Greece & Aegean Islands Cruise 2023
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
66603
Start City:
Athens
End City:
Athens
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
Budget
Tour Length:
15 days
Physical Rating:
2 - Classic
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct 07, 2023 | Saturday, Oct 21, 2023 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
Promotions
LOW UNPUBLISHED PRICES ON COSMOS TOURS
Why pay full price? Call us or click above for a quick quote and save money on Cosmos Tours.
Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers
Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers
Promotion Details
The Welcome Back Credit is awarded upon completion of Globus family of brands vacations. Credit amount can only be applied to the land/cruise or cruise only portion of a new Globus family of brands vacation (excluding 2022 Custom/Charter vacations). Credit amount is per person and must be redeemed for a future vacation with a deposit within 2 years from date of credit issue. Bookings can be made by calling the Globus family of brands, online, or by contacting your preferred travel advisor. Passenger must activate redemption credit prior to redemption. Combinable with all applicable consumer promotions except those with any Globus family of brands special discount programs. Credit must be applied before final payment on a future booking. Credit is not redeemable for cash, non-refundable deposit, airfare, transfers, travel insurance, prepaid gratuities, pre/post nights, or optional excursions and is non-transferrable. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Valid for all participating Globus family of brands offices. Additional restrictions may apply.
Tour Itinerary
You've seen photos of the ancient Athens Acropolis, dating back to the 5th century BC—now’s your chance to see it in person. You've watched the Olympics on TV—now is your chance to visit Olympia, legendary home of the first Olympic Games. You've dreamed of cruising in the Greek Islands—now’s your chance to sail into the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea and experience these islands yourself. All of this and more await you on this budget-minded Greece tour and cruise. Step back in time on your guided visits to many of Greece's historic sites. In addition to the Athens Acropolis, visit the archaeological site of Mycenae, dating back to 1350 to 1200 BC; the amazingly well-preserved, 2,300-year-old open-air theatre in Epidaurus, which still seats 14,000 spectators; and the medieval Byzantine Citadel of Mystra, a castle founded in 1249. You’ll also visit the spectacular mountain landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries set in almost inaccessible sandstone peaks. Spend the last days of your Greece vacation on a 4-night cruise on the Aegean Sea, cruising to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. Visit Mykonos, Greece's most famous cosmopolitan island, with its seafront village, sandy beaches, and whitewashed houses. Explore Kusadasi, Turkey, where an included excursion takes you to the fascinating Roman, Greek, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Visit Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote the Revelation; and Rhodes, one of Europe's largest medieval towns with ramparts and palaces built during the Crusades. Discover Heraklion, Crete, nestled picturesquely between two mountain ranges with archaeological treasures and spectacular scenery. Explore Santorini (weather permitting), a dormant volcano offering one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas. Picturesque fishing villages, sparkling blue waters, and ancient sites offer the perfect mix for a vacation of a lifetime. Your spectacular Greek tour and cruise is truly an affordable dream vacation!
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECECheck into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the Greek capital with the help of your CosmosGO app. Later, meet your Local Host.
