Tour Features • Air transportation from NYC, including fuel surcharge, (only included with Air/Land/Cruise plan) OTHER GATEWAYS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST • 3-night accommodations at a selected hotel in Athens • 4-day/3-night escorted tour to Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora in First Class hotels • 8-day/7-night cruise to the Greek Islands & Turkey, inside cabin with 2 lower beds and private facilities (Category IB) Onboard the M/V CRISTAL including: - Captain's Welcome Cocktail Reception & Farewell Dinner - Full entertainment program & midnight snack buffet daily • 9 included meals consisting of: - 6 buffet breakfasts and 3 dinners at hotels - PLUS breakfast, lunch and dinner daily during cruise • Touring by air-conditioned motorcoach (Days 4-7) • Professional tour director during Classical Tour (Days 4-7) • Sightseeing as indicated including local guides and all entrance fees • Half day city tour of Athens • Assistance at the hotel in Athens by local representative • All transfers per itinerary (Land/Cruise rates do not include airport transfers at arrival and departure city) • Travel bag, one per person • Document holder and luggage tags • Hotel taxes and service charges

Day 1 Fri Depart USA Overnight flight to Athens. Meals and refreshments served on board. Day 2 Sat Arrive Athens Arrive at Athens Airport where you'll be met by a Central Holidays representative and escorted to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. (B) Day 3 Sun Athens Half-day morning city tour includes highlights of Athens and the Acropolis plus the new Acropolis Museum. Afternoon and balance of day at leisure. (B) Day 4 Mon Mycenae/Epidaurus/Olympia or Patras This morning depart for Olympia. Travel by the coastal highway to the Corinth Canal. Cross to the Peloponnese and continue to Mycenae to see the Lion's Gate and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Proceed to Epidaurus and its famous Theatre. Drive to Olympia or Patras and your hotel for included dinner and overnight. (B,D) Day 5 Tue Olympia or Patras/Delphi Morning visit of Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games. Visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and the Museum. Drive through the plains of Elia and Achaia to Itea and arrive in Delphi for overnight. Dinner at your hotel. (B,D) Day 6 Wed Delphi/Kalambaka Morning visit to the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the Museum with its famed bronze sculpture, the 'Charioteer of Delphi'. Afternoon departure for Kalambaka passing through the picturesque towns of central Greece. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kalambaka. (B,D) Day 7 Thu Meteora/Athens Morning visit of Meteora. Amid striking scenery, perched atop soaring stone formations, seemingly suspended in mid-air, are ageless monasteries. As you ponder how these centuries old structures were built, pause to view the priceless exquisite specimens of Byzantine art that they protect. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae (see Leonidas' monument) and the spa of Kammena Vourla. Overnight in Athens. (B) Day 8 Fri Athens/Cruise Morning at leisure. This afternoon you will be transferred to the port of Piraeus for embarkation on your cruise ship. Enjoy the many shipboard activities or just relax and enjoy the scenery while sailing to your first port of call. (B,L,D) Day 9 Sat At Sea/Istanbul Sail across the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara. As we get closer to Istanbul, a majestic view awaits. First colonized almost 4,000 years ago, Byzantium, and later Constantinople, was the seat of the Byzantine Empire for nearly 1000 years. Your cruise ship will overnight in Istanbul. Optional 'Istanbul by Night' tour or relax on board. (B,L,D) Day 10 Sun Istanbul Today explore this fascinating city. Take an optional city tour to visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. Late afternoon departure for Mykonos. (B,L,D) Day 11 Mon Mykonos Morning at sea. Afternoon arrival at the island of Mykonos, known for its jet-set atmosphere, white-washed buildings, sidewalk cafes and chic shops. Optional round-trip shuttle transfers to town available. At night sail for Patmos. (B,L,D) Day 12 Tue Patmos/Kusadasi Morning arrival in Patmos, site of the Monastery of St. John the Divine and the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Optional excursion to visit these sites is available. Afternoon arrival in Kusadasi, Turkey, located nearby Ephesus, one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Ancient World'. Wander through the famous Turkish bazaar or enjoy an optional tour of Ephesus. Evening departure for Rhodes. (B,L,D) Day 13 Wed Rhodes A day on the Island of Roses, famed for its Medieval Old Town, great shopping and ancient site of the Colossus of Rhodes. Visit the Temple of Athena on the majestic Acropolis of Lindos, overlooking the Bay of Paul (optional) or visit the Valley of Butterflies on your own. Sail in the evening. (B,L,D) Day 14 Thu Crete/Santorini Morning call at Greece's largest island, Crete. Visit Knossos and the Palace of King Minos (optional). Later you sail for the volcanic island of Santorini. Optional donkey ride or take a cable car to the village perched on the rim of the volcano and believed by many to be the site of the Lost Continent of Atlantis. View a breathtaking sunset before you sail later this evening. (B,L,D) Day 15 Fri Cruise/Piraeus/USA Early morning arrival into the port of Piraeus. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the Athens Airport for your flight to the USA, arriving the same day. (B)

