The ancient remains of Athens constitute one of the brightest jewels of the Mediterranean. The Ancient City and the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have been kept fairly intact. You will see perhaps the most famous temple of the Ancient City, the Parthenon. Walking up a winding path towards the Acropolis, you will pass through the Propylaea, which is the entrance to the Acropolis and see the Erechtheum Temple, built between 421-405 B.C. and famous for its exquisite attention to detail. You will also see the Porch of the Caryatids, (or Porch of the Maidens), in the distance. Reinforced by man, the natural fortress of the Acropolis stands 230 feet above the city. You cannot help but be impressed by the wide-sweeping view below. The intent of the new Acropolis Museum is to house every artifact found on the archaeological site.  You will see the unsurpassed quality of the masterpieces of ancient Athens, including the entire sculpted decoration of the Parthenon as it was on the building. You will see many architectural phases and thousands of finds that provide valuable insight into the everyday activities of ancient Greece.

 

Please note:  There is no shopping stop organized but guests can explore the shops at the Acropolis. The path up to the Acropolis is winding and may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

          

 

 

 

 

The ancient remains of Athens constitute one of the brightest jewels of the Mediterranean. The Ancient City and the Acropolis have been kept fairly intact. You will see perhaps the most famous temple of the Ancient City, the Parthenon. Walking up a winding path towards the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will pass through the Propylaea, which is the entrance to the Acropolis and see the Erechtheum Temple, built between 421-405 B.C. and famous for its exquisite attention to detail. You will also see the Porch of the Caryatids, (or Porch of the Maidens), in the distance. Reinforced by man, the natural fortress of the Acropolis stands 230 feet above the city. You cannot help but be impressed by the wide-sweeping view below. The intent of the new Acropolis Museum is to house every artifact found on the archaeological site.  You will see the unsurpassed quality of the masterpieces of ancient Athens, including the entire sculpted decoration of the Parthenon as it was on the building. You will see many architectural phases and thousands of finds that provide valuable insight into the everyday activities of ancient Greece.

 

Please note:  There is no shopping stop organized but guests can explore the shops at the Acropolis. The path up to the Acropolis is winding and may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

            

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city like The Acropolis, Hedrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, and Plaka or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own.

 

Please note:  Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

           

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city like The Acropolis, Hedrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, and Plaka or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own.

 

Please note:  Capacity: 4-6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

            

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city like The Acropolis, Hedrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, and Plaka or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own.

Please note:  Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

           

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city like The Acropolis, Hedrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, and Plaka or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own.

 

Please note:  Capacity: 4-6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

           

 

 

 

You will be transferred from the ship by local tender boat to Athinios port, where you will join the waiting motor coach. From here you will proceed toward the southern part of the island where you will make a quick photo stop at the ruins of an old windmill that has a panoramic view. You’ll re-board the coach and continue on your short narrated journey to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the covered excavations of this advanced Bronze Age civilization. You will be taken back in time as these amazing ruins leave you to imagine what life was like before the village was destroyed around 1650 B.C., by the eruption of the volcano.  It remains a question why there were no people left in the village at the time of the eruption, as it was abandoned for reasons unknown.  It is often said in a whimsical way that perhaps Akrotiri is really the lost city of Atlantis. Next head to Oia with its picturesque, blue-domed churches, old 2-story mansions, and narrow cobblestone streets. It is the perfect place to fully appreciate the beauty of this remarkable island. As you traverse its narrow-cobbled streets you will come across many tiny shops which offer an unusual collection of handmade works of ceramic art, paintings and semi-precious jewelry. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano. Once there, your guide directs you to the cliff road from where you may proceed to the cable car at your leisure or drive back to Athinios port to take the local boat back to ship.      
 

Please note:  This tour involves winding roads and high altitude.