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Heritage Paths of Ancient Greece
"Oia Sunset" by TomasEE (CC Attribution 3.0 Unported) / Photo may appear cropped
Overview
Spotlighting Athens and the magical isle of Santorini
Details
- Athens: Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Stadium, Plaka foodie tour
- Mycenae: Lion’s Gate, Cyclopean Walls, Royal Tombs
- Olympia: Birthplace of the Olympics
- Delphi: Sanctuary of Apollo Pythius, Treasury of the Athenians, Archeological Museum of Delphi
- The rock monasteries of Meteora
- Battlefield of Thermopylae
- 2 days in paradise on the Isle of Santorini via high-speed catamaran
- English-speaking Greek guide and Sports Leisure Tour Director throughout
- 16 meals: Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Roundtrip airfare to/from Athens
- Door-to-door airport transportation
- 5800/6400 Gold Passport Points
Categories
Categories:
Daily Itinerary
Day 1-2
Depart America aboard Lufthansa Airlines on a trans-Atlantic overnight flight. Transfer in Frankfurt and arrive in Athens in the early evening where you’ll meet your driver and English-speaking local guide. Royal Olympic Hotel – 2 nights
Day 3
Begin your exploration of Athens at the Acropolis, the architectural masterpiece of the ancient world. There you'll see the majestic Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum. Visit the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Take a walk through Plaka, the oldest section of the city, to the Monastiraki Flea Market. This lively area of shops, stalls and eateries is a dream-come-true for lovers of fun, food and fashion. Here you'll dive into mouth-watering Athenian markets where you can indulge yourselves with local treats including koulouri, donuts with honey, ice cream and kabobs. (FB, L)
Day 4
Depart Athens by the coastal road of Attica towards Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides - the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Leave for Epidauros and visit the 4th Century BC theatre famous for its astonishing acoustics. Continue to Nauplion through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestled at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Olympia is your final destination. Amalia Hotel Olympia (FB,D)
Day 5
Located in the western Peloponnese, Ancient Olympia was one of the most sacred and glorious sanctuaries of the ancient world. Though only the foundations of many of its structures remain, it is still one of the most evocative of Greece’s archaeological sites. Capturing all the spirit of the Olympic Games, this is the place where the Olympic flame is lit in commemoration of the Games that originated and were held here every four years for ten centuries. The Altis (or Sacred Precinct of Zeus) is a district once dominated by the immense 5th Century BC Doric temple dedicated to the King of the Gods. It housed Pheidias’ statue of Zeus for more than 800 years. One column of the temple has been restored allowing us to appreciate its size. Passing through a stone archway, you enter the remains of the Ancient Stadium, once with a capacity of more than 45,000 spectators. The mind boggles at being able to line up on the track just as the finest athletes in the land did thousands of years ago.
Depart for Itea, through the plains of Heliad and Achaia until you reach the impressive bridge which connects Rion to Antirion. Along the way you will pass through the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and Galaxidi en route to Delphi for the night. Amalia Hotel Delphi (FB,D)
Day 6
At the Delphi archaeological site on the slopes of Mount Parnassus lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythius. You will be astonished by the Treasury of the Athenians, the Theatre, the Stadium and the Museum with the famous statues on display including Antinoos, the famous athlete Aghias and the unique bronze Charioteer dated from 475 BC. Continue to Kalambaka for the night, passing through the fertile planes of Thessaly on the way. Grand Meteora Hotel Kalambaka (FB,D)
Day 7
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora is home to more than 20 rock monasteries, either perched precariously atop towering sandstone cliffs or built into the cliffs themselves inside naturally formed caves. Continue with a visit to the Mushroom and National History Museum, followed by truffle hunting expedition in the nearby forest (not kidding)! Lunch features a mushroom product tasting with a glass of wine and truffle spaghetti as the main course.
On the return to Athens you will have the opportunity to stop at the historic Battlefield of Thermopylae to see the Sacred Hill where Leonidas and the 300 Spartans died in the famous battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. The story was brought to modern audiences in the movies “300” and “300: Rise of an Empire.” Royal Olympic Hotel (FB,L)
Day 8
Early up and out for the 5-hour high speed catamaran ferry to magical Santorini. On a guided island tour visit the traditional village of Pyrgos and stop at the Monastery of Profitis Elias, the highest spot on the island. The view is absolutely breathtaking. Drive south after Megalochori to the famous black beaches of Perivolos and Perissa, and stop for pictures. Continue to Santo wines for a tasting. Drive to the traditional settlement of Oia, beloved by artists, newlyweds and tourists as the ideal Santorinian village to watch the sunset. Stroll along the charming road with cliffs on one side and endless ocean on the other while your escort describes the village’s history until the sun falls into the sea. Majestic Hotel Santorini – 2 nights (FB)
Day 9
Today you depart from the marina in Vlychada aboard a private catamaran and sail along with the magnificent coast of Santorini. The first stop is at the Red Beach in Akrotiri, a beautiful beach strewn with red rocks and dark pebbles, then on to White Beach – accessible only by boat – and Mesa Pigadia for a swim and snorkel in the crystal blue waters. Sail past Indian Rock, the Venetian Lighthouse of Akrotiri and Aspronisi Island. Sail around the Volcano Coast and stop at its hot springs for a natural spa in the thermal mixed volcanic mud waters. One more stop at a scheduled private bay for a plunge in the majestic waters followed with a delicious Greek barbecue and unlimited local wine. (FB,L)
Day 10
A midday ferry returns you from your island paradise to the mainland where a special Farewell Dinner awaits and a final night in the mystical, magical country of Greece. Royal Olympic Hotel (FB,D)
Day 11
Return to Athens International Airport for an early afternoon return to the United States via Munich. To our new friends in Greece we say na pas sto kalo until we meet again. (FB)
| CB | Continental Breakfast |
|---|---|
| B | Generally a limited buffet or menu |
| FB | Full buffet or choice of menu |
| BR | Brunch, often buffet-style |
| L | Lunch, often several menu options |
| HT or AT | High or Afternoon Tea |
| D | Dinner, often several menu options |
Departures
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 to Saturday, October 21, 2023
11 Days, 16 Meals
Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
$5775 | p.p./dbl.occ. |
$6380 | single |
Request a Booking Now
Speak to a Staff Member
Have a question or would rather book over the phone? Call us!
| Local | (916) 361 - 2051 |
|---|---|
| Toll-Free | (800) 951 - 5556 |
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