Drive through the picturesque marinas of Zea and Microlimano in Piraeus as your tour heads to the center of Athens. You’ll have the opportunity to admire some of the most important sites of Athens such as Constitution Square, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, Temple of Zeus, Royal Palace, and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium. The Acropolis is one of the most photographed and recognizable hills in the entire world. Sights include the Propylaea, Temple of Apteros Niki, Erectheum and Architectural Triumph of the Parthenon.

Afterwards, you’ll have free time to wander around the picturesque streets of Plaka, the old preserved district of Athens with numerous art and craft shops, restaurants and cafes. You’ll have plenty of free time for shopping or to independently enjoy Greek specialties at one of the traditional colorful taverns. After your wanderings at the old district of Athens, board your coach from a designated point at a set-up time for your return to the pier.

This excursion is an ideal introduction to the city’s major highlights. Reach the natural fortress of the Acropolis, and with your guide you’ll walk up the uneven footpath heading to the summit. Sights include the Propylaea, Temple of Apteros Niki, Erectheum and the Architectural Triumph of the Parthenon. Continue with a city drive and see Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Palace, Hadrian’s Gate and the Old Marble Olympic Stadium.

After lunch, drive along the scenic coastal road which affords splendid views of the Saronic Gulf and takes you through some of Athens' most beautiful suburbs. Arrive at Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon, standing some 200 feet above the sea at the edge of a cliff. It is one of the most breathtaking and deeply moving sights in all of Greece. Fifteen of the original 34 columns of the Doric order still stand in majestic splendor.

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.

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 one of Greece’s famous restaurants 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.

Journey back in time to the evolution of Greek Civilization. You’ll visit the Acropolis and its famous landmarks and see the highlights of Athens. Admire the Propylaea, the temple of Apteros Niki, the Erectheum, and stand in awe in front of the Parthenon. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Plaka, followed by some free time to explore this old and interesting district. Visit the National Archaeological Museum, housing an unrivaled collection of treasures of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek Art. A few of the most important exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, Head of Hygeia "Goddess of Health", a bronze statue of the "Jockey Boy" of Artemision, Golden Mask of Agamemnon and brilliant Minoan-style frescoes from Santorini.

Spend hours of free time exploring the attractions in Athens that sound most appealing to you. A wonderfully panoramic drive will bring you to the Plaka neighborhood, where you will be dropped off and later picked up. This oldest section of Athens exudes history and its narrow cobblestone streets couldn’t be more atmospheric or pedestrian-friendly. The Plaka is known for its shopping and dining and proximity to the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to the Parthenon and many other iconic buildings from antiquity. Feel free to meander through the hilltop ruins at your leisure and browse the Acropolis Museum, a repository of archaeological remains that were unearthed from the surrounding slopes. The Plaka also has its share of archaeological sites, including the octagonal Tower of the Winds, a 1st-century landmark that is considered to be the world’s first meteorological station. If you wish to explore areas beyond the Plaka, be sure to allow time.

Experience Athens and its ancient treasure in a small group, traveling by minibus. After a visit to the Acropolis and its famous landmarks, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive though the highlights of Athens; admire the Propylaea, the temple of Apteros Niki, the Erectheum, and stand in awe in front of the Parthenon. You’ll then stop in the Plaka area for a traditional lunch followed by some free time to wander around the old district on your own.

After, visit the National Archaeological Museum, housing an unrivaled collection of treasures of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek Art. A few of the museum's most important exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, Head of Hygeia "Goddess of Health", bronze statue of the "Jockey Boy" of Artemision, Golden Mask of Agamemnon and brilliant Minoan-style frescoes from Santorini. Following your visit to the museum, you’ll return to your ship in Piraeus.

Following an enlightening tour of Athens and the spectacular New Acropolis Museum, you will watch an innovative chef prepare your lunch and elaborate on the joys of Greek cuisine.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a wonderfully scenic drive to Athens, where you will see the Old Marble Olympic Stadium. In 1896, the first modern Olympics were held here in the white horseshoe-shaped stadium, which is the world’s only arena made entirely of marble. Although the stadium is primarily used for musical performances, it hosted the 2004 Olympics’ archery competition and the finish to the marathon.

Continuing on into Athens, you will pass the 19th-century Royal Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The monument’s main element is a carved bas-relief of a fallen Greek soldier that resembles a sculpture of a hoplite soldier found in a 5th-century B.C. temple.

Before long, you will stop at the New Acropolis Museum, which holds a collection of artefacts excavated from the slopes of the Acropolis and the surrounding foothills. You might see a lengthy section of the Parthenon frieze, various marble sculptures and a detailed balustrade slab from the Temple of Athena Nike.

You will then drive to Aiolou 68, a restaurant renowned for its creative seafood dishes. The chef will present an enlightening cooking demonstration explaining how to prepare classic Greek dishes and offer tips regarding other Mediterranean cuisine. Afterwards, you will enjoy a leisurely meal of the chef’s creations.

Enjoy a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens' most beautiful suburbs of Glyfada, Kavouri, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and Lagonissi. Arrive at Cape Sounion where you’ll visit the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon, standing some 200 feet above the sea at the edge of a cliff. It is one of the most breathtaking and deeply moving sights in all of Greece. This is the place where the ancient Greeks worshipped their mighty god of the seas, Poseidon.

The 15 (of the original 34) columns of the Doric Order that are still standing belong to the temple built here during the Golden Age of Perikles' Athens, over the relics of an older one. The architect is unknown, but it is believed to be the same who built the Theseion in Athens. Following your visit, refreshments will be served at one of the most luxurious resort hotels in Vouliagmeni.

Your drive from Piraeus will pass by the Zea and Microlimano Marinas on your way to Athens. Your first stop will be the Old Marble Olympic Stadium, reconstructed in the 19th century on Roman foundations. This is where the revival of the games took place in 1896. After you pass by some of the most important sites of Athens including the Royal Palace, Constitution Square and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, you’ll arrive at Acropolis Hill with a spectacular view of the Parthenon and the glorious monuments of the Acropolis.

Your tour continues to the New Acropolis Museum, which is an archaeological museum focused on the Acropolis findings. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on its feet from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. It also lies on the archaeological site of Makrygianni and the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.

This is an ideal excursion for guests who wish to view the Acropolis, but may not be able to negotiate the stairs leading to this remarkable site. You’ll depart the pier on a narrated scenic drive through Athens, where you’ll pass one highlight after another, including Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Garden, the Presidential Mansion and the Olympic Stadium.

The striking ancient buildings bring to mind Greece's most legendary names, such as Socrates, Pericles and Aristides. You’ll make a stop at the foot of the Acropolis, from where you’ll have a good photo opportunity.

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 and one of the principal shopping districts. You'll find clothing boutiques, souvenir shops and specialty stores. It's a major tourist attraction for bargain shopping. In the square, is 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'll find cobbled pedestrian lanes that are lined with shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, souvenir stands, tavernas, cafes, and flea market stalls.