Greece at Leisure
27 Sep –
7 Oct 2024
- 11 Days
- 4-5 Star Hotel, 4-5 Star Cruise
- 20 Meals
- Group size: 15
Menu
Itinerary
We meet at O.R. Tambo International to check in for our bucket-list journey to the Greek islands. With our suitcases stuffed with swimsuits and sunhats, we look forward to shimmering seas, glowing sunsets, bougainvillaea vines flowing on white houses, and no-holds-barred relaxation.
We arrive in Athens, where we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. A pre-arranged early check-in allows us to rest and refresh after the flight. We set out on a walking tour of the city centre in the evening and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Awake in Athens, one of the world’s ancient capitals and a living open-air museum. We breakfast at the hotel and embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of the city. Led by an engaging guide, we see the sights of the city’s glorious past, including the magnificent Acropolis. We follow our tour with a refreshing, cold Greek beer and a souvlaki tasting. This afternoon, it’s time to discover the city at your own pace.
This morning, we travel to Lavrio Port to board our cruise vessel and start our island-hopping adventure. On board our cruise ship, the Celestyal Olympia, a small floating city, comes to life. Head to one of the restaurants for a meal, enjoy a cold glass of wine in the bar or seek out one of the many onboard activities. Dance classes, yoga, creative workshops, cooking demonstrations and more will keep you entertained. On arrival in Mykonos, we have the choice of exploring on our own or booking an optional shore excursion. As the sun sets, return to the boat and revel in the pleasures of cruise life.
Today, we awake to the sight of Kusadasi, a pretty port town on the Turkish coast. Kusadasi is our gateway to nearby Ephesus, an ancient city revered for its Greek, Roman and biblical ties. In Ephesus, we walk along marble roads, worn smooth by almost 2000 years of use and marvel at the bygone grandeur of the city, taking in the main sights. At lunchtime, the ship departs for Patmos. Known as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” this is where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation, making the island an important place for pilgrimage. Discover the island on your own or join an optional shore excursion.
Early this morning, the ship arrives in Rhodes. Since antiquity, Rhodes has been the cultural and commercial capital of the Dodecanese Islands, and it’s a dream destination for history buffs with remarkable ruins scattered across the island. From Rhodes Town, we travel to the Lindos, where we tour the acropolis and the sights of the village. Back in Rhodes, we dive into the island’s medieval history with a visit to the Knight’s Quarter. The rest of the day is spent exploring.
This morning, we arrive in Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. As we approach Heraklion, the tidy walls of the Koules Fortress come into view, our first taste of the island’s architectural mix. Disembark and tour the city at your own pace, or join one of the ship’s optional excursions. Around lunchtime, we set course for Santorini. We get to know the island with an included shore excursion, travelling from Megalochori through the interior to Oia. Find a spot from which to watch Santorini’s famous sunset and then return to the delights of the boat.
Today, our cruise ends, but our Greek odyssey continues. Our guide meets us at the dock, and we travel to Lake Vouliagmeni on the Athenian Riviera. Soak in the therapeutic waters, sunbathe on the luxuriant lawns or grab a coffee at the restaurant. Afterwards, we snake our way along the coastline to Sounio, where we enjoy lunch at a seaside taverna with views of the dazzling Aegean Sea. We end our afternoon with a visit to the Temple of Poseidon. In the evening, we return to Athens and check into our hotel.
A stunning journey awaits as we travel from Athens to the Peloponnese, a scenic peninsula separated from mainland Greece by the Corinth Canal. We travel to Nemea, a small village at the centre of Greece’s wine-making region, and taste three local wines at a winery. Our next stop is Nafplio, a gorgeous patchwork of terracotta rooftops and colourful buildings decorated with wrought-iron balconies. We wander through the town and then gather at a local restaurant for a farewell lunch. The evening is spent in Athens.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel, thanks to a late check-out. Later in the day, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
Arriving in South Africa, the only signs of your trip will be a handful of souvenirs and the hint of a sun-tan. But memories of Greece, with its endless blue sea, ancient ruins, cliffside towns and wonderful people, will stay with you forever. Seagull Travel & Tours looks forward to welcoming you on another breathtaking journey.
We meet at O.R. Tambo International to check in for our bucket-list journey to the Greek islands. With our suitcases stuffed with swimsuits and sunhats, we look forward to shimmering seas, glowing sunsets, bougainvillaea vines flowing on white houses, and no-holds-barred relaxation.
We arrive in Athens, where we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. A pre-arranged early check-in allows us to rest and refresh after the flight. We set out on a walking tour of the city centre in the evening and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Awake in Athens, one of the world’s ancient capitals and a living open-air museum. We breakfast at the hotel and embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of the city. Led by an engaging guide, we see the sights of the city’s glorious past, including the magnificent Acropolis. We follow our tour with a refreshing, cold Greek beer and a souvlaki tasting. This afternoon, it’s time to discover the city at your own pace.
