Day 1: Athens - New York
Meeting at the airport, final instructions and flight to New York with the leading airlines our office works with. Flight to the dream, the legendary "New York - New York", the city with a thousand faces that we all know from the movies in the cinema, the city that combined its name with "the dream" and the imagination of modern man. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel located in the heart of Manhattan. Time to settle in. Shortly afterwards, depending on arrival time, we will embark on a walking tour with our guide for a first introduction to the most exciting city on the planet.
Day 2: New York City - North Manhattan tour - Central Park - Visit to the Metropolitan Museum
We start the day with our first guided tour of the sights for which the city is famous. We will see the statue of the most important explorer, Christopher Columbus with his caravels, which today is the measuring point for all distances from New York City. We will pass by the Lincoln Center which is home to the Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, an ideal venue for classical music lovers. A short stop at Central Park, one of the world's most popular parks, the place where New Yorkers relax and spend their leisure time. Full of picturesque lakes, lovely fountains, the whispering bench, Shakespeare's garden and the small but lively zoo. Continue on to the General Grant Memorial and Columbia University, New York's premier theoretical science university, whose entrance makes reference to ancient Greek philosophers. Next is the Harlem neighbourhood, formerly known as the African-American Mecca of New York, home to the Apollo theatre, where all the jazz demigods and Michael Jackson have performed on stage. The tour continues with Fifth Avenue with its famous fashion houses and Rockefeller Center, one of the largest private complexes in the world owned by the eponymous family, a city landmark and home to the "Top of the Rock" observatory. Next we will visit Times Square, the world's busiest and most photographed square, where millions of visitors are dazzled by the illuminated skyscrapers with their colorful "neon" signs that truly make the night a day. Nearby is the wondrous Broadway, an entertainment industry hub where one can enjoy the world's most spectacular shows. The tour ends with a visit to one of the richest museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art where priceless works from every culture are collected. It is the third most visited museum in the world, after the Louvre and the British Museum. Its permanent collections include works of art from classical antiquity, ancient Egypt, Byzantine and Islamic art, paintings and sculptures by leading painters, an extensive collection of American and contemporary art, as well as extensive collections of African, Asian, Oceania, and much, much more. Surely a single day is not enough to explore it all. This is a museum with a rich and inexhaustible collection that art lovers will adore.
For the evening, we recommend attending one of the famous musical performances at the Broadway theatres, thus completing your day in New York in the best possible way. Don't forget to purchase your tickets from our office in order to take advantage of the special low prices and save time in queues!
Day 3: New York City - South Manhattan tour, Chelsea Market, Grand Central Station, walk through the neighborhoods "Sex & the city", "Friends" and Hudson Yards, Brooklyn Bridge and cruise to the Statue of Liberty
Having gotten our first solid dose of spectacular New York, today we're getting ready for the second part of the city tour, which is all about southern Manhattan. We'll stop at the United Nations Hall, the headquarters of the organization whose purpose is to preserve world peace, study international economic trends, submit studies concerning human rights, natural resources, etc. We will then stop at the Grand Central Station, gateway and symbol of the city, where at least 750,000 people pass through the magnificent main hall every day. We continue with Greenwich Village which is beloved by artists and writers, with Washington square and New York University (N.Y.U) as a point of reference. Next, Soho which is filled with famous fashion houses, Little Italy and Chinatown, two of the city's most vibrant districts where New York's multicultural identity is felt. Next we will follow in the footsteps of the main protagonists of the famous Sex and the City series, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. In addition to 5th Avenue where the four friends indulged in endless shopping, we will also visit Magnolia Bakery where the group used to enjoy the famous cupcakes, and Carrie's house where the filming of the famous series took place. At the same time, continuing our walk in the West Village, we will visit the building where the shooting of the series that was a huge success in Greece, "The Friends", thus completing this special walk! Then we will head to the famous Chelsea Market, home of famous gourmet restaurants in New York, where there will be free time to buy local products and to the Highline, the wonderful idea of creating a park on the old railroad line, which gives us the opportunity to walk in the city... on the city, filled with images of Manhattan neighborhoods.
We head to Wall Street, the center of the world's economy with a photo stop at the bronze sculpture of the Charging Bull. Immediately afterwards we come across "ground zero" with the memorial that has been built as a tribute to the victims of 9/11. A little further on is the new Economic Center called the One Word Trade Center. In the same area, the much-discussed Kalatrawa construction station, known as Oculus, a distinctive architectural building dominated by the color white, looms in the same area. Impressive and futuristic, both inside and out, it is to date the most expensive station in the world, at a cost of $4 billion.
It is the perfect time for a stop at Brookfield shopping centre, filled with branded stores such as Burberry, Gucci, Luis Vuitton. There, we will have free time to rest, shop, relax with a meal or drink at one of the restaurants or cafes while enjoying the very beautiful views from this place!
