Special 2: ITALY-CROATIA-GREECE
ULTRA LUXURY CRUISING TO EXPLORE ITALY - CROATIA
7 Days / 6 Nights
Aboard Silver Dawn or Silver Spirit, we´re back to all MEDITERRANEAN Cruises, and we are giving you a 10% early booking bonus already included in the price.
Trip Itinerary
JULY 21, 2022 – JULY 27, 2022
VISTA SUITE: USD $3,330
DELUXE VERANDA SUITE: USD $4,860
SILVER SUITE: USD $7,380
ROYAL SUITE: USD $11,790
OWNER´S SUITE: USD $13,230
Day 1- VENICE, ITALY
This floating city of canals, bridges, and masks is a place of eternal beauty and enduring elegance. The lagoon of more than 100 islands is a heavenly sight, transporting visitors on a journey through time – from its Roman inception, through centuries of trade to the modern face we see today. Navigate Venice’s sparkling waterways by romantic gondola, or on cruises along wide canal boulevards. Span the Grand Canal over its iconic original crossing, the Rialto Bridge, which – with its parade of tiny shops – gives some of the city’s most endearing views. If the crowds unsettle you at any point, take two turns away from the main thoroughfares to find peace alone, amid the city’s labyrinth of tiny streets. Hurry to Piazza San Marco to be immersed in Venice’s elegant glory. Basilica San Marco transports you back to the wealthy days of the Doges, who ruled for over 1,000 years. Initially their private chapel, it’s now decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. Nearby the Campanile di San Marco bell tower offers views over the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of times gone by. Just a hop skip and a jump around the corner is the Doge’s Palace, where the levels of opulence ramp up even further. Justice was meted out in this stunning Palace, with the guilty walking to the cells across the covered Bridge of Sighs. Vaporetto trips to local islands offer even more adventures to float your boat, whether it’s Murano with its world-famous glass, Torcello with its amazing Cathedrals, or Burano with its handmade lace and delightfully colorful painted houses.
Day 2 - VENICE, ITALY
7 Selected Excursions:
Hidden Venice on Foot
Murano & Burano ISlands
Doge’s Palace & Hvar Island Highlights
Prosecco Hills, Estate Visit & Tasting
Venetian Panorama
Guggenheim Collection, Gondola Ride & Aperitivo
Venice by Private Motor Launch & Boat Escort ( Half-Day)Day 3 - HVAR, CROATIA
One of the most popular of the island escapes sprinkled across the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, electric blue waters, and quietly contented port towns. Bike rides along long sweeping coastal paths, boat journeys from pretty harbors, walks through fields of purple lavender – it’s all waiting for you on heavenly Hvar. Jelsa is a postcard-perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbour waters lapping and sandpaper scraping boats hulls for company. You can walk to look out over glorious views across to Brac, sometimes watching on as thunderstorms rage and flash, an eternity away over the mainland’s crumpled mountains. You’re also just a short ferry ride from the incredible Golden Horn – an evocative spike of brilliant sand that juts out evocatively into the cobalt-blue sea.
8 Selected Excursions:
Hvar Island Highlights
Hvar Town on Foot & A´Capella Concert
Sea Kayaking
Split & Diocletian Palace by RIB Boat
Sailing Hvar Archipielago
Blue Caves & Vis Island by RIB Boat
Exclusive Brunch with Family at Stari Grad Plain
Silver Shore PrivatoDay 4 - SPLIT, CROATIA
Bathing in the Dalmatian Coast’s generous sunshine, and overlooking sparkling, island-studded waters, Split is a city of romantic beauty, built around an extraordinary – still beating – the historical heart. While immensely historic, Split hasn’t been afraid to move with the times, and the stone walls encasing the streets are alive with buzzy bars and quiet nooks, where bottles of red wine are uncorked and delicious meals devoured. With a natural backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains and Croatia’s trademark scenic wonders all around, Split is a true heavyweight of the Adriatic. To enter Split’s Diocletian’s Palace is to step into a beautiful time warp. Headfirst to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, where a hollow bell tower rockets up, puncturing the sky. The perfume of lavender hangs heavy wherever you walk in the old town, where tucked shops offer artisan chocolates, dried figs, and freshly-ground coffees. The expansive seafront promenade is all palm trees, buzzing bars, and eateries, and further out you’ll find the peace of Marion Hill – where you can climb to some of the best views in town. Trips to island paradises like Hvar and Brac are tempting, as are longer excursions to sites like Krka National Park’s Waterfalls – where wide terraces of frothing water thunder into cooling, swimmable splash pools below.
7 Selected Excursions:
Discovering Hvra Island by Speeadboat
Picturesque Town of Trogir
Diocletian´s Split & Olive Oil Tasting
Split Riviera & Cetina River Cruise
Sea Safari of Split, Trogir & Ciovo Island
Rafting Cetina River
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Diocletian’s Palace – the best Roman Ruins on the Eastern side of the Adriatic.
Panoramic Drive, Historic Centre of Trogir and Kamerlengo Castle.Day 5 - DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Croatia’s crowning glory rears up vertically from the tranquil waters of the Adriatic, and Dubrovnik’s daunting fortresses town is a truly imposing sight to behold. Encircled by chunky stone walls so thick and dramatic they could have been purpose-built as a film set, this city’s unmatched old town is the setting for countless films and shows – from Star Wars to Robin Hood, Game of Thrones and every production in-between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavour. This fantasy fortress’s walls – which are no less than 12-metres thick at places – are certainly not just for show, however. They kept Dubrovnik safe when it was a maritime republic and they were besieged as recently as 1991, when Serbian and Montenegrin forces attacked, as Yugoslavia broke apart. Fully restored now, the stone streets of the city take you through a beautiful mosaic of architectural splendour, baroque churches and splashing fountains. Tapering alleys rocket up from the central boulevard of Stradun, offering spectacular views down, but you’ll need to walk the city walls to appreciate the fortress city’s full scale. Dubrovnik’s streets are crammed with eateries and candlelit tables, where couples splash wine into glasses and enjoy gnocchi mixed with creamy truffle sauces. Nearby beaches like Banje are also close by, and hidden bays reward the intrepid who venture out beyond the old town. Take sunset drinks to sit back and watch as flotillas of sea kayaks roll by, or sail on the pristine waters to explore island gems like Lokrum – where peacocks are the only permanent residents.
9 Selected Excursions:
Stroll Medieval Dubrovnik
Garner to Table Experience
Dubrovnik & the Croatian Countryside
An Afternoon in Cavtat
Kayak the City Walls & Lokrum Island
Traditional Dubrovnik
Adriatic Sea Adventure
Buggy Exploration & Cable Car
Game of Thrones Discovery on FootDay 6- KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
Embedded into the slopes of the steep Lovćen mountain, and overlooking the deep blue Adriatic, the fortified town of Kotor boasts a spectacular, imposing staging that few can match. Squeezing in through the tight Bay of Kotor is a daunting and impressive approach in itself, as you arrive via the waterway of Europe’s most southerly fjord. A pearl of Montenegro and the Adriatic, Kotor’s warren-like streets drip with history and authenticity. Under Venetian influence for four centuries, the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site old town invites you to wander amid atmospheric stone-clad streets, overlooked by a sea of terracotta roofs and the double towers of the cathedral. Protected by thick stone walls – and the mountains behind – Kotor draws comparisons with another fortified Adriatic wonder in Dubrovnik. Many favor Kotor for its compact layout, smaller crowds, and authenticity, however – having been spared from shelling during Yugoslavia’s breakup. The tightknit streets here are patrolled by a slinking population of feline residents, who were adopted as the town’s mascots, after being left behind by transient trader ships. Learn of the city’s extensive heritage on the waves, in the dedicated maritime museum that is contained within Grgurina Palace. Pick your way through tight alleys of workshops and studios, walking below fresh laundry strung from windows, before settling into shiny, paved piazzas for an afternoon coffee or seafood meal. If you’re up for an aerobic challenge, tackle the 1,350 steps up the steep walls to St John’s fortress. The views over the gorgeous bay make the arduous slog worth it, as you rise past the city’s eye-catching 15th-century church bell tower.
7 Selected Excursions:
Highlights of Montenegro
Kotor – A Medieval Jewel
Pearls of the Adriatic Coast
Sea Kayaking Adventure
Speedboat Adventure to Blue Cave
Brilliance of Boka Bay
Bay of Kotor HighlightsDay 7 - BARI, ITALY
Welcoming ferries from across the Adriatic and serving as the gateway to Puglia – Bari is a historic port town that invites you on a journey through everyday life in Italy’s unpretentious south. Explore further afield to immerse yourself in Puglia’s beauty and cultural wonders – or simply soak up the atmosphere roaming the crooked streets of Bari’s old town – Bari Vecchia – where matriarchs roll out sheets of pasta in open doorways, footballs rattle along dusty streets, and sun-wrinkled old men layout hands of cards. The photogenic old town’s streets are crowned by the chalky white Cattedrale di San Sabino, where vaulted archways, pretty mosaics, and a large rose window await. Wander along the ruler-straight Lungomare Promenade to breathe in the fresh salty air and look up at the slowly twirling Ferris wheel – take a ride for some of the best views out over Bari’s waterfront. Feeling hungry? Enjoy some local cucina povera – cooking of the poor – deeply traditional food that is simple and rich in elemental flavors. Warm focaccia bread, pasted with fruity local olive oil, and ear-shaped orecchiette pasta tangled with sun-gorged cherry tomatoes and creamy ricotta cheese, are all on the menu. Puglia’s whitewashed ancient villages, stunning beaches, and laid-back, down-to-earth approach to life mean you’ll most likely want to explore further than just Bari. Highlights include Lecce’s grand baroque architecture and the conical-roofs of the fairy-tale Trulli houses of Alberobello. Powdery white sand beaches await at Salento – punctuated by arching rock formations. The incredible cave dwellings of Matera – 2019’s European Capital of Culture – are also easily within your grasp, as is Polignano a Mare’s spectacularly scenic narrow wedge of an urban beach. Surrounded on three sides by steep terraces of rock, and full of snorkelers admiring the sights below the crystal-clear water, it’s a truly stunning place to bathe in the glow of the Italian sun.
ULTRA LUXURY CRUISING TO EXPLORE ITALY - CROATIA - ATHENS
JULY 1, 2022 – JULY 10, 2022
VISTA SUITE: USD $6,030
CLASSIC VERANDA SUITE: USD $7,470
DELUXE VERANDA SUITE: USD $8,100
SILVER SUITE: USD $12,690
ROYAL SUITE: USD $19,440
AUGUST 17,2022 TO AUGUST 26, 2022
VISTA SUITE: USD $5,100
CLASSIC VERANDA SUITE: USD $6,300
DELUXE VERANDA SUITE: USD $6,860
SILVER SUITE: USD $10,540
ROYAL SUITE: USD $16,700
ABOARD SILVER SPIRIT SHIP
10 Days / 9 Nights
Day 1- VENICE, ITALY
This floating city of canals, bridges, and masks is a place of eternal beauty and enduring elegance. The lagoon of more than 100 islands is a heavenly sight, transporting visitors on a journey through time – from its Roman inception, through centuries of trade to the modern face we see today. Navigate Venice’s sparkling waterways by romantic gondola, or on cruises along wide canal boulevards. Span the Grand Canal over its iconic original crossing, the Rialto Bridge, which – with its parade of tiny shops – gives some of the city’s most endearing views. If the crowds unsettle you at any point, take two turns away from the main thoroughfares to find peace alone, amid the city’s labyrinth of tiny streets. Hurry to Piazza San Marco to be immersed in Venice’s elegant glory. Basilica San Marco transports you back to the wealthy days of the Doges, who ruled for over 1,000 years. Initially their private chapel, it’s now decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. Nearby the Campanile di San Marco bell tower offers views over the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of times gone by. Just a hop skip and a jump around the corner is the Doge’s Palace, where the levels of opulence ramp up even further. Justice was meted out in this stunning Palace, with the guilty walking to the cells across the covered Bridge of Sighs. Vaporetto trips to local islands offer even more adventures to float your boat, whether it’s Murano with its world-famous glass, Torcello with its amazing Cathedrals, or Burano with its handmade lace and delightfully colorful painted houses.
