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Journey back 2,500
years to world of the ancient Greeks and the origins of
Western Civilization. This well-paced 15-day journey
balances expeditions to Greece’s most important
Classical age monuments with ample time to bask in the
sun amidst the whitewashed houses, narrow streets
vineyards, elegant shops, marketplaces, workshops and
beautiful beaches on the island paradises of Mykonos and
Santorini. Feast on local cuisine, sample some of
Greece’s best wines, enjoy lively local entertainment
and learn about ancient Greek art, architecture and
culture while enjoying time to explore and relax on your
own. Your comprehensive tour of Athens takes in the
marble Parthenon, Olympic Stadium, and the incredible
Acropolis. An overnight visit to Olympia, an important
early religious site dedicated to Zeus - the
mythological father of the Greek pantheon - includes a
tour of the Olympic Stadium - the birthplace of the
first Olympic games. Join a local expert in exploring
Delphi, one of ancient Greece’s most important religious
centers dating back to the 8th century. Another
important religious site in Greece is Meteora, a group
of monasteries perched atop nearly inaccessible
limestone rock towers. As early as the 11th century,
hermits settled on these towers, which are as high as
900 feet. As you travel through the dazzling Peneios
Valley, you will visit two of these remote holy places.
Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine and entertainment at a
local taverna located in Athens’ historic Plaka
district.
- Spend five leisurely
nights immersed in the island splendor of Mykonos and
Santorini.
- Join a local expert exploring Athens'
fascinating monuments including the famed Acropolis
- Visit a Byzantine monastery in Metéora and
learn about the devout lifestyle of the monks who live there.
- Explore the grandeur of Olympia,
birthplace of the Olympic Games.
- Sample the finest wines in Greece during a
winery tour on Santorini.
 Day
1: Overnight Flight
Discover the beauty and timeless wonder found only in
Greece. From the colorful Greek Islands to historic
classical Greece, every day of your journey is filled
with new and wonderful experiences. This fascinating
tour of Greece begins with an overnight flight.
Day 2: Athens, Greece - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in the capital city Athens. This
evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner
in Athens' historic district, known as the Plaka. In a
traditional taverna you will feast on local cuisine and
wine, and enjoy Greek entertainment. (D)
Day 3: Athens
A comprehensive tour of Athens brings the past to life
as it showcases the city's ancient and glorious
monuments. See the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, the
Royal Palace, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Olympic
Stadium and visit the incredible Acropolis. Enjoy time
at leisure this afternoon to further explore this
captivating city. (B)
Day 4: Athens - Mykonos
This morning you will transfer to the port of Athens
where you will board a ferry for Mykonos, the
whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands. Enjoy
magnificent views as you sail across the brilliant
Aegean Sea to this island paradise. (B, D)
Day 5: Mykonos
Enjoy a relaxing day to independently explore the charms
of Mykonos. The beautiful island beaches beckon for a
day spent relaxing in the Mediterranean sunshine. Don't
miss Mykonos Town, where a maze of narrow streets link
the whitewashed buildings, and traditional life
continues amidst the bustling activity. You will want to
stroll through the island's elegant shops and enjoy the
fresh seafood offered in the waterfront tavernas.
Perhaps you will be tempted to visit the ancient
sanctuary of Apollo on the isolated island of Delos. (B)
Day 6: Mykonos - Santorini
Bid farewell to Mykonos as you sail to the most
spectacular destination in the Mediterranean, the fabled
island of Santorini. Upon arrival, transfer to your
hotel and enjoy a traditional. dinner in a local
restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7: Santorini
Spend a day exploring the cultural wonders and history
of Santorini. Travel through a fascinating landscape of
vineyards, whitewashed chapels and volcanic cliffs as a
local guide escorts you on an island tour. Visit Oia,
where the best views of the crater are found, and
explore the island capital of Thira. Later, experience
the excavations at Akrotiri which reveal a Minoan city
dating from the second millennium BC. Finish your tour
with a visit to an island winery that produces the
unique and famous wines of Santorini. (B)
Day 8: Santorini
Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience island living.
