Greek Isles and Cruise – July 10-19, 2010

The stunning beauty and joy of Greece was captured perfectly in the recent hit film, “Mamma Mia.” Join in the fun and excitement of this movie on our summer trip to Greece! We’ve included the very best highlights of Athens, including the iconic Acropolis and Olympeieon, and will board our cruise ship for a 4 night Greek Isle Cruise visiting the most scenic and stunning islands in the Mediterranean Those islands you’ve seen in films, postcards and books including Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos and the island of Patmos. We visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi, where you’ll have an opportunity to visit the town of Ephesus, the most beautifully preserved ancient city in the area, with its deep Christianity roots and influences. Enjoy great food, sightseeing, time for shopping and strolling the safe and charming public markets, and feel yourself drawn to the centuries of history that have created this beautiful country. We’ve planned an itinerary that shows you the very best of Greece!

Included features:
Hotel accommodations for four nights, including hotel taxes and service charges
Five Day Cruise from Athens, visiting the ports of Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini.
All meals aboard ship.
Breakfast each day in Athens
Dinner each evening in Athens
Extensive sightseeing program as shown in itinerary
Services of a local escort and guide in Athens.
Fully escorted from DFW by veteran tour escort Vickie White
Taxes and fees on all tour features

Itinerary details below:
Sat, July 10- Departure Day. Ask about our group airfare from DFW. Other cities available.

Sun July 11 - Arrive Athens. Local transfer with guide from Airport to our hotel., the beautiful Royal Olympic Hotel. Your afternoon is free after check-in to relax or rest before our group arrival dinner in the hotel. Overnight at the Royal Olympic (D)

Mon – July 12 – After breakfast at our hotel, we enjoy our first introduction to this interesting and beautiful city. We’ll depart on our private motorcoach for sightseeing, including the Acropolis, ancient agora of Athens, Archaeological Museum of Keramiekos, Museum of the Ancient Agora, and Olympeion. We will return to our hotel for our free afternoon. Perhaps you’ll want to head down to the Plaka, the most popular spot for shopping and great local foods. It’s an amazing place to spend your first full day in this city! We will return for our included dinner including wine for this evening. Overnight at the Royal Olympic (B, D)

Tue – July 13 – After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Port of Piraeus and our cruise! We board our ship for lunch and afternoon sailing to the Greek Island of Mykonos, known for its iconic windmills. Enjoy a guided tour of this island, or simply take your own walking tour to the wonderful galleries, restaurants and bars and scenic points of this beautiful island. Return to your ship for dinner. (BLD)

Wed – July 14 – Enjoy shipboard life and all the included meals today as we sail to the Turkish port of Kusadasi. This is always a favorite stop on this cruise itinerary because of its proximity to the Biblical town of Ephesus. This town is widely acclaimed in Christian circles because of the apostle Paul’s letters to the Ephesians. You will see an ancient town that is beautifully restored with many buildings appearing as they did in those times, with the library and the main shopping area of the town open for tourists. Shopping in Kusadasi is amazing, with excellent prices on leather goods, textiles and locally produced goods. Return to ship and cruise to the Island of Patmos. (BLD)

Thurs – July 15 – The beautiful island of Rhodes is our destination today. This walled city is particularly beautiful, with its tiled-floored castle. Rhodes has a beautiful and interesting shopping area, with lots of places to draw your eye for gifts and souvenirs, as well as many places to sit in the sun and relax with a local Greek drink. Return to ship for any meals you wish this day. (BLD)

Fri – July 16 – We cruise to the port of Heraklion on the Island of Crete today for a short visit, then it’s on to the jewel of this cruise, Santorini. Known the world over for its stunning blue-roofed, white painted houses, it is one of the few places that live up to its hype. You will have time to enjoy this incredible island and maybe ride the donkeys from the top of the island back down to the ship. (BLD)

Sat – July 17 – We return to The Port of Piraeus and Athens today and will return to the Royal Olympic Hotel for our remaining 2 nights in Athens. You have the day to enjoy more of Athens; maybe you will want to return to the Plaka, or to one of the many museums in Athens. Dinner is included at our hotel (BD)

Sun – July 18 – Breakfast at our hotel, then you have a final day to enjoy Athens before we leave. We’ll have suggestions for activities you may want to enjoy! Our farewell dinner is tonight, so enjoy the day! (B, D)

Mon – July 19 – All too soon, we say goodbye to Athens and Greece and transfer back to the airport Greece is unforgettable, though, so enjoy the memories we made!

Price Per Person – $1975

The fine print
A valid U.S. Passport is required for travel to Greece. Ask about our free passport picture service.
Price excludes: tips to guides and drivers,any airline-imposed luggage fees,, passports and visas if required, items of a personal nature. Travel/Cancellation insurance is available and is highly recommended. Contact Vickie White for costs (based on age at time of travel.)
Itinerary and scheduled/included visits are as shown on above itinerary. Please note: Though rare, it may be necessary to substitute hotels and adjust itineraries due to local conditions. Similar hotels may be substituted with prior notice.

Booking Instructions

A deposit of $250 per person is required to confirm your space on this tour, along with correct names as shown on your passport. Final payment is due no later than 75 days prior to departure. Deposit and/or payments may be made by check or major credit card. Please mail all payments to: Vickie White Group Tours and Travel, P O Box 2131, Sherman, TX 75091. Please contact me at 903-815-2169 for questions or to give me your credit card information.