CLASSICAL GREECE WITH JEWELS OF THE AEGEAN CRUISE (RGH2013)

Day 1:
Athens, Greece. Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Day 2:
Athens. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman temple dedicated to Zeus, theater of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. Tonight is your chance to join an optional dinner outing to try out local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek. (B)

Day 3:
Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia. Cross the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two highlights today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then, a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (B,D)

Day 4:
Nauplia–Olympia. Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then, spend the afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the king of deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Enjoy a [LF] Tzatziki COOKERY DEMONSTRATION. (B,D)

Day 5:
Olympia–Delphi. Via the busy seaport of Patras, proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. Also visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. Tonight, a special highlight: a [LF] DANCING LESSON, where you’ll learn to dance the Sirtaki, made famous in the movie Zorba the Greek. (B,D)

Day 6:
Delphi–Meteora Area. Drive past Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view (ladies are suggested to pack one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting the monasteries). (B,D)

Day 7:
Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens. Today’s highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders in 490 BC. Enjoy an optional dinner in a romantic restaurant. (B)

Day 8:
Athens–Piraeus (Embarkation)–Mykonos. Head for Pireaus, where at 11 am you will sail into the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Later, dock at the mountainous island of Mykonos with its characteristic windmills and dazzling white houses. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Cruising: Kusadasi, Turkey & Patmos, Greece. Two ports of call today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. An optional morning excursion takes you to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Cruising: Rhodes. All day is dedicated to the island of Rhodes. Explore the sights in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility—join an optional excursion to Lindos and the fabulous Temple of Athena. Sail from Rhodes around dinnertime. (B,L,D)

Day 11:
Cruising: Heraklion & Santorini. First port of call today is Heraklion on Crete. A few miles away is Knossos, the center of the 3000 BC Minoan civilization, and an optional excursion can be booked. Afternoon call (weather permitting) at Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The optional shore excursion here takes you up to the cliff-top village of Thera for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Piraeus (Disembarkation)–Athens. After breakfast on board, disembark at Piraeus and return to Athens. (B)

Day 13:
Athens. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

YOU CAN BOOK THIS TOUR ONLINE. Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
6/24/2013 - 7/6/2013	$2,194
7/1/2013 - 7/13/2013	$2,194
7/8/2013 - 7/20/2013	$2,194
7/15/2013 - 7/27/2013	$2,194
7/22/2013 - 8/3/2013	$2,194
7/29/2013 - 8/10/2013	$2,194
8/5/2013 - 8/17/2013	$2,194
8/12/2013 - 8/24/2013	$2,194
8/19/2013 - 8/31/2013	$2,194
8/26/2013 - 9/7/2013	$2,194
9/2/2013 - 9/14/2013	$2,224
9/9/2013 - 9/21/2013	$2,224
9/16/2013 - 9/28/2013	$2,224
9/23/2013 - 10/5/2013	$2,224
9/30/2013 - 10/12/2013	$2,224
10/7/2013 - 10/19/2013	$2,174
10/14/2013 - 10/26/2013	$2,174
10/21/2013 - 11/2/2013	$2,174
10/28/2013 - 11/9/2013	$2,174
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Globus Disclaimer - Indicates that this departure and vacation is available for 2012 early booking. Book and deposit to lock in an early guaranteed price and save 10% on the land-only price. Booking must be made and under deposit between June 29, 2011 and September 13, 2011 for travel between April 1 and December 31, 2012. All tours will be open for 2012 bookings in the Fall of 2011. Vacation upgrades and/or additions will not be available for early booking, as well as, any extra pre- or post-night pricing until the Fall of 2011. With the exception of Journeys Club discounts, future travel promotions are not applicable and are not retroactive on early bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Applies to new 2012 bookings only. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Price Details US
Prices based on double room occupancy for land portion and per person in category IC twin inside cabin on cruise.Upgrade supplement per person to outside cabin XD: $170.Single room supplement for land portion & inside cabin IC: $932.Additional upgrade supplement for single occupancy in outside cabin XD: $225.Triple room reduction per person on land portion and triple occupancy in inside cabin IC: $220.No reduction for triple room on land and triple occupancy in outside cabin XD.Port Taxes of approximately $136 are not included in the Globus price.Gratuities to service personnel on board are not included. We recommend that you plan to spend about $40 per person for gratuities to the service personnel on board.Cabin assignments and meal seatings are determined during the tour prior to boarding.Extra nights per person in Athens:in single room $150, in twin $85, in triple $70.

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