Optional Add-Ons

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Trikala

Available on Day 3

Lively Trikala Town And Dinner

Experience the picturesque and lively town of Trikala, considered to have been the birth place of the “God of Medicine” Asclepius. Enjoy an orientation of the town; walk along the river side and the pedestrian streets in the company also of the locals out socializing for the evening. Afterwards Dine at a local restaurant Greek family style, and taste a variety of sumptious dishes all served in the middle of the table, accompanied by plenty of wine!
Adult Price: € 45

Istanbul

Available on Day 9

Ottoman Empire and Byzantine Legacy Tour

(Approximately 9 hours) There is no place on earth like Istanbul and our nine hour excursion will immerse you in this vibrant, colourful and fascinating city straddling the Bosphorus, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Many empires have held sway in the place once called Constantinople including the Greeks, Romans, Venetians and the Ottomans. The historic heart of old Istanbul is the Sultanahmet district where we will fi nd remnants of the Byzantine Hippodrome where horse and chariot racing once drew crowds of 100,000 or more. Nearby is the Kaiser’s German fountain, the bronze Serpent Column of Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk and the Walled Obelisk of Constantine VII. Recognised across the globe is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, perhaps more popularly known as the Blue Mosque because of the stunning hand painted blue tiles inside. It also has six minarets. Whether you are inside or outside it is well worth taking a few minutes just to gaze and let the amazing beauty sink in. The grave of Sultan Ahmet lies inside the mosque. Across the square sits the imposing Church of the Holy Wisdom of God or Hagia Sophia, once a church, then an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. After lunch we will visit the incomparable Topkapi Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If all this still leaves you with a thirst for more discovery you can do no better than explore the sights, sounds and colours of Istanbul’s incredible Grand Bazaar, with 4000 shops and stalls, 58 streets under one roof, 400,000 visitors daily and millions of things for sale. Not least carpets, rugs, jewellery and leather. This excursion will give a taste of Istanbul you are unlikely to forget.
Adult Price: € 124
Note: The sequence of visits may change due to traffic and/or congestion of the sites.

Kavala

Available on Day 10

Greek Wine & Holy Water: Philippi & Beyond

Our half-day tour takes us from the ruins of Philippi, to the site of the first European baptism, to the vineyards of Drama, tracing the evolution of a region and the civilisations which called it home. We begin in Philippi, where King Philip II of Macedon celebrated success in the neighbouring gold mines, and where Rome truly became an empire after wiping out the last of the Republicans. From here it’s a short drive to St. Lydia’s Baptistery, where we follow in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle. Then for the rest of our morning we uncover the secrets that go into the favourite Greek bouquets, including Asyrtiko, Xinomavro and Moschato. Naturally, there will be samples, along with cold cuts, cheese and sommelier stories.
Adult Price: € 78

Available on Day 10

Nestos River and Colours of Xanthi

As you get to know Xanthi, you’ll quickly understand why locals call it the city of the thousand colours. Having been destroyed, rebuilt and expanded time and again, due to raids, civil war and earthquakes, to say Xanthi is rich in diversity would be an understatement. In the Old Town, no two houses are the same. And as you listen to stories of Thracians and Ottomans, you’ll see their lingering influence in the architecture around you. Then on the outskirts of town, time skips forward to the late industrial age. Tobacco trading helped Xanthi bloom in the late 19th Century, and the tobacco warehouses here tell a vivid story of the path to prosperous times. Other highlights unique to Xanthi include the Foundation of Thracian Art and Tradition, the Castle of Xantheia, and the home of Greek composer Hadjidakis. On our way to Xanthi, we’ll stop to marvel at the Nestos River, the ecological pride of North Eastern Greece. We cross at the boundary between the Kavala and Xanthi prefectures, where tree-lined banks and cliffsides teem with life. Pausing our journey to take it all in, this is the ideal place to share a restorative moment with nature or take a few scenic selfies.
Adult Price: € 67

Available on Day 10

Prophets, Legends & Heroes of Philippi

Overlooking the bay and coastal plain of Kavala is the hilltop town of Philippi, a significant site for the success of growing empires. It was here that King Philip II of Macedon celebrated success in the neighbouring gold mines, renaming the conquered settlement after himself. It was here too that Rome truly became an empire, when Julius Caesar’s Republican assassins made their final stand – a staggering defeat – against Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar. As we discover the archaeological city on your guided tour, meander through the ruins of a well-preserved Roman forum, early Christian basilicas, and the Theater. We also get a taste of everyday ancient life in the form of public baths, latrines and gymnasiums. Apostle Paul’s journey brought him to Philippi during his first mission, and your guide is a fountain of knowledge on the subject. They’ll show you where he preached, where he spent time in jail, and after a short coach ride to St. Lydia’s Baptistery, where he is said to have performed the first European conversion. Visitors often say they can still feel the holy aura of the site today, thousands of years later.
Adult Price: € 67

