Louis Cruise Lines Golden Fleece

Louis Cruise Lines Golden Fleece

The Golden Fleece is 9 days of relaxation, sightseeing and fabulous Greek food not only for the young, but also the young at heart. Beginning and ending in Athens, you'll cruise the Cycladic islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Patmos as well stops in Turkey at Kusadasi and bustling Istanbul. There's nothing quite like watching the sun set over the Mediterranean from the bow of your luxury cruise ship while sipping on the cocktail of the day. Paradise.

Length: 10 days
Accommodations: Hotel, Cruise ship
as per itinerary
Meals: Breakfast, Supper, Dinner, Lunch
as per itinerary
Sightseeing: Greece, Turkey
Transportation: Cruise ship
Return to Tour

Itinerary

  1. Day Icon-day1 Arrive Athens

    After checking in to your hotel, the day is yours to take a sneak preview of Athens before meeting your Tour Representative and fellow travellers this evening at the hotel. After your meeting, maybe join us in the traditional Plaka area for dinner - a great way to kick off your tour!

  2. Day Icon-day2 Athens at Leisure and sail to Istanbul

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

  3. Day Icon-day3 Cruising to Istanbul

    Today enjoy the amenities of our cruise ship as we sail through the Dardanelles arriving in Istanbul in the early evening.

  4. Day Icon-day4 Istanbul and the Bosphorus

    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.

  5. Day Icon-day5 Cruising to Mykonos

    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.

  6. Day Icon-day6 Cruising to Kusadasi via Patmos

    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.

  7. Day Icon-day7 Cruising to Rhodes

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

  8. Day Icon-day8 Cruising to Santorini via Crete

    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.

  9. Day Icon-day9 Arrival into Athens

    After breakfast we disembark and transfer into central Athens where your tour ends. Maybe join us for a sightseeing tour of Athens seeing the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus and the first modern Olympic stadium?

Tour Map

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included
  • Athens: Visit the famous Plaka area
  • Istanbul: Visit the City - Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque
  • Mykonos: Visit Mykonos town
  • Kusadasi: Visit the local bazaar
  • Patmos: See the Monastery of St. John
  • Crete: Visit Heraklion town
  • Santorini: See the spectacular volcanic islands; Visit Fira town
Accomodations
  • 8 nights accommodation: 7 nights on board a cruise ship (your choice of quad or twin-share & inside or outside cabin) & 1 night in a superior tourist class hotel
  • 8 Buffet Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 7 three-course Dinners (D) & 7 Suppers (S) – as per itinerary
  • Please note: Day 1 has been designed to allow you to start the tour without needing an extra night of accommodation
Contiki Difference
  • Representative on board ship
  • Nightly entertainment each night of every cruise
  • Please note: Your cruise ship will not be exclusive to Contiki and therefore you will have the opportunity to mix with a wide range of people. The order of ports of call on some days may be reversed.

Optional Excursions

Please Note

Europe Optional Excursions (prices vary)
The optional excursions below are a guide of what may be available on this tour in 2009. Complete details will be updated in early 2009.

Athens

Athens Plaka Meal (Euro 34.00)
A night out in the famous Plaka area - we visit a typical Greek Taverna for a three-course meal including local wine. Whilst dining enjoy the show which includes singing, traditional Greek dancers and "Bouzouki" music.
Athens Sightseeing Tour (Euro 42.00)
Athens is the birthplace of many important thinkers and artists who have inspired the western world for thousands of years. Join us to discover this wondrous ancient city with an expert local guide. The tour includes the first modern Olympic stadium, the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis (entrance included). This is not to be missed.

Istanbul

Highlights Of Istanbul With Lunch (Euro 93.00)
Enjoy a day tour departing from the port and taking you through the new city, across the Galata Bridge and over the Golden Horn. We stop for a visit to the Agia Sophia - a 5th Century building built by the great Byzantine Emperor Constantine. Lunch is at a first-class restaurant in the grounds of Topkapi Palace where you'll enjoy views of the Marmara Sea.

Patmos

Monastery of the Apocalypse and Grotto of St John (Euro 47.00)
We visit one of the most revered monasteries in the Christian faith - the Monastery of the Apolcalypse. It was founded in 1088 by a monk named Christodoulos and was built as a fortress for protection from pirates. Next stop is the Grotto of St John, where John the Apostle lived while he wrote part of the book of Revelation.

Kusadasi

Ancient Ephesus (Euro 55.00)
Ephesus is one of the most extensive and best preserved ancient cities in the world. Our local guide will explain the history of many of the important ruins including the Odeum, Curetes Street and the Library of Celsus. You'll have time to explore the bazaars and shops in Kusadasi port before reboarding the ship.

Rhodes

Lindos and Rhodes Combined Half Day Tour (Euro 48.00)
Visit the Acropolis of Lindos to explore the remains of ancient civilisations. Learn about famous Lindos pottery, before continuing to the Old City of Rhodes. Our walking tour includes the street of Knights, towers and turreted gateways from the 14th Century. Our final stop is the toppled pillars of the Temple of Athens upon Mt Smith where the view over Rhodes is spectacular.

Crete

The Palace Of Knossos (Euro 57.00)
The Palace of Knossos is the largest (approx. 20,000m) and most spectacular of all Minoan palaces. The first palace was built in approximately 2000BC, it was destroyed and rebuilt two times after that. It is believed that the legend of the Minotaur (half man/half bull) which lived in a Labyrinth and was slayed by Theus was based around this building. Our visit includes a guided tour of the palace and then free time to explore or visit the Heraklion Archaelogical Museum (entrance not included).