10-Night Cruise Aboard the Viking Venus

1-Night Pre-Cruise in Athens, Greece

Explore the Aegean Sea during a 10-night voyage to important sites of antiquity. Visit Athens, the “birthplace of democracy,” and Crete, home of the mysterious Minoan civilization. Admire whitewashed buildings with azure domes in Santorini and walk the streets of Rhodes to the imposing Palace of the Grand Masters. You will also call on Volos, Ephesus and Nafplio during your cruise through several millennia of culture and history.

Day 1 - FLIGHT

Flight to Athens, Greece

DAY 2 - Athens

Arrive in Athens for a 1-night stay. Free evening at your leisure.

Day 3 - ATHENS – EMBARKATION

Visit the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus or the iconic Acropolis. Embarkation in Athens. (B, D)

Day 4 - ATHENS

Journey into ancient Athens to see Mikrolimano Marina, the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. Explore the Parthenon, a UNESCO site. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - VOLOS, GREECE

See the local archaeology museum and the beautiful Mt. Pelion region, just outside Volos. See the stunning scenery of Meteora, where medieval monasteries stand precariously on hilltops, or explore the ancient religious center of Dion located on the foothills of Mt. Olympus, the home of the gods. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - THESSALONIKI, GREECE

Walk the vibrant waterfront promenade with its many cafés and restaurants. Enjoy the sunset from the Byzantine walls or admire the neoclassical mansions of the old Jewish Quarter or travel to the City of Pella and Royal Tombs of Vergina to see the remains of ancient Macodonia Kingdom of Alexander the Great.

Day 7 - SCENIC SAILING: MT. ATHOS

Sail past the majestic slopes of Mt. Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual capital of Orthodox Christianity. Called the “Holy Mountain,” this peninsula has been a revered monastic site for centuries. Enjoy scenic views of the mountain and the ancient monasteries that line the coastal cliffs before continuing on into the Aegean Sea. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - EPHESUS, TURKEY

Stroll the uneven streets of this once-powerful metropolis and pass sights such as the massive Great Theater and the magnificent Library of Celsus. Visit the remains of the Byzantine Basilica of St. John and see the modest home where legend states that the Virgin Mary lived out her final days or take a scenic drive to the Oracle of Didyma and the Temple of Apollo. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - RHODES, GREECE

This “Island of Knights” prospered from the wealth brought here from the Holy Land by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Follow the Street of the Knights to the most imposing building in Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Masters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - SANTORINI, GREECE

Journey to the top of Mt. Profitis where you can take in spectacular views of the island, the Aegean Sea and the summit’s monastery. Explore the capital of Thíra. Visit the hot thermal springs of Palea Kameni island and enjoy the most remarkable swim of your life or visit a Greek vineyard for a tour and tasting. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - CRETE, GREECE

Visit the remnants of the once-grand Palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan kingdom that ruled over the island of Crete from approximately 2600 to 1100 BC. Tour an olive oil factory and winery to learn how these ancient Cretan traditions have been influenced by modern production techniques. Or visit Chania’s Old Town to see the influences of former rulers such as the Venetians and Ottomans. (B, L, D)

Day 12 - NAFPLIO, GREECE

Explore the narrow streets of the Old Town and discover the charms of its Venetian homes and Byzantine churches. Journey to Palamidi, an imposing fortress towering over the city, to view its sweeping vistas. Or travel to the Peloponnese peninsula, an ancient area rich in history, including the mighty citadel of Mycenae, the ruined spa town of Epidaurus and the ancient center of the Panhellenic Games in Nemea. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Flight

Flight from Athens, Greece

WHY CRUISE WITH AMERICAN CLASSIC TOURS?

When you cruise abroad with American Classic Tours, you are in the care of your American Classic Tour Director from start to finish. If any unexpected circumstances arise during your trip abroad, your professional Tour Director is right there to assist you. No hassle with flying abroad on your own. No worries about meeting your cruise director at a foreign airport. No stress making connections to and from the ship. Your experienced American Classic Tour Director will ensure you have a total worry-free experience all along the way.

READY TO JOIN US ON THIS AMERICAN CLASSIC TOUR? 

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $9998

SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Call For AVAILABILITY

*Add optional Travel Guard Travel Insurance to your package:

Travel Guard’s Travel Insurance includes trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical and transportation, and luggage insurance.

Insurance Rate Double Occupancy: $769.08

Insurance Rate Single Occupancy: Call for Availability

$2000.00 deposit per person due with reservation. Final payment date due 11/1/22. Cancellations prior to 11/1/22. will receive a full refund less a $250.00 cancellation fee. Cancellations after 11/1/22 with insurance purchased, refunds will be processed through Travel Guard Insurance. Cancellations after 11/1/22 without insurance purchased, there is no refund. 

1-800-666-0358

Not from the greater chicagoland area?

We have “land-only” tour packages available!

Please Call 1-800-666-0358 For-Land only Pricing

American Classic Tours is based out of Chicago. Because many of our travelers are from the greater Chicagoland area, all our air tours begin at one of Chicago’s airports. If you are from out of state or country, you can join us via a “land-only” tour package. A “land-only” tour is the exact same as our “all-inclusive” tour except it does not include airfare, airline luggage and airport transportation. You will meet the tour director and the rest of the group at the destination. Please call 847.548.3333 for land-only pricing.

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