30 DAYS: GREECE’S CULTURAL TREASURES AND ISLANDS
This is a comprehensive study tour that includes Athens, Crete, Santorini and the largest of the Cyclades island, Naxos before exploring the Peloponnese and Northern Greece.
It is designed to cover most important sites and historical places of Greece in a month’s time for either January or May terms. Below is an itinerary we designed for University of Houston, TX.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ATHENS Arrival and bus transfer to hotel. Around 7:00pm meet at the lobby to walk for welcome dinner (included) at the traditional taverna in the old town with 4 meal course dinner including local specialties. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Herodion or similar. (D)
DAY 2: ATHENS At 8.30am meet your professional, Greek government licensed travel guide for guided visit (on foot) to Acropolis, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites and the Acropolis Museum . Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Herodion or similar. (B)
DAY: ATHENS At 9.30am guided visit, by private bus, to the National Archaeological Museum, with its archeological art treasures of Greece & the Ancient Agora, with the Museum and the city prison of Socrates. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Herodion or similar. (B)
DAY 4: ATHENS – CRETE At 9.00am private bus excursion to a unique Greek orthodox Monastery where nuns from all around the world are eager to share their daily activities, and discuss their daily lives while showing their monastery to the students. Lunch (not included) in Lavrion at 1:00pm. Continue to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon. Early dinner (included) in Varkiza overlooking the sea. Continue to Piraeus port for overnight ANEK ferry departing for Chania, Crete around 9:00pm. Overnight in 4 berth cabins (and single for professors)(B, D)
DAY 5: CHANIA Around 6:00am arrival in Chania. Bus transfer to hotel for breakfast. Walking Orientation tour of Chania, including the Archeological Museum and picturesque Venetian port. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Kriti or similar. (B)
DAY 6: HERAKLION Morning departure by private bus to Heraklion. Meet your local guide, start with an orientation walk and guided visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. At 8:00pm dinner in typical Cretan taverna with local specialties and music. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Lato or similar. (B, D)
DAY 7: HERAKLION At 9.00am bus drive to Knossos to see the remnants of the Minoan Palace. Continue to Kapetaniana for visit and cave exploration or hiking in Mt. Kofinas - if you wish, along with your private guide. Visit a local winery including lunch. Overnight (breakfast & included) at Hotel Lato. (B, L)
DAY 8: HERAKLION At 8.30am bus drive to Phaistos, the second in importance Minoan palace in Crete, and Gortyna, the important town in Roman times. Continue to Matala beach for swimming and lunch. Overnight (breakfast included) in hotel Lato. (B)
DAY 9: HERAKLION – SANTORINI Depart from hotel in the morning to embark on high speed boat to Santorini, the famous volcano island (2 hours boat ride). Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Orientation walk in Santorini, around Fira. Overnight in Fira, at hotel Santorini Palace or similar. (B)
DAY 10: SANTORINI Meet your local guide for a morning guided visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Thira. At 10:30am meet your private bus for sightseeing tour visiting the prehistoric site of Acrotiri . Stop for short lunch and swimming in Perivolos. Around 3:00pm visit a local winery. Short stop to visit the picturesque town of Oia, with suburb sea views. Return in the afternoon to hotel. Overnight at hotel Santorini Palace or similar. (B)
DAY 11: SANTORINI – NAXOS Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the port to depart for Naxos around 1pm. Bus transfer upon arrival, by hotel Grotta shuttle bus. Time to explore Naxos on your own, visit the Portara, with the Temple of Apollo and Kastro area in the old town, with remnants of the old settlement in the old town. Overnight at hotel Grotta or similar. (B)