Thessaloniki

Available on Day 11

Land of Alexander the Great

This is a remarkable, historic, full-day excursion combining the glories of Pella with those of Vergina, and it includes lunch overlooking the stunning Aliakmon Valley. We begin with a 45-minute drive by air-conditioned motor coach to Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great and the second capital of ancient Macedonia. Alexander, Emperor in the 4th Century BC, was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of history’s most successful military commanders. For 250 years Pella was the cultural centre of the Ancient Greek world and as the seat of the royal family, enjoyed its greatest prosperity during the reign of Alexander. Archaeological excavations have uncovered public buildings and luxurious private homes with intricate marble-floor mosaics along with a plethora of delicate clay figurines and vases. We have the opportunity to view these and many other treasures before heading to the city of Veria where we will enjoy a three-course lunch will be served at a local restaurant overlooking the immense Aliakmon Valley. Our next stop is Vergina, where we visit the tomb of King Philip II of Macedonia. Dating from 335 BC, the bones of the king are covered with a golden wreath of oak leaves. Also here are the king’s iron helmet and a cache of weapons. As well as King Philip’s tomb and personal effects, we will see well-preserved examples of large-scale classical painting and numerous carved, painted steles of ordinary citizens. We have an hour’s drive by coach back to the ship.
Adult Price: € 115

Available on Day 11

Panoramic Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second city of Greece and the capital of Macedonia. It has a fascinating and colourful history with evidence of Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman remains and it was the richest city in the Byzantine Empire. It is a glorious blend of beauty, history, and culture, framed by vast and stunning sea views and is considered to be Greece’s cultural capital. Our panoramic tour begins along the waterfront boulevard to Aristotelous Square, named for Macedonia’s leading philosopher Aristotle. We will see Thessaloniki’s most famous sight, the White Tower, part of the lower city’s original fortification which has also served as a prison. We hear the fascinating narrative by our guide as we take in many of the city’s highlights including, the Gallerius Arch, the Rotunda, and numerous neo-Classical buildings. We visit the 5th century St. Demetrius’ Cathedral as well and stop up to the Upper Town for sweeping views of the city with Mount Olympus and the Thermaic Gulf in the background.
Adult Price: € 67

Available on Day 11

The Royal Tombs of Vergina

This a fascinating half day, where you'll step back time. Vergina was the first ancient capital of the Greek Kingdom of Macedonia and we have the privilege of visiting the Royal Tombs. The most important tomb is that of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. We will be accompanied into the museum by our guide to look at some of King Philip’s most important possessions, including the king’s shield and gold trimmed breast plate. Legend has it that the golden chest containing the king’s bones was washed with wine and wrapped in purple cloth. We will find out how this was unearthed before being able to discover it for ourselves. Also on display are gold diadems of unparalleled artistry, lavish wall paintings and a golden wreath of oak leaves. This is also the site of an extensive royal palace and one of the most important museums in Greece. The area was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status as “an exceptional testimony to a significant development in European civilisation.
Adult Price: € 74

Volos

Available on Day 12

Volos & Mt. Pelion

(4 hours) On this excursion, we will have the opportunity to travel through the ages, both to the prehistoric times, but also to the tradition and culture of Volos and Pelion. The sense of mystery engendered by the mountain’s impenetrable forests has given rise to many legends. It was said by the ancients that during the battle between the gods and the giants, the latter tried to challenge Olympus by piling Pelion in Ossa. Mount Pelion was also the remote home of Chiron, the wisest of the centaurs, who played an important role in the Greek fables. Moreover, Pelion was the mountain that the Gods held their weddings and beauty contests. We will drive up to one of the most interesting village of Pelion, Makrinitsa at an altitude of 700m. We shall leave the coach in the square at the entrance to the village and take a stroll through the narrow streets among the splendid old houses. Owing to the abundant water resources, they are also scattered; many are built in the traditional style with jutting upper storey’s, supported on wooden sorbels, and slate roofs, with overhanging saves. The main square (platia) is especially attractive due to its fountain, plane trees and tiny church (13th c.). There will be plenty of time for those wishing to stroll along the cobble paths of the village, visit the museum of culture and tradition, or just have coffee at the square of the village, gazing at Volos and the Gulf. Return to the ship.
Adult Price: € 65

Athens

Available on Day 13

Cape Sounion

Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to see the fifth century B.C Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the temple’s sixteen columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the ancient temple perched above a 197-foot drop down to the Aegean Sea below. Stand above the site of the world’s first lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below, thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea.
Adult Price: € 48

Available on Day 13

Dinner "Meze" Style In Psiri With Acropolis Illuminations

Enjoy a lovely dining experience at a wonderful restaurant located in the lively area of Psiri. Dining is “meze style”, giving you the opportunity to taste many Greek cuisine dishes, which are served in the centre of the table. Also enjoy the local free-flowing wine! Afterwards, see the Acropolis beautifully illuminated as you return to your hotel. (Casual dress)
Adult Price: € 53

Available on Day 13

Traditional Greek Taverna Meal With Entertainment

This is an evening excursion to a taverna in the centre of Athens. Enjoy excellent traditional Greek food in a lively atmosphere while being entertained by dances and music from all parts of the country. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also included. Although the venue does have an official ending time, guests are more than welcome to stay on in the taverna, to join in with the local residents! (Casual dress)
Adult Price: € 57