Aegean Sea Culture Tours & Trip Packages

Aegean Sea Culture Tours & Trips

68 Aegean Sea trips. Tours from 31 tour companies. 105 reviews.

48 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Culture
Treasures of the Aegean 2022
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Athens, Ephesus, Mykonos

Highlights

  • Step back in time to ancient Greece and sail to fabulous destinations steeped in legend
  • lore and sunshine and enjoy lovely sunsets over the Aegean Sea as our cruise blends ancient with modern in a kaleidoscope of discoveries both mythic and epic...Spend two nights at a fabulous hotel in the heart of Athens
  • seeing antiquities that reflect its glory at the height of its power... Explore Greek Islands including Mykonos
  • playground of the rich and famous... Delos
  • holiest of all Greek sanctuaries... Santorini
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"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 on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Treasures of the Aegean 2021
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Athens, Ephesus, Mykonos, Santorini

Highlights

  • Step back in time to ancient Greece and sail to fabulous destinations steeped in legend
  • lore and sunshine and enjoy lovely sunsets over the Aegean Sea as our cruise blends ancient with modern in a kaleidoscope of discoveries both mythic and epic...Spend two nights at a fabulous hotel in the heart of Athens
  • seeing antiquities that reflect its glory at the height of its power... Explore Greek Islands including Mykonos
  • playground of the rich and famous... Delos
  • holiest of all Greek sanctuaries... Santorini
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"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 on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Jewels of the Cyclades
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens, Mykonos

Highlights

  • Explore the Aegean Islands
  • Paros and Folegandros
  • Excursions in Santorini and Delos, nighlife in Mykonos
  • Visit old Greece atmosphere in Folegandros and swim stops in some secluded bays to swim from the boat

Themes

Family Friendly, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Sailing the Greek Isles
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens

Highlights

  • Discovering the magnificent ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Delos
  • Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis
  • Explore the picturesque village of Pyrgos
  • Immerse yourself in the lively culture, mythology, and Venetian legacy of age-old villages
  • Explore the dazzling white monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Aegean Mosaic Cruise
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens, Delos, Istanbul

Highlights

  • Visit the seaport town of Canakkale
  • Visit Mykonos town, reaching one of its famous beaches
  • Visit the old settlements of Alexandria Troa and of Assos
  • Visit the archaeological ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, unearthed here in the 19th century
  • Excursion which will include the Akrotiri excavations, the Museum and the Villages. The tour will end in Oia on time to enjoy Oia's world famous sunset

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Classical Greece Plus Island Hopper
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Mykonos, Olympia, Piraeus, Santorini

Highlights

  • Athens : Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
  • Corinth : Guided visit
  • Mycenae : Guided visit of the excavations and museum
  • Epidaurus : Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater
  • Olympia : Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum; learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Classical Greece Plus Greek Island Adventure
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Athens, Corinth, Crete, Delphi, Epidaurus, Heraklion, Mycenae, Mykonos, Olympia, Piraeus, Santorini

Highlights

  • Athens : Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
  • Corinth : Guided visit
  • Mycenae : Guided visit of the excavations and museum
  • Epidaurus : Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater
  • Olympia : Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum; learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Greek Island Hopper
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Athens, Mykonos, Piraeus, Santorini

Highlights

  • Athens : Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
  • Athens–mykonos: By high-speed ferry
  • Mykonos : Visit the Church of Agia Kiriaki; taste a traditional Mykonian dessert, Amygdalota; dinner at a local restaurant
  • Mykonos–santorini : By high-speed ferry
  • Santorini : Walking tour; sample a glass of Ouzo
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
48 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Culture

Aegean Sea Reviews

A

Ainsley

Oct 2019

Written on

This was my first intrepid experience

This was my first intrepid experience and it was amazing. I loved every minute of it. Exploring this part of the world, I was amazed by how beautiful the surrounds w...

V

Vanessa

Sep 2018

Written on

This trip is fantastic.

This trip is fantastic. If you are deciding between the shorter dubrovnik to athens, and this longer version, I 100% recommend the longer trip. we became such great ...

A

AWFUL COMPANY AVOID

Nov 2019

Written on

Worst holiday experience ever - unsafe and fraudulent company

AVOID this AWFUL company

T

Tiffany

Jun 2019

Written on

DO NOT BOOK WITH SAIL IN GREECE.

"Itinerary" and "inclusions" are completely irrelevant. We were promised a DJ, unlimited cocktails, free shots of ouzo, beach parties, boat parties. They did not del...

B

Bhoondi

Jan 2017

Written on

The islands visited are a must! Souvlaki was our fav meal of the day!

We and me crew of 5 joined Sail in Greece yolo cruise end of September. We were on Aiolos and our skipper Christos was funny as hell! Even if when we faced a small p...

Write a Review

Aegean Sea Tour Selection Trips

  • The Aegean covers thousands of square miles that extend from mainland Greece to Turkey and south to Crete; boat travel can take time, but is more authentic and relaxing than flying  
  • If you have a chance to travel the Turkish coast by gulet (a traditional vessel), grab it
  • With hundreds of island and coastal villages, the Aegean area merits multiple visits
  • You have a choice of tours that visit only Greece or only the Turkish coast, or both
  • Look beyond the beaches, alluring as they are, to tours that also include archaeology, history, and culture; this is the cradle of Western civilization

Additional details

Aegean Sea cruises are often separated into two distinct age groups. Many are focused on young travelers, in the 18-39 range, looking for a yacht party atmosphere. It’s no secret that Mykonos is the “party island” of Greece, and this is a focal point of many youth oriented tour groups.

On the other side of the spectrum, you’ll find delightfully slow paced luxurious tours, taking in the spectacular Santorini sunrise from your deck, with a day planned of beach walks, hiking, sailing excursions, snorkeling, and history tours.

Greece and Turkey are the stars of the Aegean Sea, and most cruises and tours in the region are long enough to visit both.

Best time to visit the Aegean Sea

There really isn’t a bad time to visit this region of Europe. However a few considerations you might want to take in include:

Spring break - Unless you’re a young college student, you may want to avoid the spring breakers heading to the Greek islands for a good time. This crowd can be loud and likes to party - there’s usually a lot of drinking going on, and this leads to rambunctious behavior - both on the water and on the shore. It can feel like a bit of a take-over, so if you’re looking for a relaxing cruise around the islands, late March through early April might be a time to avoid.

Also, it’s important to note that Easter is a very busy and popular holiday in Greece, and so you may run into some closures and festivals traveling around March or April.

Summer time crowds - summer is by far the busiest travel time, so the crowds will be intense. However on the flipside, during the summer is when everything is open, and there is a lot of choice for activities, excursions, accommodations, and meals. Some coastal areas and islands partially shut down during the off season so expect a more limited range of options.

June and July are some of the hottest months in the Aegean, and the heat plus the crowds can create quite an uncomfortable atmosphere! Some of the best times to visit weather-wise are the shoulder seasons; think April - May and August - September. The ocean waters will still be warm enough to enjoy and you can expect little to no rainfall.

Rainfall and cooler temperatures pick up as you head into winter, and many tourist activities may not be available during the winter months. This is a more popular time to visit the mainland, and ocean activities are slim.

What to wear on an Aegean Sea Cruise

The Aegean is a subsection of the Mediterranean, famous for its gorgeous weather. Much of your time will be spend out on the water, often taking excursions in smaller vessels than your cruise ship.

Sun Protection - Even though Be sure to bring sun protection - sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses will be essential. Lightweight material such as linen or cotton is great for the sun as well, and avoid dark colors as they will absorb the heat.

Footwear - While a good majority of your time will be spent on the idyllic beaches of the Greek islands, be sure to bring one pair of good tennis shoes or hiking boots, and a pair of water shoes, sturdier than flip-flops. Water shoes are a great way to stay comfortable and protect from coral or other sharp underwater areas when embarking and disembarking.

The islands have so much more to offer beyond a day at the beach! There’s tons of hiking and cycling around. Additionally, your tour will probably include a visit to a few ancient ruins - and these are very rocky and dusty with a lot of uneven surfaces.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 68 trips to Aegean Sea and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!