DAY 12: NAXOS At 9:00am meet your local guide day tour of Naxos - by private bus and with your local guide, to visit Kouros, the unfinished male Archaic statue made of Naxian marble found in Melanes, amidst a garden, then visit the Temple of Dimitra with scenic view at Sangri and continue to the local distillery “Kitron” to try the local citrus liquor and also visit to a Naxian pottery workshop. Possibility for swimming at Plaka beach. At 8:00pm dinner (included) in the local taverna, overlooking the harbor of Naxos with local delicacies". Overnight at hotel Grotta. (B, D)
DAY 13: NAXOS Early morning hike with your expert guide/hiker on Mt. Zas, the highest peak of the island, including the Cave of Zas. Overnight at hotel Grotta. (B)
DAY 14: NAXOS FREE DAY. Suggestion for day trip to Paros. Or visit the Mikri Vigla beach area or Plaka beach area, excellent for swimming in a beautiful sandy beach. Overnight at hotel Grotta. (B)
DAY 15: NAXOS – ATHENS Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer by Grotta hotel shuttle bus to the port to board ferry to Piraeus. Upon arrival, bus transfer to hotel in Athens. Overnight at Hotel Herodion.(B)
DAY 16: ELEUSIS – CORINTH – NAUPLION Bus departure with your private guide/lecturer to Eleusis, the site of the Eleusinian Mysteries, along with its Museum. Guided visit at the site and the museum. Continue to Corinthian Canal and visit Ancient Corinth. Then drive to reach Nafplion, a historic seaside town with Venetian influence, the first capital of liberated Greece. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Marianna or similar (B)
DAY 17: NAUPLION At 8.30am guided visit at the Two Bronze Age sites: Mycenae, with the remnants of the Palace of Agamemnon, the tomb of Atreus and the Lions Gate, and then the site of Tiryns, another Mycenean settlement with imposing Cyclopean walls. Return to Nafplion. Dinner (included) at the selected taverna. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Marianna or similar. (B, D)
DAY 18: NAUPLION At 9:00am guided visit at Epidaurus Ancient Theatre, famous for its unique acoustics, holding more than 14,000 spectators, and also the Asclepius Sanctuary. Return to Nafplion to visit Palamidi Fortress, with views of the Gulf of Argolis. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Marianna or similar. (B)
DAY 19: NEMEA – OLYMPIA At 9:00am guided visit at Nemea site, famous for the Nemean Games, with its stadium, Temple of Zeus and museum. Winery visit in the area of Nemea, to learn about the local red varieties, such as “agiorgitiko” and how the wine is being produced in this region, along with wine tasting, including light lunch and tour of the facilities. Drive to Olympia. Overnight (breakfast & dinner - buffet, included) at hotel Europa or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 20: OLYMPIA At 9:00am visit Ancient Olympia site, the site of Ancient Olympic Games and Archeological museum. Overnight (breakfast & dinner – buffet) with folk dance performance and lesson at Hotel Europa or similar. (B, D)
DAY 21: DELPHI Drive to Delphi. Pass by the bridge “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rion/Antirion). Reach Delphi. Visit the well-known UNESCO World Heritage site, the site of the Ancient Oracle with the impressive Temple of Apollo and ancient theatre. Visit the Museum of Delphi, which among other displays, the bronze statue of the Charotier, stands out as a masterpiece of art. Overnight (breakfast included) in hotel Leto or similar (B)
DAY 22: DELPHI – METEORA Visit Delphi site if not visited the day before. Drive to Kalambaka. Check-in to hotel. Dinner (included at the hotel). Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Divani Meteora or similar. (B, D)
DAY 23: METEORA At 8:30am start visiting one or two of the Hanging Monasteries in Meteora (Varlaam, Agios Stefanos, Agios Nikolaos, Roussanou),built on the cliffs overlooking the plain of Thessaly, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. If time permits, visit the Icon workshop in Kalambaka. Dinner (included at the hotel). Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Divani Meteora or similar. (B, D)
