Greece Travel Package Tours from Athens to Rhodes and Patmos Vacation Packages Dodecanese Islands Greece

2008 TrueCulture Arrival Dates

with TrueAthens	TrueCulture
May 16	May 18
June 6	June 8
June 27	June 29
September 5	September 7
September 19	September 21

If you are interested in a 2008 tour, please outlining which tour and arrival date interest you and we will follow up with you promptly with pricing and other necessary information.

Note: The date denotes the start of your TrueGreece experience. Your transatlantic flight should depart one day in advance.

Interested in a more private experience? Please visit our customized trips section for details about how TrueGreece can plan your ideal customized trip experience.

TrueCulture: Athens - Rhodes - Patmos

We recommend our TrueCulture trip to guests who seek to enjoy the beauty of Greece but also obtain an even better understanding of the Greek culture. This vacation provides an intimate introduction to some of the most intriguing islands in Greece that combine a mixture of religious, architectural, folk, and historical traditions.

The Islands

Rhodes, an island famed for its beaches and its medieval main town, is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. The Old Town of Rhodes, a mixture of Medieval, Ottoman, and Greek architecture, offers itself for enchanting walks among narrow alleys - as well as some of the finest shopping around. Rhodes is also an island rich in history: the majestic Palace of the Grand Masters conveys a sense of the power that the medieval Knights exercised over the island for over 200 years, and the Acropolis of Lindos, one of the three original Dorian Greek cities on Rhodes, boasts to be home of the columns of the Temple of Athena (c. 350 BC), one of the most photographed buildings of ancient Greece.

Patmos is considered by many to be the secret gem of the Aegean. Patmos features a variety of truly beautiful village settlements, scenic beaches, elegant restaurants and traditional tavernas. It is here where St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelation and St. Christodoulos built the island's historic Monastery in 1088 AD. Today, the Monastery boasts one of the richest monastic collections in Greece, including manuscripts from the 5th Century AD, an original El Greco, Catherine the Great jewelry, and Saintly relics.

The Plan

Our TrueGreece itineraries feature outstanding boutique hotels, exceptional dining experiences, and amazing pre-planned excursions. At the same time TrueGreece tours are designed to allow you the freedom and flexibility to venture off on your own. Your TrueGreece concierge will be available to you every step of your journey, working with you to help you choose from a meticulously researched range of options for activities and dining.

As you review our trip descriptions please keep in mind that many of the described activities are suggestions and represent only an example of the many alternatives from which we can help you choose. At the end of each day's description, we highlight the pre-packaged meals and activities, included in the price of your tour. Please note that optional activities, as described below, are not included in the price of the tour.

DAY 1, Arrive in Athens

Welcome to Greece! If you're arriving at the Athens airport today, you'll be met by your TrueGreece Concierge, who will assist you with transportation to your first night's hotel, the Electra Palace. This deluxe hotel sits in the shadow of the Acropolis and is centrally located in one of the most inviting areas of the city, Plaka. After you're settled, take advantage of our customized recommendations and head out to explore Kolonaki, with its fancy stores, elegant restaurants and quaint cafes.

You can also meander through the Monastiraki market or get your first glimpse of the rich history of the country by visiting the impressive National Archaeological Museum. If you have not taken our TrueAthens tour supplement before our TrueElegance trip, this would be the perfect time for you to explore the Acropolis, and admire the beauty of the most famous Greek landmark, the Parthenon. Meet your Concierge back at the hotel in the late afternoon for a guided walk through the ancient city streets of charming Plaka, ending at a traditional local taverna for a welcome dinner.

Included: Transport from airport to hotel, Guided walk through Plaka.
Meals: D

DAY 2, Fly to Rhodes

After checking-in at the Rodos Park Hotel, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you will venture off with your concierge for exploring the modern side of the city of Rhodes, walking through a bustling city and along the pier and seaside. Later on that day, your concierge will also guide you along the main streets and alleys of the Old Town.

Both locations offer themselves for some of the most fascinating shopping you'll be able to do on this trip - anything from souvenirs and jewelry to clothing and colorful scarves.

Included: Transport to airport, airfare to Rhodes, transport to hotel.
Meals: B

DAY 3, Rhodes

Start the day with a guided visit to the Lindos Acropolis, which sits high above the village of Lindos - in fact some of you may want to take advantage of the donkeys to make the ascent! Isolated at the edge of a steep cliff, not only can you adore the Temple of Athena, but you can also look down to the small rock-bound harbor where legend claims Paul the Apostle landed. After descending, take a short time to appreciate the village of Lindos, designated a national landmark to preserve its traditional narrow streets and architectural details. On your way back to Rhodes town, you will take a detour for a stop at the Valley of the Butterflies, crossing over to the west side of the island and taking in some of the nicest nature in Rhodes.

Included: Transport to and entrance fees for the Lindos Acropolis and the Valley of Butterflies, local guide.
Meals: B, L

DAY 4, Rhodes

Today you will be escorted by a local guide to the Palace of the Grand Masters, visit its museum, and learn all about the fascinating history of the Knights and the various sieges of the city of Rhodes; the latest one by Suleiman the Magnificent, the leader of the Ottoman Turks in the 1500s. Some of you may decide to continue on your own to the Archaeological Museum, housed in the former Hospital of the Knights, while others may join your concierge for your last day in the city of Rhodes or for a day at the beach.

Included: Transport to and entrance fees for the Palace of the Grand Masters, local guide.
Meals: B

DAY 5, Patmos

In the morning, take a catamaran to Patmos and check into your room at the Petra Hotel, run by a husband and wife, who will welcome you to their 13-room resort as if you were part of their own family. The hotel sits 70 meters from the beach and offers amazing views of the bay. After you're unpacked, take advantage of your Concierge's local knowledge and plan a day of discovery. Exploring the nearby beaches or visiting the tiny fishing village of Grikos are just two of several options. That evening, we recommend walking around the main settlement of Chora, and enjoying a cocktail in the open-air courtyard of one of our favorite local bars.

Meals: B

DAY 6, Patmos

Today you will discover why this beautiful island is frequently called "the Jerusalem of the Aegean!" In the morning, join a local guide on a visit to the historic Monastery of St. John. From there, you'll head to the Cave where St. John, the disciple of Christ, is said to have written the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse). End your day with a peaceful evening stroll through the wonderful whitewashed town of Chora, with many houses and churches dated back to the medieval era.

Included: Guided tour and entrance fees to Monastery of St. John, tour of Cave of the Apocalypse.
Meals: B

DAY 7, Patmos

Many of our guests view today as the highlight of their trip! In the morning, don your sun hat and board a caique - a traditional Greek boat - for a day cruise to a series of pristine nearby isles. With crystal-clear waters and virtually deserted shores, this is the paradise to which the Greek and international elite go to escape. Stop for swimming or simply stay onboard and enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Greece. Your final beach stop is home to nothing but two restaurants, both accessible only by boat, and you'll be treated to a late lunch at a seafood taverna that is among the very best in Greece. Upon your return to Patmos, get some needed rest at the Petra Hotel and enjoy a gourmet dinner with Greek delicacies at the hotel's restaurant!

Included: Caique boat trip.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8, Patmos

By now you've come to know Patmos well, and you've got one more day to try something new or return to that favorite spot! Your Concierge will help you select from many diverse options, including a hike through the hills to Psili Ammos beach, which will reward you with a quiet stretch of beautiful sand and a quaint beachside taverna. That evening, join your group and the local community for an evening of celebration! Dine on Greek delicacies while local dancers entertain you on stage.and later invite you to join them in a fun-filled night of Greek island hospitality.

Included: Evening of Greek dancing.
Meals: B, D

DAY 9, Back to Athens

Board a catamaran boat to Kos island, where you'll catch a short flight back to Athens, and return to the Electra Palace Hotel for one last memorable day. In the afternoon, join your Concierge for a visit to Kifissia, a beautiful suburb of Athens, offering high-end shops, cafes, and picturesque tree-lined streets. Finally, we've saved the best for last. celebrate the end of your amazing and authentic journey with a farewell dinner. Share memories with new-found friends as you're served a marvelous variety of gourmet Greek dishes.

Included: Catamaran to Kos, flight to Athens, transport to and from airports, transport to and tour of Kifissia.
Meals: B, D

DAY 10, Head home...to return again soon!

You're sure to leave Athens, full of wonderful memories, having found a new and comfortable home in the islands of Greece. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Included: Transport to Athens Airport.
Meals: B

Exchange Rate Conversion

Price: Starting from 2,844 Euro per person, based on double occupancy, includes:

High-end boutique hotel/resort accommodation and daily breakfast
4 dinners and two lunches (excluding drinks and alcoholic beverages)
Catamaran and air transfers in Greece
Roundtrip transportation to the hotels
A chartered bus, for scheduled transport on the islands and Athens
A chartered traditional Greek boat trip to the islets for the day
Professional local guides for the Cave of the Apocalypse, the Monastery of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Masters, and the Lindos Acropolis
Entrance fees to the Cave of the Apocalypse, the Monastery of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Masters, and the Lindos Acropolis sites
A Greek dancing night
Exceptional personalized services of your TrueGreece concierge
Superb TrueGreece recommendations and guidance
All taxes

Optional:

TrueAthens, a 2-Day optional, highly recommended additional activity: From 317 Euro
Trip Cancellation Insurance for covered medical reasons: Please inquire about rate
Single supplement: From 716 Euro

Exchange Rate Conversion

TrueCulture 2008 Arrival Dates