17 DAYS WESTERN CIVILIZATION TOUR OF GREECE: Athens, Crete, Delphi, the Peloponnese and Santorini (extension)
This itinerary offers an exciting introduction to the culture that was the foundation of Western Civilization. You will travel to mainland Greece and the beautiful islands of the Aegean - into the world of ancient monuments, fascinating museums and spectacular archaeological sites. You will see Athens and the Acropolis as well as other important monuments, the scenic site of the oracle of Delphi, the site of Olympia where the first Olympic Games took place, Epidaurus, with its world famous ancient theatre, Crete with its unique Minoan Palace and art treasures. Also you will have the opportunity to learn about modern Greece and meet Greek people, perhaps even learn the steps of Greek dances.
Itinerary
Day 1: ATHENS. Arrive in Athens Eleutherios Venizelos International Airport. Meeting and transfer to your centrally located hotel near the Acropolis, hotel Herodion or similar. Afternoon free. Welcome dinner. Overnight at hotel Philippos or Acropolis Hill. (B,D)
Day 2: ATHENS. Visit of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and walking tour through the Old Town, along with your private guide/lecturer. Overnight. (B)
Day 3: ATHENS. Visit of the Ancient Agora and the Kerameikos cemetery. Optional visit of the Benaki Museum. Optional dinner in a Greek taverna with Greek music and dancing. (B)
Day 4:ATHENS- AIGINA. Departure by your private bus and guide to reach the port of Piraeus. Board the ferry for a short ride to the Saronic island of Aigina. Visit the Temple of Aphaia, overlooking the sea, dedicated to the goddess Athina. Stroll around the old town of Aigina, admire the neo classical buildings, visit the site of Colonna and enjoy some fresh fish for lunch and even the indigenous pistachios. Return with an afternoon ferry back to Piraeus. Overnight in Athens. (B, L)
Day 5: ATHENS. Visit of the Archaeological Museum, along with your guide and bus driver. Afternoon trip to Cape Sounion with scenic drive along the seaside, the Riviera attica, in order to reach and visit the Temple of Poseidon, overlooking the Aegean sea. On the way back, visit a traditional Greek orthodox monastery with young nuns producing their own organic products and eager to discuss their daily monastic life. Dinner on the seaside with Greek fish and seafood. Overnight in Athens. (B,D)
Day 6: ATHENS-CORINTH-MYCENAE-EPIDAURUS. Start Classical Tour with your private bus and guide to pass by Corinth Canal (stop), then short visit the site of Ancient Corinth and its museum, continue to reach Mycenae with the remnants of the Palace of Agamemnon, the tomb of Atreus and the Lions Gate. Then reach the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics. Reach Nafplion for dinner in a typical taverna & overnight at traditional hotel Marianna . (B,D)
Day 7: NAFPLION- SPARTA-MYSTRA Morning stroll in Nafplion and then depart with your private bus and guide to Sparta, the rival ancient city of Athens. Visit the Arch. Museum and also if interested, the Museum of Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta. Visit the Byzantine settlement of Mystra, with the impressive mosaics. Dinner & overnight in Sparta at hotel Maniatis or Menelaion. (B,D)
Day 8: SPARTA-PYLOS Depart in the morning to reach Pylos and visit Mycenean Nestor's Palace, an outdoor site presenting the excavations in an innovative way, and then visit the museum. Dinner & overnight in Pylos at hotel Philipp. (B,D)
Day 9: PYLOS-OLYMPIA Depart in the morning and reach Olympia, visit to the museum and the site of ancient Olympic Games. Visit also the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Dinner & overnight at hotel Europa(B,D)
Day 10:OLYMPIA-PATRAS-DELPHI Depart in the morning and drive through Patras(optional visit of the Archaia Clauss winery) and the Rion/Antirion bridge to pass by Galaxidi and Nafpaktos to reach Delphi, the site of the famous ancient oracle. Visit this UNESCO World heritage site, the “navel of the world” , with the sanctuary of Apollo. Dinner & overnight in Delphi at hotel Leto or Arachova at hotel Likoria(B,D).
Day 11:DELPHI-ARACHOVA-CRETE Depart in the morning to visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, stop in Arachova for lunch and continue to pass by Thebes, to visit the interesting Archaeological Museum. Reach the port of Piraeus (port of Athens). Embarkation for overnight ferry to CRETE. (B)
Day 12:CRETE Morning arrival in Heraklion, Crete. Guided visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the
Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Stroll around Heraklion to experience the capital of Crete. Afternoon visit of local winery and olive oil producer to learn and taste about those special Cretan products. Overnight at hotel Lato. (B)
Day 13:CRETE Full day tour with your private bus and guide to the site of Gortys , and the second in importance Minoan Palace, Phaestos with a stop for lunch in Matala, once a vibrant hippie community living in caves. Cretan dinner at selected restaurant with local “lyra” music. Overnight in Heraklion. (B,D)
Day 14:CRETE. Full day tour with your private bus and guide to reach Rethymon, visit the famous Fortezza castle, experience a local phyllo” maker and learn how the famous Cretan pies are made, prior to reaching Chania, and the picturesque Venetian port. Visit the Arch. Museum in Chania and walking tour of the town. Overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus (in private cabins). (B)
*Day 15:ATHENS-MARATHON. Early morning arrival in Piraeus. Transfer to your hotel in Athens. Full day tour of Marathon Battlefield and visit to the Vorres Museum, a unique Greek traditional house with 800 pieces of Modern Greek art. Opt. lunch in typical taverna with Greek specialities. Overnight. (B)
Day 16:ATHENS. Day at leisure to experience Athens on your own (workshops such as meeting with students at local university, special Ancient Masque workshop or cooking class and marble workshop can be arranged). Evening: Farewell dinner. Overnight. (B,D)
Day 17:ATHENS-USA. Transfer to Athens' airport for return flight to the USA.
SANTORINI EXTENSION TOUR * (for April until October ONLY)
Day 14: CRETE: Departure via catamaran from Heraklio to Santorini, the famous volcano island with the black sand, dramatic views, historical sites, wineries and famous for its sunsets. Arrival by mid day and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon walking tour of Fira, the old town and enjoy on your own an evening sunset cruises overlooking the caldera. Overnight at hotel Santorini Palace.(B)
Day 15: SANTORINI Guided tour of the volcanic island and of the excavations of Akrotiri, the prehistoric city buried under the ashes, after the volcano eruption, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, including winery visit to experience the vineyard and taste some indigenous varieties such as the famous “vinsanto” sweet wine. Overnight in Santorini. (B)
Day 16: SANTORINI-ATHENS. Return flight to Athens. Transfer to you hotel. Overnight.
We provide:
Accommodation in 3 *** and 4 **** central hotels in twin bedded rooms, with all modern comforts and central locations
Daily buffet breakfast
Ten (10) dinners during 6-days Classical tour, including welcome and farewell dinners in Athens and lunch in Aigina
Professional speaking guide/lecturer through out the tour
All bus transportation in modern air-conditioned motor coach with selected driver, including transfers
to/from airport and ports
Ferry tickets to & from Crete in 4 berth cabins with private facilities
Ferry tickets to/from Aigina including bus and guide for day trip
Cultural activities such as winery visit, olive oil press visit, “phyllo” master visit among others
Assistance in obtaining reduced entrance passes in Greece from local authorities for teachers/professors based on proper documentation.
Free cell phone with start-up minutes for the teacher /leader’s use while in Greece
24-Hours Assistance from local reps in Greece.
Extension to SANTORINI- for min. 10 persons is recommended.