Jet off to the trip of a lifetime awaiting you in Europe!

Check-in to your hotel and spend the afternoon getting a sneak peak at mythical Athens, a city crammed with ancient wonders and busy with modern, urban soul.



Later, meet up with your Contiki Crew and Tour Rep, back at the hotel.



Wrap up the day on the shady slopes beneath the Acropolis and jump start your trip with an optional dinner in the rustic district of Plaka, where traditional tavernas spill out onto the pavements. Tonight’s festive atmosphere is perfect for getting to know your group and Tour Manager over local wine.

• Hotel

Enjoy Athens at leisure this morning and in the afternoon, board our cruise ship bound for Istanbul.

• Cruise ship

• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

Board our cruise ship bound for Istanbul, settle in to your cabin and watch the sun set over the Aegean this evening. Then kick off the cruise with your new friends in the ship’s nightclub.

• Cruise ship

• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

Explore this exciting city or shop in the Grand Bazaar where there are more than 4,000 shops. Istanbul is a breathtaking sight where East meets West. Why not visit the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace museum? We depart this evening for Mykonos.

• Cruise ship

• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

We arrive at the island of white-washed houses and blue domed churches. Enjoy the sunset over “Little Venice” and soak up the atmosphere before returning to the ship to sail for Patmos.

• Cruise ship

• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

We arrive at Patmos, where St. John is reputed to have written the book of Revelation. This afternoon we dock at Kusadasi. Choose to explore the bazaar or take an excursion to the ancient ruins of Ephesus.

• Cruise ship

• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

A day to explore this island, home to the Colossus of Rhodes. Legend says it was over 30m (100ft.) high and straddled the harbour.

• Cruise ship

• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

Drop by Crete, the largest of these Islands, en route to the quintessential Greek island, Santorini, world famous for its simple blue and white buildings, spectacular island sunsets, and breathtaking natural scenery. Climb twisting stone steps, ride a donkey or catch a cable car up to a cliff-top town, like Fira. Or boat ride out to the volcanic island, Nea Kameni.

• Cruise ship

• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Supper

After breakfast and a farewell to our hosts, we disembark in the Piraeus and head to Syntagma Square. Set right in the heart of Athens and home to Greece’s parliament, this is where our tour ends.

For those who are keen to learn more, there’s a chance to step back in time to the birthplace of democracy. Get the run down on the Parthenon and the Acropolis from our Local Guide, as you wander around the famous columns perched above the city sprawl.

• Breakfast