Discover, Plan & Go!

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Depart Home /Fly to Athens, Greece

Few places on earth are as evocative as Greece and the islands of the Aegean. Now, you're invited to discover this warm, welcoming destination for yourself on this delightful journey.

Your tour begins in Athens, the epicenter of Greek civilization. As you'll discover, a city that has always been a pleasure to visit was spruced up remarkably for the Olympics, and now boasts visitor facilities that rival the best in Europe.

When you arrive, a Vantage representative will be waiting at the airport to greet you and arrange transfer to your excellent hotel, which boasts some of the finest views in Athens. You'll have time to get settled and enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Should you want to explore on your own, a Vantage Hospitality Desk will be open in the hotel lobby to provide sightseeing tips and suggestions.

Athens Ledra Marriott

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Athens

Athens has an astonishing number of antiquities, historic sites, and monuments, as you'll discover on our morning city tour. On a narrated driving tour, you'll view such notable Athens landmarks as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Constitution Square and the Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, and Panathenian Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. A drive along Panepstimiou Avenue takes you by the Catholic University, the Academy, the National Library, and more.

You'll also pass by the massive Roman Temple of the Olympian Zeus, and, of course, the Acropolis, the limestone plateau topped by the spectacular Parthenon — the stunning backdrop to Athens. A walking tour among the temples, gates, and walkways atop the Acropolis reveals the glory of the Golden Age of Greece. Your tour also includes entrance to the Acropolis Museum, where you'll see beautifully carved statuary and marble friezes. (The Acropolis is the first of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you'll visit.)

Afterwards, spend the remainder of the day exploring on your own. Even relaxing in a shady cafe while you enjoy the pageant of daily life is a delight! Later, enjoy a Welcome Dinner back at your hotel.

Athens Ledra Marriott (B,D)

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Athens, Greece

Today, you're free to explore this amazing city and discover more of its fascinating history — ask your Vantage Program Manager to suggest sightseeing or shopping excursions.

Consider visiting the National Archeological Museum, which houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece — including ancient Greek sculpture, superb wall frescoes, ceramic art, goldsmithing, metalsmithing, and painting from prehistoric days all the way to Roman times.

Athens Ledra Marriott (B)

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Delphi, Greece

Delphi, today's destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was where the Oracle of Apollo resided, the all-knowing seer whose advice was sought by the wealthy and the powerful. Even now, thousands of years later, Delphi has an undeniable air of mystery and enchantment. We'll depart Athens aboard our state-of-the-art, air-conditioned Mercedes motorcoach, accompanied by our Vantage archeological guide. Enroute to Delphi, we wind through several small traditional towns, including Levadia, where the Ekrina River, once considered the local river Styx, flows through the center of town; and Arachova, where bright, multi-colored carpets are woven in traditional patterns.

The Sanctuary of Delphi occupies a magnificent spot on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. The views of olive groves and the Corinthian Valley alone are worth a visit! With your guide, you'll explore the sanctuary's dramatic ruins, such as the wonderfully preserved theater and the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle sat in a trance on the seventh of each month to issue her prophecies. Afterwards, we'll go into the lovely town of Delphi (note that most other travel companies stay outside of Delphi), where you'll have time at leisure to stroll the pleasant main street. This evening, enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

Apollonia Hotel (B,D)

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Delphi, Greece

This morning you'll visit the Museum of Delphi, containing a rare and exquisite collection of ancient sculpture, second only to that of the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The most famous exhibit here is the Charioteer, a life-sized 5th-century bronze sculpture, believed to have stood upon a terrace wall above the Temple of Apollo. You'll be highly impressed by its life-like details — especially the coloring in the eyes, the sculpting of the feet, and the intricate ringlets of hair. There is also an amazing collection of pottery, figures, and friezes made of ivory, bronze, and different types of marble.

Next our archeological guide leads a walking tour of the town of Delphi, a charming locale with a history all its own. You'll have the remainder of the day free to enjoy the shops and cafes of this lovely area.

Apollonia Hotel (B)

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Piraeus / Embark Ship

Enroute to our rendezvous with our well-appointed ship, we'll visit the eerie Tomb of Agamemnon, known as the "Beehive Tomb." Our route takes us past the ancient city of Argos to Mycenae, a lofty citadel-town that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you'll discover on your guided tour, the Mycenaeans once commanded an empire that stretched to the far corners of the Mediterranean. The entrance to the ancient town is through the legendary Lion's Gate, Europe's earliest example of monumental sculpture.

