Delphi & Meteora: Grecian Treasures Cruise Tour

Delve into the ancient wonders of early Western Civilization on this 10-day journey featuring Meteora and Delphi and delve into the islands of Greece. Stroll the monument-lined Sacred Way toward the Grand Temple of Apollo in Delphi. Savor a moonlit Turkish dinner and romantic concert among the broken columns and weathered walls of Ephesus in Turkey during Windstar’s complimentary Destination Discovery Event. Imagine the sense of adventure among Medieval Turkish raiders as you stare skyward at distant monasteries topping foreboding cliffs and natural sandstone pillars throughout Meteora Valley. Sip tangy, bright citrus flavors of local Assyrtiko wine paired with freshly caught calamari while relaxing on a whitewashed patio high above Santorini’s steep volcanic slopes. Relax by the crystal clear waters of Acropolis, Mykonos and Santorini beaches. Gaze across the Baroque-styled parapets of Palamidi Castle at Nafplio’s red-tiled roofs and the azure Argolic Gulf. Scale the marble steps leading to the Acropolis high above the city of Athens and lose yourself amid the iconic Parthenon’s limestone blocks and marble columns.

Upon arrival at Athens International Airport you transfer to hotel. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure and you are perfectly positioned in the heart of Athens just steps away from Kolonaki’s shops, museums, galleries and eateries.
 
(Includes transfer to and overnight at hotel)

After your morning breakfast, depart for the Archaeological site of Delphi, considered by the ancients to be the physical and spiritual center of the earth.  This shrine of Apollo, set nearly 2,000 feet up on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, exerts even today, a potent grip on visitors. Here was the most respected oracle of antiquity.  See the Castalian Spring, in which worshippers first purified themselves; the Sacred Way, once lined with statues and treasures; the Grand Temple of Apollo, beneath which the Pythia sat; the theater with its excellent acoustics; and the well preserved stadium with the marble starting blocks in position. Then visit the Delphi Museum to see the Omphalos, which marked the center of the world, and the magnificent bronze Charioteer, one of the finest pieces surviving from the 5th century B.C. A traditional lunch of tzatziki, olives, dolmades, Greek salad, and other Greek treats will be served at the village of Delphi. After lunch board your coach for the drive to the picturesque town of Kalambaka that sits at the foot of Meteroa, to the Divani Meteora Hotel. After check-in, the evening will be at your leisure.

(Includes breakfast, lunch and overnight at Divani Meteora Hotel.)

Following breakfast you will head to Meteora, one of the largest and most important groups of monasteries in Greece.  The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of the cultural map of Greece. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature. The area was originally settled by monks who lived in caves in the rocks during the 11th century. But as the times became more unsettled they climbed higher and higher up the rock face until they were living on the inaccessible peaks. There were no steps then, and the main access was by means of a net or retractable wooden ladders up to 131 feet (40m) long. This was how the monasteries were reached until the 1920s but now there are roads, pathways and steps to the top. You will see examples of these nets, used today for bringing up provisions. Of the original 24 monasteries only 6 are now inhabited, and you will visit 2 of them. Departing from Meteora the tour will proceed to Kalambaka where lunch will be served.
 
Return to Athens late in the afternoon to overnight at hotel, passing the heroic monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae. The evening is at your leisure.

(Includes breakfast, lunch and overnight at hotel.)
 
Please note: Both ladies and gentlemen should be modestly dressed for these visits - ladies must wear skirts covering their knees, no trousers, and gentlemen should wear long trousers. Both must cover their shoulders.

After your morning breakfast you will depart for the Acropolis tour. The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. Climb the smooth marble steps as visitors have for centuries. History opens before you as you reach the Propylaea, one of the masterpieces of classical architecture, serving as the entrance to the complex of buildings. You’ll see the Temple of Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erectheum, with its classical Porch of Maidens, the Caryatids. Stand in awe of the Parthenon, designed as a shrine to Athena and at one time housing a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess. In the museum see all the surviving treasures of the Acropolis together in one place. The collections on display are finds of the Acropolis, Post Parthenon, Roman Period and the excavation site when the new museum was built. The highlight of the Museum is the display of the Parthenon Frieze located on the top floor. Departing from the Acropolis, transfer to the port of Piraeus for embarkation on your waiting yacht.

(Includes breakfast and transfer to your waiting yacht.)

With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed. 

Wake this morning to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos, the classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills, in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts. An optional  tour including a scenic ferry ride takes you back to the 6th   century B.C. to the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty. In Ephesus, one of the greatest outdoor museums in the world, you’ll explore legendary sites steeped in history. Also visit the houses of Bulbul Mountain, where the roof of one forms the terrace of the next. This evening we present our Destination Discovery Event -- dinner in the moonlight and a concert near the  Celsus Library or on Harbour Street in ancient Ephesus. 

 

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known worldwide as the sacred island where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation, Patmos is the ideal place for nature lovers with its coastline of sheer cliffs and its volcanic soil.  Highlights of Patmos include the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Holy Monastery of the Apocalypse.

As our yacht approaches the spectacular cliffs rising from the deep azure sea, you’ll understand the magic of this area, where some say the ruins of Atlantis remain hidden. Visit the village of Oia and see the iconic Santorini blue domes or take a guided tour of Bronze Age excavations at the UNESCO site of Akrotiri. Toast the day with a crisp, cold glass of local Assyrtiko wine and appreciate the magic accessible to small ships like ours.

This Gibraltar-like town tied to the mainland by a single thread of causeway holds treasures that are old even by Mediterranean standards, with town walls and several churches dating to the 12th century. Climb to the upper town for an up-close look at the castle and Agia Sophia, a Byzantine church. Wander the lanes of the lower town lined with Venetian mansions, many of which have been lovingly restored. Savor the sun on a smooth pebble beach. 

This charming seaside town on the Peloponnese is one of the most romantic cities in Greece. Enjoy the medieval old town with narrow cobblestone alleys, and neoclassical mansions with bougainvillea trees adorning the balconies. Take an optional tour to the UNESCO site of Epidaurus or the UNESCO site of Mycenea, ancient ruins including the famous Lion’s Gate. Stroll the Syntagma Square and take in the beauty of the Palamidi Castle with its 999 steps carved from the rocks. The view is breathtaking. 

With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.