Greece

Ancient culture, historical landmarks, charming islands, fascinating philosophy, golden beaches and much more awaits your arrival in the beautiful eastern Mediterranean nation of Greece. This archipelagic nation has influenced the modern world in so many significant ways, affecting aspects of the arts, language, politics and sports. Mythical stories can be discovered in almost every region, many of which provide an explanation for an otherwise unexplained historical or natural occurrence.

With so much to see and explore, it can be difficult to know where to start. Selected Mediterranean ocean-bound cruises offer a chance to see a number of cities, landmarks and islands over a short period of time and may provide the best value for money, but we can also offer a wide range of land-based tours and stays.

The iconic capital city of Athens is a fantastic place to start, which offers opportunities to visit the ancient fortified town of the Acropolis – now, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of the landmarks here including the Parthenon, the Erectheion and the Temple of Athena Nike have roots that go back as far as the Bronze Age. Alternatively, a visit to the Ancient Agora will offer a fantastic view over the Acropolis within a beautiful green space while also providing a chance to admire other landmarks including the Temple of Hephaestus.

Greece is also the main influence behind the modern Olympic Games, which is held in cities around the world every four years. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Olympic Games were held here, with a range of athletic and combat-based events taking place on the site of Olympia. Today, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it remains the location at which the Olympic torch is lit by harnessing the intensity of the sunlight.

But there is also so much more to see outside of the Greek mainland. Venture south of the mainland and you will discover a vast collection of more than 6,000 islands. Of these, a total of 227 are inhabited and you can explore a number of these over a short period of time via an ocean-based cruise. Each island offers a unique culture that is distinctively different to that of the mainland, with many charming settlements, picturesque walking paths and pristine beaches to enjoy. You may choose to admire the sunset and blue domes from the hill in Santorini, relax on golden sands in Mykonos, or admire the archaeological wonders of Rhodes.