ULTIMATE GREECE

VACATION!
April 23rd May 4th

4/23: Departure from US LA, DC

and JFK
4/24, 4:20 p.m.: Arrival in Athens
7:00 p.m. We will walk over to the
Plaka, which is a wonderful place to
stroll and offers lots of restaurants. See: http://www.athensguide.com/plaka.html
4/25: 8 a.m. Meet in the lobby with your bags for our transfer to the port of Piraeus. On
our way we will take a tour of the Parthenon. We will be taking the cruise ship over to
Mykonos this morning. We will pull in to Mykonos at 4:30 p.m. and transfer to our hotel,
Porto Mykonos
7:00 p.m. Meet in lobby to discuss tours of Mykonos and dinner plans.
4/26: 11 a.m. Meet in the lobby to break off into smaller groups. Mykonos is best seen
when you have time to stroll. You might want to rent a scooter or quad today to see the
island, or take a tour. I will work my magic and get us a discount. Try to get to Paradise
Beach, which is a popular beach. Warning: Nudity is allowed.
7 p.m. Meet in the lobby for a meeting and to group together for dinner.
4/27: 10:30 a.m. For those who will sign up for the optional tour of Delos, meet in the
lobby where we will walk to the dock. See following tour info.
7:00 p.m.: Meet in the lobby for a meeting and to head out for dinner.
4/28: Day at leisure. If you didnt get a chance to rent a scooter, today might be the
time to do it. Or, stroll the beautiful streets and shops of Mykonos one last time. Enjoy
a leisurely lunch and SHOP!!
6:00 P.M. We will leave our hotel to transfer to the cruise ship.
Day

Port

Arrival

Departure

Mon

Mykonos, Greece

23:00

Tue

Kusadasi (Ephessos), Turkey

07:00

12:00

Tue

Patmos, Greece

16:00

21:00

Wed

Rhodes, Greece

07:00

18:00

Thu

Heraklion (Crete), Greece

07:00

11:30

Thu

Santorini, Greece

16:00

4/29: Stops at Kusadasi for the tour of Ephessos. Stop at Patmos

4/30 Stop at Rhodes.
5/1: Stop at Crete, then Santorini where we will be staying for the next 2 nights at the
Santorini Palace Hotel. Meet Ed at the end of the gangway where he will direct you to
our bus. Our hotel is called Hotel Santorini Palace: 011-286-22771.

5/2: 9:30 a.m. Meet in the lobby for the optional tour of Santorini and neighboring
islands. See tour info. Below.
7:00 p.m. Meet in the lobby or hotel bar for a meeting and to group together for dinner.
5/3: This is a free day for you to explore this amazing island. Again, renting a scooter is
a great way to go. Take in a couple of wineries! Find the red sand beach. I will be
happy to lead the way. Otherwise, you will also enjoy yourself taking a nice walk up and
around the caldera.
7:00 p.m. Meet in the lobby or hotel bar to group together for dinner plans.
5/4, 6:00 a.m. Be ready to leave our hotel (time may change). for the airport and our 7
a.m. flight to Athens. 11:20 a.m. international flight back to USA.

TOURS!!!
We have yet to confirm our prices. These prices are from our 2012 trip
The cruise ship is offering tours at every stop. Since their rates were so high I have set
up the same tours directly saving you all a lot of money.
Kusadasi Ephesus
Youve got to do this. Its a must see. Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi to
reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, the humble chapel lies on the site of the
little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Despite the
many controversies, the Christian World still favours this belief and the site has been
officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus
accompanied by your guide walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to
the ancient city of Ephesus. Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the
most magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain
of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the
Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a
capacity of 24,000 seats where St. Paul preached. Walk back to the coach along the
Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. While
driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which
was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian.
Cruise line price is $91. Our direct price is - $45 pp. Thats right! This will
include the transportation, guide and entrance fees.
Patmos:
I love Patmos! This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St.
John the Apostle, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. Heres the
description of this tour: Depart from the port of Scala and enjoy a short drive to the
village of Chora, where the Monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong
fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this
magnificent structure, which was built 900 years ago. View the courtyard, the monks
dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noted for its
outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. Next, visit the small museum where
priceless ecclesiastical treasures, books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, splendid
medieval textiles, vestments and jewellery are housed. Return to your motor coach and
continue to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of the Apocalypse
above it. Walk down the steps to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the
niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the

