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DAILY
ITINERARY
Day 1.
USA to GREECE
Begin your
classical tour of Greece today as you depart the United States
on an overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2.
ATHENS, GREECE
Upon arrival in
Athens you will be met by our representatives and assisted
through customs. Continue to your hotel in Athens for an
overnight stay.
Day 3.
EPIDAURUS, MYCENAE, and NAUPLIA
Travel via the
Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese peninsula today where evidence
of human activity dates back to the Old Stone Age and the New
Stone Age. The ancient theatre of Epidaurus is a marvel of
harmony and acoustics. Built during the 4th century B.C., it is
the best preserved theatre in Greece and holds 14,000
spectators. Continue on to Mycenae to view the mighty Citadel of
Agamemnon. Entering the Acropolis through the famous Lions Gate,
the stairway leads to the Palace and the Tomb of Agamemnon.
Enjoy an overnight stay in the popular seaside resort of Nauplia.
Day 4.
NAUPLIA, PELOPONNESE, and OLYMPIA
The old town of
Nauplia once served as the capital of modern Greece before
Athens, and its original charm makes it very popular throughout
the year. Take time to enjoy a stroll through the picturesque
narrow streets or along the seafront. View the tiny Bourtzi
fortress in the middle of the bay and the Palamidi rock. Travel
westward through the Peloponnese interior and approach the
fertile valley of Elis where the rivers Alphios and Kladeos
flow. Situated in this valley lies ancient Olympia with its
grandiose temple foundations and numerous archaeological finds.
Sightseeing highlights include the ancient stadium where Olympic
games began in 776 B.C., the impressive ruins of the gymnasium,
the temples of Zeus and Hera, and the Sacred Atlas; then
visit the museum where you will view the incredible masterpiece
Hermes by the fourth-century sculptor, Praxiteles. Enjoy an
overnight stay in Olympia.
Day 5.
OLYMPIA, GULF OF CORINTH, and DELPHI
Travel northward
to the port of Patras and cross the Gulf of Corinth by ferry
enroute to the mainland. Situated against a spectacular setting
of mountains, terraces, and trees lies the impressive grandeur
of Delphi. You will be fascinated as you visit the sanctuary of
Apollo with the slopes of Mt. Parnassus in the background. Learn
about the cave of the Oracle and the excavations. Visit the
Archaeological Museum for a better appreciation of the art and
civilization that flourished at Delphi. There you will see
excellent artifacts from the Archaic and Classical periods
including the famous 5th-century B.C. statue of the Charioteer.
Your overnight stay is in Delphi.
Day 6.
DELPHI and ATHENS
Depart Delphi and
travel southward through the central region of Greece where you
will enjoy the spectacular scenery of massive mountain ranges,
fertile plains, and verdent valleys. Arrive in Athens this
afternoon with an overnight stay before embarking on your Aegean
cruise.
Day 7.
PIRAEUS (EMBARK), AEGEAN CRUISE, and MYKONOS
Depart Athens
this morning enroute to the port of Piraeus where you will board
the Epirotiki cruise ship and sail at 11:00 A.M.
MYKONOS: 6:00
P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Stroll at
leisure through the flower-decked alleyways of Mykonos
to the sculpture-like church of Paraportiani or along the
picturesque waterfront to the famous white-washed windmills.
Day 8.
CRUISING - EPHESUS (KUSADASI) and PATMOS
EPHESUS: 7:00
A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Arrive at
the port of Kusadasi, Turkey, a picturesque town and starting
point for an optional excursion to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus.
It is recorded that the Apostle Paul spent two years in Ephesus
during his ministry, and the Virgin Mary lived the last years of
her life here. Pass architectural masterpieces like the Heracles
Gate and the Library of Celsus, then marvel at the wonder of the
Great Amphitheater where Paul was arrested and cast out of the
city. Visit the ruins of St. John's Basilica and the Temples of
Diana (Artemis), one of the seven wonders of the world.
PATMOS: 4:00 P.M.
to 9:00 P.M.
The
beautiful rocky island of Patmos
is where St. John was exiled and wrote the book of Revelation,
the last book of the New Testament. Optional excursions include
the Grotto of the Revelation and the 11th-century Monastery of
St. John, which houses an original manuscript of the Gospel.
Day 9.
CRUISING
RHODES: 7:00 A.M.
to 6:00 P.M.
The old fortified
city of Rhodes was built by the Knights of St. John and has
changed little since medieval days. Wandering through the old
city you can see its fortifications, the Street of the Knights,
the Palace of the Grand Master, and the Hospital of the Knights,
which is now a museum. You may also select an optional excursion
to the charming town of Lindos to visit the Acropolis.
Day 10.
CRUISING - HERAKLION (CRETE) and SANTORINI
HERAKLION
(CRETE): 7:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Heraklion, the
capital of Crete, was the center of the great Minoan
Civilization which flourished in the Bronze Age and abruptly
ended with the eruption of the volcano of Santorini. Enjoy an
optional excursion to the incredible ruins of the Palace of
Knossos which was discovered in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and
partially reconstructed. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion
displays many of the treasures found during the excavations.
SANTORINI: 4:30
P.M.to 9:00 P.M.
The island of
Santorini is one of the most breathtaking of all the Greek
Islands, also known as the "Black Pearl of the
Aegean". An optional excursion is available to the town of
Thera where white-washed houses, open-air cafes, and glittering
boutiques cling to steep cliffs accessible only by cable-car or
donkey.
Day 11. ATHENS
Return to the
port of Piraeus at 7:00 A.M. this morning where you will
disembark from the cruise ship. Explore the classical treasures
of Athens this afternoon as your guide takes you on a
sightseeing tour of one of the most ancient capitals in the
Western world. Athens was first inhabited some 6,000 years ago,
but only after the Greek liberation from the Turks in 1834, was
it proclaimed capital of Greece. Highlights include the
world-renowned Acropolis with is Propylaea entrance, and the
ruins of the Parthenon and Erectheum. View Mars Hill, the Agora
(ancient market place and center of Athenian life), the House of
Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the
Presidential Palace. Continue to your hotel in Athens for an
overnight stay.
Day 12.
ATHENS TO THE USA
Transfer directly
to the Athens airport for your transatlantic flight to the USA.
SELECTED
HOTELS
- ATHENS:
Divani Caravel or Divani Palace
- NAUPLIA:
Amalia or Xenia Palace
- OLYMPIA:
Amalia or Europa
- DELPHI:
Amalia or Vouzas
- CRUISE:
Royal Olympic Cruises
Prices:
Please Call Toll Free 1-888-825-2779
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