Academic 13 days
DAY 1
Arrive in Athens, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the evening you will be transferred to a
nice restaurant in the center where you will enjoy your “welcome” dinner.
DAY 2
Your 5-day classical tour of Greece begins with the scenic drive to the legendary Corinth Canal, where you stop for pictures. Continue
to Epidaurus which was known in antiquity as a healing center, a place where the god of medicine Asclepios was worshipped.
Nowadays, thousands of people visit the area to admire its fantastic acoustics. 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. Dinner and overnight in Nauplion.
DAY 3
After breakfast, 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 Atreus and his son Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks in the campaign
against Troy. In the afternoon we arrive to Olympia for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4
Spend the morning 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. Then go north to Patras and drive on the new “hanging” bridge
which connects the Peloponnese with the region of Continental Greece, in order to reach Delphi. In the evening dinner and overnight
in Delphi.
DAY 5
In antiquity Delphi was the site of the most important and famous oracle in the then-known world, the oracle of Apollo (the god of
light and music), who spoke to the mortals through his priestess Pythia and was known for the oblique nature of his prophecies. Walk
up the Sacred Way to see the Treasuries, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo, next to which was the exact spot that was believed to
be the “navel” (omphalos) of the earth. Visit the museum of Delphi and marvel at the splendid collection of artifacts from the
excavation, including the bronze “Charioteer” one of the best-preserved ancient works of metallurgy. Continue to Kalambaka for
dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
Here you find scenery of unique and striking beauty. Perched on top of gigantic granite pinnacles, the ageless Meteora Monasteries
are full of treasures of Christian art. Visit one of the amazing Byzantine monasteries of Meteora and drive from Kalambaka to Athens
for overnight.
DAY 7
Today, admire the architectural miracles of ancient Athens as you follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the
Propylea, the Erectheum and the Parthenon. View the Agora, the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city. During the
bus tour, you see Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus, the
Old Olympic Stadium and Neoclassical Buildings of Athens like the National University, the National Library and the Academy. In the
afternoon you will be free to stroll around Plaka area, the old district of Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 8
In this morning, we embark on our 4-day cruise. Afternoon arrival at the world-famous island of Mykonos. The town is a small
architectural miracle, with its gleaming whitewashed buildings and windmills, and is one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world.
DAY 9
In the morning you will arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and have the option to drive to Ephesus, where Paul spent three years during his
ministry. The impressive remains of Ephesus 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 many more. Later, you will sail for the island of Patmos,
where you can choose to visit the Monastery of St. John, on one of the island’s highest points. From there, you will walk down to the
Grotto of the Apocalypse, the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St. John the Divine.
DAY 10
You will spend the day on the island of Rhodes, where you can walk around the medieval city with its impressive walls and the Palace
of the Grand Master, which was built by the Knights of St. John. You will also have the option to drive to the picturesque town of
Lindos to see the Acropolis.
DAY 11
Arrive this morning in Heraklion (Crete, Greece) at 7:00 a.m., one of the four prefectures that constitute the island of Crete. Enjoy a
half day at leisure to explore the island on your own. At noon, cruise to Santorini and enjoy an evening on Santorini Island (4:30 pm to
9:30 pm). Known for its breathtaking caldera, Santorini is also famous for its sandy beaches, colorful sunsets and whitewashed
buildings along the cliffside.
DAY 12
You arrive in Piraeus, Athens, early in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Your day is free to explore the city. In the evening
you will be transferred to a nice restaurant in the center of Athens for your “farewell” dinner.
DAY 13
Early this morning board your homebound flight. Your magical journey to Greece.
