Discover Ancient Greece on this Port-Intensive Greek Islands Voyage with Azamara Club Cruises! Featured Ports: Athens (Piraeus), Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, Symi, Ephesus (Kusadasi) & Mykonos
September 11 – 21, 2024 | 9 Days
Home to the Acropolis, Athens has quite a reputation to live up to: Named for Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, the city is credited with being the cradle of European civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Visit ancient Corinth where the Apostle Paul lived for more than ten years. Cruise the Corinth Canal, a tidal waterway joining the Gulf of Corinth in the northwest with the Saronic Gulf in the southeast. Soak up the incredible aromas and vibrant colors at the Athens Spice Market and find yourself mesmerized by the hustle and bustle of the fresh fish, meat, and fruit markets, a real treat for your senses!
Welcome aboard a luxurious boutique hotel at sea, the Azamara Journey®, a 5-Star mid-sized ship (680 guests and 400 crew) with a deck plan that’s intimate but never crowded, and offers everything modern voyagers are looking for – plus some unexpected extras. It’s been said that guests sail with Azamara for the destinations, but come back for the staff and crew. Re-imagined staterooms include modern amenities, furnishings, and European linens. The cruise line’s authentic service goes beyond the expectations of even the most well-traveled cruisers. Add to that the world-class dining options, spa experiences to relax and refresh, and all-new entertainment offerings, and you’ve got an onboard experience that’s matched only by the immersive cultural encounters in store for you on shore.
Itinerary
Sep 11 | US to Athens, Greece
Today, board your flight bound for Athens.
Sep 12 Athens
Upon arrival meet your Universal Travel representative at the airport and depart for the center of Athens. Here, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour, passing by the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus, the Arch of Adrian, and Constitution Square, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After a stop for lunch on your own, check into your hotel and take some time to relax before meeting with your fellow travelers for a welcome-to-Athens dinner. Travel tip: Stay awake until a reasonable bedtime. It will help greatly with jet lag!
Overnight: Athens (D)
Sep 13 Acropolis & Corinth
Your morning begins with a walking tour of the Acropolis. Continue with your city tour before traveling to Corinth. Today’s lunch will be served in a typical Greek Taverna featuring such delectables as grilled meats, fresh seafood, dolmades, Greek dips, cheeses, etc. This afternoon visit the Ancient site of Corinth where the Apostle Paul lived for more than ten years. At the Port of Isthmia, board a motorboat and cross the Corinth Canal which connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Return to the hotel to freshen up. Tonight, head to the Plaka for an unforgettable dinner with live Greek Music and Dance!
Overnight: Athens (B,L,D)
Sep 14 Athens Markets & Embarkation
Check out of the hotel and visit the Athens Meat, Fish, Spice, Vegetable, and Fruit markets. Travel tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes. The ground may be wet. Early this afternoon, check in at the Piraeus Cruise Terminal and board the Azamara Journey, your floating hotel for the next seven nights. Don’t miss the sail-away party on the pool deck! Your ship sets sail at 6:00 p.m. (B,D)
Sep 15 | Santorini | Tender Port | 8:00am-8:00pm
The capital, Fira, clings to the rim of the caldera 900 feet above the sea. Take the cable car, or giddy-up on a donkey to climb the 588 steps to the top. Hike to nearby Oia, a quintessential Greek village, and watch a postcard-worthy sunset. Head south to the 3,500-year-old Minoan town of Akrotiri. Often called Greece’s answer to Pompeii, the well-preserved ruins provide a glimpse into Santorini’s storied past. (B,L,D)
Sep 16 | Agios Nikolaos, Crete | 8:00am-8:00pm
Known for having “three faces to the sea”, this port on Crete’s east coast seamlessly blends the charm of a small fishing village with the glamor of a chic resort town. The perfect base for exploring smaller islands around Crete, it’s easy to create your own personal paradise in Agios Nikolaos. (B,L,D)
Sep 17 | Rhodes, Greece | 8:00am-10:00pm
First on your agenda should be the Rhodes waterfront where once stood the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Just a short ride away, the medieval town of Lindos features houses stacked like giant sugar cubes on a steep hill. Hitch a donkey ride to the acropolis at the top for spectacular views of the town and Saint Paul’s Bay. (B,L,D)
Sep 18 | Symi, Greece | Tender Port | 8:00am-6:00pm
Symi Island holds everything you would expect from an undiscovered gem, and then some. Explore the village high above the port, discover an endless offering of secluded beaches and coves, and dine on incredible Greek cuisine. (B,L,D)
Sep 19 | Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey | 8:00am-10:00pm
Kusadasi has many charms, but let’s talk Turkey: The star attraction is Ephesus. Once the second largest city in the Roman Empire, its marble-made Arcadian Street stretches from the 24,000-seat Great Theatre (where St. Paul used to preach) to the harbor. Nearby sites include the Temple of Artemis, Basilica of St. John, and House of the Virgin Mary, where Mary is said to have spent her last days. (B,L,D)
Sep 20 | Mykonos, Greece| Tender Port | 8:00am-6:00pm
Picture perfect is the best way to describe Mykonos. Idyllic in every way, from the brilliant blue water in its harbor to the rows of 16th-century Venetian windmills, Mykonos is a postcard come to life! Spend your days strolling delightful cobblestone streets and visiting artisan craft shops. (B,L,D)
Sep 21 | Piraeus, (Athens) – Home
Your ship docks this morning at 6 am. After disembarkation, you will be transferred to the Athens airport for your flight home. Memories of your Greek Islands Voyage will last forever. (B)
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip transfers to DFW or IAH
(minimum 6 passengers)
- Roundtrip airfare from DFW or IAH to Athens
- Three-nights in Athens in a 4-star hotel
- Two Half-days of sightseeing in Athens
- Welcome to Athens dinner
- Admission to the Acropolis
- Private tour in ancient Corinth incl. lunch
- Motor Boat ride on Corinth Canal
- Dinner at the Plaka with Greek Entertainment
- Walking tour of the Athens Meat, Fish Fruit, Vegetable and Spice
- Eight days onboard the Azamara Journey in your selected stateroom category
- All meals while onboard the Azamara Journey in Discoveries Restaurant and Windows Café
- Unlimited select standard spirits, international beers, and wines
- Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and teas
- Self-service laundry
- Onboard gratuities for dining, housekeeping and waiter staff are included
- Complimentary AzAmazing Evenings® event or onboard Destination Celebration℠
- All cruise, port charges, and government taxes
- Service of a Universal Travel representative throughout the itinerary
- All driver & guide gratuities
Payment
$1000.00 deposit is due, within five days of making the reservation, $150.00 non-refundable at the time of sign up
Final payment due May 1, 2024
Cancellation
50% non-refundable May 5, 2024
100% non-refundable June 30, 2024
An optional Travel Protection plan is available with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, see enclosed product flyer for more information.
A valid passport is required on this itinerary and must be valid for at least 6 month after returning back to the USA.