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Day 2
ATHENSA day to relax and discover Athens at leisure. Our suggestion: join an optional day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros. In the evening, free time to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tavernas and nightclubs in the old Plaka district with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music. (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
ATHENS–CORINTH–NAUPLIAJoin the included guided tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of this ancient capital and a visit to the Acropolis. Cross the Corinth canal, a project conceived in ancient Greece but only completed in 1893, then head for the coast to the picturesque seaside town of Nauplia. Today’s Distance: 90 mi/ 145 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 4
NAUPLIA–EPIDAURUS–MYCENAE–SPARTAThis morning, stop in Epidaurus, located in the hilly countryside dotted with pine trees and oleanders. In this magnificent setting, visit the ancient open-air theatre, which can still seat 14,000 spectators. Later, enjoy the included guided excursion to the archaeological site and museum of Mycenae, with the imposing ruins of the great city that dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. It played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture and is linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Travel into the Peloponnese to Sparta, where history hangs between reality and legend. Today’s Distance: 126 mi/ 202 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
SPARTA–MYSTRA–OLYMPIAEnjoy the included sightseeing of the medieval Byzantine citadel of Mystra, at one time known as the “Florence of the East.” Before arriving in Olympia, stop to visit an olive oil museum. Today’s Distance: 99 mi/ 160 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 6
OLYMPIA–PATRAS–DELPHIExplore Olympia, where the athletes of antiquity performed as a tribute to the king of deities, Zeus. Spend free time in this pretty town or learn more about the history of the Olympic Games on the optional sightseeing tour. Later, drive north to Patras, the capital of the Peloponnese and the west coast’s largest port. Continue crossing the spectacular Rion-Antirion bridge through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to legendary Delphi. Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 7
DELPHI–KALAMBAKAEnjoy free time in town or the optional morning sightseeing of the archaeological site of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke. It was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world’. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious hub and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. On to Kalambaka. Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 230 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 8
KALAMBAKA–METEORA–ATHENSDiscover Meteora, a cluster of Christian-Orthodox monasteries perched in an unforgettable manner on a set of rising rock formations. They were originally built by hermit monks living in caves carved into the rocks. Your included visit is certainly the day’s highlight. Continue south to Athens. Today’s Distance: 224 mi/ 360 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
ATHENSSpend a full day at leisure to explore the unseen parts of the city or to visit a museum. Tonight, enjoy the optional Greek dinner. (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 10
ATHENS–EMBARKATION PORT–MYKONOSEarly morning embarkation and afternoon cruising in the Aegean. Arrive this evening in Mykonos, a granite island and the most typical of the Cyclades. Its white and blue houses, windmills, and chapels seem to make the island’s light even more translucent. Spend some time visiting a taverna or just wandering around the town, enjoying its timeless beauty. (B,L,D)
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 11
KUSADASI, TURKEY & PATMOS, GREECETwo ports of call await today. First, Kusadasi on the Turkish coast for an included morning excursion to the fascinating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine excavations of Ephesus. Next, discover the tiny Greek island of Patmos, where St. John the Divine wrote Revelation. The 11th-century monastery with its valuable manuscript collection is well worth a visit. (B,L,D)
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 12
RHODESDock in Rhodes, largest of the Dodecanese Islands and site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot statue destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC. Explore the sites in the historic Old City with its ramparts and palaces built by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades. Another possibility: join an included excursion to Lindos and the Citadel of the Knights. If sightseeing is not your preference, Rhodes’ sun-drenched beaches and vibrant shopping districts are within easy walking distance of the port. Depart from Rhodes around dinner time. (B,L,D)
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 13
CRETE & SANTORINISpend the morning in Heraklion on the island of Crete. A few miles away is Knossos, the hub of the 3000-BC Minoan civilization; an optional excursion can be booked. Next port of call (weather permitting) is Santorini, the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The optional shore excursion here takes you up to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. (B,L,D)
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner -
Day 14
DISEMBARKATION PORT–ATHENSEarly morning docking at Athens’ port; disembark and drive to Athens. Time to relax, visit a museum, or to do some last-minute shopping. (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 15
ATHENSYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Meals: Breakfast
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CRUISE DETAILS
Rotation of ports of call may vary for congestion reasons at certain ports with or without prior notice.
Prices are based on Inside cabin (category IB) - All air-conditioned cabins with private shower and toilet. Upgrades available.
Full entertainment program on board.
Included basic drink package: selection of non-alcoholic & alcoholic drinks.
Included select excursions as per detailed itinerary.
Cosmos Host service throughout the cruise.
Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 lunches; 7 dinners
Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Health and Safety Protocols for Cosmos Tours
The world is waiting to be rediscovered! And Cosmos helps you reunite with your favorite destinations through our ongoing commitment to travel with the ease and confidence travelers have come to expect on tour with us. No matter where you travel, our global network of travel experts has you ready to reconnect.
