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Schedules and Accommodations |
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Depart Home /Fly to Athens, Greece
Few places on earth are as evocative as Greece and the islands of the Aegean. Now, you’re invited to discover this warm, welcoming destination for yourself on this delightful journey.
Your tour begins in Athens, the epicenter of Greek civilization. As you’ll discover, a city that has always been a pleasure to visit was remarkably updated for the Olympics, and now boasts visitor facilities that rival the best in Europe.
When you arrive, a Vantage representative will be waiting at the airport to greet you and arrange a transfer to your excellent hotel, which boasts some of the finest views in Athens. You’ll have time to get settled and enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Should you want to explore on your own, a Vantage Hospitality Desk will be open in the hotel lobby to provide sightseeing tips and suggestions.
Athens Ledra Marriott  |
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Athens
Athens has an astonishing number of antiquities, historic sites, and monuments, as you’ll discover on our morning city tour. On a narrated driving tour, you’ll view such notable Athens landmarks as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Constitution Square and the Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, and Panathenian Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. A drive along Panepstimiou Avenue takes you by the Catholic University, the Academy, the National Library, and more.
You’ll also pass by the massive Roman Temple of the Olympian Zeus, and, of course, the Acropolis, the limestone plateau topped by the spectacular Parthenon — the stunning backdrop to Athens. A walking tour among the temples, gates, and walkways atop the Acropolis reveals the glory of the Golden Age of Greece. Your tour also includes entrance to the Acropolis Museum, where you’ll see beautifully carved statuary and marble friezes. (The Acropolis is the first of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you’ll visit.)
Afterwards, spend the remainder of the day exploring on your own. Even relaxing in a shady cafe while you enjoy the pageant of daily life is a delight! Later, enjoy a Welcome Dinner back at your hotel.
Athens Ledra Marriott (B,D) |
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Athens
Today, you’re free to explore this amazing city and discover more of its fascinating history — ask your Vantage Program Manager to suggest sightseeing or shopping excursions. Or, join an optional Cape Sounion tour with lunch.
Consider visiting the National Archeological Museum, which houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece — including ancient Greek sculpture, superb wall frescoes, ceramic art, goldsmithing, metalsmithing, and painting from prehistoric days all the way to Roman times. Your evening is free to do as you wish.
Athens Ledra Marriott (B) |
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Delphi, Greece
Delphi, today’s destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was where the Oracle of Apollo resided, the all-knowing seer whose advice was sought by the wealthy and the powerful. Even now, thousands of years later, Delphi has an undeniable air of mystery and enchantment. We’ll depart Athens aboard our state-of-the-art, air-conditioned Mercedes motorcoach, accompanied by our Vantage archeological guide. Enroute to Delphi, we wind through several small traditional towns, including Livadia, where the Ekrina River, once considered the local river Styx, flows through the center of town; and Arahova, where bright, multi-colored carpets are woven in traditional patterns.
The Sanctuary of Delphi occupies a magnificent spot on the steep slopes of Mount Parnassus. The views of olive groves and the Corinthian Valley alone are worth a visit! With your guide, you’ll explore the sanctuary’s dramatic ruins, such as the wonderfully preserved theater and the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle sat in a trance on the seventh of each month to issue her prophecies.
Afterwards, we’ll go into the lovely town of Delphi (note that most other travel companies stay outside of Delphi), where you’ll have time at leisure to stroll the pleasant main street. This evening, enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.
Apollonia Hotel (B,D) |
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Delphi
This morning you’ll visit the Museum of Delphi, containing a rare and exquisite collection of ancient sculpture, second only to that of the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The most famous exhibit here is the Charioteer, a life-sized 5th-century bronze sculpture, believed to have stood upon a terrace wall above the Temple of Apollo. You’ll be highly impressed by its life-like details — especially the coloring in the eyes, the sculpting of the feet, and the intricate ringlets of hair. There is also an amazing collection of pottery, figures, and friezes made of ivory, bronze, and different types of marble.
Next our archeological guide leads a walking tour of the town of Delphi, a charming locale with a history all its own. You’ll have the remainder of the day free to enjoy the shops and cafes of this lovely area.
Apollonia Hotel (B) |
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Piraeus / Embark Ship
Enroute to our rendezvous with our well-appointed ship, we’ll visit the eerie Tomb of Agamemnon, known as the “Beehive Tomb.” Our route takes us past the ancient city of Argos to Mycenae, a lofty citadel-town that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you’ll discover on your archeologist-led guided tour, the Mycenaeans once commanded an empire that stretched to the far corners of the Mediterranean. The entrance to the ancient town is through the legendary Lion’s Gate, Europe’s earliest example of monumental sculpture.
Enjoy an included lunch before arriving in the port of Piraeus, where you’ll board the privately chartered 48-passenger s/c Pantheon, for an exploration of the Greek Islands. The Pantheon does not have the same facilities as a large cruise ship — no casinos or nightly entertainment — but the atmosphere is wonderfully intimate and cozy.
