Greece & Aegean Islands Cruise
Greece & Aegean Islands Cruise
Greece & Aegean Islands Cruise
15 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Corinth, Nafplion, Epidaurus, Archaeological site of Mycenae, Sparti, Mystras, Olympia, Patras, Delphi, Kalabaka, Meteora, Mykonos, Kuşadası, Ephesus Ancient City, Patmos, Rhodes, Lindos, Heraklion, Thera
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6660-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 43
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
You've seen photos of the ancient Athens Acropolis, dating back to the 5th century BC—now’s your chance to see it in person. You've watched the Olympics on TV—now is your chance to visit Olympia, legendary home of the first Olympic Games. You've dreamed of cruising in the Greek Islands—now’s your chance to sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea and experience these islands yourself. All of this and more await you on this budget-minded Greece tour and cruise. Step back in time on your guided visits to many of Greece's historic sites. In addition to the Athens Acropolis, visit the archaeological site of Mycenae, dating back to 1350 to 1200 BC; the amazingly well-preserved, 2,300-year-old open-air theatre in Epidaurus, which still seats 14,000 spectators; and the medieval Byzantine Citadel of Mystra, a castle founded in 1249. You’ll also visit the spectacular mountain landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries set in almost inaccessible sandstone peaks. Spend the last days of your Greece vacation on a 4-night cruise on the Aegean Sea, cruising to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. Visit Mykonos, Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island, with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses. Explore Kusadasi, Turkey, where an included excursion takes you to the fascinating Roman, Greek, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Visit Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation; and Rhodes, one of Europe's largest medieval towns with ramparts and palaces built during the Crusades. Discover Heraklion, Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges with archaeological treasures and spectacular scenery. Explore Santorini (weather permitting), a dormant volcano offering one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas. Picturesque fishing villages, sparkling blue waters, and ancient sites offer the perfect mix for a vacation of a lifetime. Your spectacular Greek tour and cruise is truly an affordable dream vacation!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Athens,Greece
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moxy Athens City
Meals Included: No Meals
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the Greek capital with the help of your CosmosGO app. Later, meet your Local Host.
Day 2 : Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moxy Athens City
Meals Included: Breakfast
A day to relax and discover Athens at leisure. Our suggestion: join an optional day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros. In the evening, free time to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas and nightclubs in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music.
Day 3 : Athens-Corinth-Nauplia
Location: Athens, Corinth, Nafplion
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Victoria
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join the included guided tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of this ancient capital and a visit to the Acropolis. Cross the Corinth canal, a project conceived in ancient Greece but only completed in 1893, then head for the coast to the picturesque seaside town of Nauplia. Today’s Distance: 90 mi/ 145 km
Day 4 : Nauplia-Epidaurus-Mycenae-Sparta
Location: Nafplion, Epidaurus, Archaeological site of Mycenae, Sparti
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Maniatis
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, stop in Epidaurus, located in the hilly countryside dotted with pine trees and oleanders. In this magnificent setting, visit the ancient open-air theatre, which can still seat 14,000 spectators. Later, enjoy the included guided excursion to the archaeological site and museum of Mycenae, with the imposing ruins of the great city that dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. It played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture and is linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Travel into the Peloponnese to Sparta, where history hangs between reality and legend. Today’s Distance: 126 mi/ 202 km
Day 5 : Sparta-Mystra-Olympia
Location: Sparti, Mystras, Olympia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Olympia Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy the included sightseeing of the medieval Byzantine citadel of Mystra, at one time known as the “Florence of the East.” Before arriving in Olympia, stop to visit an olive oil museum. Today’s Distance: 99 mi/ 160 km
Day 6 : Olympia-Patras-Delphi
Location: Olympia, Patras, Delphi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Apollonia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Olympia, where the athletes of antiquity performed as a tribute to the king of deities, Zeus. Spend free time in this pretty town or learn more about the history of the Olympic Games on the optional sightseeing tour. Later, drive north to Patras, the capital of the Peloponnese and the west coast’s largest port. Continue crossing the spectacular Rion-Antirion bridge through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to legendary Delphi. Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km
Day 7 : Delphi-Kalambaka
Location: Delphi, Kalabaka
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Famissi Eden Resort Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy free time in town or the optional morning sightseeing of the archaeological site of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke. It was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world’. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious hub and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. On to Kalambaka. Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 230 km
Day 8 : Kalambaka-Meteora-Athens
Location: Kalabaka, Meteora, Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moxy Athens City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Meteora, a cluster of Christian-Orthodox monasteries perched in an unforgettable manner on a set of rising rock formations. They were originally built by hermit monks living in caves carved into the rocks. Your included visit is certainly the day’s highlight. Continue south to Athens. Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km
Day 9 : Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moxy Athens City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend a full day at leisure to explore the unseen parts of the city or to visit a museum. Tonight, enjoy the optional Greek dinner.
