Best of the Greek Islands
 Athens 2 nights, Mykonos 3 nights, Greek Island cruise 4 nights, Santorini 3 nights

THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED

*Fully escorted from Australia
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Departing  Australia 7th October, 2008

The islands of the Aegean are blessed with clear water, gentle breezes and a clarity of light, that have drawn visitors throughout the ages.

We'll spend 3 nights in the world renown landmark of Mykonos the white-washed windmills and cobbled streets will enchant you, especially in the evening sitting on the waterfront watching the sun set over the sea and distant islands.

Day 1   7 October, 2008   Australia - Athens   Depart Australia with Malaysia Airlines via  Kuala Lumpur for overnight flight to Athens. 

Day 2   8 October, 2008   Athens     Arrive and transfer to our hotel.  Remainder of day is at leisure.  Accommodation:  Athens 2 nights

Day 3   9  October, 2008   Athens    Half day city tour of Athens including the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Parliament House.  Last stop is the Parthenon, the most important monument of Ancient Greek Civilization and still remains the symbol of Greece.  Afternoon free to explore the ancient marketplace in Plaka or enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes. 

Day 4    10  October, 2008   Athens - Mykonos   B,L,D)  After breakfast we'll transfer to Pireaus port and board our cruise ship for lunch and dinner en-route to Mykonos.   We'll spend 3 wonderful days and nights here before reboarding our cruise ship and sailing the Greek Islands. Accommodation:  Mykonos 3 nights

Day 5  11 October, 2008  Mykonos  (B)  A free day to explore.   You will soon realise that this is a beautiful island with fantastic landscapes and picturesque white villages, hundreds of little family churches, chapels and stunning windmills. Mykonos is a grand example of unique cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of narrow alley ways and streets. The earthen colors of the bare hills which surround the town's gleaming whiteness is set between the aura of an incredibly blue sky and even deeper blue sparkling sea. Its many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches adds a flavor of culture and custom to the scene, enhanced even further by many museums and the historical ancient site of nearby Delos. Together with being friendly and open people, the locals have a healthy understanding of what it means to have a good time. Put this together with all the island's other qualities and it is no wonder Mykonos has been often named "the jewel" of the Aegean Sea.

Day 6  12 October, 2008  Mykonos (B) Some of the top attractions in Mykonos :   Petros the Pelican - An old celebrity of the town's waterfront, "Petro" has been the official mascot of Mykonos for many years. Found after a storm in 1954 the pelican gave up its migrating to become a local resident. After more than thirty years of making the island his home, Petro eventually died. The loss of such a personality was so deeply felt by both Mykonian and tourist alike that a replacement was soon found and a tradition established. Through the care and protection of the islanders, the spirit of Petro lives on in his predecessor who continues to this day to make his home on the island's waterfront.

Windmills - From as early as the 16th century one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos have been it's windmills. Due to it's geographic position, Mykonos was situated on major sea trade-route which at one time joined Venice, the gateway of Europe, to Asia. The need to refine grain and compact it for transport combined with an ample year round supply of wind made Mykonos the perfect location. Easy access to the harbor was necessary so most of the island's mills were positioned in or around the main port with the highest concentration covering the entire western portion of town. With the coming of industrialization the windmills importance began to decline as well as their numbers. Today only a fraction remains of what was once an active era in :Mykonian history.

Little Venice - Where the most western part of the town meets the sea is the area known as "Little Venice". Here the buildings have been constructed right on the sea's edge with their balconies overhanging the water. During the 16th and 17th century pirating was common and it is believed this area was used for the necessary quick loading and unloading of goods.

Paraportiani - One of the most famous architectural structures in Greece is the church, Paraportiani. Positioned near the main harbor entrance, this church is the central feature of the "Kastro" or castle area, the oldest section of town. It's name means inner or secondary door which it was to the Medieval stone walls which encircled the area. First begun in 1475, Paraportiani in reality is a group of five smaller churches which were constructed over a period of time and not completed until well into the 17th century. The two story structure was molded together utilizing four of it's churches to form a base for the fifth church which when placed on top formed a central domed roof.

Archaeological Museum - Located adjacent to the town's commercial harbor this museum houses marble sculptures, ceramics and jewellery, recovered from the islands of Delos, Renia and Mykonos. Included in this collection is a large ceramic vase dated 7th century BC which shows the oldest graphic record of the Trojan Horse.

Aegean Maritime Museum - Located in the center of town near the area Tria Pigadia the museum displays in the form of models a collection of ships from the pre-Minoan period through to the 19th century. Also on display are nautical and ancient artifacts related to the history of shipping on Mykonos.

Folklore Museum - Located in the "Kastro" or castle area of town and next to Paraportiani a large collection of 19th century antiques can be viewed which include, to name just a few, furniture, tools, ceramics, photographs, and local musical instruments.

