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Step back in time and celebrate the customs, cuisine and culture of Athens, the mesmerizing capital of Greece and the cradle of Western civilization, on a comprehensive full-day tour that makes the most of this modern city, steeped in the traditions and heritage of the past.

Board your motorcoach for a 40-minute scenic drive into the heart of Athens. At the base of the Acropolis, with a direct view of the Parthenon, is the New Acropolis Museum, a stunning blend of past and present. This ultra-modern, five-story structure by architect Bernard Tschumi bathes this rich collection of antiquities and sculptures in natural light. Artifacts depicting everyday life in Athens during all periods of history are dramatically showcased within glass-floored galleries. The pièce de résistance is the top floor, where visitors can see the frieze from the Parthenon then turn around for a view of the actual Parthenon through enormous windows. Recent expansions include exhibits dedicated to Minoan frescos and Egyptian antiquities, and from the highest point in the museum you will have an unparalleled view of the sacred monuments.

Continue on to the Plaka, located in one of the oldest areas of Athens, home to lively markets, cobblestone lanes, and shops filled with antiques, jewelry and handicrafts. Many streets have been closed to automobile traffic, so browsing the area is a delight.

Then, reboard the motorcoach for a city highlights tour that continues through the streets of Athens. See such sights as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Have your camera ready for photo opportunities, including a photo stop at the magnificent Old Olympic Stadium.

Head to a unique venue for the lunch and show. All things Greek are showcased here – cuisine, traditions and, of course, dance!

You'll no doubt have worked up and appetite, so tuck into heaping plates of authentic Greek delicacies accompanied by a glass of ouzo at a traditional lunch.

Afterwards, enjoy a folk music band accompanying dancers in traditional costumes performing regional classics. After the performance, it's time to get into the act for a dancing lesson, Zorba-style! Greek dancing has its origins in ancient religious rituals, but today there is a dance to celebrate almost every occasion. The Zorba dance, memorialized by Anthony Quinn in the film Zorba the Greek, starts out slowly and builds to a fast ending in a shoulder-to-shoulder group dance keeping time with the energetic music. Opa!

At the completion of this rousing Greek experience, relax on the scenic drive back to port.