Major points of interest seen on this excursion:
- Includes a city orientation tour of Athens
- Visit the Acropolis & new Acropolis Museum & iconic Parthenon
- Visit Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion
- Authentic Greek dinner with folkloric show, at one of the oldest tavernas in Plaka
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar & traditional Egyptian meal
- Grand Egyptian Museum, with King Tut’s entire treasure collection on display
- The Great Pyramid of Giza
- River Nile, dinner boat cruise with a folkloric presentation and belly dancing
Itinerary
Day1 : Cairo
Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), you will be met and taken to your hotel. Check into your hotel and enjoy the day to explore on your own. Hotel check-in is 3:00 pm. In the evening. meet your guide and journey to the vibrant Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a haven for shoppers and a photographer’s delight. Engage in the art of bargaining as you peruse gold, silver, gems, bronze, copper, exotic spices, leather goods, and the captivating atmosphere of coffee shops. The scene comes alive with the sound of music, elaborately carved wooden doors, and a myriad of colorfully dressed crowds, reminiscent of scenes from “A Thousand and One Arabian Nights.” After exploring the Bazaar, indulge in a traditional Egyptian meal at a prominent restaurant in the area. Dinner and overnight stay in Cairo. Note: At the Khan El Khalily Bazaar restaurant, being an Islamic landmark, alcohol is prohibited here, and we will offer only a soda or a juice.
Please Note: Flight arrival in Cairo must be by 4:30pm in order to partake in the evening activities. You can request to book an extra night at the hotel through Azamara depending our your flight arrival time.
Day 2: Cairo Highlights
After breakfast, drive to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum complex in the world that hosts more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time ever, King Tut’s entire treasure collection will be on display alongside artifacts from pre-historic times through Egypt’s many thousand years of pharaonic civilization through the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history. Take time out to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch at a leading venue. After lunch proceed to the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramids include Cheops, the largest and oldest; Chephren, in an exceptional state of preservation; and Mycerinus, the smallest. View the inscrutable Sphinx, carved from natural rock with the body of a lion and the face of a man. In the evening drive to the banks of the River Nile where a luxurious cruise boat awaits to sail you on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy a buffet dinner as you glide past Cairo’s waterfront landmarks. For your entertainment, a folkloric presentation and belly dancing will take place during dinner. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 3: Cairo to Athens
Check out after breakfast and proceed to Cairo Airport for an early morning flight to Athens, which lasts approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival at Athens Airport, embark on a captivating sightseeing journey starting with a visit to Cape Sounion for a visit of the Temple of Poseidon, which offers a commanding view of the sparkling Aegean Sea, providing a glimpse into classical Greece amid breathtaking surroundings. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to your hotel, check-in and enjoy some time to refresh. Regroup in the evening and partake in a leisurely walking tour through the renowned and historic Plaka neighborhood. Explore its charming predominantly pedestrian streets adorned with picturesque houses, shops, and cafes. Conclude your day with an authentic Greek dinner at one of the oldest tavernas in Plaka, featuring traditional Folkloric dances and the lively atmosphere of Zorba the Greek. Opa!! Enjoy dinner and unwind for an overnight stay in Athens
Day 4: Athens City Tour
After breakfast, begin a city orientation passing a wealth of important sites, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the Presidential Palace and the Panathenaic Stadium that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Walk up to the entrance of the Acropolis, through the Propylea, which extends 150 feet across the western front of the Acropolis. Beyond the Propylea, on the highest part of the hill, is the Acropolis’ crowning glory, the Parthenon. Built between 447 and 432 BC, it was dedicated to the Virgin Athena, the patron goddess of the city. From the Acropolis, your tour continues to the New Acropolis Museum, where for the first time ever, all the surviving treasures of the Acropolis can be seen together in one place. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and its feet, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. The museum lies on the archaeological site of Makrygianni and the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens. After visiting the museum, you’ll proceed to Piraeus port to board your cruise ship.
Gallery
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