Performing in Classical Greece and the Islands
DAY 1
You arrive at the airport of Athens, where our representative meets you and escorts you to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
This morning you get acquainted with the city of Athens. 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). Take in a panoramic view of the city
and observe the Agora (marketplace) the Theater of Dionysos and, especially, the Odeon of
Herodes Atticus, where musical performances used to take place. Continue with a bus tour of the city
and see the old Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square with the
House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and much more. The afternoon is free and
after the early dinner you will be transferred to the venue for your performance. Return to the hotel in
the late evening for overnight.
DAY 3
Travel to scenic Delphi, one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth, according to a poet.
Drive through beautiful countryside, pass by 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 in Delphi and
explore this archaeological site, which was once believed to be the “navel” (omphalos) of the world.
Visit the Treasuries, the Sacred Way, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo, where the oracle
delivered her oblique prophecies. Then continue to the Museum to see the amazing collection of
artifacts, found during the excavations. You return to your hotel in Athens for dinner and then you will
be transferred to the venue for your performance. Back to the hotel in the late evening. Overnight.
DAY 4
Today, follow the coastal road to the legendary Canal of Corinth and make a short stop there for
pictures. Drive on to the Homeric city of Mycenae to see the remains of this prehistoric Acropolis, its
Palace, the Grave Circles and the famous beehive Tombs. This was the kingdom of King Atreus and
his son Agamemnon, who was the leader of the Greeks on the campaign against Troy. Continue to
Epidaurus, passing through Nafplion, the first capital of Greece. In antiquity, Epidaurus was known as
a healing center, as a place where the god of medicine Asclepios was worshipped. Nowadays, thousands
of people visit it to admire the astonishing acoustics of its Theater, the best-preserved ancient theater
in Greece. You can test these acoustics by dropping a single coin, or a variety of coins, on the marble
base in the center of the theater’s orchestra (dancing floor) and be amazed at the clear sound it makes.
You can also stand in the center of the theater and chant, or perform; it’s an amazing experience, when
you hear the echo of your own voice coming back to you. In the evening drive back to Athens for dinner
and overnight.
DAY 5
This morning you will board the ship and sail to the world-famous island of Mykonos. The town is a
small architectural wonder, with its gleaming white-washed buildings and windmills; it is one of the
most cosmopolitan places in the world.
DAY 6
Visit the island of Patmos in the morning, where you can visit the Monastery of St John on one of
the island’s highest points. From there, you can walk down to the Grotto of Apocalypse, where St
John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelation. Later, you will sail for Kusadasi, Turkey, and you can
take the tour to Ephesus, where you can see the impressive remains on this Hellenistic city, one of the
best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Visit the Agora, the Theater, the Stadium, the Library of
Celsius and see the ruins of the Temple of Diana (one of the “seven Wonders of the Ancient World”).
DAY 7
In the morning we will visit Heraklion. Heraklion is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of
the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed
to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. In the afternoon we
will cruise on to the idyllic island of Santorini. Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the
Greek Islands. In the town of Thira, white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering
boutiques cling to steep cliffs which are accessible only by cable car or mule.
DAY 8
You arrive in Pireus, Athens, early in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Begin your trip to
Cape Sounion, the southeastern extremity of Attica. On top of this impressive headland you will see
the marble-white columns of Poseidon’s Temple and admire the breathtaking view. Then, you drive
back to Athens and you have the rest of the day free to explore the picturesque area of Plaka, the
main shopping district in Athens. Our farewell dinner will be in a Greek taverna in the area of Plaka.
Overnight in Athens.
DAY 9
Fly back home full of memories of Greece, its warm people and your performances.