DAY 24: VERGINA – THESSALONIKI Early morning bus departure to Vergina, another UNESCO World Heritage site, where the famous Macedonian tombs, known to be the burial place for Alexander's the Great father, Philipp II is located. After an interesting visit on the well-lit underground museum, we continue to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great for a site visit, including the unique pebble mosaics from 4c. BC located in the museum. Reach Thessaloniki, the 2nd largest in population city in Greece. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Mediterranean Palace or similar. (B)
DAY 25: THESSALONIKI Morning city tour by bus and guide to drive by the Roman and Byzantine sites of the city. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki with its treasures, St. Demetrius and Rotunda church. Dinner in selected taverna in Ladadika area. Overnight at hotel Mediterranean Palace. (B, D)
DAY 26: THESSALONIKI Morning bus departure to the site of Philippi, another UNESCO World Heritage site, associated with St. Paul and the battle of Philippi (42B.C). Lunch in the seaside town of Kavalla. Short stop in Amphipolis, to visit the famous site and museum. Return to Thessaloniki. Group dinner at taverna. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Mediterranean Palace. (B, D)
DAY 27: CHALKIDIKI – THESSALONIKI Full day trip by bus and guide to the Chalkidiki peninsula known for its lovely beaches and the monastic republic of Mount Athos. Enjoy a relaxing day at one of the many beaches of the peninsula, or take a boat trip along Mount Athos to watch the monasteries from a distance. On you return stop in Stageira, birthplace of the great Philosopher Aristotle, prior to reaching Thessaloniki. Return to Thessaloniki. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Mediterranean Palace. (B)
DAY 28: ATHENS Morning bus departure towards Athens. Optional stop by Dion, located on the slope of Mount Olympos , the sanctuary site for the Macedonians . Continue the drive to Athens to stop by the Battlefield of Thermopylae, see the statue of King Leonidas of Sparta who fought and died a heroic death here against the Persians in 480 B.C. Reach Athens. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Herodion. (B)
DAY 29: ATHENS – AEGINA Day trip to the island of Aegina, with your private bus and guide. Reach the island after a short ferry ride. Visit the Temple of Aphea, try the indigenous pistachios and stroll around the picturesque port, admiring the neoclassical buildings. Return to Piraeus port in the afternoon. Farewell dinner (included) at selected restaurant. Overnight (breakfast included) at hotel Herodion or similar. (B, D)
DAY 30: ATHENS – USA Breakfast at hotel. Bus transfer to Athens Airport for return flight to USA at an appointed time. (B)
We provide:
Accommodation for twenty-eight (28) overnights in mostly twin bedded rooms with private facilities in centrally located 3*** and 4**** hotels as per itinerary (and singles for leaders)
Daily buffet breakfast
Fourteen (14) meals, dinners or lunches (4-course meals) including special welcome and farewell dinner and two light lunches in wineries
English speaking licensed guide/lecturer throughout land tour, incl. all his/her expenses
English speaking licensed local guide in Crete as specified on the itinerary
English speaking licensed local guide in Santorini
English speaking licensed local guide in Naxos
Coach transportation in luxury A/C bus, with professional driver on land tour, Crete, Santorini and Naxos as per itinerary incl. bus tolls and all expenses
Group bus transfers to/from the airport and ports by private bus at appointed times
Boat tickets to Crete, including all taxes for overnight passage in 4-berth cabins with all facilities (4berth cabins for students, singles for professors)
Ferry boat tickets in assigned seating from Crete to Santorini, from Santorini to Naxos and from Naxos to Athens
Day trip to the island of Aegina, with private bus and guide including boat tickets
Cultural activities such as folk-dancing demonstration and winery visit in Nemea and winery visit in Santorini
Earpieces for assisting in guiding, throughout the tour
Free cellular phone with start-up minutes during your stay in Greece, for professors' use
Assistance in obtaining meeting space (free of charge) at hotels for lectures (pending on availability)
Assistance in obtaining reduced admission fees to sites/museusm for professors (pending on proper documentation and local regulations)
24hour assistance from our local rep throughout the tour