Treasures of the Aegean

Itinerary ▼

1. Day 1: Arrive in Athens

   Tour begins: 6:00 p.m., Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece. A transfer is included from Athens International Airport to Hotel Grande Bretagne. Meet fellow travelers at tonight's welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Overnight: Hotel Grande Bretagne

2. Day 2: Athens' Acropolis & the Acropolis Museum

   In the quiet early morning, before the crowds, visit the Acropolis of Athens – the rock above the city on which four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art and architecture sit – the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Today's sightseeing also includes a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, a towering modern work of concrete and glass with a direct view of the Parthenon. Spend the rest of the day as you wish in Athens, perhaps on the Grand Promenade, a pedestrian paradise built for the 2004 Olympics. Not far from your hotel, the walkway is lined on one side with classical antiquities and on the other with modern cafés, mansions, and art galleries.  Overnight: Hotel Grande Bretagne

3. Day 3: Archaeological Museum & embark your Windstar ship

   Begin your day with a guided tour through the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, considered one of the top ten museums in the world, before embarking your Windstar ship in Piraeus. Enjoy a cocktail hour, an evening briefing and dinner onboard at your leisure as the ship sails for Mykonos. Overnight: Wind Surf

4. Day 4: The islands of Mykonos & Delos

   Arrive at the island of Mykonos, where you can take your pick of activities: a guided tour of this lively island, including a visit to the 16th-century church in the village of Ano Mera; or a boat ride to the archaeological site of Delos, where you'll find remnants of its reign as the holiest of all Greek sanctuaries. Ancient laws forbade anyone to be born or die on this island; even today, no one is allowed to stay the night! Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure on Mykonos, exploring the labyrinthine town on your own. Dine onboard tonight as the ship continues on to the port of Kusadasi in Turkey. Overnight: Wind Surf

5. Day 5: To Kusadasi & Ephesus

   Arrive this morning in the port of Kusadasi, Turkey for a guided excursion to Ephesus, one of the world's best-preserved classical cities revealing important vestiges of an ancient Roman civilization; in its heyday, marble lined the streets, fountains flowed, and an eternal flame burned upon a sacred altar. Take a walking tour of the ancient city, seeing the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, Trajan's Fountain, the Arcadian Way and the two-tiered Library of Celsus. Have lunch at a local restaurant and a carpet demonstration before returning to the ship for cocktails. Enjoy a special dinner ashore this evening, complete with music by the Aegean Chamber Orchestra, at ancient Ephesus. Chart a course for the island of Patmos tonight. Overnight: Wind Surf

6. Day 6: Cultural treasures on the Isle of Patmos

   Today you'll discover the many charms of the picturesque island of Patmos, an important Christian pilgrimage site for its role in the writing of the Book of Revelations in the Christian Bible by St. John the Theologian. You'll have three choices of activities today. The first is an excursion through the historic heart of Chora, Patmos' capital city; with your local guide, make your way through the old village's maze of winding cobblestoned streets and arched alleyways to view ancient whitewashed buildings and bell towers, rugged cliffs and hills, and blue Aegean seascapes. Alternatively, enjoy a day filled with rest and relaxation by the Aegean Sea on Agriolivadi Beach. And a third choice includes a tour of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian plus a visit to the Grotto of St. John – also known as the Cave of the Apocalypse – where tradition has it that John of Patmos received visions from Jesus that he recorded as the Book of Revelations; the grotto and the monastery have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following lunch, you'll have free time to explore the port of Skala on Patmos prior to departing for the island of Santorini. Overnight: Wind Surf

7. Day 7: The pleasures of Santorini

   Rise early to observe your arrival into Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands; formed from an ancient volcanic caldera, it is thought by some to be the lost city of Atlantis – the views of the island's multicolored cliffs and the deep blue sea are breathtaking. Travel ashore by motor launch to the archaeological site of Akrotiri; a major Bronze Age archaeological site known as the "Pompeii of the Aegean," the site features well-preserved ruins of a Minoan city buried by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BC. Have lunch in the small village of Oia with free time to explore the sights this afternoon as you wish.   Overnight: Wind Surf

8. Day 8: Aegean cruising & Monemvasia

   After a leisurely morning spent cruising the Aegean Sea, Wind Star arrives midday at the town of Monemvasia, located on a small, rock-like island off the Peloponnese's east coast that was separated from the mainland by an earthquake around 375 AD. Nicknamed "the Gibraltar of the East" or simply "the Rock," Monemvasia has over the past thousand years or so been ruled by the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire before becoming part of an independent Greece in the 19th century. Traces of its many occupiers over the centuries can be found throughout the island, some of which are revealed on a walking tour through the cobbled pathways of this fascinating town. You'll also have some time to explore as you wish before Wind Star departs the island and continues her cruise to Nafplion. Overnight: Wind Surf

9. Day 9: Nafplion, Mycenae & Epidaurus

   Nafplion (also known as Nauplion), on the Peloponnese Peninsula, is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic towns in Greece. Nestled by the sea with two mountains and a fortress overlooking the town, the unique architecture of Nafplion includes ancient walls, medieval castles, Ottoman fountains, Venetian and Neoclassical buildings. This historic city is the starting point for your choices of exploration today. One choice includes visits to three important sites around the Bay of Argolis – the architectural remnants of the tomb of Agamemnon; Palmidi Castle, set high above the town of Nafplion; and, after lunch, a guided walking tour of Nafplion, followed by some time to explore on your own. Or, visit Agamemnon's tomb at Mycenae and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. This 4th-century amphitheatre is still used for performances today and is known for remarkable acoustics that allow the voice of a speaker on stage to reach some 15,000 spectators. Epidaurus was also home to one of the most renowned healing centers in the classical world. This choice also includes a winery lunch and some free time to check out Nafplion as you please. Return to the ship for farewell cocktails followed by dinner, as you set sail to return to Piraeus (Athens). Overnight: Wind Surf

10. Day 10: Journey home

    Tour ends: 9:00 AM, Eleftherios Venizelos, Athens' International Airport. Disembark your Windstar ship for an 8:15 AM transfer. Flights should depart after 11:45 AM due to disembarkation schedules which cannot be guaranteed.