Aegean & Mediterranean Explorer

Discover the ancient history of Greece, where great thinkers gave shape to modern-day civilization in the hallowed halls perched upon the gleaming white Acropolis. You will be met at the airport for a transfer to your hotel, located in the heart of the city. After checking in, you will have the remainder of the day to explore on your own. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Athens so you can make the most of your visit.

Take time to explore the main sites of Athens on your own. Visit the Parthenon, one of the largest structures built in ancient Greece, or browse the priceless collection of the new Acropolis Museum in the archaeological park. You may also choose to join an optional excursion to the Agora, once the political and social center of Athens, or to enjoy a guided walk in the historic Plaka District, built around the ruins of the city’s ancient marketplace and home to an array of cafés and shops. (B)

On your final day, you will transfer by motor coach to your awaiting ship. (B)

Immerse yourself in the legends of ancient Greece as you tour its most enriching archaeological sites. Arrive and transfer to your hotel, where you can relax or start getting acquainted with the city on your own. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Athens so you can make the most of your visit.

Set out today to discover the Peloponnese peninsula, home of some of Greece’s most breathtaking ruins. At Mycenae, a millennia-old military stronghold, pass through the Lion Gate to begin exploring this amazing site, including the foundations of King Agamemnon’s palace and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Lunch is included. In Epidaurus, marvel at the massive ancient amphitheater. Locals still stage shows here and take advantage of its exceptional acoustics. (B, L)

Today, visit Delphi, where an ancient oracle once influenced the fate of emperors and empires. Here, you will discover one of the most important museums in Greece, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi. Surrounded by the splendid beauty of Mt. Parnassus, you will marvel at the Temple of Apollo, the circular Tholos and more. After time to explore this magnificent site, stop in the picturesque mountain town of Arachova for lunch, then return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B, L)

Enjoy a free day to explore Athens on your own. A simple stroll reveals a vast range of architectural styles, from Greco-Roman to neoclassical. Behind the Hellenic Parliament, you can idle away the afternoon in the National Garden—38 acres of lush beauty in the heart of the city. This evening, you may sample the flavors and rhythms of Greece during a dinner outing if you wish. (B)

Discover the main sights of Athens with your Viking Tour Director. Head to the Acropolis to view the Parthenon, one of the largest structures built in ancient Greece. Admire its stately Doric columns and majestic setting before continuing to the new Acropolis Museum, a repository of priceless artifacts. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own and a stroll around the Plaka District, a bustling area near the ruins of the city’s ancient marketplace. Then, transfer to your ship to begin your cruise. (B)

Fly into Athens, where you will meet your Viking Representative and transfer to the coastal town of Nafplio, the first capital of Greece. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Perhaps wander through the narrow alleys of the old town or take a relaxing stroll along the waterfront. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (D)

After breakfast, head to Nemea, a site of great archaeological interest said to be the home of the Nemean lion. Meet your guide and set out to see the ruins of a temple dedicated to Zeus, built around 330 BC, and hear about local myths. Then head to a family winery to indulge in a wine tasting before returning to Nafplio for a cooking demonstration, where you will learn about Greek cuisine and enjoy lunch. After, explore Nafplio on foot with your guide, before returning to your hotel. (B, L)

After breakfast, travel to a local apiary to gain insight into the fascinating process of honey production. Witness the harvesting up-close and sample the honey during a tasting session. Continue to Semeli Estate, holders of a Decanter World Wide Award, for a tasting of award-winning local wines. Later, explore on your own or join an optional excursion to Palamidi Fortress or to learn about Nafplio’s traditional crafts. This evening, dine with your fellow guests at your hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart Nafplio for Athens. Along the way, you will stop at an olive oil factory for an inside look at the production of this beloved export. Enjoy an interactive seminar where you will learn about the oil and have the opportunity to taste it, before indulging in lunch at the factory. Make a photo stop at the Corinth Canal before arriving in Athens, where you will board your ship and begin your cruise. (B, L)

Fly to Thessaloníki, where you will be met by a Viking Representative and escorted to your hotel. After checking in, you can spend the rest of your day exploring the city at your leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the waterfront or rest and enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you make the most of your visit.

Set out to discover Thessaloníki during a guided walk of the city. Immerse yourself in history at the Archaeological Museum and call at UNESCO-designated monuments, including the Arch of Galerius (known today as “Kamara”) and the Church of St. Demetrius, built on the site of his martyrdom. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. Or, join an optional excursion to the Royal Tombs of Vergina or the Archaeological Park of Dion. (B, L)

After breakfast, meet your guide and embark on an exploration of Thessaloníki’s Jewish heritage. Pass by historic Liberty Square, where the deportation of all adult Jewish men in the city was ordered, and continue along the coast to admire villas built by Jewish merchant families. Then, visit the Jewish Quarter, the Synagogue and the Jewish Museum, built to honor the city’s Sephardic heritage. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own or join an optional excursion to discover local cuisine. (B)

After breakfast, head to Meteora with your guide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, once one of the most important monastic sites in Greece, is a surreal blend of spectacular natural landscapes and human ingenuity. Climb the steps to visit two monasteries and admire the sweeping views. Inside, you will marvel at the beautiful frescoes on the walls, as well as the intricate mosaics and manuscripts on display. Savor lunch at a local eatery before continuing to Athens to begin your cruise. (B, L)