And along the way, we’re step-for step with you to remove the worries and hassles that might make aspiring globetrotters hesitate when taking that first step in discovering dream destinations once again. With exceptional health and safety protocols and on-trip contingency plans for unexpected surprises, Cosmos travelers see more of the world with more peace of mind.
A SAFE & WARM WELCOMEWe will conduct tour check-in procedures and pre-trip health screenings to offer guests a safe start and peace of mind throughout the journey. This includes proof of vaccination for all guests. See our complete Health & Safety Pre-Trip Screening Instructions on our website for full details.
BLENDING CULTURAL PROXIMITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCEThere may be times on tour or on the motorcoach when social distancing is required. We will take care in assuring any local guidelines are followed in a safe and comfortable way for our guests. For any cases where masks are required due to local guidelines, we ask that guests bring their own approved N95 (FFP2) masks for their own comfort and safety. Our wireless listening technology enables safe distances between our guests and other travelers during excursions.
FOCUS ON GUEST AND TEAM MEMBER HEALTHTo ensure a healthy environment for each of our guests and our team, our Tour Directors, Local Hosts, and motorcoach drivers are fully vaccinated, and we are also requiring that all travelers are fully vaccinated before joining our trips. Additionally, we will conduct regular guest checks, and, when required by local guidelines, masks will be worn by our guests and by our team when accompanying guests. In all other cases, masks are optional for guests.
TOUCHING HEARTS, NOT HANDSTraveling with Cosmos removes many of the “touch points” of travel, including luggage handling, check in/out, expedited entry into attractions and more. Cosmos are further reducing risk with hands-free service, meaning all self-services replaced by staff, including buffet meals replaced with table service. Cosmos will also ensure hand sanitizing is available throughout each trip, on coach and in hotels.
COMMITMENT TO CLEANAs a part of Cosmos' commitment to clean, Cosmos is requiring enhanced cleaning procedures with hotel partners, on motorcoaches, vehicles and throughout every trip, including additional daily disinfecting procedures that go above-and-beyond already strict health and safety procedures. And our motorcoaches are equipped with air filters that clean the air as well as provide constant ventilation.
PARTNERS IN DISCOVERY AND IN HEALTHCosmos has strict health and safety protocols, which have been in place for years, focused on ensuring all aspects of operation- from vehicles and equipment used on trip to excursions and hotel procedures. This process will continue with new, elevated health and safety checks, to maintain their promise that each touch-point on tours and cruises are considered in their commitment to guest and team member well-being.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Port taxes $159 & Gratuities $40 to service personnel on board the ship are not included but are additional and mandatory. These fees will be added to your Vacation Estimate. Gratuities for Cruise Host are included in the Cosmos price.
A fuel surcharge of $32 per person has been implemented by Celestyal Cruises for bookings made October 3, 2022 onward traveling on 2023 sailings.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: What ship do they use for this tour?
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Several hotel rooms had virtually no AC.
As a comment to the room situation, we had excellent accommodations The Only Exception was the night that we spent in Sparta. That hotel was substandard. For instance the door knob to the bathroom was completely broken. The night table was missing the front of the drawer literally. The patio door did not lock at all. The view was not great at all unless you like looking at back alleys and transport trucks. And then the power went off for several hours. There were no backup smoke detectors or lighting. So we spent a couple hours in the lobby just to make sure that there wasn't really a fire. Anyhow I also commented the same way on the cosmos survey we gave to our guide :-) otherwise everything was 100%
loved our trip with cosmos. Some accommodations could use improvement but overall was satisfied.
This tour was close to perfection! A bit strenuous at times but worth it for the places visited and the knowledge shared by our personal guide who is by far the best tour guide many of us have ever had. She went the extra mile to make sure everything was in order for all of us. No one was disappointed with our guide and this tour!
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Both tour directors were extremely professional and helpful, local tour guides were very knowledgeable with excellent english, bus operators were smooth and courteous