ART & HISTORY IN GREECE

ATHENS – CORINTH CANAL – MYCENAE – OLYMPIA – PATRAS – NAFPAKTOS - DELPHI – OSSIOS LOUKAS – METEORA – CRETE - SANTORINI

DAY 1: ATHENS ARRIVAL

Arrival Athens. Meet, assist & transfer to your hotel in Athens center.

DAY 2: FULL DAY ATHENS CITY TOUR

Climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis to visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheum and the Acropolis Museum. Our tour continues with a visit to the Agora, now in ruins, but what was formerly the commercial hub of ancient Athens. We see the very well preserved Doric Temple of Hephaestus (or Thesseion) and the Stoa of Attalos. We will have free time for lunch in Plaka before boarding our motor coach and enjoying the highlights of modern Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University and the National Library on our way to the National Archaeological Museum, which displays finds from all parts of the ancient Greek world that date from Neolithic times to the last years of the Roman Empire.

DAY 3: ATHENS - CORINTH CANAL-MYCENAE - OLYMPIA

First stop the Corinth Canal then on to Mycenae to visit the remains of the pre-historic citadel fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses’ Gate, the remains of the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon. We shall actually enter into his tomb. After our visit we will drive to Olympia for dinner & overnight at the hotel.

DAY 4: ANCIENT OLYMPIA

Visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the most important sanctuary of Zeus, father of all gods and goddesses. The starting line is still visible, etched on the marble in the stadium. We will also visit the archaeological museum beside the ancient site. It contains most interesting exhibits such as the pediments and the metopes of the Temple of Zeus, the Statue of Nike and of Hermes. Enjoy the afternoon in Olympia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5: OLYMPIA -PATRAS - NAFPAKTOS - DELPHI

Drive to Delphi via Patras and Nafpaktos. Stop at Clovino beach or Nafpaktos for a swim & lunch on your own before continuing past Delphi to the Monastery of Ossios Loukas. We visit the 11th century Byzantine Monastery of Ossios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece. Drive to Delphi for overnight.

DAY 6: DELPHI

In the morning we will visit the archaeological site of Delphi. We see the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and visit the Archaeological Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Delphi.

DAY 7 : KALAMBAKA - METEORA

Drive to Kalambaka. In the afternoon enjoy a spectacular drive up to visit Meteora. The monasteries were first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation, accessible only by ropes thrown from above. We will climb through steps built since. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. Overnight in Kalambaka.

DAY 8 : KALAMBAKA – THERMOPYLAE - ATHENS

Morning guided visit of the Cathedral Church of the Dormition of the Virgin. Enjoy the rest of morning free. Afternoon, drive back to Athens, check in and overnight at hotel in Athens.

DAY 9 : ATHENS – HERAKLION, CRETE

In the morning transfer from the hotel in Athens to the airport and take the morning flight from Athens to Heraklion. Upon arrival at Heraklion proceed to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, then the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion (or the Historical museum) Check in to the hotel, enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Heraklion.

DAY 10: HERAKLION – PHAISTOS - AGIA TRIADA – MATALA - HERAKLION.

Visit to Phaistos, one of the most important centers of Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. We then continue to Agia Triada, civilization here followed the way of all Minoan sites in Crete. We then continue to Matala, which was the port of Phaistos during the Minoan period. The magnificent inlet of Matala features one of the best beaches in Crete. The artificial caves, carved into the north face of the coast have been probably used as prehistoric dwellings and places of worship, while during the first & second century they were used as tombs. Return to Heraklion for overnight.

DAY 11: HERAKLION, CRETE -SANTORINI

In the morning we will transfer to the port to take the 9:45 a.m. Flyingcat (hydrofoil) to Santorini. At 11:30 our hydrofoil docks at Santorini. We will enjoy an island tour visiting, Pyrgos, Prophet Elias, Perissa Beach, Vlyhada, Kamari, Imerovigli and Oia, where we will watch the fabulous sunset and then transfer back to the hotel for overnight.

DAY 12: SANTORINI

After breakfast at the hotel we enjoy a visit to the Pre historic museum of Thera. In the afternoon we enjoy a boat tour of the caldera and visit the volcano and hot springs. Return back to the hotel for overnight.

DAY 13: SANTORINI - ATHENS

In the morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Athens and connect to international flight home.