DETAILED ITINERARY

20 Day Tour (19 nights)

  • Transfer from Hotel to Athens Center
  • We welcome you to Athens where you will transfer immediately to your hotel, freshen up a bit, relax, and when you are ready- enjoy the historic part of the city with winding strolls among white-washed homes, lively tavernas, and colorful squares.
  • Overnight in Athens.

 

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Today we will dive into the ancient city of Athens by climbing the Acropolis. We will gaze out in wonder over the city of Pericles and behold the greatest architectural achievement of Western Civilization.
  • Acropolis and Acropolis Museum – Stand next to the Maiden Caryatids, who majestically support the Erechtheion.
  • Overnight in Athens.

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Ancient Agora – With assistance from our professor, we will recreate the most significant meeting places in Ancient Greece. From the best-preserved Temple of Hephaestion to the Stoa of Attalos, we will dive into the daily lives of the Ancient Athenians as well as their political structure within the city.
  • National Archaeological Museum
  • Overnight in Athens.

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • This morning we will transfer to the Port of Piraeus and experience the deep blue sea of Homer on our way to the island of Aegina. After the hustle and bustle of Athens, we will enjoy a daytrip to Aegina, famous for its relaxed island atmosphere, abundant pistachios trees, and seaside tavernas.
  • Day tour including Temple of Aphaia – We will visit one of the most graceful and well-preserved temples in Greece.
  • Swim in the crystal water of the Aegean Sea and maybe relax at a seaside tavern for some seafood.
  • Overnight in Athens.

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Explore Mystras – A haunting experience. Mystras is one of the last Byzantine centers of learning and culture. Roam the slopes of the deserted city and allow the Byzantine architecture to transport you to the Eastern Roman Empire’s last shining era.
  • Overnight in Mystras (Mystras Inn)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Transfer to Messini – A seminal city of antiquity. Messini has the rare advantage of not having been destroyed or covered by later settlements. Enjoy archaeology in an untouched Mediterranean natural environment.
  • Overnight in Messini (Kleopatra Inn Hotel)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Explore Tiryntha
  • Transfer to Nafplion – After several archaeological sites, we will regroup in Cosmopolitan Nafplion with its romantic marble streets, 1800’s Neoclassical architecture, and Old-World charm.
  • Overnight in Nafplio (Aethra Boutique Hotel)

  • Breakfast in Hotel
  • Travel to Epidaurus – A UNESCO site, in addition to the beautifully located famous theater, we will stroll about the grounds of the ‘Sanctuary of Asclepius’ – center of healing in Ancient Greece.
  • Overnight in Nafplio (Aethra Boutique Hotel)

  • Breakfast in Hotel
  • Mycenae – Let’s explore a mythological fortress and connect with the protagonists of the Trojan War.
  • Nemea – The Temple of God Apollo beckons you to visit a recently preserved site of the Nemean Games
  • Overnight in Nafplio (Aethra Boutique Hotel)

  • Breakfast in Hotel
  • Transfer from Nafplion to Ancient Olympia
  • A UNESCO World Heritage site…see the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Stadiums and temples surrounded by colorful flora and fauna are witness to an event which brought athletes together from the furthest corners of Hellenic World.
  • Overnight in Ancient Olympia (Pelops Hotel)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Transfer from Olympia to Delphi – We’ll take a nice break in the bus, rolling through the Peloponnese countryside
  • Overnight in Delfi (Fedriades Hotel)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Explore Delphi and Museum – A site which was adorned with wealth from around the known world. We will explore the Oracle of Delphi – where leaders would pilgrimage to the site to ask for guidance. An area of natural beauty in the colorful hills of the Peloponnese.
  • Overnight in Delfi (Fedriades Hotel)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Return to Athens
  • Transfer to Athens International Airport
  • Athens to Chania Flight
  • Transfer to Chania Town – Welcome to exotic ‘Candia’. Sail into Venetian Harbors and bus through striking mountain formations – flowing with olive Trees and aromatic herbs. The Mother Island of Minoan culture casts a spell.
  • Overnight in Chania (Kydonia Hotel)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Chania Excursion – Exploring the most charming city in Crete.
  • Overnight in Chania (Kydonia Hotel)

  • Breakfast in Hotel
  • Excursion to beach – Public Bus. Enjoy the day as you wish. Strolling the romantic alleys of Chania, beach bumming, shopping, museums, eating or all of the above.
  • Overnight in Chania (Kydonia Hotel)

  • Breakfast in Hotel
  • Archaeological Museum in Heraklion – Bull leaping, Ancient Priestesses, Ancient Cemetery Urns and 5,000 year old royal jewelry. We will visit the Museum showcasing the largest display of Minoan, as well as Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine art.
  • Dinner in Hotel
  • Overnight in Iraklio (Hotel Astoria)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Half-day Excursion to Knossos – The crown jewel of the Minoan Culture. Over 3,000 years old, the great palace will astound you with its nature-themed frescoes, throne room, as well as ancient versions of bathrooms and air-conditioning.
  • Dinner in Hotel
  • Overnight in Iraklio (Hotel Astoria)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Phaistos-Continuing our study of the fascinating Minoan Culture, we will visit the most important Minoan Palace of South Crete, the Palace of Phaistos, the residence of the mythic brother of Minos, Radamanthis. A unique “prehistoric city” which dates to 17. 000 B. C.
  • Overnight in Iraklio (Hotel Astoria)

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Free time
  • Transfer Shuttle with Group to Heraklion Airport
  • Flight to Athens
  • Overnight in Athens.

 

  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Transfer to Athens Airport