Day 10 : Athens-Embarkation Port-Mykonos
Location: Athens, Mykonos
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early morning embarkation and afternoon cruising in the Aegean. Arrive this evening in Mykonos, a granite island and the most typical of the Cyclades. Its white and blue houses, windmills, and chapels seem to make the island’s light even more translucent. Spend some time visiting a taverna or just wandering around the town, enjoying its timeless beauty.
Day 11 : Kusadasi,Turkey & Patmos,Greece
Location: Kuşadası, Ephesus Ancient City, Patmos
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Two ports of call await today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast for an included morning excursion to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit.
Day 12 : Rhodes
Location: Rhodes, Lindos, Rhodes
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dock in Rhodes, largest of the Dodecanese Islands and site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC. Explore the sites in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility: join an included excursion to Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights. If sightseeing is not your preference, Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches and vibrant shopping districts are within easy walking distance of the port. Depart from Rhodes around dinner time.
Day 13 : Crete & Santorini
Location: Heraklion, Thera
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning in Heraklion on the island of Crete. A few miles away is Knossos, the hub of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization; an optional excursion can be booked. Next port of call (weather permitting) is Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The optional shore excursion here takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas.
Day 14 : Disembarkation Port-Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moxy Athens City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early morning docking at Athens’ port; disembark and drive to Athens. Time to relax, visit a museum, or to do some last-minute shopping.
Day 15 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
-
Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
-
Fully Guided
-
Transport
Private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
What's Not Included
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
-
Insurance
UNESCO Sites
Acropolis Athens|Archeological site of Mycenae|Archeological site of Mystras|Ephesus|Medieval Town of Rhodes|Meteora|Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
Notes
Please ask your Travel Consultant for cruise ship details. The ship scheduled to depart for the cruise portion of your vacation is the Celestyal Olympia, operated by Celestyal Cruises.CRUISE DETAILSRotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.Prices are based on Inside cabin (category IB) - All air-conditioned cabins with private shower and toilet. Upgrades available.Full entertainment program on board.Included basic drink package: selection of non-alcoholic & alcoholic drinks.Included select excursions as per detailed itinerary.Cosmos Host service throughout the cruise.
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 lunches; 7 dinners
Accommodation
Moxy Athens City
Located in the heart of the historical town just steps away from cultural attractions with a metro station nearby, the interior decor of this funky eco-friendly hotel displays a voguish concept that integrates bold color splashes with modern decorative elements. All guest rooms boast Free high speed Wi-Fi Internet connection, safety deposit boxes, 42-inch flat screen HD televisions with high quality sound systems, high-thread count bedding with motion activated LED guidelighting below the bed and backlit glass panels to add ambience. Amenities include a fitness centre, bar and lounge areas with 24/7 'grab and go vending machines for snacks and drinks.
Rex
Hotel Rex is located in the city center of Nafplio,very close to the port in a cozy atmosphere guarantees a pleasant stay.With 42rooms and a cafeteria-bar the hotel offers rest and relax to the customers .All the archailogical sites and museums are very close to the hotel and that gives you the opportuity to visit them very easy.
Maniatis
The modern Maniatis Hotel is situated in the center of Sparta. It houses a marble lobby with elegant seating areas and lounges, an a la carte restaurant and a breakfast area. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.The stylish rooms are warmly decorated with contemporary light-wood furnishings and soft soothing colors. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 28'' LED PHILIPS HOTEL TV, DVB-T2 and DVB-S2, MPEG-4, fridge, hairdryer and wall-to-wall carpeting. All rooms have balconies with city view.The Ino Restaurant and the Milky Way breakfast area boast one of the tastiest buffet breakfasts in town. The up-market ?eus Restaurant serves fine Greek and International dishes.Located in the city centre of Sparta, Maniatis Hotel provides a great starting point for excursions in Laconia, visits to the city's archaeological museum, art museum, the Greek Olive museum, and more.
Olympia Palace
The Olympia Palace is a 3-storey building with 65 spacious rooms, indoor and outdoor restaurants, located in the town on Ancient Olympia.
Apollonia
The Hotel Apollonia is 4 * accommodation with the majority of rooms overlooking the Corinthian Gulf, located in the village of Delphi.
Famissi Eden Resort Hotel
Nestled at the base of the magnificent towering rocks of Meteora on the outskirts of Kalambaka, this welcoming property has an in-house restaurant offering both Mediterranean and International cuisine and a beautiful seasonal outdoor swimming pool open during the warmer summer months. Modern guest rooms are equipped with air-conditioning / heating and coffee / tea-making facilities.
Check out our Q&As
-
What is the maximum group size?
Usually max 43 people
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
-
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years or above
-
Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Saturday
Jul 20, 2024 - Aug 03, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Apr 19, 2025 - May 03, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Apr 26, 2025 - May 10, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 03, 2025 - May 17, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 10, 2025 - May 24, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 17, 2025 - May 31, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 24, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Saturday - Saturday
May 31, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 21, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Jul 19, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 23, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 20, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.