We continue to Battery Park where the Statue of Liberty, a landmark intertwined with New York City, begins to emerge. Immediately afterwards, we will have the opportunity to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and take the most spectacular photos! The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States (1883) and connects the New York boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by crossing over the East River. Since its opening it has been a symbol of New York City and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972. Our tour continues with a cruise around Manhattan Island, where we will pass by historic Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty that dominates the Harbor City, Staten Island and the great Varenzano Bridge as well as admire the various small and larger old and newer bridges that connect Manhattan to the surrounding area and the adjacent State of New Jersey. So we will now have a great opportunity to photograph the spectacular Manhattan with its skyscrapers from afar.
After the cruise, we will visit Hudson Yards, the newly built neighborhood of Manhattan that came out of a science fiction movie! Spread over 14 acres it includes dozens of shops, gardens, groves, upscale stores, celebrity chef restaurants and the impressive climbing project The Vessel which resembles a giant beehive. We will then return to our hotel and have time to get ready for our evening out. For our night out, we have almost limitless options in the not coincidentally named "the city that never sleeps": at a special cocktail bar or restaurant in the Meatpacking District, at a building-top bar enjoying the illuminated Manhattan, or in nearby Soho, Little Italy, Tribecca, West & East Village, all areas with a rich nightlife. Among New Yorkers relaxing with a drink or food after a long day, New York is ready to show you its nightlife face! If we're still lucky and there's a basketball game on, we suggest you experience the spectacular and magical world of the NBA at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center with tickets secured by us! Of course, those of you who want to get specific and tested suggestions from our guide, feel free to consult him at any time!
4th day: New York - Woodbury Commons Outlets Discount Village(optional)
Free day. For those of you whose very cheap shopping is one of the reasons for visiting New York, a visit to the largest, richest and most impressive, shopping mall, the famous Woodbury Commons is a must. It is worth noting that the shops are spread out in a huge open space that resembles a small village, which makes your shopping even safer. Just an hour or so away from Manhattan, there are all the brand-name items at incredibly low prices. Two hundred and twenty plus fashion names will be at your disposal. It is no coincidence that the largest percentage of Americans, choose this place for their shopping. With stores like Michael Kors, Gucci, Guess, Dolce&Gabbana, Ugg, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Timberland, Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger and many more in an incredible variety and at prices up to four times cheaper than in Greece. It will also help you save time, as you won't have to spend extra time shopping in Manhattan. Our guide will give you the necessary advice to see as many shops as possible, making appropriate use of your time according to your shopping interest. Along with your participation, you get a VIP Coupons Book, for extra perks and discounts, and a map to mark the top stores of interest. Again, if shopping is not your forte, we suggest a stroll through Soho, Chelsea with its local market and East village, which was home to high society until 1900, then populated by immigrants and from the 1950s onwards the area became a mecca for the Beatles, Hippies and Punk generation. The East village became a laboratory for experimentation and new trends.
Day 5: New York - Miami
Departure for New York airport, and flight to Miami. A city where it offers everything to every visitor. Countless hours of sunbathing, walks past Art Deco buildings, shopping, fine dining, 24-hour entertainment and a taste of wildlife. These are enough not only to drive you but also to keep you forever in the brightest place in Florida. Of course, from your first trip to Miami you have a permanent déjà vu that somehow, somewhere, sometime you've seen this before. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to the hotel. The guide will give us information for a first introduction to the city.
Day 6: Miami - Tour.
Guided tour of today's cosmopolitan resort of Miami, which was originally a small fishing village on the edge of a wilderness. Until the train started bringing tourists in 1896, when the city took on a completely different form, cosmopolitan and highly charming. Today on the tour you will get to know the most important sights. First we head to Little Havana an area inhabited mainly by Cuban immigrants. The colorful, ethnic neighborhood is the only place in the US where cigars are made and is the cultural - but also highly politically active - part of Miami. The District which is more of a neighborhood with an authentic atmosphere than a tourist attraction. We will continue to Coral Gables where we will pass by the iconic Biltmore Hotel, which opened in 1926 and is Miami's most iconic building, with a grand Mediterranean style and a 92m tower at the top, which many call the "wedding cake". In its heyday it was home to big celebrities such as Bing Crosby and others, and today, after its recent renovation, crowds of people visit it to admire it in person. We will pass by the marina at Coconut Grove, we will see a 19th century mansion, Villa Vizcaya.
Then we will head downtown through the Brickell district, home to the Art and Science museums, the impressive Miami Heat NBA stadium. We will see the Liberty Tower, the Grand Concert Hall Cultural Center and the Lyric Stage.We will follow our Miami tour with a tour of Miami Beach, a seaside gem of the city, wonderful sandy beaches, sun and sea with a cosmopolitan air. We will pass by the historic Art Deco neighborhood with influences and colors from the pop culture of the 50s, where the 36 towers designed by architect William Lane are located, guarding the Florida beach and stealing the show. Also iconic is Ocean Drive creates a visual feast, with buildings in pastel colors that come alive at night with neon lights and diffused energy and places for late-night entertainment. Arrival at the hotel check-in and free time. Afternoon free time and we recommend a stroll to the beautiful Bayside Marina where you can enjoy dinner at the restaurants on the pier and in the evening have fun sipping a cool cocktail. The area is touristy with numerous shops where you have the opportunity to buy beautiful souvenirs. We also recommend a Millionaires Row mini-cruise to the islands with its mansions with tropical gardens.