Day 2 - HVAR, CROATIA
One of the most popular of the island escapes sprinkled across the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, electric blue waters, and quietly contented port towns. Bike rides along long sweeping coastal paths, boat journeys from pretty harbors, walks through fields of purple lavender – it’s all waiting for you on heavenly Hvar. Jelsa is a postcard-perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbour waters lapping and sandpaper scraping boats hulls for company. You can walk to look out over glorious views across to Brac, sometimes watching on as thunderstorms rage and flash, an eternity away over the mainland’s crumpled mountains. You’re also just a short ferry ride from the incredible Golden Horn – an evocative spike of brilliant sand that juts out evocatively into the cobalt-blue sea.
3 Included Excursions:
Hvar Island Highlights
Hvar Town on Foot & A´Capella Concert
Sea KayakingDay 3 - SPLIT, CROATIA
Bathing in the Dalmatian Coast’s generous sunshine, and overlooking sparkling, island-studded waters, Split is a city of romantic beauty, built around an extraordinary – still beating – the historical heart. While immensely historic, Split hasn’t been afraid to move with the times, and the stone walls encasing the streets are alive with buzzy bars and quiet nooks, where bottles of red wine are uncorked and delicious meals devoured. With a natural backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains and Croatia’s trademark scenic wonders all around, Split is a true heavyweight of the Adriatic. To enter Split’s Diocletian’s Palace is to step into a beautiful time warp. Headfirst to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, where a hollow bell tower rockets up, puncturing the sky. The perfume of lavender hangs heavy wherever you walk in the old town, where tucked shops offer artisan chocolates, dried figs, and freshly-ground coffees. The expansive seafront promenade is all palm trees, buzzing bars, and eateries, and further out you’ll find the peace of Marion Hill – where you can climb to some of the best views in town. Trips to island paradises like Hvar and Brac are tempting, as are longer excursions to sites like Krka National Park’s Waterfalls – where wide terraces of frothing water thunder into cooling, swimmable splash pools below.
4 Included Excursions:
Picturesque Town of Trogir
Diocletian´s Split & Olive Oil Tasting
Rafting Cetina River
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Diocletian’s Palace – the best Roman Ruins on the Eastern side of the Adriatic.
Panoramic Drive, Historic Centre of Trogir and Kamerlengo Castle.Day 4 - DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Croatia’s crowning glory rears up vertically from the tranquil waters of the Adriatic, and Dubrovnik’s daunting fortresses town is a truly imposing sight to behold. Encircled by chunky stone walls so thick and dramatic they could have been purpose-built as a film set, this city’s unmatched old town is the setting for countless films and shows – from Star Wars to Robin Hood, Game of Thrones and every production in-between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavour. This fantasy fortress’s walls – which are no less than 12-metres thick at places – are certainly not just for show, however. They kept Dubrovnik safe when it was a maritime republic and they were besieged as recently as 1991, when Serbian and Montenegrin forces attacked, as Yugoslavia broke apart. Fully restored now, the stone streets of the city take you through a beautiful mosaic of architectural splendour, baroque churches and splashing fountains. Tapering alleys rocket up from the central boulevard of Stradun, offering spectacular views down, but you’ll need to walk the city walls to appreciate the fortress city’s full scale. Dubrovnik’s streets are crammed with eateries and candlelit tables, where couples splash wine into glasses and enjoy gnocchi mixed with creamy truffle sauces. Nearby beaches like Banje are also close by, and hidden bays reward the intrepid who venture out beyond the old town. Take sunset drinks to sit back and watch as flotillas of sea kayaks roll by, or sail on the pristine waters to explore island gems like Lokrum – where peacocks are the only permanent residents.
