Greece private tour recommendations

[scrappinheather]

Hi:

We're travelling on the NCL Gem on August 28th out of Venice. Below is our tenative itinierary and the private tours that we are planning on booking through privateshoretrips.com. Our group is 18 people including a 2 1/2 year old, a 1 1/2 year old, a 16 year old, 17 year old, 7 and 8 year old as well as adults. Not everyone is doing everything but most of the things. Any suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Venice

Jewish Ghetto

Friday, August 27, 2010

Venice

Burano & Murano

Saturday

August 28, 2010

Venice

Ship sails at 5:00

28 AUG 2010

18 PEOPLE

VENICE

CANAL TOUR WATER TAXI AND GONDOLA RIDE / 2 HR

11:30 to 1:30

3:00 must board ship

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Split, Croatia

8:00 to 4:00 (must board ship by 3:00)

SPLIT CROATIA

Type: Culture, Free Time, Scenic Drive, Walking

Length: 5 - 5.5 Hours

Walking: Medium

Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)

Guide: Licensed Guide

Language: English

Prices: Scroll Down

Split, Croatia- This tour combines a visit to Diocletian's Palace in Split and the medieval town of Trogir. After meeting your driver and private licensed guide you immediately begin your tour at the palace.

Diocletian’s Palace is located in the heart of Split and is a UNESCO world heritage site. This palace is one of the largest Roman buildings which is still in use today. You visit the well preserved cellars of the palace which show the building's original floor plan and supports the imperial residential areas above. You will be impressed by the peristyle, which is an inner colonnaded courtyard, where official audiences took place. You see one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, the Cathedral of St. Duje (Split's patron Saint), which was originally the mausoleum of Diocletian. Today it is called the Cathedral of St. Dominus. You also see the former temple of Jupiter which is now used as a baptistery.

 

Following your visit of the palace is free time to explore the maze of small streets near the palace which are filled with shops and cafes.

Leaving Split you drive along the Dalmatian coast until you reach Trogir which is located on a small islet between the mainland of Croatia and the island of Ciovo. It was originally a Greek colony but the main core of the town was developed between the13th and the15th centuries, surrounded by city walls. The historical center of Trogir is a unique monument of culture and is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

 

You will walk with your guide through its narrow streets, taking you back in history as you pass stone houses, churches, palaces, monasteries, and city walls. You stop at the main attraction of Trogir, the St. Lawrence Cathedral. Take time to enjoy the beauty of the Romanesque portal created by the local artist Radovan. It is considered the cathedral's finest piece of architectural work and features lion figures on the sides and the figures of Adam and Eve above them.

 

After your walking tour you enjoy free time to explore the marble covered streets of the old town. Enjoy your time to do some shopping or to relax in one of the cafes inside the city walls before you return to the pier in Split.

Tour Breakdown-

1- Meet guide and Visit Split- 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

2- Free time in Split- 30 Minutes

3- Drive to Trogir- 45 Minutes

4- Visit Trogir- 1 Hour

5- Free time in Trogir- 45 Minutes

6- Return to pier in Split- 45 Minutes

Monday, August 30, 2010

Corfu, Greece

10:00 to 6:00 (must board ship by 5:00)

Corfu Private Tour - Option 2

 

The Achillion Palace and the town of Corfu

 

Starting from Corfu, Greece

 

Tour Summary-

Type: Antiquities, Culture, Free Time

Length: 4 Hours

Walking: Medium

Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)

Guide: Licensed Guide

Languages: English and Greek

Prices: Scroll Down or Click here for Prices

 

The most famous ancient Greek poet, named Homer, sang the praises of the beautiful and rich land of the Phaeacians. Thousands of years later, Shakespeare also thought this island was the ideal setting for his play, "Tempest". Since these times Corfu has been known as an island that stands apart from other Greek Islands.

 

You will meet your licensed guide at the port of Corfu and drive away from the city and into the fertile area of orange and lemon groves until you reach the Achillion Palace. You enjoy a private guided tour of the villa which was built 100 years ago. The villa contains mementos of its former owners, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Kaiser Wilhelm II. The gardens are adorned with statues and the views over the densely wooded countryside are magnificent.

 

After your visit of the Achillion Palace you will head to the town of Corfu. On the way is a photo stop at a vantage point (Kanoni) which offers wonderful views of the bay with Mouse Island and the little chapel clearly visible.

 

When you get into the town of Corfu town your guide will provide a short walking tour along the famed Esplanade, past the cricket pitch and include the Church of St. Spiridon, the patron of Corfu.

