| Day
1 - Athens |
Arrival to Athens, a
fascinating city. This afternoon will be spent at the National
Archaeological museum, with its many treasures including some of the
most spectacular statues ever made in bronze and marble and the “Gold
of Mycenae”, discovered by Schliemann. |
| Day
2 - Athens |
 We
leave Athens today driving north to the prehistoric site of Gla with
its Cyclopean walls, and continue to Orhomenos, capital for the
Miryans. The site includes an impressive beehive known as “Treasury of
Minyas”, excavated by Schliemann. Lastly we stop at Thebes to visit
its small museum which houses the finds from the area, as well as the
remains of this once glorious city. |
| Day
3 - Santorini |
A morning flight to
Santorini, unique among the Greek islands for its dramatic volcanic
landscape. Known in ancient times, as “Thera” this island was home to
a culture similar to the Minoans of Crete.
Shortly after 1500 BC the volcano on the island erupted – one of the
greatest eruptions the world has ever known – burying the island’s
advanced civilization.
This afternoon visit the fine local museum. |
| Day
4 - Santorini |
Today’s touring begins at
ancient Thera. Although the site was occupied before the 9th century
BC, our visit will be to the city dating from Polemies, who made Thera
into a naval base from which he could control the Aegean. After lunch
continue our touring to Akrotiri, which was preserved by the volcanic
ash that covered it for nearly 3500 years.
Archaeologists sincerely believe that Thira (Santorini) is in fact the
site of the lost city of Atlantis. |
| Day
5 - Ayios Nicolaos |
| Our ferry to Crete
arrives mid-day. The Minoan civilization, the focus of our stay on
Crete, flourished from 2000 to 1400 BC. It was a maritime civilization
noted for its wonderful places and artistic creations. Here it is
possible to see the grand palace as well as the remains of the houses
and commercial buildings used by ordinary people. |
| Day
6 - Ayios Nicolaos |
| We will have a full
morning to visit the Heraklion Museum with its wonderful artifacts
from the palaces and villas of the region. We will also visit the
palace of Mallia and Amnisos, mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey as one
of the places Odysseus stopped on his way home. |
| Day
7 - Heraklion |
This morning we will
visit the great palace of Knossos where according to tradition Minos
conversed with Zeus to obtain the laws of his Kingdom.
At Vathypetro Spyridon Marinatos has discovered a Minoan villa of the
16th century BC while at Archanes (Ancient Archiana) we will find the
remains of a Minoan palace believed to be the summer residence of the
kings of Knossos. |
| Day
8 - Heraklion |
| Drive through Gortys
(roman capital of Crete), continuing to the Minoan Phaistos, where the
famous Phaistos disk was discovered. After visiting the palace,
continue to Matala, the sanctuary at Kommos and Ayia Triadha, the
villa of a Minoan Baron, beautifully situated overlooking the plain
and the sea. We will have lunch at the beach before returning to
Heraklion and our gala farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
|
| Day
9 - Departure |
| Fly to Athens and connect
to your flight home. |
Charter your own ship for
a glorious 7 day cruise to the Greek islands! Enjoy all the mystery
and romance that our ports offer but also learn about the history of
each of our islands! Our expert guides will fill you in on the
region’s mythology, archaeology, history, art and architecture so you
can go home with more than just pleasant memories - you will take with
you a greater under standing of what we modestly call the birthplace
of civilization!
Itinerary:
|
|
Friday |
Embark cruiseship at
Piraeus. Cruiseship sails at 9:00 p.m.
Corinth Canal (crossing) at midnight. |
|
Saturday |
*
Itea (Delphi) 7 am - noon.
Perhaps the most famous site in Classical Greece, Delphi is the home
of the Sanctuary of Apollo. Also of interest are the ancient theater
and the well-preserved stadium. The museum houses the beautiful
“charioteer” statue, along with other treasures discovered during the
excavations.
* Ithaca 7:30 p.m. – midnight.
Odysseus spent many years trying to return to Ithaca after the Trojan
war: when you experience the beauty and serenity of this island you
will understand why. With a natural, deep harbor in the main port and
countless small, protected coves, Ithaca has a long and proud maritime
history.
|
|
Sunday |
*
Parga 7:00 am – 11:30 am.
On the west coast of Greece lies the enchanting town of Parga. The
brightly painted boats in its beautiful harbor offer trips to secluded
sandy beaches nearby. Take a tour to ancient Nikopolis, a Roman city
built by the emperor Octavian to celebrate his victory over Mark
Anthony and Cleopatra.
