQSUyMDIycHglM0IlMjBmb250LXdlaWdodCUzQSUyMGJvbGQlM0IlMjIlMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyJTIzY29udGFjdHBvcCUyMiUzRU1vcmUlMjBJbmZvJTIxJTIwJTNDaSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyZmElMjBmYS1pbmZvLWNpcmNsZSUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmklM0UlM0MlMkZhJTNF[\/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]*Price displayed in US dollars, per person, double occupancy, Applicable to October 17, 2017 departure, other dates available at various prices. Includes return airfare from Montreal plus domestic flights, airport taxes, transfers, accommodations, certain meals plus sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary. OPC Indemnity Fund fee of $1 per $1,000 of travel products sold is additional. Limited space, other conditions and restrictions may apply. Not all travel dates available. Subject to change or cancellation at any time. Book before June 07, 2017<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 12 Day Classic Greece with 4 Day Iconic Aegean Cruise [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10897″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_raw_html]JTNDYSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYnRuJTIwd3AtY29sb3Jib3gtaW5saW5lJTIwY2JveEVsZW1lbnQlMjIlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmNvbG9yJTNBJTIwJTIzZmZmJTNCJTIwYmFja2dyb3VuZC1jb2xvciUzQSUyMCUyMzFmNmVlMyUzQiUyMGZvbnQtc2l6ZSUzQSUyMDIycHglM0IlMjBmb250LXdlaWdodCUzQSUyMGJvbGQlM0IlMjIlMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyJTIzY29udGFjdHBvcCUyMiUzRU1vcmUlMjBJbmZvJTIxJTIwJTNDaSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyZmElMjBmYS1pbmZvLWNpcmNsZSUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmklM0UlM0MlMkZhJTNF[\/vc_raw_html][vc_custom_heading text=”Trip Highlights” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1502228725011{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #3979a9 !important;}”][vc_column_text] Signature Collection Package Includes Round trip flights Montreal-Athens, Athens-Montreal Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 10 nights accommodations 3 nights Athens 1 night Olympia 1 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10897,"parent":3041,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10894"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10894"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10894\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10899,"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10894\/revisions\/10899"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grandescapades.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} |