Folklore branch museums - "Lena's House" - Situated next to the Maritime museum is an authentic 19th century middle class Mykonian house, completely restored with furnishings.

"The Boni Mill" - One of the island's best examples of a 16th century windmill overlooks the village on the upper east section of town. The mill has been maintained and is fully functional featuring it's customary wood-burning stone oven.

Delos - One of Greece's most famous archaeological sites is the small island of Delos. Under the jurisdiction of Mykonos and situated just 2 kilometers to the west the entire island has been declared a national museum. Access to the island has been made readily available through excursions which leave daily from the main harbor of Mykonos and some of the more popular beaches

 Day 7  13  October, 2008  Mykonos (B,D)  Another full day to relax and enjoy this wonderful island before packing our cases and boarding our cruise ship this evening.  Dinner is on board.  Ship sails at 11pm

Monarch Classic Cruises was created to provide higher level cruise experiences in Aegean cruising.  The vessels, the Ocean Monarch and Blue Monarch are eminently suited to fulfill this aim. 

Dining has always been a festive experience for the Greeks.
On board these ships a team of chefs ensure that every day brings new, unforgettable culinary delights. All meals are included on board.

During a cruise, some people wish simply to relax and soak up the sun, while others prefer action. At sea, the daytime diversions are numerous whilst night life at sea is vibrant. Start your evening with your favorite drink in one of the bars and after a pleasant dinner, you have a standing invitation to a colorful show, followed by dancing. Perhaps your are planning to go to the casino afterwards or to the disco, so you can dance on into the early morning hours!

Day 8  14  October, 2008  Kusadasi, Turkey (B,L,D)  7am - 12 noon.    Early risers will be up on deck this morning to watch our ship sail into Kusadasi port.  The primary appeal to Turkey's Kusadasi is, of course, its proximity to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean, and a visit here is worth the price of your cruise fare! And while it, for sure, is the main destination on every ship's menu of shore excursions, a visit to Kusadasi, a tourist town whose growth is due to the archeological site, also offers a perfectly pleasant opportunity to kick back and sip Turkish wine at a seafront cafe, dine on just-caught fish at local restaurants and, yes, shop for Turkish rugs.  Just 30 years ago Kusadasi was a sleepy, traditional Turkish seaside village, dependent for its living on fish, farming and honey production. Since then, though, the double-edged sword of mass tourism has brought wealth (its main street sidewalks are now finished in marble!) and, with that, mass commercialization. Thronged with traffic and lined with ever more expensive carpet and jewelry shops, you can still find pockets of old-style Turkey amidst the narrow, winding streets of its old town, which house vibrant markets and traditional Turkish baths, and offer a chance to bargain for Oriental carpets.

Day 8  15 October, 2008  Patmos, Greece  4.30pm - 9.00pm  (B,L,D)   One of the smallest inhabited islands of the Aegean, Patmos, is incredibly beautiful. It is the island where Saint John the Theologian, while exiled there, had a vision and in 1995 the 1900 years - since the writing of his Apocalypse (Revelation) - were commemorated.  The impressive stone monastery dominates majestically over most of the island, inviting you to approach it with respect, wonder and awe. The island, which has kept its ancient name, today has become a place of pilgrimage and a the throng of faithful flock to supplicate and relish the spiritual heritage of this sacred island and also to admire and enjoy its beauty and serenity.   At the Patmos shops you find reasonably priced porcelain, crystal and silver items. The Patmian embroidery is famous for its elegance.

Day 9  16 October, 2008   Rhodes, Greece  7.00am - 6.00pm (B,L,D)   Up on deck early this morning if you can as the arrival into Rhodes harbour is quite impressive.  Rhodes, the largest of Greece's 12 Dodecanese islands, lies in the midst of the Aegean and is its most important urban area. Rhodes is the name of the main town as well as the island and actually consists of three different cities: ancient, medieval and modern. For visitors, the main attraction is Rhodes' fabulous walled Old Town, Europe's largest inhabited medieval city.

The history of Rhodes' Old Town is fascinating. Divided into three quarters -- the Knights', the Turkish and the Jewish -- it contains the island's entire chequered history. Enter via St Catherine's Gate and head right to discover the Avenue of the Knights, a magnificent medieval thoroughfare which houses the immense, 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. This was partially destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1856 and reconstructed in grand style by the Italians (Mussolini -- always prone to delusions of grandeur, planned to use it as a holiday home!). It's now a museum, containing fine antique furniture, sculptures and mosaics.

In this area you'll also find the 14th-century hospital of the Knights of St. John, which now houses the archeological museum. Nearby is the Museum of Decorative Arts -- worth a look if time allows, as is the pink-domed, 16th-century Mosque of Suleyman and the Byzantine Museum, housed in an 11th-century church.