US Departures for 2010 Now that you have chosen your package, the following chart below shows “Land Only” rates. To add your airfare, go to Book your Package, select "Flight + Land", select your departure date and departure city and you will add our most competitive airfares to your land price, Rates (except cruise portion) indicated on the website are subject to currency fluctuations.  The correct price is available by either booking your reservation online or through our Call Center at 1-800-935-5000. Once we have received your deposit, the price is guaranteed from any future fluctuations in the rate of exchange.

Dates City Type 2 Star 3 Star 4 Star 5 Star Rates for 2010 * * Jul. 30, 2010 Land & Cruise $1,937 $1,937 $2,026 Aug. 13, 2010 Land & Cruise $1,937 $1,937 $2,026 Aug. 27, 2010 Land & Cruise $1,937 $1,945 $2,074 Sep. 10, 24, 2010 Land & Cruise $1,937 $1,962 $2,168 Oct. 8, 2010 Land & Cruise $1,937 $1,962 $2,168

 

City 2 Star 3 Star 4 Star 5 Star

Athens Dorian Inn Acropol Athens Imperial

Polis Grand Amalia Athens Plaza

Esperia Palace Divani Apollon Palace and Spa

Kaningos 21 Hotel Divani Caravel

Sofitel Divani Palace Acropolis

Show more hotels in ATHENS? Yes No

Special Airfares are available for this selected packages.

Cabin Upgrade: Supplements (in double) Per Person
Outside 2 Lower Beds Cat XA & XB $ 121.00 to $134.00 p.p
Superior Cabin Cat XC $ 233.00 to $ $259.00 p.p
Deluxe Cabin Cat XD $ 328.00 to $364.00 p.p

FREE CRUISE for children under 16 years of age if sharing cabin with two adults.

Plus applicable airport taxes and fees.
Port Taxes $ 222.00 p.p. No fuel surcharge for cruise portion

Price is per person based on double occupancy and may vary according to hotel selection.  Rates for Single/Triple/Children and additional nights in Athens are available. A SELECTION OF OTHER HOTELS IS AVAILABLE.

M/V CristalView Deck Plan

On board our classic cruise ships you will be pampered by our crew. All staterooms are equipped with shower, WC, wash basin, air conditioning with individual thermostat control, safety boxes, telephone with direct dial , radio and TV. Facilities. 3 Lounges & Disco, 1 Restaurant, 2 Dining Rooms, Bar, Terrace Bar, Pool Bar, Casino, 2 Conference Rooms which can be connected, Internet Corner, Duty Free & Travel Value Shops, Photo Gallery, Shorex Office, Reception-Cruise Office, Beauty Salon, Wellness Center, Swimming Pool, Whirlpool Bath, Telephone, Fax, Satellite Telephone, Doctor on Board. Technical Data: Gross Tonnage: 25.611 - Length: 531.5 feet - Breadth: 83.99 feet Draught: 20.01 feet - Cruising Speed: 18 knots - Passenger Decks: 9 - Elevators: 4 Stabilizers: Yes - Electric Current: 110-220V AC - Classificaton Society: DNV