This morning, we travel to Lavrio Port to board our cruise vessel and start our island-hopping adventure. On board our cruise ship, the Celestyal Olympia, a small floating city, comes to life. Head to one of the restaurants for a meal, enjoy a cold glass of wine in the bar or seek out one of the many onboard activities. Dance classes, yoga, creative workshops, cooking demonstrations and more will keep you entertained. On arrival in Mykonos, we have the choice of exploring on our own or booking an optional shore excursion. As the sun sets, return to the boat and revel in the pleasures of cruise life.
Today, we awake to the sight of Kusadasi, a pretty port town on the Turkish coast. Kusadasi is our gateway to nearby Ephesus, an ancient city revered for its Greek, Roman and biblical ties. In Ephesus, we walk along marble roads, worn smooth by almost 2000 years of use and marvel at the bygone grandeur of the city, taking in the main sights. At lunchtime, the ship departs for Patmos. Known as the “Jerusalem of the Aegean,” this is where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation, making the island an important place for pilgrimage. Discover the island on your own or join an optional shore excursion.
Early this morning, the ship arrives in Rhodes. Since antiquity, Rhodes has been the cultural and commercial capital of the Dodecanese Islands, and it’s a dream destination for history buffs with remarkable ruins scattered across the island. From Rhodes Town, we travel to the Lindos, where we tour the acropolis and the sights of the village. Back in Rhodes, we dive into the island’s medieval history with a visit to the Knight’s Quarter. The rest of the day is spent exploring.
This morning, we arrive in Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. As we approach Heraklion, the tidy walls of the Koules Fortress come into view, our first taste of the island’s architectural mix. Disembark and tour the city at your own pace, or join one of the ship’s optional excursions. Around lunchtime, we set course for Santorini. We get to know the island with an included shore excursion, travelling from Megalochori through the interior to Oia. Find a spot from which to watch Santorini’s famous sunset and then return to the delights of the boat.
Today, our cruise ends, but our Greek odyssey continues. Our guide meets us at the dock, and we travel to Lake Vouliagmeni on the Athenian Riviera. Soak in the therapeutic waters, sunbathe on the luxuriant lawns or grab a coffee at the restaurant. Afterwards, we snake our way along the coastline to Sounio, where we enjoy lunch at a seaside taverna with views of the dazzling Aegean Sea. We end our afternoon with a visit to the Temple of Poseidon. In the evening, we return to Athens and check into our hotel.
A stunning journey awaits as we travel from Athens to the Peloponnese, a scenic peninsula separated from mainland Greece by the Corinth Canal. We travel to Nemea, a small village at the centre of Greece’s wine-making region, and taste three local wines at a winery. Our next stop is Nafplio, a gorgeous patchwork of terracotta rooftops and colourful buildings decorated with wrought-iron balconies. We wander through the town and then gather at a local restaurant for a farewell lunch. The evening is spent in Athens.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel, thanks to a late check-out. Later in the day, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
Arriving in South Africa, the only signs of your trip will be a handful of souvenirs and the hint of a sun-tan. But memories of Greece, with its endless blue sea, ancient ruins, cliffside towns and wonderful people, will stay with you forever. Seagull Travel & Tours looks forward to welcoming you on another breathtaking journey.
The sun glittering on the Aegean Sea. The feeling of warm sand beneath your feet and cool water on your skin. The sweet smell of cypress trees baking in the sun and the rhythmic hum of cicadas. The first bite of a sun-ripened tomato. Greece at Leisure is a tour that indulges the senses and feeds the soul.
This small group tour starts with two nights in iconic Athens to see the sights and visit the Acropolis. Next, take a cruise from Athens to the Greek islands. Call on Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini. Get lost in maze-like towns with steep, winding streets. Travel back in time with visits to the ruins of Ephesus and Lindos. Watch the sunset over the caldera of Santorini. Feast on sensational Greek food. Return to mainland Greece and continue the journey with two days of exclusive sightseeing on the Athenian Riveria and the Peloponnese.
Experience the benefits of small-ship cruising in Greece with access to lesser-known Patmos and a personalised onboard experience, amplified by a full programme of optional shore excursions. With this our, guided sightseeing is balanced with plenty of free time, creating a trip that captures the laidback atmosphere of the Aegean. With every detail planned and considered, Seagull Travel & Tours invites you to surrender to the history, culture, cuisine and magic of Greece.
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We are here to help
The tour leader collects a set amount from each member of a tour. This kitty is then used to tip the local tour guide and city guides, bus drivers, any other assistants, and restaurant staff. We believe in tipping for good service as a token of appreciation, especially as many workers in tourism rely on tips to supplement their income.
Although we cannot apply on your behalf, we are more than willing to give guidance and assistance with completing forms. We do this for many clients on a near-daily basis. It does, however, remain the responsibility of the client to ensure that they get the correct visa on time.
Remember that we limit the number of guests on our tours. This means more time at stops and sites. We definitely do not do groups of 30 pax, where guests are rushed from one site to the other. There is enough time to explore on your own.
We always suggest USD/Euro 50 to USD/Euro 100 per person per day. As we mostly include two meals per day on our tours, this will be enough for lunch/dinner, some snacks, and memento shopping. Should you want to buy larger items, we suggest taking along your credit card. Remember to advise the bank that you will be travelling.
