A Portrait of Majestic France

Day 1: Athens
FEATURED EXCURSION: Home-Hosted Dinner
Once you have collected your luggage and exited the baggage claim area, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel. There you will check in, drop off your bags, and, if you wish, go out and explore the city on your own. Your Uniworld local host can offer suggestions for your leisure time. Athens, the capital of Greece, boasts a plethora of excellent museums and galleries, historical cobbled streets, tavernas and cafes, and colorful shops and street vendors, all on your doorstep.

In the evening, you will be transferred to a local home to experience some famous Greek hospitality—locally known as philoxenia—whilst dining on traditional dishes and learning of life in Athens from your wonderful host.

Day 2: Athens
FEATURED EXCURSION: Highlights of Athens City Tour
After enjoying a wonderful breakfast at your hotel, meet your driver and expert guide and depart to explore Athens and its iconic monuments. Today’s experience includes an abundance of highlights: stop at the Panathinaikos stadium used to host the first modern Olympic games in 1898, view the colossal ruins of the Temple of Zeus, visit the mighty Acropolis and the stunning Acropolis Museum, and continue on to take in views of the vibrant capital.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city further. May we suggest relaxing in one of the many atmospheric street cafes?

Day 3: Athens
FEATURED EXCURSION: Taste of Greece Walking Tour
Experience Athens today through its tastes, sounds, and sites on a guided walking tour of the city center and its markets. The day starts close to Syntagma square, where you will have the opportunity to try fragrant Greek coffee, traditionally brewed on hovoli—heated sand. Stop at a favorite historical bakery to taste the famous Greek spanakopita before continuing on to the central market area of Athens. Try local tidbits, such as olives, fragrant cheeses, and cured meats at various vendors selling their produce.

Greek cuisine is enriched with wonderfully aromatic herbs and spices, and we discover these at little local shops located close to Monastiraki square. Monastiraki, home to the lively flea market, is full of colorful shops selling local crafts and souvenirs. Take a well-deserved break and stop to savor souvlaki—tender marinated meat on skewers with various accompaniments.

Afterwards our stroll takes us to Thission, a great vantage point in historical Athens, boasting stunning views of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the impeccable temple of Hephaestus. Try a pick me up of a traditional Greek Mountain tea—or, if you prefer, tsipouro, a fiery Greek spirit. Then opt to either stay in the center for some time at leisure or return to the hotel for a lovely afternoon Greek siesta!

Day 4: Athens
Your wonderful Athens extension ends today after breakfast. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Athens airport to catch your onward flight.

Day 1: Athens
Once you have collected your luggage and exited the baggage claim area, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel. There you will check in, drop off your bags, and, if you wish, go out and explore the city on your own. Your Uniworld local host can offer suggestions for your leisure time. Athens, the capital of Greece, boasts a plethora of excellent museums and galleries, historical cobbled streets, tavernas and cafes, and colorful shops and street vendors, all on your doorstep.

Perhaps enjoy the sumptuous local cuisine in one of the local restaurants.

Day 2: Athens
FEATURED EXCURSION: Highlights of Athens City Tour
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, meet your driver and expert guide and depart to explore Athens and its iconic monuments. Today’s experience includes an abundance of highlights: stop at the Panathinaikos stadium used to host the first modern Olympic games in 1898, view the colossal ruins of the Temple of Zeus, visit the mighty Acropolis and the stunning Acropolis Museum, and continue on to take in views of the vibrant capital.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city further. May we suggest relaxing in one of the many atmospheric street cafes?

Day 3: Santorini
FEATURED EXCURSION: Santorini Walking Tour with Local Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Athens before being transferred to Athens airport. After arriving in Santorini and taking time to settle into your lovely hotel, meet your expert guide in the afternoon and set out for Fira to explore the wonderful capital town of Santorini. You’ll learn about the island’s fascinating history and hear stories of its unique formation. Afterwards, take in a captivating view of the caldera—a bay on the island created by an ancient volcanic eruption.

This evening, taste a tantalizing selection of Santorini dishes at a local restaurant, accompanied by wine from the island. Your evening ends with an included transfer back to your hotel.

Day 4: Santorini
FEATURED EXCURSION: Caldera Cruise
Today, a truly remarkable experience awaits on a cruise sailing in the world-famous Santorini caldera. Take in its many stunning sights including the hot springs, the Red Beach and the White Beach, and incredible views of the island from the sea. The cruise departs from the picturesque port of Amoudi and is offered either in the morning or afternoon with round trip transfers included. A wonderful meal on board with drinks is included—depending on the time of day this cruise operates; the meal will be either a lunch or a dinner.

Day 5: Santorini
FEATURED EXCURSION: Santorini Villages with Wine Tasting
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, together with your expert guide and private driver you’ll discover some of the tranquil villages of Santorini, where the cobblestone streets are filled with vibrant colors, unique architecture, picture perfect blue domes, and whitewashed cubic houses.

Visit the villages of Pyrgos and Emporio and experience traditional Santorini at its best. Afterwards, visit a delightful boutique winery where you will gain an understanding of the special methods of growing grapes and have the chance to sample the distinct varieties that make Santorini wines so unique.

The rest of the day is at leisure to soak up this Cycladic island’s ambience.

Day 6: Santorini
Your Greek odyssey comes to an end today after breakfast. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Santorini’s airport for your onward flight.

Day 1: Biarritz
If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted at the Biarritz Airport by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the Hotel du Palais Biarritz. This property was originally a lavish palace commissioned by Napoleon III for his wife, Empress Eugénie—in fact, a bird’s-eye-view of the hotel reveals a clear “E” shape in her honor. Biarritz was the empress’s favorite place to holiday, and it may just be yours after your stay here.

Day 2: Biarritz
FEATURED EXCURSION: Biarritz Walking Tour with Market Visit
Today after breakfast you will embark on an exciting tour of Biarritz. Start with a visit to the Biarritz lighthouse, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the bay. If you so choose, you can climb the 248 steps to the top and take in a view of the cape that highlights the boundary separating the sandy coast and rocky mountains of the Basque country. Next, take in the historic architecture of the Biarritz city center on a walking tour. We’ll end our tour at the market hall, where you might choose to stay and explore during your free time before returning to the hotel.

Day 3: Biarritz
FEATURED EXCURSION: Discover the Basque Country
Today after breakfast you will discover the cities of Bayonne and St. Jean de Luz. In contrast to the resort town of Biarritz, Bayonne offers a laid-back, authentic take on Basque life. And while it may surprise you, this mellow town is also the capital of French chocolate. You’ll find several master chocolatiers crowded into the charmingly narrow shops and alleyways of Bayonne, alongside an eclectic array of small boutiques.

Next up: the Atlantic fishing village of St. Jean de Luz. Right by the border to Spain, this town is famous for hosting the marriage of King Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Spain, a union that helped end the Franco-Spanish War.

Day 4: Biarritz
Today after breakfast you will transfer from the hotel in Biarritz to the ship in Bordeaux to begin your cruise.