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Getaway to Greece - Tour Overview
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Although all tours follow an
itinerary, they are known as freestyle hosted tours with an
emphasis on personal freedom and relaxation. You have an
itinerary to follow, but plenty of free time to simply do what
you want. Relax, swim, sunbathe, sample the exquisite food and
wine, shop or wander the picturesque streets to shop – the
individual decides. There are also plenty of optional
excursions available on each island.
All tours visit and stay on different Greek Islands in the
Saronic Gulf, Cycladic Islands and Crete. All tours include an
opportunity to visit the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens.
All tours can either start or finish with a 7 day all
inclusive cruise to Turkey and the Greek Islands on the cruise
ship. Embarkation and disembarkation is from Pireaus Port near
Athens. Ports of call will include Istanbul and Kusadasi in
Turkey which are, in my opinion, the two most important places
to visit on the Aegean side of Turkey. Istanbul has amazing
sights and there are several optional tours you can join to get
the most out of your time in this diverse city.
Kusadasi is the port closest to Ephesus where you have the
option to take a guided tour to this incredible 5,000 year old
town and also get to visit Kusadasi to explore the carpet,
leather and souvenir markets. It will be a highlight of your
trip. The cruise ship stops at the Greek Islands of Mykonos,
Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini before sailing back to
Athens. Optional tours are available from the ship in all
destinations to enjoy the most of these spectacular stopovers.
The cruise price includes all meals, port charges, security and
other services. There is the option to join the ship in
Istanbul if you decide to travel to Turkey before my tour.
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My favourite, the island of
Crete, has so much to offer you will not know
where to start. I organise a special trip to sites from the
invasion of Crete that particularly affect New Zealanders,
including Souda Bay Cemetery, Galatas, Maleme, Cemetery, Hill
106 and other landmarks.
A visit to the working monastery at Agia Triada where they
make organic olive oil and wine can be included, returning via
Venezelos Graves that rest high on the hill with a spectacular
view of Hania.
For the fitter person, a full day walk down the famous
Samaria Gorge will leave you tired but satisfied returning by
boat and coach to Hania. There is plenty to do in Crete and I
will help you with your options, or you can wander the streets
and enjoy the marvellous harbour area then sit in one of the
many cafes and watch the world go by.
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Santorini
boasts a profusion of classic white and blue buildings framed
by a dramatic backdrop of steep cliffs.
The well-known township of Oia, located on the tip of the
islands is famous for its breathtaking sunsets and cliff top
accommodation.
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Naxos is a
wonderful island to visit, a large island, with plenty to do
and see. You can spend a day touring the island visiting one of
the many mountain villages and stopping at the seaside town of
Appolonas for lunch.
The hillside town of Apiranthos, with streets of marble, boasts
a very well stocked potters shop and several small museums to
visit. A visit to Halki will delight you as this small town now
starts to thrive with new shops and a Citron factory.
My favourite shop L'Olivier (The Olive Tree) is situated
here, with exquisite pottery crafted by Katerina and Alex plus
numerous olive wood pieces and olive oil products.
Poros Island is situated in the Saronic
Gulf only one hour from Athens by fast flying dolphin. Poros is
a 5 minute ferry ride from the Peleponese mainland, therefore
it is a great place to access and visit the best preserved
amphitheatre in Greece at Epidavros and also Napflion, a
beautiful seaside town and the ancient capital of Greece.
Poros is a great wee island to relax, swim or enjoy the
ambience of the town port area for shopping or just sitting in
the cafes watching the activity as the boats come and go.
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An overnight trip to
Delphi, on the mainland, is generally included
in the itinerary with a leisurely 3 hour drive to the
mountainous Parnassas area. The ancient site of Delphi,
believed to be the navel of the earth in ancient times, is a
very special place. Here we visit the well designed and
interesting museum after our guided visit to the site
overlooking the Gulf of Cornith
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All tours are priced on a twin share basis and
include all Greek domestic flights, all B or C class
accommodation with private facilities and continental
breakfast, transfers, ferry and flying dolphin sailings. Single
supplement price and Business Class Airfares are available on
request.
The tour
prices have been calculated on the basis of exchange rates and
tariffs at the time of printing and are subject to change in
the event of exchange rate, tax fluctuations or unforeseen
carrier price increases. Prices cannot be guaranteed until
confirmed and payment received in full. Air schedules are
correct at time of printing and subject to change without
notice. Ferry timetables may change at any time in Greece
without notice. Alternative arrangements may change the
itinerary at any time. |
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