Itinerary:

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September 16 (Fri) Board your overnight flight.

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Day 1 – September 17 (Sat) – Welcome to Athens, Greece! Tonight meet your Tour Director for a welcome drink.

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Day 2 – September 18 (Sun) – Athens - Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the world-famous ACROPOLIS, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Here, see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Enjoy a panoramic view that includes glimpses of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the beautifully preserved Theseum, where Socrates taught. Later, a city orientation tour features the Parliament House and a picture stop at the Panathenaic Stadium. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and was host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The rest of the day is at leisure. Plaka Dinner with Folklore included (B,D)

 

Day 3 – September 19 (Mon) – Athens- Thermoplaye - Kalambaka. Today’s highlight is a stop to Thermopylae, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. Later travel to Kalambaka and visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes. In the evening enjoy a COOKING DEMONSTRATION and learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer (B, D)

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Day 4 – September 20 (Tues) Kalambaka – Meteora Area-Delphi. This morning visit the fantastic landscape of Meteora with its rock-top monasteries. Visit ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. Later a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. A highlight this evening is a DANCE LESSON, where you’ll learn how to dance the sirtaki, made famous in the movie Zorba the Greek, accompanied by a glass of Ouzo (B, D)

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Day 5 – September 21 (Wed) Delphi-Olympia-Nauplia. Spectacular scenery abounds on the way to Olympia, where athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the king of deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Later arrive in Nauplia where you will overnight (B, D)

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Day 6 – September 22 (Thurs) Nauplia-Epidaurus-Mycenae-Corinth-Athens. Two highlights today: EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater and later MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, known as the Treasury of Atreus; the Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument; the remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace; the impressive fortifications of the Citadel and visit the museum. Cross the spectacular Corinth Canal, and visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Tonight arrive in Athens where dinner will be served at your hotel (B, D)

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Day 7 – September 23 (Fri) Athens- Mykonos. This morning head for the airport for your FLIGHT to the mountainous island of Mykonos, where mythology’s Hercules defeated and killed the giants. (B)

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Day 8 – September 24 (Sat) Mykonos – Tinos – Mykonos. This morning board your FERRY for a short ride to beautiful island of Tinos.  Once in Tinos, a drive to the picturesque village of Pirgos, birthplace of famous artists, painters and sculptors. Here you can visit the house where the world known sculptor Giannoulis Halepas lived but also the Museum of Tinian Artists/ On the way to Pirgos, we are passing the village of Tarampados where we have the ability to admire the dovecotes that are built in the area. Next stop Volax village, which is situated in the heart of Tinos and it is built in a beautiful lunar landscape. Many of its inhabitants here are known to weave baskets. After leaving Volax we reach the village of Aetofolia for lunch. We will return to the Tinos port later in the afternoon where you will have free time time to explore before boarding your ferry back to Mykonos. Tonight you will have leisure time (B, L)

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 Day 9 – September 25 (Sun) At Leisure on Mykonos. Enjoy a relaxing day in the sun on one of the beautiful golden sandy beaches or take a short boat ride to see the archaeological ruins on the nearby island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)

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Day 10 - September 26 (Mon) Mykonos-Santorini – Today, board a high-speed EXPRESS FERRY and sail to Santorini(Thera), the stunning “Black Pearl of the Aegean” – according to some, the site of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis.  Tonight, enjoy a traditional Greek Meal (B, D)

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Day 11 – September 27 (Tues) Santorini-Oia-Santorini – Today visit ancient Akrotiri, known as the "Minoan Pompeii," the flourishing town was at once destroyed and preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C. Next, travel to the cliff-top village of Oia for one of the world’s most breathtaking panoramas. Later a visit to a LOCAL WINERY that produces the famous wines of Santorini. (B, D)

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Day 12 – September 28 (Wed) At Leisure on Santorini – Colorful, sun-soaked beaches, stunning views, and shopping through the charming town centre are yours discovering in your free time today (B)

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Day 13 – September 29 (Thurs) – Santorini-Athens. Travel to the airport for your FLIGHT to Athens. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with your travelling companions and Tour Director (B, D)

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Day 14 – September 30 (Fri) – Athens – Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (B)

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Included meals:

13 breakfasts

1 lunch

8 dinners

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Hotels: (subject to changes)

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Athens: Hotel Stanley

Kalambaka: Amalis Kalambaka

Delphi: Amalia Delphi

Nauplia: Amalia Naplia

Mykonos: Petasos Beach Hotel

Santorini: El Greco

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