Best of Greece with 3-Day Aegean Cruise

Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you'll have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel.

This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal. (D) Stay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. Along our journey into antiquity, you'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours. (B)

Depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in Corinth, join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. Continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where you'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist.

Later, travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, you'll dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D) Stay: Amalia Nafplio

Travel through the Arcadian mountains towards the Peloponnese and the historic site of Olympia. En route, visit a family-run honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste thyme-infused honey straight from the hive and hear how traditional beekeeping is helping protect the region's biodiversity. In Olympia, explore the ancient athletic grounds where the Olympic Games began in 776 BC. Walk among the ruins of temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera and imagine the roar of the crowd in the original stadium.

This evening in Olympia is yours to enjoy at leisure—consider exploring the quiet village center, visiting a local taverna or simply relaxing at your hotel. (B) Stay: Amalia Olympia

Join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. You'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera.

Later, connect with the Karabelas family for your Be My Guest experience at their olive and wine estate. Enjoy a homecooked meal, traditional dancing and warm Greek hospitality. Leaving Olympia, skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson. (B/L) Stay: Amalia Delphi

Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks who once journeyed to Delphi to seek guidance from the most influential oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. See the statues that honor the strength of athletes who competed in the Pythian Games, held in Apollo's name.

Later, enjoy a scenic drive to Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his Spartans famously held the line against the Persians. Continue across the fertile Thessaly plain, known as the breadbasket of Greece, before arriving in Kalambaka. (B/D) Stay: Amalia Kalambaka

The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are your first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town.

After a scenic drive back to Athens, settle in for a final dinner with your travel companions to reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece. (B/D) Stay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Leave the bustling city streets of Athens and cruise to Mykonos, where the Windmills of Kato Mili extend a warm evening welcome as they have to arriving seafarers for centuries. You'll have the evening free to explore the winding lanes of Chora, strolling past whitewashed cottages and tumbling cerise bougainvillea as you admire the pretty boutiques, then follow your nose to the best seafood in town. As the sun sets over Mykonos, there's no better place for cocktails than Little Venice. (B/L/D) Stay: MV Celestyal Discovery

Visit the Turkish shores of Kusadasi for a complimentary Shore Experience to ancient Ephesus. Continue to Patmos, the site where the Book of Revelation was written by St. John. Here, you could choose to see the Cave of the Apocalypse and St. John's Monastery as an Optional Experience. (B/L/D)

You may decide to explore Crete's ancient Minoan culture and heritage at the Palace of Knossos. Admire its bright wall paintings that were restored at the turn of the 20th century and explore centuries of history that predate Christ. Or choose to drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavor of Cretan lifestyle.

Continue to Santorini, watching as this Cycladic island comes closer on the horizon, rising out of the Aegean with its distinctive cliff-top towns. You could consider an optional Shore Experience this afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches which vie for the best views over the caldera. (B/L/D)

This morning, disembark from your cruise ship and board a transfer to your hotel. (B) Stay: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

Transfers are provided to the airport for your return flight home. (B)