Pre- or Post-Cruise: Athens—Myth, Marble, & Mediterranean Life

Food-loving travelers enjoy a flavorful walking tour through Athens, led by a professional local guide who brings the city’s culinary traditions and historic atmosphere to life. The experience includes stops at a historic café, a neighborhood bakery, and a traditional taverna. Tastings feature freshly brewed Greek coffee, kouloúria (sesame bread rings), fresh seafood paired with ouzo, a variety of mezze and dips, savory pastries, and a signature “secret dish” revealed during the tour. This small-group tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Travelers must contact the local sightseeing provider upon arrival to reconfirm tour details.

Electra Palace Athens – 5-Star: A classic luxury hotel in the heart of Plaka, offering elegant accommodations, a rooftop pool, and panoramic views of the Acropolis. Electra Metropolis Athens – 5-Star: A contemporary luxury hotel featuring stylish rooms, a rooftop restaurant and pool, and a prime location near Athens’ most iconic landmarks.

Today features a full-day guided exploration of Athens, including the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, paired with a deeper dive into the city’s historic districts. A privately guided or small-group experience may include lunch, offering insight into Greek traditions, mythology, and daily life. Overnight in Athens.

Guests enjoy a privately guided exploration of Athens, beginning with convenient hotel pickup by an English-speaking guide and private driver. Traveling by private vehicle, the tour starts at the Panathenaic Stadium, the all-marble venue that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, with time for photos. The journey continues to the Temple of Zeus, where towering columns offer a striking glimpse into ancient Greece’s monumental scale. Passing through the city center, guests stop outside the Greek Parliament to view the Evzones guards in traditional dress and, when timing allows, witness the ceremonial changing of the guard. The experience culminates at the Acropolis, where guests explore Athens’ most iconic landmark while their guide brings classical history to life through engaging stories, historical context, and insightful commentary. The tour includes lunch and concludes with a comfortable private transfer back to the hotel, leaving guests with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Athens’ rich cultural and historical legacy.

Guests spend the morning exploring the highlights of classical Athens on this engaging small-group walking tour, gaining insight into the art, architecture, and legacy of ancient Greece. The experience begins at the Temple of Zeus, where travelers meet their guide and enter the monumental sanctuary dedicated to the king of the Olympian gods. As they admire the remaining Corinthian columns, the guide shares the temple’s rich history dating back to the 6th century BC. The tour continues past Hadrian’s Arch and along a pedestrian walkway to the Acropolis. Here, guests explore Athens’ most iconic site, walking through its historic gateways and viewing remarkable ancient structures, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion, each revealing layers of the city’s storied past. The experience concludes at the Ancient Agora, once the heart of Athens’ political, commercial, and social life, leaving guests with a deeper understanding of the civilization that shaped the Western world.

Guests enjoy a half-day sailing experience along the Athenian Riviera or choose a relaxed day at leisure. The evening is ideal for a memorable dinner at a local restaurant or a private meal at a residence in Athens, showcasing contemporary Greek cuisine. Overnight in Athens.

Guests enjoy a leisurely afternoon sailing along the Athenian coastline, with time to swim, snorkel, fish, and relax as the sun begins to set over the Aegean Sea. The experience begins at Alimos Marina, where travelers meet their skipper and board a comfortable catamaran. Once aboard, guests may unwind on the sun deck or in the shaded saloon while taking in panoramic views of the coastline. At selected anchor points, guests have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in calm, clear waters at their own pace. Those interested may also try light fishing at designated spots along the southern coast. Between activities, guests can lounge on deck, admire the turquoise waters, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere as the day transitions into evening. Greek-style appetizers and beverages are served onboard, accompanied by relaxing music, creating the perfect setting for watching the sun dip below the horizon and experiencing a memorable Aegean sunset.

This private dining experience offers guests an intimate introduction to Athens’ culinary traditions and contemporary local life. Guests are picked up from their hotel and transported to the home of a local host, where they are welcomed with warm hospitality and a thoughtfully prepared meal. The menu highlights the rich flavors of traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, with each dish carefully crafted and beautifully presented. Throughout the meal, the host shares insights into the ingredients, techniques, and cultural significance behind the dishes, providing a deeper understanding of modern Greek life and everyday traditions in Athens. Following this immersive culinary experience, guests are returned to their hotel, having enjoyed not only exceptional food but also a meaningful connection to the authentic spirit of the city.

For travelers extending to a fourth night, a private excursion outside Athens is recommended. Options include a day cruise to the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina or a cultural day trip into the countryside for a private guided excursion of Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplio. Overnight in Athens.

This full-day shared cruise from Athens visits three Greek islands in one day and includes lunch onboard and round-trip hotel transfers. Guests travel by fully equipped cruise vessel with indoor and outdoor seating and bar service. Stops include Poros, known for its lush scenery and traditional architecture; Hydra, a car-free island celebrated for its picturesque harbor and stone homes; and Aegina, the largest of the three, famous for pistachios, shops, cafés, and the optional visit to the Temple of Aphaia. Light onboard entertainment is offered during the return journey before transfer back to the hotel.

This private full-day excursion begins with morning pickup from Athens, where guests meet their personal guide and English-speaking driver and travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. The journey follows the scenic coastal road to the Corinth Canal, with a brief stop to admire the narrow waterway linking mainland Greece with the Peloponnese. The tour continues to Mycenae, one of Greece’s most important ancient sites. Guests enter through the iconic Lion Gate, explore the impressive Cyclopean walls, and visit the royal tombs, including the renowned Tomb of Agamemnon, while their guide brings the 3,000-year-old Mycenaean civilization to life. Traveling onward through the Argos plain, guests arrive in the picturesque port town of Nafplio. Time is provided to stroll its charming streets, admire neoclassical architecture, and enjoy lunch at a local taverna. The excursion concludes with a visit to the ancient Theater of Epidaurus, celebrated for its extraordinary acoustics, before returning to Athens.

Transfers are arranged onward to the cruise port or airport.