Day 7: Miami (optional excursions).
For this day we recommend one of our 2 optional excursions that will truly offer a different experience on your trip.
EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOUR AND CRUISE TO BISCAYNE BAY
By choosing this activity you will have 2 unforgettable experiences, a visit to Everglades National Park and a cruise on Biscayne Bay! The airboat ride (a flat boat with a huge propeller, like a fan, on the back) is worth it. Cruise through the unique Everglades ecosystem filled with images of exotic and wild beauty, where you will encounter alligators in their natural habitat. You will also have the opportunity for a hike through the jungle. At the end there are facilities with restaurants and shops for a relaxing break. You will then finish your day by cruising the tropical waters of Biscayne Bay. During the cruise, you come across Fishers Island, Miami Beach, see skyscrapers and homes of celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal, Madonna, Versace and many more.
KEY WEST DAY TRIP AND CRUISE
An excursion you will never forget! From Miami you are transferred to the famous island known for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, and historic attractions. Upon arrival, you'll have time to explore Key West on your own, visit Hemingway's house, kayak, or watch the dolphins while cruising. A glass-bottomed boat will take you over a colorful coral reef, the third largest in the world and home to the largest variety of underwater life.
Otherwise, we recommend visiting the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, named after American botanist David Fairchild, which is one of the largest botanic gardens in the US. Covering an area of approximately 34,000 square metres, more than 2,500 species of tropical plants and trees and 12 artificial ponds form a true oasis for residents and visitors alike. Another suggestion is a trip to Ford Lauderdale, which is about a 50-minute drive from Miami. Here you will have the opportunity to experience one of the most popular tourist destinations, which has restaurants, golf courses, shopping malls and 100 marinas that are home to 45,000 yachts! Definitely don't miss one or many strolls along the famous "Ocean Drive", the famous boulevard along the Atlantic where the heart of South Beach beats and, of course, the traffic never stops! By day, tourists and locals alike wander or dine in the cafes, while young skaters provide plenty of entertainment. At night, again, you'll find some of the city's hottest bars and clubs here.
Day 8: Miami - Orlando (via Cape Canaveral).
Depart by road to the city of Orlando, with a stopover at the Kennedy Space Center located in Cape Canaveral. There we will watch how the space shuttles were assembled and launched, how they were transported to the kill site, what it was like inside, where the astronauts slept, what they ate, and more. Young and old alike always leave excited, having had yet another once-in-a-lifetime experience. Arrival at the capital of the game which is to huge park. Transfer and check-in at the hotel and full briefing on the theme parks by the leader. For the evening, we recommend a visit to " The Social", "Racerock Supercharged Restaurant", a Dinner Theater, a famous Smokehouse Grill or one of the seafood restaurants on International Drive.
Day 9 - 10: Orlando (optional parks).
Dubbed the "Theme Park Capital of the World," this is the place to experience endless days of action and adventure. In Orlando there are three parks Disney World, Universal and Seaworld. Each park has its own night park, where they are at your disposal, thus contributing to your nightly entertainment as well. Let's discover them..
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
The first of the four theme parks created in the area. This park is dedicated to fairy tales and the Disney heroes we all know. Welcome to the place where the fantasy of every story is an everyday reality, and the classic fairy tales and cartoons we have loved since we were little come to life before our eyes. Let us all be children!
Epcot
It is the second of the four theme parks built at Walt Disney World, after the Magic Kingdom. Epcot is dedicated to human achievement, namely technological innovation and international culture. It brings together the world's greatest civilizations. In the evening, don't leave without seeing the fireworks show, which takes place at the ballpark.
Hollywood Studios
This theme park is a functioning production studio, with active film and television production services, an animation branch ready to welcome you.
Animal Kingdom
Disney's fourth and final park is a zoological theme park. It is the largest theme park and is dedicated, as its name suggests, to the natural environment and animal conservation.
Universal
Universal Studios
The theme of this park is none other than the entertainment industry, especially movies and television. This particular park inspires you to " ride the movies ". A whole universe of action and excitement awaits you in the theme park.
Islands of Adventure
The Islands of Adventure are formed after a journey of exploration where an adventure begins there to reach eight theme islands, among them that of Harry Potter and King Kong.
Volcano Bay
A tropical park in Orlando, themed around a 61-metre-high volcano called Krakatau. In this park you will constantly have the feeling of being on vacation, which is helped by the sand and the whole environment.
Seaworld
A marine zoo, or rather an entertainment complex with world-famous shows and exciting games. Time to explore the secrets of the sea with interactions with the adorable animals of the deep and state-of-the-art thalassic roller coaster rides such as "Kraken" and "Journey to Atlantis" to refresh young and old alike.
The parks have also provided for your evening entertainment with free admission. Don't miss the Disney Spring located at Disney Park or the City Walk found at Universal where you will have the opportunity to recharge your energy by grabbing a bite to eat, refreshing yourself with a beverage or even buying your souvenirs.
11th -12th day: Orlando - Athens
Departure for the airport and flight with a stopover to Athens. Arrive at the airport with a load of great beautiful memories. A trip filled with many images, contrasts that will be unforgettable!