Arriving in the port of Piraeus, you'll board the exclusively chartered 48-passenger s/c Pantheon, one of the most well-appointed yachts exploring the Greek Islands. Because this trip proved so popular in 2006 and was a quick sell-out, we expect this year will be the same, especially since the number of passengers is limited to just 48.

After you board, you'll enjoy a Welcome Aboard cocktail party. Your ship sets sail that evening, passing Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand on a high promontory and are illuminated at night. Following a delicious dinner on board ship, you'll enjoy a fun Greek language lesson.

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Delos / Mykonos, Greece

The Pantheon takes us to the Cyclades, where you'll enjoy a morning visit to tiny Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. On a guided tour, you'll visit the archeological ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, unearthed here in the 19th century. This open-air museum contains many ancient monuments and buildings that are remarkably intact — including the famous lion terrace next to the dried-out sacred lake where Apollo was supposed to have been born; the theater which once accommodated 5,500 spectators; and the many original mosaic floors dotted amongst the ruins.

Next, we'll stop at Mykonos, where brilliant white houses and blue-tiled roofs form one of the prettiest vistas in the Aegean. On a walking tour, stroll the narrow streets, designed in a zig-zag pattern to confound pirates. We'll explore the interesting archeological museum, and stop to visit a bakery that has been turning out bread in wood-fired ovens since the 15th century. At the conclusion of our tour, we'll do as the Mykonians do and enjoy a glass of ouzo and traditional mezedes appetizers.

This evening, after dinner on board, you'll hear a fascinating lecture on "The Art of Bargaining in the Turkish Bazaar."

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus)

Today our explorations of ancient civilizations continue with a visit to Ephesus, the grandest archeological site in the Aegean region. As you tour this remarkably preserved Greek and Roman city, you may feel as if you're about to encounter a toga-garbed resident, or hear a chariot clattering down the main avenue — the same avenue down which Cleopatra and Mark Anthony rode in procession more than 2,000 years ago!

Afterwards, you'll see the Basilica of St. John and the ruins of the Temple of Diana. Next enjoy free time in Kusadasi with a chance to shop for colorful rugs at a nearby location. Later, you'll be delighted by this evening's entertainment aboard ship — a special belly dancing demonstration!

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Patmos, Greece

This morning our ship carries us to Patmos, the tiny yet spectacular island home of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Grotto and Monastery of St. John and the historic center of the medieval town of Chora. Consider joining one of the optional tours to see these amazing sites. After dinner aboard, you'll hear a lecture on "Modern Day Greek Life."

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Santorini, Greece

When you awake this morning, you'll be cruising among the beautiful Cyclades Islands — where the Aegean sun highlights soaring cliffs, white-washed villages, and timeless ruins. You'll stop in lovely Santorini, formed by the half-submerged crescent of a volcanic caldera. You'll go ashore and take a cable car to the town of Fira — a stunning cluster of white buildings atop a cliff. Here, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour among Fira's narrow, picturesque streets. You'll also visit the Prehistoric Museum, which houses fascinating artifacts from Akrotiri, a city buried in the eruption that created the caldera in 1600 BC. After lunch you'll have time at leisure or you can join a fascinating optional tour, "Traditional Village of Oia in Santorini" where you'll stop at a local winery.

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Sifnos, Greece

Enroute to Sifnos, you'll enjoy daytime cruising among the Cyclades Islands, and be treated to a Greek cooking lesson on board with a Pantheon chef. During your afternoon free time, consider joining an optional tour of the Cycladic Villages of Sifnos. This island, once used by the Romans as a place for exiles, was one of the richest places in ancient times because of its natural resources of gold, aluminum, and silver. You'll love the tranquility of Sifnos, where olive trees grow practically everywhere. Incidentally, Sifnos is known today for its many churches. In fact, there is a church for each day of the year, and most of them are only open on that day!

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Hydra / Piraeus, Greece

Explore the picturesque island of Hydra, with its cube-shaped tiled houses piled one atop the other, and perched dramatically upon the rocks. Go for a guided walk around the romantic town and pass by its circular harbor dotted with yachts. After your delightful visit to Hydra, you'll arrive back in Piraeus. This evening, our last aboard ship, enjoy a Captain's Farewell Dinner, prepared and served by the Pantheon's talented staff.

s/c Pantheon (B,L,D)

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Piraeus / Athens, Greece

We disembark this morning for our transfer to Athens, where you'll enjoy a walking tour among the winding streets of one of the city's oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods, the Plaka. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the city, before enjoying a cocktail party where you can reminisce with your fellow Vantage travellers about this very special voyage.

Athens Ledra Marriott (B)

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Athens / Return Home

This morning after breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Or begin our optional 4-night Crete post-trip extension.