Amenities
When at sea, relax on one of our spacious sun decks, read your favorite book, play a game of cards in our library, take dancing lessons or enjoy a daily work out at the fitness center followed by a complete make over in the beauty salon or our full service health spa. A refreshing swim in the pool will prepare you for our Shore Excursion Program that offers a variety of interesting tour options ashore. Take in the sights and sounds of foreign lands. Clear blue skies, unspoiled scenery, fascinating archaeological sites, friendly vibrant people, delicious food, captivating music and dances will entertain your mind, body and soul. At sunset the lights come on and the atmosphere onboard changes completely! Enjoy the company of newfound friends, try your luck in the casino, enjoy the show and then hit the dance floor in the disco till early morning hours! Children's Activites. Onboard there are menus, activities and a variety of entertainment designed to suit every family member from kids to grandparents In our nboard Duty Free and Travel Value shops, you will find an extensive selection of international brands and designer products.

Dining
From early morning to late at night, there will hardly be a moment that you will not be tempted by something delicious and appetizing. Aromas from an outdoor fresh pasta station or a teatime buffet full of tasty sandwiches and pastries are bound to break your resolve. Our cuisine combines the exquisite variety of the Mediterranean with other popular flavours from around the world, creating a culinary harmony that suits every palate. All our food is produced onboard and we are sensitive to modern dietary concerns, using healthy preparation methods and fresh ingredients. So eat to your heart’s content in our well designed restaurants with pleasing sea views!

Athens by night $91 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Athens by night with dinner
Departure time: Between 7:25pm and 8:10pm
Schedule: From April to October: Daily. From November to March: on Thursdays and Saturdays only.
Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: Scenic drive followed by dinner in the Plaka district, including a show at a typical Greek taverna.

Full day Argolis $151 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Full day Argolis with lunch
Departure time: Between 7:35am and 8:10am
Schedule: From April to October: on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only. From November to March: on Tuesdays and Saturdays only.
Duration: 8 hours

Highlights: Lion's Gate, the tomb of Agamemnon, the Palace, Epidaurus and its theater.

Full-day cruise Hydra-Poros-Aegina $153 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Full day cruise Hydra-Poros-Aegina with lunch
Departure time: Between 7:20am and 7:40am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: 8 hours

Highlights: Tome at leisure on the Island of Hydra. Visit of Poros on the Island of Aegina.

Full-day Delphi $157 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Full day Delphi with lunch
Departure time: Between 7:35am and 8:10am
Schedule: From April to October: Daily. From November to March: on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays only.
Duration: 8 hours

Highlights: Drive through Levadia and Arachova to Delphi, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Visit the museum and Temple of Apollo.

Half-day ancient Corinth $101 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Half day ancient Corinth
Departure time: Between 7:35am and 7:40am
Schedule: From April to October only: on Mondays and Fridays only.
Duration: 4 hours

Highlights:See the Ancient town of Corinth where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city include the Agora, the Apollo s Temple and the ancient port where St. Paul disembarked.

Half-day Cape Sounion $56 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Half day Cape Sounion
Departure time: Between 2:10pm and 2:45pm
Schedule: From April to October: Daily. From November to March: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only.
Duration: 4 hours

Highlights: Scenic drive along the coastal road followed by a visit of Cape Sounion, dominated by the Temple of Poseidon

Half-day tour of Athens $84 This Tour is Available from:Athens
Half day Tour of Athens
Departure time: Between 7:35am and 8:10am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: 4 hours

Highlights: Roman Temple of Olympian Seuz, the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechteion, Acropolis Museum (museum will reopen sometime in 2009 - no offical date is available).