best of greece - With air!

Opa! Greece is back! Join us for the warmth of this lovely country, it’s amazing Greek and Roman ruins, and island hopping between charming Mykonos and the favorite sunny beaches and azure seas of Santorini! We skip the cruise ship buffets and will find small town tavernas, and a slower pace of life as we spend all nights in local hotels and lodges. We start with included round-trip international airfare from Seattle (other destinations by arrangement). On arrival our adventure begins in the great capital city of Athens and continues by motorcoach through the countryside exploring ancient ruins, and charming landscapes with our local guide. Later we return for a night in Athens before starting our island hopping by fast ferry to Mykonos and Santorini. Lots of time to explore and enjoy personal discoveries in these favorite European destinations. Please save your space online today at: Railandsail.com or call (800) 576-4905!

Included in your fully escorted travels:  

· Round-trip International air

· 11 nights hotel lodging

· Welcome Dinner

· Athens sightseeing 

· 4 days classical Greece motorcoach tour

· All admissions & tours as listed

· Daily breakfast

· Other meals as listed

· Fast ferry to Mykonos & Santorini

· Domestic flight Santorini-Athens

· Licensed Greek guide

· Experienced USA Tour Manager

· Caring and professional travel arrangements

· Limited space is available on this great travel deal

· PLEASE CONSIDER TRAVEL INSURANCE

· Rail & Sail Insurance quotes: (800) 576-4905 

Day 1 — Tue April 30 — Depart for Greece! Make your way to your gateway airport. Embark and get ready for a Greek Escape!

Day 2 — Wed May 1 — Opa! Arrival in Greece! Arrival at Athens International Airport, meet and transfer to your hotel for check in. The remainder of your day at leisure for your first taste of Athens. Overnight at your hotel in Athens. Welcome dinner

Day 3 — Thur May 2 — Athens Enjoy our Athens sightseeing including the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum. See the center of the city, the Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National library. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and have a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the famous Parthenon. Overnight at in Athens. Breakfast

Day 4 — Fri May 3 — Mycenae & Epidaurus—Olympia After breakfast, depart for your 4 day tour of Classical Greece. Leave Athens by the scenic coastal road and reach the Corinth Canal (short photo stop). Enjoy the imposing landscape in the Corinth Canal’s protected waters, one of the 19th Century world’s engineering masterpieces with history that starts as early as 602 B.C. Continue to Epidaurus with its 4th century B.C. theatre, famous for its astonishing acoustics. The town of Nafplion, your next stop, a modern seaside resort and old town, is crowned by the mighty ramparts at the Palamidi Fortress. The last stop of the day is Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city of the ancient poets. Visit the Lions Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese, Tripoli and Megalopoli. Arrival at your hotel. Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 — Sat May 4 — Olympia—Delphi Enjoy your breakfast and after visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the idea and site of the Ancient Olympic Games. Visit the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which hosts important treasures such as the famous statue of Praxiteles, Hermes. Continue through Achaia and Rio - Antirio towards Delphi, passing through the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos and Itea. Arrival in Delphi, enjoy your dinner at hotel and overnight. Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 — Sun May 5 — Delphi-Kalambaka Enjoy your breakfast and depart for your tour to Delphi. Located on the slopes of Mount Parnasus, Delphi, once believed as the centre, “Naval” of the Earth, is the home of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. At the oracle of Apollo, Pythia, the high priestess of the temple, under the influence of the ancient god Apollo delivered her famous prophesies. You will also visit the Treasury of the Athenians and the Delphi Museum, which hosts valuable pieces of art like the famous bronze charioteer. Depart for Kalambaka. Enjoy your dinner at hotel and overnight. Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 — Mon May 6 — Meteoria Monasteries—Athens After breakfast, visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Perched on huge granite rocks, the monasteries seem to suspend between earth and sky, providing a magnificent view. Each monastery contains priceless historical and religious treasures. Returning to Athens bypassing Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae to visit the memorial of Leonidas and the brave 300 Spartans. Return to Athens and overnight at hotel. Breakfast

Day 8 — Tue May 7 — Athens to Mykonos Enjoy your early morning breakfast and at indicated time transfer to Athens port (Piraeus or Rafina) for your fast ferry to Mykonos . Upon arrival on Mykonos Island transfer to your hotel for check in. Remaining of your day at you leisure to discover the cosmopolitan Island of Mykonos. Overnight at your Mykonos hotel. Breakfast

Day 9 — Wed May 8 — Mykonos Enjoy this tiny Aegean gem any way you wish today!

Day 10 — Thur May 9 — Mykonos to Santorini Enjoy your breakfast and free morning; later transfer at indicated time to Mykonos port for your fast ferry to Santorini. Upon arrival on the Island of Santorini, transfer to your hotel for check in. Remaining of your afternoon at leisure to admire the spectacular caldera with white washed houses perched on the edge, created by the eruption of the islands’ volcano in the ancient times. Overnight at your Santorini hotel. Breakfast

Day 11/12 — Fri/Sat May 10/11 — Santorini Enjoy leisure time to relax or explore this volcanic island known world wide as the most romantic island. Visit the Prehistoric Museum in Fira that hosts artifacts from the sites of Akrotiri and Ancient Thira, including the famous wall paintings or discover the beautiful beaches of the island. Do not miss visiting the traditional village of Oia, the most photographed place in Greece, best known for its breathtaking sunsets. Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Day 13 — Sun May 12 — Depart Santorini After breakfast, depart at indicated time for Santorini Airport.(breakfast, inflight service)+Intinerary is subject to change of order, accommodations due to international airline schedules and other unforeseen circumstances.