* Corfu 2:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
Homer’s island of the Phaeacians, has enchanted visitors for ages with
its picturesque landscape and delightful climate. For many years the
island fell under Venetian rule and later became a British
protectorate. These influences can be seen in the Renaissance and
Georgian-style architecture of the main town, with its arcaded
shopping plaza and a cricket pitch in the main square. |
|
Monday |
*
Zante 7:00 am – noon.
One of the largest Ionian islands it is blessed with lush vegetation
and a delicate beauty. The white-washed town offers visitors shops and
cafes, while unspoiled beaches on the western shore tempt sun
worshippers and sea bathers.
* Katakolon (Olympia) 2:30 pm – 8 pm.
Olympia was a sacred precinct built for the guadrennial games
dedicated to Zeus during which all hostilities were ceased in the name
of athletic competition. Much was destroyed when the games were
outlawed as a pagan festival in 393 AD, but visitors can still see the
Temple of Zeus and the stadium. |
|
Tuesday |
*
Rethymnon (Crete) 2:00 pm – midnight.
One of the three main cities of Crete, located roughly in the middle
of the island, it was built by Venetians on the site of an ancient
Minoan settlement. Many fine examples of Venetian architecture give
the town its distinctive character. |
|
Wednesday |
*
Santorini 7:00 am – noon.
Perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. The town of
Thera’s
white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering
boutiques cling to a steep cliff, accessible by cable-car or mule.
* Myconos 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm.
Cubic white houses and those world-famous windmills! The island of
Myconos has a colour and atmosphere that dazzles all her visitors! |
|
Thursday |
*
Nafplion (Epidaurus, Mycenae) 9:00am – 8:00 pm.
Nafplion was the first capital of modern Greece, from 1829 – 1834. It
is a superb
base for exploring the ruins of Mycenae, where you can visit the tomb
of the murdered king, Agamemnon. Also the theater at nearby Epidaurus
is the finest example of its kind, both in design and acoustics. |
|
Friday |
*
Piraeus (Athens) arrival at 7 am.
Return to Piraeus; transfer to the airport for your departure.
|
|
Day 1 - Athens |
| Arrival Athens,
meet and transfer to your hotel. |
|
Day 2 - Athens tour |
| Athens: capital
of Greece, cradle of democracy, birthplace of western
civilization Athens is a vibrant city where old and new
co-exist. The majestic Parthenon rises above the city, its
ancient glory still visible in the timeworn stone, and the
National Archaeological Museum holds countless treasures
from Athen’s Golden Age. Our tour includes panoramic tour of
the city, seeing the most significant sites and a visit to
the Parthenon on Acropolis Hill. We also visit the National
Archaeological Museum which houses finds from all parts of
the ancient Greek world dating back from the Neolithic times
to the last years of the Roman Empire. |
|
Day 3 - Mycenae / Epidaurus / Argos |
Leave by the
coastal road to the Corinth Canal, short stop. Drive on and
visit the
Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides – the city “rich in
gold” of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion’s gate, the
Cyclopean Walls, the Royal Tombs, etc. Depart for Nafplion
through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town
nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty
ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. After lunch leave for
Epidaurus to visit the theater (4th century BC) famous for
its astonishing acoustics.
We overnight at Nafplion. |
|
Day 4 - Olympia |
| We continue our
tour, driving south into the heart of the Peloponnesse, to
reach Vasses where we will visit the spectacular temple of
Epikourios Apollon. Continue for Olympia: cradle of the
Olympic Games. Visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and
the Museum. Overnight. |
|
Day 5 - Delphi |
 Drive
through the plains of Elia and Achaia, through Patras,
capital of the Peloponnesse and take the car-ferry across
the “Little Dardanelles”, from Rio to Antirio.
Crossing the picturesque town to Nafpaktos and continue to
reach Delphi; the center of the ancient world; the
“omphalos” (navel) of the earth – whose prestige extended
far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the
slopes of mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled
beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo
Pythios. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of
Apollo and the museum containing such masterpieces of
ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze charioteer and the
famous athlete Aghias.
Overnight in Delphi. |
|
Day 6 - Dion / Thessaloniki |
Continue our
tour with Dion, the most important monument of the
Macedonian era, this sacred city of the Macedonians at the
foot of Mount Olympus, was founded by the Kings of Macedonia
as a place to worship Olympian Zeus. Its ruins span Greek
history from the Archaic through the classical and
Hellenistic periods. Continue to Thessaloniki.