After you board, you’ll enjoy a Welcome Aboard cocktail party. Your ship sets sail that evening, passing Cape Sounion in the distance, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand on a high promontory and are illuminated at night. Enjoy a delicious dinner on board ship tonight.
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Delos / Mykonos, Greece
The Pantheon takes us to the Cyclades, where you’ll enjoy a morning visit to tiny Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. On a guided tour, you’ll visit the archeological ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, unearthed here in the 19th century. This open-air museum contains many ancient monuments and buildings that are remarkably intact — including the famous lion terrace next to the dried-out sacred lake where Apollo was supposed to have been born; the theater which once accommodated 5,500 spectators; and the many original mosaic floors dotted amongst the ruins.
Next, we’ll stop at Mykonos, where brilliant white houses and blue-tiled roofs form one of the prettiest vistas in the Aegean. On a walking tour, stroll the narrow streets, designed in a zig-zag pattern to confound pirates. We’ll explore the interesting archeological museum or maritime museum, and stop to visit a bakery that has been turning out bread in wood-fired ovens since the 15th century. At the conclusion of our tour, we’ll do as the Mykonians do and enjoy a glass of ouzo and traditional mezedes appetizers.
This evening, after dinner on board, you’ll hear a fascinating talk on “The Art of Bargaining in the Turkish Bazaar.”
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus)
Today our explorations of ancient civilizations continue with a visit to Ephesus, the grandest archeological site in the Aegean region. As you tour this remarkably preserved Greek and Roman city, you may feel as if you’re about to encounter a toga-garbed resident, or hear a chariot clattering down the main avenue — the same avenue down which Cleopatra and Mark Anthony rode in procession more than 2,000 years ago!
Next, you’ll visit a carpet farm and learn about the intricacies of handmade Turkish carpets — how they’re designed, woven and knotted to perfection. You’ll have time to shop for a carpet here as well.
After an included lunch, you’ll visit the Basilica of St. John. Later, you’ll be delighted by this evening’s entertainment aboard ship — a special belly dancing demonstration!
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Patmos, Greece
This morning our ship carries us to Patmos, the tiny yet spectacular island featuring whitewashed houses with colorfully painted shutters and doors, stone-paved streets, and narrow alleys. Patmos is the home of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Grotto and Monastery of St. John and the historic center of the medieval town of Chora. Consider joining one of the optional tours to see these amazing sites. After dinner aboard, you’ll hear a lecture on “Modern Day Greek Life.”
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Santorini, Greece
When you awake this morning, you’ll be cruising among the beautiful Cyclades Islands — where the Aegean sun highlights soaring cliffs, white-washed villages, and timeless ruins. You’ll stop in lovely Santorini, formed by the half-submerged crescent of a volcanic caldera. You’ll go ashore and take a cable car to the town of Fira — a stunning cluster of white buildings atop a cliff. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour among Fira’s narrow, picturesque streets. You’ll also visit the Prehistoric Museum, which houses fascinating artifacts from Akrotiri, a city buried in the eruption that created the caldera in 1600 BC. After lunch you’ll have the rest of the day and evening free. Or, this evening join our optional Sunset in the town of Eo tour with dinner.
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Santorini / Paros, Greece
Before departing Santorini, you’ll have free time on your own or join a fascinating optional tour, “Traditional Villages of Santorini.” Then, enjoy daytime cruising among the Cyclades Islands, and be treated to a Greek cooking lesson on board with a Pantheon chef. The rest of your day and evening are at leisure.
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Paros / Piraeus, Greece
Explore the picturesque island of Paros in the heart of the Cyclades — known in ancient times for its fine marble. You’ll go for a guided walk around the town of Parikia, where your highlight will be a visit to the 100-Gated Church, a Byzantine architectural gem which also houses a fascinating museum. The town will charm you with its sparkling whitewashed buildings featuring colorful windows, doors, and balconies, and boasting wonderful shops and cafés. After your delightful visit to Paros, you’ll arrive back in Piraeus. This evening, our last aboard ship, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Pantheon (B,L,D) |
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Piraeus / Athens, Greece
We disembark this morning for our transfer to Athens, where you’ll enjoy a walking tour among the winding streets of one of the city’s oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods, the Plaka. The Plaka is the city’s liveliest commercial area where you’ll find dozens of souvenir shops and gold and silver jewelers. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the city, perhaps visiting one of the dozens of churches or museums, and dropping into a café for some refreshment. Later at your plush hotel, enjoy a cocktail party where you can reminisce with your fellow Vantage travellers.
Athens Ledra Marriott (B) |
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Athens / Return Home
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home (some transfers leave very early). Or begin our optional 4-night Crete post-trip extension.
(B) |
PLEASE NOTE: In general, wind and weather conditions may alter your cruise itinerary, especially in March and April, and alternate stops will be made if a particular port cannot be reached.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The above day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur while on board ship or on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager.
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