Excursions for Athens
Thursday, August 1st - Athens
Athens is renowned as one of the greatest cities of the ancient world and the birthplace of western civilization. We will be visiting in high season, so it will be bustling, and people-watching will be in effect!

We have worked with our tour operators to identify three tours that you may want to enjoy during our day in Athens. Please review the options below, and if you would like to join one of the tours, make your selection here.  All selections need to be completed by June 7th to ensure space is held.

Please note for those tours that include the Acropolis the information related to the climb to the top.
Option 1 - ATHENS, ACROPOLIS & MUSEUM HALF-DAY TOUR
5 hours (1/2 day) tour    $142 per person
For those visiting Athens for the first time, this is an excellent introduction to one of the great cities of the ancient world.
See the Olympic Stadium where the Olympic Games were revived in 1896 and returned in 2004, and then pass by the Parliament Building, which proudly stands on Constitution Square, with its colorful evzones guarding the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. 
Your first stop will be at the Acropolis Museum, which was built to house every artifact found on The Rock. Today, nearly 4,000 objects are exhibited over an area of 14,000 square metres.
After visiting the Museum, enjoy a walk on the pedestrian street for about 200 metres and arrive at the Acropolis, a symbol of the glory of ancient Greece, and climb its smooth marble steps as visitors have for centuries. History opens before you as you reach one of the masterpieces of classical architecture--the Propylaea, which serves as the entrance to the complex. See the Temple of Athena Nike, or Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum with its classical Porch of Maidens, the Caryatids. Stand in awe of what is considered to be the most perfect example of classical architecture in the world--the Parthenon, designed as a shrine to Athena and at one time housing a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess. Looking down from the Acropolis, see the two ancient theaters in its shadow--the Greek theater of Dionysus, where the masterpieces of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes debuted to delighted audiences; and the grand Roman theater of Herod Atticus, restored and used for concerts and classical plays during the summer Athens Festival.

After an exhilarating day of exploring, you will be returned to your cruise ship pier or hotel

Inclusions Private A/C Deluxe motor coach & driver/ English speaking guide/ Entrance fees to indicated sites/ Taxes 
 
Exclusions Gratuities/ Personal expenses/ Anything not mentioned above 

NOTE: The Acropolis can only be accessed by walking uphill. It is a strenuous walk and you must be in good physical condition. There is a pathway, but there are also steps near the top. Keep in mind that the weather may be very hot during the summer.
​Option 2 - ATHENS, ACROPOLIS AND PLAKA OLD DISTRICT WITH LUNCH AND SHOPPING
7 hour (full day) tour    $173 per person
After a scenic drive through the picturesque marinas of Zea and Microlimano in the Piraeus area, your tour leads you to the center of Athens. You will have the opportunity to admire some of the most important sites of Athens, including Constitution Square, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the Royal Palace, and Olympic Stadium.

Now come to the natural fortress of the Acropolis, one of the most photographed and recognizable hills in the entire world. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will walk up the uneven footpath leading to the summit. Sights include the Propylaea, the Temple of Apteros Niki, the Erectheum, and the architectural triumph of the Parthenon.

Following your visit to the Acropolis, you will enjoy a three-course meal at a local restaurant. You will then have free time to wander around the picturesque streets of Plaka, the old preserved district of Athens that is filled with numerous arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and cafes. After a leisurely afternoon of exploring, you will board your coach for the return trip to the pier.
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Inclusions: Licensed English-speaking guide / Deluxe A/C motor coach / Entrance fee to Acropolis / 3 course lunch
 
Exclusions: Gratuities / Personal expenses /anything not mentioned above 

NOTE: The Acropolis can only be accessed by walking uphill. It is a strenuous walk and you must be in good physical condition. There is a pathway, but there are also steps near the top. Keep in mind that the weather may be very hot during the summer. If you prefer to wait while others visit the Acropolis, you may wait at the bottom near the bus. The bus will not be able to go to the foot of the Acropolis, so extra walking may be required.