And those are just some of the treasures in Rhodes' Old Town. Book an optional tour from the ship or it's just as pleasurable simply to wander through its winding streets, enjoy the fountains in its pretty squares, and have a relaxing lunch with a view at a terraced restaurant.

Day 10  17 October, 2008   Heraklion, Crete   7.00am - 11.00am (B,L,D)   Capital of the ruggedly beautiful Crete, largest of the Greek Islands, whose ancient legends and history dates back 5,000 years to the Minoans, Europe's first civilisation. Here in Heraklion was born Zeus, king of the gods, and an optional excursion to the site of Knossos and the fabled labyrinth where Theseus slew the Minotaur is a must. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks have all left their mark, and more recent monuments to the battles of World War II abound.

Day 10  18 October, 2008   Santorini, Greece  (B,L)   Arrive at 4.30pm.  We disembark our cruise ship here this afternoon and transfer by tender to the island.  Accommodation: Santorini 3 nights.

Day 11  19 October, 2008  Santorini (B)  A full day at leisure to explore spectacular Santorini -- scene of one of the world's most violent volcanic eruptions around 1450 B.C. -- is arguably the most scenically dramatic of all the Greek Islands. With its pitch-black beaches, rugged landscape and stunning caldera (volcanic crater), it's more akin to one of the Canary Islands than the Cyclades, though its whitewashed churches and clifftop houses score highly in the charm stakes.

This is the island for lovers of natural beauty, though sun seekers may not fancy its beaches. Best views are from the cliffs bordering the caldera, which was formed when the centre of the island basically collapsed in onto itself. Geologists marvel at the cliffs' multi-hued strata of rock, lava and pumice, so take your camera and be prepared to feel the earth move (perhaps even literally -- Santorini's most recent major earthquake was in 1956).

It's worth remembering that the bay surrounding Santorini is actually the world's largest volcanic crater, created 3,500 years ago by a massive eruption of the Thira volcano (which is still active!). The bay is also believed by some to conceal the legendary lost city of Atlantis -- so there's plenty here to set your imagination working, even though modern-day Thira was completely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1956.

Day 12  20 October, 2008   Santorini (B)  Some top attractions in Santorini: Fira   Fira has a spectacular location on the edge of the caldera. Try to explore  in the early evening, between the departure of the day-trippers and the onslaught of the evening revelers. As you stroll, you may be surprised to discover that Fira has a Roman Catholic cathedral and convent in addition to the predictable Greek Orthodox cathedral, a legacy from the days when the Venetians controlled much of the Aegean.

M. Nomikou Street follows the edge of the caldera, and the evening volta (stroll) along this street is one of the most exquisite in the Cyclades: The chanted tones of evening prayer often resound from the Orthodox Cathedral. In contrast, the town supports a wild bar scene that continues throughout the night.

Fira is Santorini's busiest and most commercial town. At the north end of Ipapantis (also known as "Gold Street" for its abundance of jewelry stores), you'll find the cable-car station. The Austrian-built system, the gift of wealthy ship owner Evangelos Nomikos, can zip you down to the port of Skala in 2 minutes. The cable car makes the trip every 15 minutes from 7:30am to 9pm for 3€ ($3.90), and it's worth every euro, especially on the way up.

Up and to the right of the cable-car station is the small Archaeological Museum which contains early Cycladic figurines, vases from Ancient Thira, interesting Dionysiac figures, and finds from Ancient Thira.

A different way to explore Santorini is the 1-hour submarine tour beneath the caldera's surface. It sinks 25 to 30m (82-98 ft.) below the surface and offers you a glimpse into the submerged volcanic crater.

Oia is pehaps the most beautiful village on the island.  The island's most beautiful cliff dwellings can be found here. The village has basically two streets: one with traffic; and the much more pleasant inland pedestrian lane, Nikolaos Nomikou (the other end of the Nomikos street that began in Fira), paved with marble and lined with an increasing number of jewelry shops, tavernas, and bars.

Pirgos, a village on a steep hill just above the island's port at Athinios, is a maze of narrow pathways, steps, chapels, and squares.

The Church of the Panagia at the hamlet of Gonias Episkopi is an astonishingly well-preserved 11th- to 12th-century Byzantine church.

Day 13  21 October, 2008   Santorini - Athens - Australia (B)  Morning is at leisure before our transfer to the airport and flight back home via Athens and Kuala Lumpur

Day 14  22 October, 2008  En-route to Australia

Day 15  23 October, 2008  Arrive home

                                                                                                  Tour cost $A7690 includes:

 

Tour cost does not include:

                                                        *  Please note that prices are based on 2007 rates and are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge

To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

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