Mediterranean Odyssey: Greece, Cyprus & Israel - Westbound 2024

13 days
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Small Ship Cruise
Embark on a small ship odyssey to Greek islands and the Holy Land aboard your Windstar yacht, where you'll experience unforgettable wines, local cuisines, cultures, ruins of lost empires, blazing sunsets, temples, mosques, Crusader citadels, and far flung, mystical landscapes where gods and mythologies were born.
From$11,990
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • A Mediterranean cruise unlike any other on a voyage from Greece to the islands of Mykonos
    • Crete
    • Rhodes and Cyprus to Israel... Embark on a small ship odyssey to Greek islands and the Holy Land
    • where you'll experience unforgettable wines
    • local cuisines
    • cultures
    • ruins of lost empires
    • blazing sunsets
    • temples
    • mosques

What's this trip about?

    Embark on a small ship odyssey to Greek islands and the Holy Land aboard your Windstar yacht, where you'll experience unforgettable wines, local cuisines, cultures, ruins of lost empires, blazing sunsets, temples, mosques, Crusader citadels, and far flung, mystical landscapes where gods and mythologies were born.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start City Jerusalem, Israel
End CityAthens

Travel Themes

  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Greece
  • Israel

Attractions

  • Athens
  • Haifa
  • Jerusalem
  • Mykonos
  • Tel Aviv

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Attend a private evening of Greek food and entertainment at a special venue on the island of Rhodes, exclusively for Tauck guests only Following a day exploring the island of Mykonos, attend an exclusive olive oil tasting experience back onboard the ship; meet a master olive oil sommelier who gives a presentation that includes how to recognize the characteristics of a good quality extra virgin olive oil All gratuities to Tauck Directors, ship staff and local guides Traveling with Tauck's private group and the same Tauck Director on land and at sea aboard the ship Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $6,083 Spend three nights in the heart of Jerusalem at stunning Orient Jerusalem, and one night in the center of Athens at one of Europe's premier hotels, Hotel Grande Bretagne 8-night cruise aboard Windstar'sStar Legend

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive Tel Aviv / Jerusalem

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Orient Jerusalem.
A transfer is included from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv to Orient Jerusalem in Jerusalem in the heart of the city. Settle in and join us this evening for a welcome reception followed by dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Orient Jerusalem

PORTOFCALL : Tel Aviv, Israel

Day 2 Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Begin the day with a walking tour of the Old City, including the Citadel and the Muslim Quarter, which includes many medieval Christian landmarks and churches; walk the Via Dolorosa, known to pilgrims as the path Christ followed on ...

Day 3 A day in Jerusalem

Start the day with an early morning visit to the Temple Mount, including the Dome of the Rock, the golden-domed blue mosque which is Jerusalem's most recognizable landmark; built in 691, the mosque is a masterpiece of Islamic archit...

Day 4 Explore Haifa / Embark your Wind Star ship

Drive from Jerusalem to Haifa, where your ship awaits. En route, visit a kibbutz for a look at communal farm life, and stop for lunch at a local winery.  Pause for a photo op at the stunning Bahai Gardens on Mount Carmel, also known...

Day 5 Choice of sightseeing in Akko or Galilee / Nazareth

Today you have a choice of excursions. Drive north to the medieval citadel at Akko (the Acre), a small strategic port that was once the gateway to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and a stronghold of the Knights Templar until they were besieged a...

Day 6 Explore coastal Tel Aviv & Jaffa

Dock in Ashdod and drive to cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, known as the Mediterranean Capital of Cool, with miles of beach resorts and hotels, and an exciting cultural scene. Experience the vibrant city life along Rothschild Boulevard, and its par...

Day 7 Cyprus, island of wine and antiquities

Cyprus has been making wine from its rare indigenous grapes for at least 6,000 years; its strong, dark Mavro wine was famous throughout the Ancient World; and because Cyprus escaped the phylloxera epidemic that ravaged nearly all the viney...