Founded in 315 BC by one of Alexander the Great’s generals
Cassander, who
strengthened his precarious hold on the Macedonian throne by
marrying the last
surviving member of the ancient royal family, Alexander’s
sister, Thessaloniki. In her honor, he named the town built
in the form of an amphitheater at the head of
Thermaikos Gulf, below the Horriates Mountains. Panoramic
view of the city. |
|
Day 7 - Pella / Vergina |
| Visit the
Thessaloniki museum, which contains finds from all over
Northern Greece, the most famous of these are from the royal
tomb at Vergina which is associated with the resting place
of King Philip the Second, father of Alexander the Great. |
|
Day 8 - Amphipolis / Philippi |
Continue our
tour with a visit to Amphipolis, one of the most significant
cities of
Macedonia in the ancient times. A colony of Athens, it was
founded by Agonas, son of Nikia. The city was strategically
built in such a way so it would be visible by land and sea.
Our next visit is the site of Philippi, it was here that
Octavian and Anthony defeated Brutus and Cassius, last
defenders of the Roman Republic in 42 BC.
Overnight in Kavala (ancient Neapolis). |
|
Day 9 - Kavala / Athens |
| We bid farewell
to the homeland of Alexander and start our journey back to
Athens arriving in late afternoon. |
|
Day 10 - Departure |
| Transfer to the
airport for your flight home or take your cruise extension
to the Greek islands. |
|
| Day
1 - Athens |
Arrival to Athens, a
fascinating city. This afternoon will be spent at the National
Archaeological museum, with its many treasures including some of the
most spectacular statues ever made in bronze and marble and the “Gold
of Mycenae”, discovered by Schliemann. |
| Day
2 - Athens |
|
We
leave Athens today driving north to the prehistoric site of Gla with
its Cyclopean walls, and continue to Orhomenos, capital for the
Miryans. The site includes an impressive beehive known as “Treasury of
Minyas”, excavated by Schliemann. Lastly we stop at Thebes to visit
its small museum which houses the finds from the area, as well as the
remains of this once glorious city. |
| Day
3 - Santorini |
A morning flight to
Santorini, unique among the Greek islands for its dramatic volcanic
landscape. Known in ancient times, as “Thera” this island was home to
a culture similar to the Minoans of Crete.
Shortly after 1500 BC the volcano on the island erupted – one of the
greatest eruptions the world has ever known – burying the island’s
advanced civilization.
This afternoon visit the fine local museum. |
| Day
4 - Santorini |
Today’s touring begins at
ancient Thera. Although the site was occupied before the 9th century
BC, our visit will be to the city dating from Polemies, who made Thera
into a naval base from which he could control the Aegean. After lunch
continue our touring to Akrotiri, which was preserved by the volcanic
ash that covered it for nearly 3500 years.
Archaeologists sincerely believe that Thira (Santorini) is in fact the
site of the lost city of Atlantis. |
| Day
5 - Ayios Nicolaos |
| Our ferry to Crete
arrives mid-day. The Minoan civilization, the focus of our stay on
Crete, flourished from 2000 to 1400 BC. It was a maritime civilization
noted for its wonderful places and artistic creations. Here it is
possible to see the grand palace as well as the remains of the houses
and commercial buildings used by ordinary people. |
| Day
6 - Ayios Nicolaos |
| We will have a full
morning to visit the Heraklion Museum with its wonderful artifacts
from the palaces and villas of the region. We will also visit the
palace of Mallia and Amnisos, mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey as one
of the places Odysseus stopped on his way home. |
| Day
7 - Heraklion |
This morning we will
visit the great palace of Knossos where according to tradition Minos
conversed with Zeus to obtain the laws of his Kingdom.
At Vathypetro Spyridon Marinatos has discovered a Minoan villa of the
16th century BC while at Archanes (Ancient Archiana) we will find the
remains of a Minoan palace believed to be the summer residence of the
kings of Knossos. |
| Day
8 - Heraklion |
| Drive through Gortys
(roman capital of Crete), continuing to the Minoan Phaistos, where the
famous Phaistos disk was discovered. After visiting the palace,
continue to Matala, the sanctuary at Kommos and Ayia Triadha, the
villa of a Minoan Baron, beautifully situated overlooking the plain
and the sea. We will have lunch at the beach before returning to
Heraklion and our gala farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
|
| Day
9 - Departure |
| Fly to Athens and connect
to your flight home. |
|