Spend some time relaxing poolside at your hotel and
further exploring the winding streets of Thira, with
boutiques, workshops and market stalls. You might wish
to take an optional boat excursion to the active
volcanic crater - the very heart of Santorini. (B, D)
Day 9: Santorini - Athens - Kalambaka
Fly back to Athens today to begin exploring classical
Greece. From Athens you will head north through central
Greece. Stop en route to see the beautiful artwork
created by Byzantine icon painters at a local studio.
Here you will witness painters at work and learn about
the unique aspects of the Greek Orthodox Church. End
your day in Kalambaka, a typical Greek town at the foot
of the Pindos Mountains. (B, D)
Day 10: Kalambaka - Meteora - Kalambaka
Today you will tour Metéora, a unique landscape of
limestone, rock "towers" that stand nearly 900 feet into
the air. Over 600 years ago, Byzantine monks chose to
build their monastic community perched atop these
virtually inaccessible rocks. As you travel through the
dazzling Peneios Valley you will stop and visit two of
these remote holy places. Return to Kalambaka this
afternoon for some time to explore the town or relax.
(B)
Day 11: Kalambaka - Thermopylae - Delphi - Arachova
Visit the site of the ancient historic city of
Thermopylae where you will stop to see a monument
dedicated to Leonidas, who died defending the city
against the Persians. Continue on to the ancient city of
Delphi, one of Greece's most important religious centers
during classical times. It was here that the famous
Oracle was consulted to foretell the destiny of Man. A
local expert guides you on a visit to the Sanctuary of
Apollo, the Doric Temple and the Theater. (B, D)
Day 12: Arachova - Olympia
Travel along the Gulf of Corinth before crossing into
the Peloponnese. Continue south to the historic city of
Olympia, a testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek
civilization. Your guided visit includes a tour of the
sanctuary of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium, where the
first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC. (B, D)
Day 13: Olympia - Mycenae - Epidauros - Nauplion
Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cross the Arkadian
Mountains to the ancient city of Mycenae. A guided visit
of the excavations features the Beehive Tombs and the
Lion Gate. Continue to Epidauros to view the spectacular
2,300-year-old open air theater. End your day in
Nauplion. (B, D)
Day 14: Nauplion
Spend the day experiencing the seaside charms of
Nauplion. Your visit includes the old town and the
imposing Palamedes Fort, situated high atop the city,
with commanding views over the town and the Argolic
Gulf. An afternoon at leisure allows you to explore the
town at your own pace. Celebrate the end of your trip
with a delightful farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 15: Nauplion - Athens - Tour Ends
Your tour ends at Athens Airport for your flight home.
(B)
Stay another night - Add a pre night stay in Athens.
Prices start at $110 per person, double.
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
| May 04 2006 |
$2199 |
$3119 from NYC |
| Sep 21 2006 |
$2299 |
$3219 from NYC |
| Oct 12 2006 |
$2199 |
$3119 from NYC |
| Apr 12 2007 |
$2099 |
$3019 from NYC |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on twin
occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not include inter-air flights.
Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06
may follow a different itinerary than what is listed here. Please confirm your
specific itinerary at the time of booking. For tours that feature a cruise, port
taxes are not included in the prices above. Additional tour dates may be available, please call us for information.
15
days, 22 meals
13 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2, 3 - Divani Palace Acropolis, Athens
Day 4, 5 - Royal Myconian or Myconian Imperial
Hotel, Mykonos
Day 6 - 8 - El Greco Hotel or Santo Miramare
Resort, Santorini
Day 9, 10 - Hotel Orfeas, Kalambaka
Day 11 - Hotel Anemolia, Arachova
Day 12 - Europa Hotel, Olympia
Day 13, 14 - Amalia Nauplion, Nauplion
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
-
The internal
flights on this program are not included in the land price.
-
The excavations at
Akrotiri are occasionally closed to the public due to ongoing
archeological work. During these closures a visit will instead
be made to the Archaeological Museum at Thira.
-
Due to flight
schedules, on the last day of the tour you may require a very
early morning departure from the hotel. Return flights should
not be booked prior to 11:00 a.m.
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