Sports tour 11 days
DAY 1
Arrive at the airport of Athens, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your
hotel for check-in. Enjoy free time in Athens for a firsthand look at the beauty and culture of this
famous city which dates back to 1200 B.C. An orientation briefing will follow before dinner. Dinner and
overnight.
DAY 2
After your breakfast, follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the architectural
miracles of the Golden Age of Pericles: the Propylea, the Erechtheum and, above all, the Parthenon
(temple of Athena, goddess of wisdom). Take in a panoramic view of the city and observe the Agora
(marketplace) where many ancient philosophers spent their time. Continue with a bus tour of the
center of Athens and admire the Old Olympic Stadium, the National University, the National
Library, the Academy, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square with the House of
Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and much more. You will also visit the National
Archaeological Museum of Athens, one of the finest in the world. Its superb collections of
sculptures, ceramics, jewelry and frescoes really stand out and are not to be missed. You can learn
more about mythology, ancient religion, art and representations of divinities and various social groups
like priests, soldiers or philosophers. The afternoon is free for exploration of the city. Don’t forget to
visit the famous Plaka, with its many shops and cafes! Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3
Today is a free day for exploration of the city of Athens. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4
This morning board the ship and sail to the world-famous island of Mykonos. The town is as small architectural
miracle, with its gleaming whitewashed buildings; it one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world.
DAY 5
Today arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and have the option to drive to ancient Ephesus. The impressive remains
include the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of Celsius, the ruins of the Temple of Diana (one of
the “seven Wonders of the Ancient World”) and more. Later, sail for the isle of Patmos, where you can choose to
visit the Monastery of St John, on one of the island’s highest points. From there, walk down to the Grotto of the
Apocalypse, the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St John the Divine.
DAY 6
In the morning arrive in Heraklion, Crete, where you can choose to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home
to king Minos and his legendary beast, the Minotaur. In the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, you can find
the unbelievable works of art (pieces of sculpture and pottery, jewelry, arms, frescoes) that have been found in a
number of Minoan sites all over Crete. Then sail north to the isle of Santorini, the most breathtaking of all the
Greek islands. The exquisite whitewashed villages, including the town of Fira, or Thira, cling to volcanic cliffs,
accessible only by cable car or mule.
DAY 7
Arrive in Piraeus, Athens, early in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Begin your 4-day tour by
traveling to scenic Delphi, one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth, according to a
poet. Drive through beautiful countryside, pass the cities of Thiva (Thebes) and Livadia and see the
town of Arachova, well-known for its local industry of rugs, carpets and leather goods. Arrive at Delphi
and explore the archaeological site which was once believed to be the “navel” (omphalos) of the world.
Walk along the Sacred Way to see the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo, where the oracle
delivered her ambiguous prophecies, and the Theater. Also visit the Museum with its splendid
collection of ancient works of art, including the Sphinx of the Naxians, the Silver Bull, the Column
of the Dancers, the “Omphalos” and the pride of the museum, the 5 th century B.C. bronze
“Charioteer”. Dinner and overnight in Delphi.
DAY 8
Drive over the new “hanging” bridge, which connects the Peloponnese to the region of Continental
Greece in order to reach Olympia. Spend your afternoon in Olympia, admiring the splendors of this
unique place where the ancient Greek ideas of unity, peace, and fair play flourished. See the impressive
ruins of Hera and Zeus’s Temples, the Leonidaion, the Workshop of the sculptor Pheidias and of
course, the famous Stadium where the Olympic Games were held. Also visit the Museum, with its
new display of amazing pieces of sculpture, pottery and the architectural remains of the ancient
edifices. Don’t miss the pride of this museum, the “Hermes” of Praxiteles, one of the most wonderful
ancient statues ever made. Continue to Kalamata for dinner and overnight.
DAY 9
Today you enjoy a tour of Kalamata, the capital and chief port of the prefecture of Messinia, built in
the heart of the Messinian Gulf near the ancient city of Farai mentioned by Homer. 238 km from
Athens, Kalamata is the land of the Kalamatianos dance and the silk kerchief, as well as of succulent
dark olives, honey-eyed figs and the honey-covered sesame sweet called "pastelli". Visit the castle
built in the 13 th century by Geoffrey de Villehardouin. On the north side of the citadel, there is a small
Byzantine church dedicated to the Virgin of Kalomata (of the good eye), from which the town may have
acquired its name. There are many churches in town, the oldest being the historic church of Agii
Apostoli (13 th c.), where the Greek Revolution against the Turks was formally declared on March 23,
1821. In the afternoon you can enjoy some free time to swim and relax on the beach.
DAY 10
After our breakfast, we travel north to visit Epidaurus, the site of the most popular Sanctuary of
Asclepius in ancient Greece. Nowadays it is visited by thousands of people, who want to admire the
spectacular Theater and test its astonishing acoustics. This amazing Theater is preserved in an almost
perfect condition, while the other remaining beautiful edifices of the Sanctuary, where the healings used
to take place in a mystical manner, lie in ruins at a small distance from the Theater. In the small
Museum nearby find a number of stelae with medical records of the Sanctuary and also a collection of
surgical instruments which were used by the physicians-priests of Asclepius. You then continue to
Nafplion, one of the most attractive towns in the country. Get acquainted with the lovely town of
Nafplion, the first capital of Greece. Stroll around the promenade and explore the narrow streets and
picturesque squares of Nafplion. Continue to Athens for check-in at the hotel and dinner.
DAY 11
Fly back home full of wonderful memories from your journey.