 

After your walking tour you can choose to remain in town on your own or return to the port by coach.

 

Tour Breakdown-

1- Depart pier and drive to Achillion Palace- 30 Minutes

2- Visit Achillion Palace- 1 Hour

3- Drive to Kanoni- 20 Minutes

4- Photo Stop- 15 Minutes

5- Drive to Corfu Town- 15 Minutes

6- Corfu Town walking tour- 60 Minutes

7- Free Time in Corfu Town- 30 Minutes

8- Return to port- 15 Minutes

Tour from 11:00 to 2:30

2:30 to 4:00 beach

Tuesday August 31, 2010

Santorini, Greece

4:00 to 11:00 p.m. (must board ship by 10:00

Tour Summary- SANTORINI, GREECE

Type: Scenic Drive, Walking Historic Village

Length: 4 Hours

Walking: Medium

Mobility: NO wheelchairs

Guide: Licensed Guide

Languages: English

Prices: Scroll Down or Click here for Prices

In prehistoric times the Minoan civilization that inhabited the island called it Strongyle (meaning round). They enjoyed a high standard of living in two-story houses their walls painted with beautiful murals. But around 1450 BC all that changed when the island's massive central volcano erupted with such force that the majority of the island disappeared and water poured into a massive caldera.

 

Today the island's favorite towns hang from sheer cliffs overlooking the caldera and her flat beaches with red or black volcanic sand stretch out on the opposite side. Santorini is considered one of the world’s most beautiful islands and most dramatic geological sights.

 

You will be transferred from the ship by colorful local kaiki (tenders) to Fira port, where you will meet your private guide. Together you will go up the cliff to Fira by cable car where you will be lead to meet your awaiting motor coach.

 

Your guide will explain the history of the island on the drive to Santorini’s highest peak, crowned by the Mt. Profitis Ilias monastery. Here you will have an ideal photo opportunity to capture the beauty of the island and get a full understanding of it's unique volcanic shape.

 

Next you'll drive to Oia, a unique village on the northern most tip of the island. This dramatic village, built on a steep crest of the caldera, has many of its dwellings nestled into niches hewn from the volcanic rock. The village was once the home of wealthy seafarers, a fact still evident in their two story mansions painted pastel colors. Your local guide will walk with you among the narrow cobbled streets where you'll come across many tiny shops of local ceramic art, paintings and semi precious jewelry. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano below.

 

Finally you are brought to the capital of Santorini, Fira. You may choose to remain in town at your leisure, or return immediately to the ship by taking the cable car to the pier far below the cliff's edge.

 

Tour Breakdown-

1- Tender to Fira Port- 15 Minutes

2- Drive to Mt. Profitis Ilias- 30 Minutes

3- Photo stop on mountain top- 20 Minutes

4- Drive across the island to Oia- 45 Minutes

5- Visit Oia village- 1 hour and 40 Minutes

6- Drive to Fira and Cable Car to port- 30 Minutes

 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Mykenos, Greece

8:00 to 4:00 (must board ship by 3:00)

MYKENOS GREECE

Tour on your own in the town from 9:00 to 11:00, pick up by private tour company and driven to Paradise Beach from 11:00 to 2:00. Then transported back to the cruise ship.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Iraklion, Greece

7:00 to 12:00 (must board ship by 11:00)

Port: Iraklion

Destination: Europe

 

Knossos & the Minotaur- duration 3 hours- through cruise line

 

Crete’s fertile soil and towering peaks witnessed the development of one of the earliest recorded civilizations on earth, the Minoans. Knossos was the court of the legendary King Minos, ... more

Crete’s fertile soil and towering peaks witnessed the development of one of the earliest recorded civilizations on earth, the Minoans. Knossos was the court of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae gave birth to the Minotaur, half-bull, half-man. The excavations on the site lasted 35 years. Entering the Great Palace through the West Court, one can easily understand why the legend of the labyrinth grew up here. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to walk around the site. Admire the superb Royal Quarters, the Throne Room with an antechamber and main throne, and the Queen’s Quarters whose wall above the entrance door is decorated with a copy of the famous dolphin frescos. Apart from the Royal Palace there are also other buildings included on the site such as the Small Palace, the House of the High Priest and the Caravanserai. Note: Tour involves approximately 3/4 miles of walking and 15 steps to navigate. During summer months expect crowded venues and long lines. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water and use suitable sun protection. We recommend that you dress in layers. less

 

Friday, September 3, 2010

At Sea