5 Included Shore Excursions:
Stroll Medieval Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik & the Croatian Countryside
An Afternoon in Cavtat
Traditional Dubrovnik
Game of Thrones Discovery on FootDay 5- KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
Embedded into the slopes of the steep Lovćen mountain, and overlooking the deep blue Adriatic, the fortified town of Kotor boasts a spectacular, imposing staging that few can match. Squeezing in through the tight Bay of Kotor is a daunting and impressive approach in itself, as you arrive via the waterway of Europe’s most southerly fjord. A pearl of Montenegro and the Adriatic, Kotor’s warren-like streets drip with history and authenticity. Under Venetian influence for four centuries, the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site old town invites you to wander amid atmospheric stone-clad streets, overlooked by a sea of terracotta roofs and the double towers of the cathedral. Protected by thick stone walls – and the mountains behind – Kotor draws comparisons with another fortified Adriatic wonder in Dubrovnik. Many favor Kotor for its compact layout, smaller crowds, and authenticity, however – having been spared from shelling during Yugoslavia’s breakup. The tightknit streets here are patrolled by a slinking population of feline residents, who were adopted as the town’s mascots, after being left behind by transient trader ships. Learn of the city’s extensive heritage on the waves, in the dedicated maritime museum that is contained within Grgurina Palace. Pick your way through tight alleys of workshops and studios, walking below fresh laundry strung from windows, before settling into shiny, paved piazzas for an afternoon coffee or seafood meal. If you’re up for an aerobic challenge, tackle the 1,350 steps up the steep walls to St John’s fortress. The views over the gorgeous bay make the arduous slog worth it, as you rise past the city’s eye-catching 15th-century church bell tower.
4 Included Excursions:
Highlights of Montenegro
Kotor – A Medieval Jewel
Pearls of the Adriatic Coast
Brilliance of Boka BayDay 6 - CORFU, GREECE
This sickle-shaped island of Mediterranean bliss flaunts its sun-kissed sophistication with effortless grace – having cherry-picked the best influences from Venetian, French and British occupiers. With over 3,000 years of history, The Grand Lady of the Ionian has played a starring role in Greek history and mythology, and legendary tales swirl around you, as you explore sparkling beaches, mountains splashed with wildflowers, and historical, perched fortresses. The soft hues of Corfu’s UNESCO World Heritage List Old Town bring together Corfu’s mesh of European influences, with its romantic stone floors and vine-clad cafes. Find somewhere to settle in for a morning coffee ritual like a true Corfiat, and sip at the laid-back pace of the locals – allowing the thick bitter concoction to settle before indulging. The oddly out-of-place sound of leather on willow can be heard in Spianada Square – the largest city square in the Balkan region – where a manicured cricket pitch spreads out incongruously below the Mediterranean sun. Take the hike up to the 13th-century Paleokastritsa Monastery, where you’ll be escorted by the resident goats, and have to step over cats contentedly rolling around your feet on arrival. This beautiful, daffodil-yellow building is splashed with a fresco of vivid purple fuchsias, and a crowning triad of bells. Inside, explore gold-framed frescoes, and watch as monks squeeze oil from the monastery’s trees’ bounty. Wander out among the groves to views of Corfu’s never-ending sea reaching out to the horizon below you. Corfu’s sweeping sandy beaches and hidden coves display the full spectrum of vivid Mediterranean seaside colors – which shift from turquoise greens to cobalt blues. The famous Canal d’Amour is a gorgeous inlet, and island legend says couples who swim together in this narrow channel of water stay together forever. Enjoy an afternoon sit-down and drink of ginger tea, or something a little stronger in the form of Corfu’s famous, radiant orange, kumquat liqueur.
6 Included Excursions:
Achilleion ‘Sissi’ Palace & Corfu Town
Glyfada Beach Break
Perama Bay Swim & Vidos Island
Corfu Panoramas & Koum Kouat Distillery
Corfu “Foodie” Walk
Corfu Town & Paleokastritsa CavesDay 7 - ARGOSTOLI, GREECE
Loggerhead turtles patrol the clear, calm waters of Cephalonia island, which rises majestically out of the Ionian’s emerald green haze. A place of simple, fundamental pleasures, discover this island where lazy waves lap against long, sweeping expanses of silky sand, and contented laughter echoes above tables groaning with platefuls of fresh seafood and generously splashed wine. It’s not always been this peaceful, however. Having survived German and Italian occupations – and the bloodshed of the Greek Civil war – Cephalonia was finally overcome by a devastating earthquake in 1953, which razed practically every structure during a hellish half-minute of destruction. Nowadays, Cephalonia is a heavenly mirage of idyllic beaches, all overlooked by the huge rise of Mount Aenos – a black-pine coated mountain where wild ponies roam freely. Wander the shorefront of Argostoli – along the bustling harbor – and keep an eye out for fishermen lobbing their rejected haul back into the waves. Chances are this daily ritual will summon the loggerhead turtles who cruise these waters and gather to enjoy the free feast. Tuck into a feast of your own in Argostoli’s central Vallianos Square, where mandolins and guitars interplay, and locals wine and dine in shaded bars. Spectacular – if a little hair-raising – roads lace the island, and you can venture out to Vouti Beach to discover crystal-clear waters shifting in hue through the full ombre of blues. Take a long, undisturbed swim in the warm waters, surrounded by flashing fish life and huge, loosely scattered rocks. A refreshing tossed Greek salad awaits on the shore. Fiskardo, meanwhile, is one of the island’s prettiest harbors, where a hubbub of colorful fishing boats are moored within touching distance of tavernas, serving up deliciously grilled sea bream and anchovies.
