Plan air travel independently or in subgroups to Arrive in Athens on Tuesday June 2nd.  There are cheaper flights from JFK. See bookings page for more details.

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Check in times for Athens hotels is around noon.

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Check into Hotel - Crowne Plaza Athens City Center.  $200.night.

Can be booked directly on hotel site or Hotels.com, or with  points, etc

Also, when booking the Collette portion of the stay, you may also request a pre-night hotel extension for 2 day from 6/2 – 6/4, but their rate is higher at $300/night , but includes airport transfers. 

The hotel; night of 6/4 is already included in the tour. 

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Free day or rest day.

– Pickup from hotel at 06.45am and arrive at Olympia 10.45am. or earlier  

– Meet the tour guide and visit the archaeological museum, and the  ancient sites.

– After sightseeing, we will have lunch in the peaceful setting of the modern Olympia town

– At +/- 4pm start the return trip and arrive in Athens around 8pm.  Cost ~50-60 pp

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Those wishing to stay in Athens can also do the $25 Hop on Hop off tour or other sightseeing spots not covered in Athens on Day 12 below.

The Collette official tour begins in Athens.

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 That evening, join the tour’s fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Athens’ historic district – the Plaka – a lively historic neighborhood nestled at the foot of the Acropolis. Feast on local cuisine and enjoy fine wine in a traditional taverna while Greek entertainment creates a wonderful ambiance around you. 

Embark from Piraeus on a 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily while on board. 

Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands, is your first stop. This charming, mountainous island is known for the hundreds of tiny chapels, whitewashed buildings and beautiful windmills that dot its landscape. Don’t miss Mykonos Town, where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. Enjoy free time to explore this island paradise.

Visit the Turkish port of Kusadasi for an included excursion to the ruins of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Paul the Apostle spent three years during his ministry and where its inhabitants were the recipients of Paul’s famous epistle.

Visit the House of Mary, where she is said to have spent her last days. A visit to the ruins includes the Agora, the great theater, and the stadium where chariot races took place and gladiatorial combats were held. It is said that Paul himself fought here against wild beasts.

Continue your cruise to Patmos, the “Jerusalem of the Aegean.” Visit the Monastery of John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Evangelist, inspired by God, wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile.

Enjoy an excursion to the incredible open-air museum of the Minoan Palace of Knossos.

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Then, during free time in Crete’s largest city, enjoy a variety of museums, shopping, or visit a nearby winery to sample traditional Greek wine.

Later, arrive on the fabled island of Santorini, known as the “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” Enjoy time at leisure to independently explore this lovely port or purchase a ship excursion from the cruise line.

Disembark Cruise Ship

After an early morning disembarkation, travel north. Make a picture stop at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defense by Leonidas and his courageous Spartans against the Persian army.

Your day ends in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Founded in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki was an early center for Christianity; it is where Paul visited and preached during the winters of A.D. 49-50 and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians.

Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, one of the finest museums in the world devoted to Byzantine art and civilization with an impressive collection of many Byzantine and early Christian frescoes, icons and artifacts.

Accommodation(included): Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki

Travel to the coastal town of Kavala where Paul, accompanied by Silas, Luke, and Timothy, first set foot on European soil. In nearby Philippi, Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, planting the seeds of Christianity. Join a local expert for a guided tour of this historic town featuring the archaeological site and monuments spanning the Ancient, Roman and Byzantine eras. See the dungeon where Paul was held prisoner and the site where he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe.
Accommodation included: Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki

Proceed through the fertile Thessalian Valley – the “breadbasket” of Greece – to spectacular Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

These dark, sandstone pinnacles rise abruptly from the plain of Thessaly, with six historic monasteries perched upon their peaks. Beginning in the 10th century, hermits, monks and ascetics sought solitude and spirtual solace in these dramatic crags.

Visit two amazing Meteora monasteries***, which are renowned for their intricate construction and exquisite Byzantine art. 

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***Please note: In order to enter the monasteries in Meteora, all guests must have their shoulders covered, women must wear skirts that cover the knees and men must wear long trousers.

Overnight in Kalambaka.

Accommodation(included): Famissi Eden Hotel

Travel through scenic mountain terrain to Delphi, one of the most moving sites of the ancient world.

Once considered the “navel of the world,” Delphi is nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnassus in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Pilgrims once came from all over the ancient world to consult its mysterious oracle. A guided tour takes you along the Sacred Way to see the Doric Temple and the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasuries, and the intriguing Archaeological Museum with its staggering collection of ancient artifacts including the 5th-century bronzed Charioteer.

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Accommodations(included): Domotel Anemolia Resort & Conference

Travel to Corinth where Paul wrote two epistles, lived and preached for two years.

Explore ancient Corinth on a guided tour featuring the Agora, where Paul’s trial by Gallio took place, and the Bema, where Paul was brought before the tribunal, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. 

In Athens, see the hill of Areopagus (Mars Hill) – where Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech – and visit the incomparable Acropolis. This evening, join fellow tour travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of the formal tour.

Accommodation(included): Holiday Inn Athens Attica for 1 night.

Depart Athens to Crete $250 RT 55 minute flight to All inclusive resort in Crete

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Lyttos Beach Resort

https://www.lyttosbeach.gr/special-offers-crete-hotel-hersonissos/reserve-online

Multiple accommodation options, including suites for families, doubles, and even en-suite private pools.

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Lyttos Beach is offering special benefit and service for all guests who will reserve on-line directly via their website for accommodations during 2020 season.
EARLY BOOKING OFFER!!! Make your booking by 12.31..2019 and save 15%, and enjoy our full renovated hotel with brand new Water park and Fast food, two new pools, new Spa, new Gym, and new Asian restaurant!

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Refundable rates for 6/13 - 6/16 for 3 nights start at $600 total for 2 ppl. based on  a standard double and includes the all inclusive package.
 

Relax and enjoy the resort's activities and amenities, including the spa.

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Lyttos Beach offers its guests many different options for recreation.  The experienced and multilingual animation team organizes pool activities games, theme parties and other fun activities during day and night.

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In the daily evening shows are included professional shows like Magic Show, Cabaret, Greek Night, etc.

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Several entertaining events take place in the hotel’s open-air theatre and outdoor disco during the evenings

Morning flight from Crete to Athens

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Return flights from Athens to your final desination