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Designed for the guests who would like a more leisurely visit to Athens. Your city drive will take you from Piraeus into Athens covering the main points of interest both ancient and modern as your guide provides interesting commentary.
First stop will be in the pedestrian zone of the Acropolis where your guide will provide a short explanation on the Acropolis and Parthenon (exterior visit only). From a scenic viewpoint, you will be able to photograph the famous Acropolis, which stands in the distance on a rocky hill high above Athens.
Imagine how the Parthenon must have looked thousands of years ago when it was decorated with sculptured metopes, statues and a frieze over 500 feet long. Reboard your coach for an orientation drive of Athens from the comfort of your coach. You will see Hadrian's Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament, the Academy, the University and the National Library.
At the termination of the orientation drive, you will arrive at the most suitable point for entering the Plaka. Proceed with your guide on a short walking tour of Athens's oldest and most picturesque neighborhood. The maze of cobblestone pedestrian streets is lined with shops, boutiques, souvenir stands and flea market stalls that beckon all that enter. You will have approximately 1.5 hours to browse through the many shops and souvenir stalls or you can relax in one of the many tavernas or cafes. Meet your guide at the designated point and time to rejoin your coach for your return drive to the ship.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over steep inclines, steps and uneven surfaces. Comfortable walking shoes, hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended specially from June to September. Walking during free time in the Plaka is at guests' discretion. Due to new regulations, buses may be required to park some distance from the archaeological site and this may involve additional walking. If guests should miss the return coach, transportation back to the vessel is their own responsibility and at their own expense. This tour will operate with an afternoon departure only.
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Leaving Piraeus, drive along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to the famous Corinth Canal. An unforgettable sight, the Canal is 4 miles long and 72 feet wide and was built with sloping sides, which reach a height of approximately 230 feet.
The depth of the water in the canal is approximately 24 feet. Although many attempted to construct a canal in this location, success was not found until the 19th century. Admire the spectacular view of the canal from a bridge more than 200 feet above the water before reaching the Isthmia pier, the entrance to the Canal and where you will join a boat for a cruise along the canal.
During the cruise, local mezes and snacks will be served. After the cruise, disembark at Isthmia pier and continue to Ancient Corinth, one of the most important towns in antiquity. Ancient Corinth, built at the foot of the famous Acrocorinthos Hill (altitude 575 meters), served as a mighty acropolis or citadel in times of mythology. This ancient city not only led the way for Athens and the wider territory of Greece but for the entire Mediterranean world. The renowned Corinthian capital, which still adorns public buildings around the world, had its origins here (Callimachus, 5th century BC).
The long and extremely interesting history of this city includes the time of St. Paul (50 AD), who visited the city twice and founded the Church of Corinth. The featured venues on this tour are the Apollo Temple, Fountain of Glauke, Spring of Periander and the remains of the beautifully paved 25-foot wide Lechaion Road.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over varying terrain, inclines and numerous steps. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended specially from June to September. The canal boat has an uppper deck for guests wishing to enjoy the sun during the cruise. The drive from Piraeus to Corinth is approximately 1.25 hours each way, dependent upon traffic conditions. Tour itinerary may vary but all main attractions will be visited. Please be aware that ongoing restorations work is often carried out at the listed venues. On this tour you will not see, pass by or visit the famous "Acropolis of Athens." Please note that tour order may vary.
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Piraeus is the ancient name of the harbor created in the early 5th century BC. Today it is the main port for the Greek capital city, Athens. Approximately five million cruise ship and ferry passengers pass through the busy port annually.
Leaving the quayside, you will drive to Athens through the suburbs where the coach will enter the city center from the southwest along Syngrou Avenue. Drive past some of the famous sites such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest Corinthian style temple in Greece, taking over 700 years to build. Hadrian's Arch separates the old and new Roman towns. Other sights to see include the National Gardens, the National Library and the Parliament Building, formerly the Royal Palace. The Panathinion Stadium, built in 1895, was the site of the first modern Olympics held in 1896.
The tour highlight is a visit of the Acropolis to see the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Greece, all built in the latter part of the 5th century BC. A winding pathway and approximately 150 steps lead to the top of the famous hill. See the Porpylea Entrance, the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory and, of course, the crowning glory of Athens, the incomparable Parthenon. Dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, it is Greece's largest and most impressive temple.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1.5 miles over steep inclines, 200 - 300 steps and uneven surfaces. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended. Guests should be aware that large bags, backpacks and oversized purses are not permitted inside the Acropolis archeological sites so please plan accordingly. Due to new regulations, buses may be required to park some distance from the archaeological site and this may involve additional walking. Please be aware that ongoing restorations work is often carried out at the Acropolis. Depending upon the number of people at the Acropolis, it may be closed for security reasons so some waiting time may be involved. These safety precautions are beyond the control of the local tour operator or Royal Caribbean International. Time permitting; guests will have approximately 15 minutes for souvenir shopping in the shops below the Acropolis. At the conclusion of the tour, guests will have the option of exiting the tour at Constitution Square in Athens for independent shopping and making their own way back to the ship in Piraeus or returning to the port with the coach.
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Port highlights and sample shore excursions:
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- Barcelona, Spain
- Corfu, Greece
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Genoa, Italy
- Kusadasi, Turkey
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands
- Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
- Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
- Mykonos, Greece
- Naples, Capri, Italy
- Piraeus (Athens), Greece
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- Provence (Marseilles), France
- Rome, Italy
- Santorini, Greece
- Split, Croatia
- Southampton, England
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Valletta, Malta
- Venice, Italy
- Vigo, Spain
- Villefranche (Nice), France
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