We’ll set off by coach with our guides for the Athens Acropolis, situated on a 150m-high rocky plateau and which in Ancient times was a vast sanctuary for the worship of the Goddess Athena and numerous other gods in Greek mythology. You will have the chance to discover the different temples on the site including the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to Athena, whose gold and ivory statue stood in the sanctuary. It was destroyed during the siege of the city during the 12th century crusades, and the Parthenon was turned into a Catholic church when the Franks occupied Athens, then into a mosque by the Turks in the 17th century. You will also visit a number of other remarkable monuments still standing such as the Erechtheion, an elegant little temple dating back to the 5th century BC; the Temple of Athena Nike, known in Ancient Greece as the "temple of victory"; the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis; the ancient Theatre of Dionysos and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus...
You will then return to the coach to finish off with a panoramic tour of the modern city of Athens, also taking in the Agora, the center of public life for the ancient Athenians. This square open space served a variety of purposes: political, religious, economic, commercial and cultural.
PLEASE NOTE
We’ll set off by coach with our guides for the Athens Acropolis, situated on a 150m-high rocky plateau and which in Ancient times was a vast sanctuary for the worship of the Goddess Athena and numerous other gods in Greek mythology. You will have the chance to discover the different temples on the site including the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to Athena, whose gold and ivory statue stood in the sanctuary. It was destroyed during the siege of the city during the 12th century crusades, and the Parthenon was turned into a Catholic church when the Franks occupied Athens, then into a mosque by the Turks in the 17th century. You will also visit a number of other remarkable monuments still standing such as the Erechtheion, an elegant little temple dating back to the 5th century BC; the Temple of Athena Nike, known in Ancient Greece as the "temple of victory"; the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis; the ancient Theatre of Dionysos and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus...
You will then return to the coach to finish off with a panoramic tour of the modern city of Athens, also taking in the Agora, the center of public life for the ancient Athenians. This square open space served a variety of purposes: political, religious, economic, commercial and cultural.
PLEASE NOTE
DUBROVNIK - KOTOR - IGOUMENITSA - PATRAS - ITEA - CORINTH - ATHENS
Set sail from Croatia for Montenegro and the singular Bay of Kotor. The adventure continues in Greece at the imposing Meteora monasteries perched high on the summit of massive columns. Explore fascinating antique ruins in Delphi and Olympia, the location of the first Olympics. Top this all off with a passage through the Corinth Canal to reach Athens, where the Acropolis awaits.
ATHENS - SYROS - AMORGOS - RHODES - SANTORINI - MILOS - ATHENS
Visit the beautiful Greek islands. Discover ancient Greece on an exciting trip to Athens and its Acropolis. Discover contrasts in Syros, the trendiest island in the Cyclades. Stop off at medieval Rhodes and take in the splendid landscape and picturesque villages in Santorini. The last stop will be Milos and its awesome volcanic terrain and spectacular beaches. What not to miss: Amorgos and its dramatic cliffs plunging into the emerald-colored sea—the backdrop for Luc Besson's 1988 film The Big Blue.
VALLETTA - KATAKOLON - GYTHIO - NAFPLIO - ATHENS
Discover the soul of the Mediterranean on a cruise from Valletta to Athens. Begin by exploring the timeworn streets of Valletta before traveling to Olympia, where ancient ruins bring you back to another era. Mystras will reveal its medieval mysteries before a stop in Nafplio to experience its seaside beauty and authentic charm. After, explore vestiges in Mycenae, overflowing with legendary myths. Lastly, the majestic Parthenon and the views from the Acropolis in Athens await you.