Day 8 Enjoy a day at sea

Spend the day at leisure as you sail for Rhodes. Amenities aboard Star Legend include an elevated pool, two dining venues, a fitness area, beauty salon, spa, library, casino, cocktail lounge, and computer center. Or, just enjoy the sea views.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Star Legend

Day 9 Special day and evening on the island of Rhodes

Rhodes was a maritime superpower and a center of fabulous wealth and culture before an earthquake in 226 BC toppled its Colossus and shook the city-state to its core. It remained in decline until the Middle Ages, when Knights of St. John, ...

Day 10 The hub of the ancient world, Crete

Long before the Greeks arrived, Crete was settled by Bronze-age Minoans who established the first advanced civilization in Europe. Crete was the island hub of the Ancient World, and Heraklion, its capital city, is steeped in 5,000 years of...

Day 11 Magical island of Mykonos

Arrive at Mykonos, Island of Winds, known for its resorts, beaches, fishing boats, and (naturally) windmills, many of them built by Venetians in the 18th Century. Take a ferry ride to the tiny island of Delos, mythological birthplace of Ar...

Day 12 Disembark & explore Athens

In Athens, bid farewell to Star Legend, and set out on your choice of excursions. Enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis, the citadel of temple ruins on a promontory high above the city; view the iconic Parthenon, the Erechtheon, the ...

Day 13 Journey Home

Tour ends: Athens. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Grand Hotel Bretagne to Athens International Airport. Allow at least three hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Athens, Greece

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Dates & Availability

Price From $11,990
Price per day$922
Last Updated: 10/24/2023
Start Date
Finish Date
Double Standard
Single Standard
Double Luxury
Availability
26 Oct 2024
08 Nov 2024
$11,990
$19,185
$16,790

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

4.2/5  Great
Excellent
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Terrible
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Other Tauck Reviews

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

Written on

Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

H

Harry

Sep 2022

Written on

Tauck/Aon terrible travel insurance

Tauck partners with Aon for travel insurance. We bought this insurance through Tauck specifically to cover us in case of a positive for test for Covid and could not ...

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Tour Operator

Tauck

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

Ship & cabin information
STAR LEGEND
STAR LEGEND Windstar Cruises’ slogan, “180° From Ordinary,” aptly describes the delights of a voyage aboard one of their new 'Pride Class' sister ships, the all-suite Star Legend... one of Windstar's sleek, newly renovated, all-suite power yachts, perfect for warm-weather destinations and ideally suited for up-close exploration of islands and hidden coastal coves where larger ships cannot go. You’ll feel like you're aboard your own private yacht almost as soon as you step aboard. The sitting area of your spacious, newly refurbished suite gives you an expansive ocean view, making it a welcome retreat. Each suite is equipped with a queen bed (which can be separated as twins if you prefer) with luxurious Egyptian cotton linens; flat screen TV with DVD player; minibar/refrigerator; walk-in closet and ample drawer space; private bath with granite countertop, full-size tub and shower, and luxurious L'Occitane toiletries; waffle-weave robe and slippers; hairdryer; and safe. Stylish public spaces invite conversation and relaxation; onboard amenities include the WindSpa, a fitness center, a casino and entertainment lounge, the Star Bar, a library, a counter current pool and / or whirlpool, and a water sports platform offering water-skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling and kayaking, weather permitting. Dining in The AmphorA Restaurant or in the more casual Candles or Veranda is an epicurean delight. Over 140 crewmembers attend to the needs of a total of just 212 passengers aboard Star Legend, assuring the most attentive service.
Renovated: 2015 Length: 440 ft. Draft: 16.5 ft. Beam: 63 ft. Tonnage: 9,975 gross registered tons Cruising Speed: 15 knots Air Conditioned: Yes Elevator: Yes Number of Guests: 212 Crew Members: 145 Registry: Bahamas Crew Nationality: International Internet: Send / Receive / Surf
STAR LEGEND
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
ALL_AGES
Trip ID
tauck-GIW2024

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