Take in awe-inspiring views of the Greek isles. This land-and-sea tour highlights the best of Greece-from the paradise islands of Mykonos and Santorini to Athens, site of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Athens

Journey to Greece aboard an overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 - Athens

A Go Ahead representative greets you as you clear customs and escorts you to your hotel. Meet the other travelers in your group at tonight’s dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Athens

See the ruins of the ancient Acropolis during your guided tour of Athens. You’ll also visit the Acropolis Museum, which still houses some of the original Caryatid statues. This afternoon, opt for an excursion to nearby Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. (B)

$55 USD

Cape Sounion The Temple of Poseidon is one of Greece's most famous landmarks. Set high above the Aegean Sea, on a clear day you can see five Aegean islands.

Day 4 - The Aegean Islands

Travel to the port of Piraeus, where you'll board your Louis Cruise Lines' ship for a three-night cruise of the Aegean Islands. (B, D)

Day 5 - The Aegean Islands

Your first port of call is Patmos, where you'll spend a relaxing morning. Then cruise to the Turkish seaport of Kusadasi with its bustling harbor lined with inviting cafes. Nearby find the ruins of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities from ancient times. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - The Aegean Islands

Dock in Rhodes, once the domain of the Knights of St. John. Its irresistable combination of beautiful beaches and rich history has lured the travelers the world over. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Crete

Your cruise ends this morning in Heraklion, a historic seaport on the island of Crete. Crete, home to Greece's earliest known civilization, thrived in 2000 B.C. Dinner is included tonight. (B, D)

Day 8 - Crete

Today's guided tour of Heraklion includes a visit to the ancient royal complex of Knossos, ruled over by the wealthy King Minos. (B)

Day 9 - Crete

With a free day in Heraklion, you might relax on the beach or visit the Minoan ruins at Faistos or Gortys. Alternatively, opt for an excursion to Venetian- and Turkish-influenced Rethymnon and the harbor of Hania. (B)

$125 USD

Rethymnon & Hania Travel to Rethymnon, where your tour director leads you through the historical Old Town, boasting many relics from Venetian and Turkish rule.

Day 10 - Santorini

In Heraklion, board a day ferry for a scenic journey to the volcanic island of Santorini, with its black-sand beaches, sprawling vineyards and cliff-lined shores. (B, D)

Day 11 - Santorini

Admire splendid views of Santorini as you discover the sights on your guided tour. Visit the museum of Akrotiri, a Minoan colony buried in volcanic ash 3,600 years ago. This afternoon, partake in an optional Greek Wine Tasting and Lunch. (B)

$65 USD

Greek Wine Tasting with lunch While on Santorini, attend a tasting at a local winery to sample the white wine for which the resort island is best known.

Day 12 - Mykonos

A ferry takes you to Mykonos, known for its picturesque windmills and the winding streets that once sheltered pirates. (B, D)

Day 13 - Mykonos

This morning, you might opt for an excursion to nearby Delos, once a worship mecca for the cult of Apollo. Later, spend the afternoon on the Mykonos beaches. (B)

$69 USD

Delos Journey to the captivating island of Delos, an ancient island which was a bustling port more than 2000 years ago.

Day 14 - Athens

Board a ferry in Mykonos this morning for your return trip to Athens. Tonight, savor the culinary traditions of Greece at our optional Greek Evening with dinner. (B)

$79 USD

Greek Evening with Dinner Every evening is a feast in Greece, and tonight's festivities won't disappoint. Enjoy an authentic Greek meal, where you can savor Greek delicacies and dance with the music from the bouzouki.

Day 15 - Athens

With a full day at your leisure, plan to visit any of the city's excellent museums or take a walk in the National Gardens. Or consider joining an optional excursion to the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. (B)

$95 USD

Delphi Travel through Greek vineyards en route to the slopes of Mount Parnassus and the town of Delphi, home to the mystical oracle.

Day 16 - Athens

Fly home or continue to Istanbul for our tour extension. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Greece and Turkey, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

For travelers continuing on the extension to Turkey, a visa is also required. The visa charge for entering Turkey is now $20 (payment in U.S. dollars only; subject to change without notice), and visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airport.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Greece.

Especially during the summer months, take proper care for sun exposure.

Also, codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country.

While no vaccinations are required for entry into Turkey (on extension), it is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel recommendations.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Athens. A three-night cruise among the islands, a ferry from Crete to Santorini, a ferry to Mykonos, and a ferry from Mykonos to Athens are also included. All other included transportation is by private motorcoach.

Despite the famed hustle and bustle of Athens, the city’s main attractions are easily accessed on foot. If you do need to use public transportation, however, there’s a brand-new metro system that was conveniently completed in time for the 2004 Olympics. It’s now one of Europe’s best.

Louis Cruise Lines is one of Europe’s leading cruise lines, specializing in the Greek Islands. You’ll discover the islands while enjoying the best in comfort. The cabins are equipped with private shower, bathroom, wash basin, air conditioning, thermostat control, telephone, radio and safety box.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Due to the temperate climate, light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality— a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro (in Greece) and the Turkish lira are the currencies you will be using on your tour.

We advise that you take a combination of ATM/bank cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks in Greece, as needed. For Turkey, we recommend dollar bills in small denominations. Exchange small amounts of Turkish lira at one time in order
to compensate for rising inflation. ATMs can also be found in Turkey, most connected to the Cirrus and Plus international networks.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent
charges.

A note on traveler’s checks: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly hard to exchange them outside of Europe’s major cities. It can also be difficult to exchange traveler’s checks in Turkey, especially on weekends.

Tipping

On your cruise, tipping your waiter, busboy and cabin steward is customary only if you are pleased with the service. Gratuities are generally given at the end of the voyage. We recommend $9 per traveler per day, to be divided among your cabin steward, waiter and busboy. Tips for bar service, the beauty salon and special services are generally given at the time of service.

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2 per person per day for your driver and $4 to $6 per person for your tour director.