5 Included Excursions:
Cephalonia Panorama
Cephalonia & Taste of Greek Wine
Natural Wonders of Cephalonia
Makris Yalos Beach Escape
Northern Island VillagesDay 8 - SOUDA BAY (CRETE), GREECE
Enter Souda Bay to land on Greece’s largest island, and explore the sun-soaked charms of this fascinating land of legends, landscapes and luxuries. Packed with beautiful beaches and rich maritime history, Souda Bay’s huge natural harbour is a spectacular entrance, opening up the treasures of Crete’s many well-stocked museums, rich archaeological sites, and charming Venetian fishing towns. The massive natural harbour of Souda Bay also makes the site an interesting spot for military history – with a huge NATO base here, as well as the Souda Bay War Cemetery, which honours Allied soldiers of World War II. Soak up some Mediterranean sunshine by heading straight to one of the luxurious white sand beaches – where you can recline to a soundtrack of fizzing waves, and dine with sparkling sea views stretching out before you. Explore olive groves producing golden oil, and savour the deep, fruity flavours. The island’s renowned wineries, also invite you to sample lovingly crafted Vilana grape wines. Rethymnon’s old town and star-shaped, seafront fortress are impressive sites to explore, or you can head to Akrotiri to discover the Arkadi Monastery’s role in the Cretan resistance – and visit the site where the Greek flag was hoisted high into the sky by rebels in 1897. Crete retains its independent spirit but has gathered countless influences over its history. The island’s most beautiful Venetian port – Chania – is close by, and its picturesque old town and collage of historical influences are a highlight of any trip.
4 Included Excursions:
Rethymnon Highlights
Agia Triada Monastery, Akrotiri & Chania Old Town
Akradi Monastery & Rethymnon
Treasures of Cretan CultureDay 9- SAN TORINI. GREECE
Breathlessly romantic, and incredibly scenic, the azure domes and whitewash buildings that cascade down Santorini’s slopes are prime honeymoon material – and relentlessly romantic. A true gem of the Cycladic island group, Santorini is startlingly pretty, and its white windmills and dazzling villages are incredibly easy on the eye. Envy-inducing and evocatively beautiful, Santorini’s sunsets are legendary, and the island is a highlight of any voyage to the Greek islands. Look out over the endless expanse of blue waves, filling the massive volcanic caldera of Santorini – and absorb one of the most spectacular views in the world. The sheer rock shoulders of the caldera create an immense, natural amphitheater – so enjoy the show, as you sip a local, volcanic-mineral enhanced white wine, and fall in love all over again. Any meal is well rounded off with the famous wine, Vinsanto. The east side of the island may lack the incredible panoramas, but it’s ideal if all you want to do is recline on volcanic-sand beaches – which range in hues from charcoal-black to flame-red. This beautiful island was forged by powerful volcanic activity, and you can learn more about the huge eruption of 1,600 BCE – which wiped out the Minoan city at Akrotiri. The eruption sank the center of the island, forming the moon-shaped topography we see now. Visit the archaeological site that has revealed and preserved the village, which was lost to time below the pumice and ash. Some whisper that this destroyed town may even be the fabled Atlantis.
6 Included Shore Excursions:
Discover Oia On Your Own
Akrotiri Excavations
Profitis Ilias, Oia & Ouzo
Santorini Sights & Swim
Traditional Caique, Volcano Hike & Hot Springs
Villages of SantoriniDay 10- ATHENS, GREECE
A city of legend, civilization, and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece’s capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama, and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus’ giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of Athens’ urban area. From there it’s a simple jaunt to the center. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon – which date back to the 5th century BC – stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens’ best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city’s enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it’s an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry – try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation.