CLASSIC AUSTRALIA – 13 DAYS MAY – OCTOBER 2025

Meeting at the airport and flight via a stopover to Shanghai

Arrival in the morning in Shanghai, the most spectacular city in China! Seeing it, one understands what the postmodern cities of the future will be like. In the 6440 sq. km. of geographical area it covers, a miracle takes place that we will get to know in depth in today's tour. We will have our first acquaintance with the futuristic metropolis starting from the Jinmao Tower, a pearl of architecture with a futuristic design, which was the tallest building in China from 1994 to 2007, which will be the point from which we will enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the city. The picturesque China Town with its labyrinthine streets and shady Yew gardens will reveal to us the forgotten face of the modern metropolis. The Huang River, which separates East from West Shanghai, and on its banks stands a multitude of impressive public buildings and monuments. The Bund, the boulevard-symbol of the city's prosperity, is only 1.5 km long but is adorned with a harmonious ensemble of buildings of excellent architecture, representing all European trends, such as Baroque, Ancient Greek, Neoclassical and Renaissance. A pleasant walk along the river, overlooking the impressive Pudong, with its gigantic skyscrapers, will bring us into contact with the city's extreme postmodern style. Next is the famous Nanjing Boulevard. This is the main commercial artery of Shanghai, 5.5 kilometers long, with more than 600 luxury stores, which satisfy the consumer mania of Chinese and visitors every day. In the evening we will enjoy our dinner in a traditional restaurant.

After breakfast, enjoy a stroll along the famous Nanjing Road. This is the main shopping artery of Shanghai, 5.5 kilometers long, with more than 600 luxury stores, which satisfy the consumer mania of Chinese and visitors every day. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and flight to Sydney.

Arrival in the capital of the state of New South Wales. Wonderful scenery with exceptional alternations of lacy inlets with dry land, inspired architecture with landmark buildings, but also modern elegant skyscrapers, aristocratic suburbs with sometimes modern and sometimes Victorian style, compose the puzzle of a unique city, which is rightly ranked among the "global" cities of the world. Our tour is revealing! The historic, picturesque Rocks area, where the first settlers settled in the early 18th century, the stunning Opera House, the city's trademark (externally) in a pioneering clam shape, the famous Harbour Suspension Bridge, the ultra-modern Darling Harbour with dozens of shops, cafes and restaurants, the "downtown" with skyscrapers mixing with Victorian-era buildings, the cosmopolitan beaches and the aristocratic suburbs of Elizabeth Bay, Rose Bay and Bondi, where the city's wealthiest residents live, as well as the Gap, where Sydney Harbour ends in the Pacific Ocean, are the main attractions we will see and get to know. And for the evening we have a unique experience in store for you: the Night Cruise with Dinner will offer us another view of this wonderful city.

Morning departure for the famous "Blue Mountains", located near Sydney. It is an impressive place covered with eucalyptus forests, the oil of which, when evaporated, gives the atmosphere a blue hue. This limestone plateau of South Wales with its deep gorges and verdant valleys impresses visitors with its flora, fauna and magnificent views, while its geological formations, such as the iconic "Three Sisters", the park's trademark, are truly unique. During our stay in the Blue Mountains National Park we will visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park with its kangaroos and koalas, while our cable car, Skyway and scenic railway rides will be truly unforgettable! Return to Sydney and free time to have fun at Darling Harbour.

Free day to enjoy your walks along the harbor with the beautiful view of the bridge and the Opera House (the city's trademark). Visit one of its museums, swim at the famous Bondi Beach and have a drink at one of the cool bars in the Rocks or Darling Harbour area.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Cairns, another unique place that Australia offers its visitors. Our evening stroll along the cosmopolitan Esplanade is charming, but it cannot foreshadow the visitor for tomorrow, dedicated to the magic of the incomparable Great Barrier Reef.

Our day today is sure to fascinate and fascinate you! It is of course dedicated to the full-day Lunch Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, which is 2,000 kilometers long and is visible from space. Clear blue waters, incredible underwater wealth of living beings, corals of all shades and shapes and all bathed in the sun of tropical Northern Australia, are the main components of a wonderful day. Return to Cairns in the afternoon. A traditional barbecue lunch will be provided during the excursion.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Melbourne (the best city in the world to live in), the capital of the state of Victoria and the second most important urban center in Australia. In the evening, enjoy a stroll through the bars along the Yarra River.

Morning tour of Melbourne, a city with a strong Greek character, considered the third largest Greek city in the world, due to its thousands of Greek-origin residents. Beyond that, Melbourne is perhaps the ideal metropolis since the skyscrapers and elegant buildings of its center are ideally combined with its lush and well-designed suburbs. The historic city center around the famous Swanston Street, the Greek area in the city center, the aristocratic Paris End with the state Parliament building, the Botanic Gardens area with the memorial to those who fell in World War I and II, the summer home of the navigator Captain Cook, the Irish Catholic Cathedral of St. Patrick, the famous MCG - Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the 1956 Olympic Games were held, the banks of the Yarra River that runs through the city, and the elegant suburb of St. Kilda, are some of the attractions that we will visit during our tour. We continue with the famous Phillip Island Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, where many species of endemic animals and birds live in their natural environment, such as kangaroos, emus, koalas, wallabies, etc. The highlight of the day is of course the parade of the little penguin colony, which we will admire from a special platform. Every day, as the sun sets, these tiny penguins begin their journey back from the sea to their nests. With a height of approximately 33 centimeters and a weight of just one kilogram, they are the smallest penguin species in the world.

The Great Ocean Road is considered Australia's most important coastal route and certainly one of the most spectacular in the world. A dreamy route, connecting the cities of Torquay and Warrnambool, it is certainly a celebration of nature. A major attraction is the limestone rocks of the "Twelve Apostles", which stand high above the waves, struggling to remain upright as the waves slowly erode their bases. Interestingly, there were never 12 rocks (but 7) and the name 12 Apostles was adopted because it sounded more attractive than the previous name, Sow and Piglets. The history of the road begins in 1919, from the veterans of the First World War who began construction, until 1932 when it was handed over to traffic. Popular attractions include Bells Beach, the 100km long walking trail, the Great Ottawa National Park, the 12 Apostles, the Loch Ard Gorge, the London Bridge & natural Arch (beautiful examples of the erosive power of the ocean) & the Tower Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. Lunch with pizza will be provided at the well-known restaurant in the Apollo Bay area, return to the hotel and afternoon free for the rich shopping center of the city with its elegant shops. An evening walk along the banks of the Yarra River with its chic cafes and bars is the best way. Tasting in this city is a must! Having the reputation of a gourmet city, it is worth booking a table at one of its restaurants.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight via a stopover to Athens.

Arrival in Athens/Thessaloniki.

Those who wish can follow a 2-day program in the popular Uluru National Park, known for the natural attraction of Ayers Rock. The vastness, the grandeur of stillness and the intense color, make the Unesco natural World Heritage monument, acquire the status of a pilgrimage. The optional excursion takes place on the 6th and 7th days of the main program, during the free day in Sydney and joins the group the next day which is also a free day.

Change of scenery today, as we fly to the geographical center of the vast country, where one of Australia's top attractions is located, the famous Ayers Rock. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Immediately afterwards, we begin our visit to the Uluru National Park area with this unique rock, which has been photographed as few other attractions in Oceania. Our day will end impressively, observing the inconceivable shades that unfold as the weak light of the sunset lowers in intensity, varying different aspects of the color spectrum over the imposing Olga Mountains as well as the unique Ayers Rock itself. All of this, of course, accompanied by exquisite snacks and excellent local wine, which perfectly suits the occasion! Return to the hotel in the area. Overnight.

Our day today will begin… at dawn, since the experience of watching the first rays of the sun gradually change the color of the rock from absolute black to ideal honey is so revealing, that thousands of people describe it as a turning point in their adult lives. Transfer to the airport and flight to another unique place that Australia offers its visitors. Check-in at the Cairns hotel. Overnight stay • Cost of optional excursion: €980, double occupancy, including airfare. • Single occupancy surcharge +€150. • Minimum participation of 6 people required.