Book of the Revelation and the crack in the rock made by the voice of God honouring
the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in
this quaint and picturesque town.
Cruise line price is $ 70 pp. Our direct price is $30!
Rhodes and Lindos:
Rhodes is also a great stop. The cruise ship sells a tour that will take you to Lindos and
then a walking tour of Rhodes. We will organize the same tour for a lot less.
Drive along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages,
to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how
this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St.
John in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink
of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking
views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Pauls Bay, where the
apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill, to the
great staircase leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of
Athena. Should you wish to make your way up by mule, a fee must be paid to the local
muleteer. After the guided tour of the Acropolis, enjoy some free time on your own in
Lindos village before meeting up with your motor coach. Return to Rhodes city and
enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of the city before continuing to Mount
Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium.
Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Porte dAmboise, the start of the
walking tour through the medieval city of Rhodes. Follow your guide through the
northern part where once lived the knights and their attendants. View the Palace of the
Knights, continue your walk down Chevaliers Road to the Marine Gate and return back
to the ship. Cruise ship price -$72 pp. Our direct price - $40
Crete (Heraklion):
We are going to organize the same tour as the cruise ship for a lot less. Here is the
description from the cruise ships tour: Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the
Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological
home of Zeus. After a short drive through the town of Heraklion the tour will arrive at the
Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evans archaeological discoveries revealed a
civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of
Crete. Based on the wealth of artefacts that were found, Evans theorized that this was
the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. These findings will be viewed in detail, as your
guide will lead you on a journey of discovery to learn of the sophisticated culture that
flourished thousands of years ago on this island. The Palace, decorated with frescoes
and shields houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the Kings
Chamber with the alabaster throne, the Queens Apartment, beautiful courtyards and
shrines. Having visited this remarkable site your coaches will take you back to the
Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion to rejoin your ship.
- Cruise ships price: - $ 80 pp; price of our tour: $40

Here are 2 other tours we have set up that have been huge hits in
our past trips to Greece, so we strongly recommended them
both
TOUR FROM MYKONOS

ONE DAY CRUISE TO DELOS ISLAND

It is strongly believed by many, that this Ancient
Archeological Island possesses and releases a heightened
sense of light and energy, the very reason for ancient
Greece's belief that Apollo, God of Light and Music, had to
have been born there?
Imagine: The entire island of Delos, also known as the
biggest open air museum in Europe, is an Archeological
monument to what was the holiest place in the Aegean Sea.
Currently, the only inhabitants on this historical island are
the archaeologists who continue to conduct excavations, as
well as the guards who are in place to protect it. Come with
us and allow our guides to explain the spiritual, historical and cultural importance of
Delos. With no traces of modern civilization you will be encompassed by the natural
environment andwill experience a serene, peaceful, luminous, and pure atmosphere.
Witness how the ancient civilians lived their way of life. Visit their houses, walk into their
living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. Also witness Europe's first Synagogue, first
Egyptian Temple, first Indian Temple and other Temples from many foreign Religions.
And lets not forget, The Lions Terrace, Cleopatras House and The Temple of Apollo. So
come and experience a glimpse of what it may have been like to live on Delos three
thousand years ago. Duration:- Departure 11 am Return 12.20 noon OR 1.40 PM Cost:
$40

SEE SANTORINI IN A DAY

Bus and Boat Tour with lunch!
Visit: Akrotiri Volcano Hot Springs Thirassia Oia
This tour will include a land tour by bus, then a sailing tour
with a fantastic lunch!
Program: First we visit the important archaeological site
of Akrotiri. Akrotiri Excavations brought to light a Minoan
town preserved under the pumice for 3000 years. Our expert
guide will lead an interesting and informative tour in the
ancient town.
Then we go by bus to Athinios Port. There you will board the beautiful traditional boat that
will sail on to reach the lava islet Nea Kameni where we leave the boat and walk an
ascending soil path to approach the crater of the still active Volcano. Then back to the boat
and we sail to the second lava islet called Palea Kameni. There we find Hot Springs and we
can have a swim in the green sulphur waters or even take a bath in the warm therapeutic
mud. After a half hour the boat will sail to the nice traditional island Thirassia. There we
can explore the island or swim at the beach next to the port.
Back on board again for sailing to Oia that is our last destination. We arrive in Armeni, the
small traditional port of Oia. There we will leave our beautiful boat as we approach Oia
village by the stairs, either walking or riding a donkey. Oia is built along the rim of the
caldera wall. You can walk in the village and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view. This is
one of the best days of the entire trip. Youve got to do this! Cost: $95

LUNCH MENU:
BUFFET LUNCH ON THE BOAT:

Santorinian salad

Green salad
Eggplant salad
Assortment of Greek cheeses
Spinach pie
Fava (split pea puree) with capers
Pork souvlaki
Chicken souvlaki
Meat balls
Fresh fruit
Assortment of Greek sweets

Useful web sites:

Comprehensive and down to earth Greece guide thats fun to read with lots of links:
http://www.greecetravel.com/
Greece National Tourism Organization: Useful phone #s to have in case of emergency:
http://www.gnto.gr/1/01/ea0100000.html
U.S. Department of State, current travel advisory report on Greece:
http://travel.state.gov/greece.html
Report on Paradise Beach in Mykonos:
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/1794/cyclades/mykonos.html
Heres a very good website with lots of useful information and maps of the islands of
Mykonos and Santorini. Scroll down to the middle of the page where youll see popular
Greece Destinations and click on Mykonos and Santorini.
http://www.greece101.com/home.display-lid1-slid10.html
Good article on Mykonos: http://www.greece101.com/destFullArticle.display-lid1-slid20did10-cid61.html Also, check out the other links on nightlife and restaurants.
Lots of great photos and useful information: http://www.greekislands.com/santorini/