Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Commissioned by Pericles and built by Pheidias, the perfectly proportioned Parthenon crowns the Acropolis, representing the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Follow the winding path to 'the upper city' entrance through the Propylaea gateway. Beyond, on the highest part of the hill, stands the crowning glory of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, looking out over the graceful Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Old City below. After the Acropolis, you’ll drive to both the old and new sections of Athens, separated by Hadrian’s Arch. You’ll pass the statue of Lord Byron, the Corinthian Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square to the former Royal Palace. Here you’ll have a chance to take a photo of the Presidential Guard or Evzones in traditional uniform, as they stand watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Other sights on the drive include the Academy, National Gardens and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium, built in 1895 for the first modern Olympic Games. Note: The Acropolis is explored on foot and requires approximately two hours of walking. There are some 75 steps at the entrance and in certain locations the marble is uneven and slippery. During summer months and when there are many ships at the port of Piraeus, expect extreme overcrowding at the sites with possible waiting time to enter, especially at the Acropolis. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water and use suitable sun protection. less

Following a narrated drive passing by a host of Athens' major sites, you'll proceed to the Monastiraki area, a flea market neighborhood in the old town of Athens. One of the principal shopping districts, the area is home to clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and specialty stores, and is a major tourist attraction for bargain shopping. In this area you’ll find Monastiraki Square and in the square you’ll find the Pantanassa Church Monastery. Your tour continues with a visit to the New Acropolis Museum, an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the Acropolis of Athens. 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 the picturesque Plaka District, an old historical neighborhood of Athens. The Plaka District is clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis and incorporates a labyrinthine of streets and neoclassical architecture. Here you’ll have time to explore on your own; you can find cobbled pedestrian lanes that are lined with shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, souvenir stands, tavernas, cafes, and flea market stalls. Note: There is approximately 1/2 mile of walking over cobblestones and approximately 20 steps on this tour. The New Acropolis Museum is closed on Mondays. This tour will not be available for guests on May 11 and September 20, 2013 sailings. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water and use suitable sun protection. less

A 30-minute scenic drive from Piraeus will bring you into the heart of Athens. Along the way, your narrated drive will pass a host of major sites including Hadrian's Arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, the former Royal Palace, the National Gardens and the Old Olympic Stadium where a brief photo stop will take place. Commissioned by Pericles and built by Pheidias, the perfectly proportioned Parthenon crowns the Acropolis, representing the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Follow the winding path to 'the upper city' entrance through the Propylaea gateway. Beyond, on the highest part of the hill, stands the crowning glory of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, looking out over the graceful Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Old City below. A delicious lunch complimented by wine will be enjoyed at the most famous Greek restaurant 'Dionysos' with breathtaking views of the Acropolis. Considered one of the great museums of the world, the New Acropolis Museum, located at the foot of the Acropolis, displays a dramatic collection of artifacts and statues from the Pantheon, the Porch of the Caryatids and surrounding sites. After visiting the museum, you’ll enter the old part of the city called the Plaka and explore its predominately pedestrian streets with the picturesque houses, shops and numerous cafes. After some free time in this area you’ll return to your ship by coach. Note: Tour involves walking for approximately 1/2 mile on uneven terrain, gravel and cobblestone. The Acropolis site and the Plaka area are not wheelchair accessible. The New Acropolis Museum is closed on Mondays. Guests on May 11 and September 20, 2013 sailings will visit the National Archaeological Museum instead. During summer months and when there are many ships at the port of Piraeus, expect extreme overcrowding at the sites with possible waiting time to enter, especially at the Acropolis. less

From Piraeus, drive down the modern highway past Eleusis until you reach the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years. In ancient times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains. Excavations of the area are still continuing today and have brought to light the Agora (marketplace), temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths and various other monuments you'll see. Peruse the nearby Corinth Museum, housing an impressive collection of antiquities unearthed from nearby areas. Most of the antiquities, including superb mosaics, are Roman in origin. The next site you'll visit is the famous Corinth Canal. Boarding a local boat from the village of Isthmia, you'll navigate the canal that is considered an engineering wonder. Carved into a massive rock, the 76-foot wide and 26-foot deep canal dramatically separates the Peloponnese from the rest of mainland Greece. Before taking the return journey to Piraeus, a unique photo opportunity can be had 200 feet above water, from the center of the bridge that spans its banks. Note: Tour involves walking for approximately 1/2 mile on uneven and gravel terrain. Neither the Corinth ancient site nor the canal motorboat are wheelchair accessible. Depending on the prevailing traffic in the canal, a slight delay may be experienced while crossing. The canal is closed for maintenance every Tuesday. This tour will not be available on Norwegian Jade sailings from May 11 through October 5, 2013 or for Norwegian Spirit sailings of August 6 and September 17, 2013. less