15 DAYS: A GREEK ODYSSEY -ON THE STEPS OF ODYSSEUS

Return to Ithaca: A Unique Journey in the steps of Odysseus (Ulysses)

A Journey to remote and traditional, historic villages, monasteries and famous ancient ruins and monuments from Classic and Homeric Times. (Suggested period: April, May, June, September)

We have organized a similar tour for the Alumni of St. Olaf College, academic study tour of Greece in 2018, lead by the former Dean of the College, Dr. James May.

We visit Ithaca, a unique destination and journey as described by the Greek poet Cavafy in his famous lines:

“Keep Ithaka always in your mind. Arriving there is what you’re destined for.

But don’t hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts for years,

so you’re old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich. Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

Without her you wouldn’t have set out. She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.

Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.”

From “Ithaka” by C. P. Cavafy -Source: C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems (Princeton University Press, 1975)

Itinerary:

Day 0: Departure from US gateway.

Day 1: ATHENS. Arrival in in Athens Eleutherios Venizelos Airport. Transfer with assistant to your centrally located hotel. Meeting and orientation. Welcome dinner in typical Greek taverna in the old town, Plaka. Overnight to hotel Herodion near the Acropolis museum or similar. (D)

Day 2: ATHENS. Morning guided visit of the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum. Stroll around the old town, the Plaka and pass by the Ancient Agora. Afternoon at leisure to explore Athens cultural treasures and museums. Greek cooking demonstration in Athens at selected establishment, including dinner. Overnight in Athens. (B,D)

Day 3: ATHENS – DELPHI. Drive from Athens to visit the famous oracle of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a visit of the museum with the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer, drive to the picturesque mountainous village of Arachova. Dinner. Overnight in Arachova, in hotel with all comforts such as hotel Likoria. (B,D)

Day 4: DELPHI – METEORA. Depart in the morning to reach Kalambaka, home of another UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Byzantine Monasteries, built on top of the cliffs overlooking the plain of Thessaly, an impressive site. Overnight in Kalambaka at hotel Divani Meteora or similar with buffet dinner.(B,D)

Day 5: METEORA – METSOVON. Depart from Meteora toward the picturesque, traditional village of Metsovon, known for its spicy cheese and unique architecture. Visit the Tositsa Museum, housing the unique folk art museum and local winery, including wine tasting. Continue to reach the historic city of  Ioannina, with the lake and well preserved fortress. Overnight in traditional hotel/guesthouse in Ioannina, hotel Du Lac or similar. (B,D)

Day 6: IOANNINA – ZAGOROCHORIA. We start our day for a scenic drive towards Zagorochoria,  historical villages located in the Pindos mountain. Hiking tour among gorges and enjoy nature. Enjoy traditional specialties by local chef for dinner. Overnight in authentic hotel in Megalo Zagori. (B,D)

Day 7: IOANNINA – DODONI (Ancient Oracle) – IGOUMENITSA – CORFU. Walking tour of the Ioannina Castle and visit of the Silversmith museum. Then drive  to the site of  Ancient Oracle of Dodoni, with its interesting theater and continue on the highway towards  Igoumenitsa  where we board the ferry  for a short boat ride to the island of Corfu.  Overnight in Corfu at hotel Divani or similar with dinner.(B,D)

Day 8: CORFU. City tour, visiting Churches,  the main square, the Piazza, the Archeological  Museum, the "Mouse Island", a landmark in Corfu. In the Afternoon visit the summer palace of the Austrian Empress, Sissy and to Paleokastritsa, where Odysseus is said to have met Nafsika. Dinner with folkdance performance. Overnight in Corfu (B,D)

Day 9: CORFU – PARGA – NECROMANTEION (where Odysseus meets Hades) – NICOPOLIS (visit) – KASTROSYKIA – PREVEZA. Depart from Corfu in the morning and reach Igoumenitsa. You arrive at Necromantion, the site of the ancient Oracle of the Deads , where Odysseus (Ulysses) enters the underworld. After a visit there, you continue to Nicopolis,  the  Roman  city established   by Emperor  Octavian  Augustus  to commemorate his sea battle victory over Queen Cleopatra and Antony from. Visit  the  Roman Theater, the Augustus Monument and also some of the early Byzantine   Churches  in the area.  The nearby archaeological museum is worth visiting. Then you arrive in  Kastrosykia,  near PREVEZA for dinner  and overnight in a family hotel near  the sandy beach. Overnight in Preveza (B,D)

Day 10: PREVEZA - ASTAKOS - ITHACA . Drive one and half hour to the port of   Astakos   for a  3-hour boat ride  to ITHACA,  the home island of Ulysses. Arrival in late afternoon. Check in at the hotel and dinner with  local  island  dances.  Overnight in hotel Mentor or similar  in  main town and port  Vathy.(B,D)

Day 11: ITHACA- CEPHALONIA Visit the small archeological  museum and the site of the alleged Odysseus Palace at Piso Aetos near Vathy.  Continue  our drive to the Monastery of Katharon , then a scenic drive to Stavros and the nearby  legendary  School of Homer.  Drive back to Piso Aetos for a short ferry ride to the island of  Cephalonia. Overnight in the  central hotel Ionian Plaza in Argostoli, the capital of the island with dinner at selected restaurant. (B,D)

Day 12: CEPHALONIA. Visit the Caves of Melissani with the Blue Grotto. Continue to Agios Andreas, the Byzantine Museum with rare icons and to St. Gerasimos, the patron saint of Cephalonia and the Folklore museum. Dinner at the floating on the water, seafood restaurant in Argostoli, a unique experience. Overnight in Argostoli.(B,D)

Day 13: CEPHALONIA- OLYMPIA Ferry trip (1 ½ hours)  from the port of Poros in Cephalonia to Kyllini in order to drive to OLYMPIA, the site of the ancient Olympic Games. Visit the site of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics and a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with its Archeological Museum. Dinner and overnight in Hotel  Europa or similar in Olympia. (B,D)

Day 14: OLYMPIA – ATHENS. Morning visit of the History of Olympic Games in Antiquity. Drive from Olympia, to a historic winery estate, amidst green surroundings and olive trees, dated from the 19th century. Tour of the facilities, wine tasting and lecture on vine growing and the local variety. Lunch on premises. Then, drive toward Patras to Corinth and via the Corinth Canal to Athens. Farewell dinner with traditional dishes. Overnight in Athens at 4****star hotel near the Acropolis, hotel Herodion. (B,L,D)

Day 15: ATHENS-USA Transfer and departure to U.S. (B)

We provide:

• Accommodations in two bedded rooms in 4**** and 3 *** star hotels, traditional guest houses in locations as per itinerary, all with private facilities and amenities, including all taxes

• Daily breakfast buffet

• Daily 4- course dinners in hotels or selected tavernas/restaurants with specialties

• Winery Visits (2) and wine tasting and one lunch on premises

• Air-conditioned, luxury motorcoach bus, included selected, professional driver

• On-site lectures in Corinth and Athens by Classicists

• Excellent guide/lecturer sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm about Ulysses and Ancient Greece

• Special events, in Corfu: Folkdancing performances, in Cephalonia : Choir Performances.

• All ferry boat tickets between the Ionian islands and mainland

• All admissions to the sites and museums as per itinerary

• 24 Hour assistance by our staff in Greece

• Useful material/brochures and maps
  

Optional Extension:

RETURN TO TROY – SEVEN DAY AIR TOUR

By air: Istanbul (3 nights), Troy (1 night), Pergamum (visit), Izmir (2 nights),Efessos (visit), Didyma, Miletos, Priene (visit). Return via Izmir to Athens. (Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays)