Greece: Athens & the Surrounding Islands (5 Nights)

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Athens

Arrival in Athens. Welcome and assistance at the airport, then escorted to your hotel. Overnight: Athens

Day 2: Athens City Tour

Full day Athens City Tour featuring the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Drive past the neo-classical buildings of the Academy, the University, and the National Library, and on to Omonia Square before moving on to Syntagma or “Constitution Square.” See the Pan-Athenian Stadium, the all-white marble stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held. View the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Pnyx, the Theseum, and the Agora with the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos. Visit the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, Propylaea, Temple of Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum. Tour ends with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, holding more than 4,000 ancient works. Overnight: Athens

Day 3: Wine Tasting / Cape Sounion

Visit the Papachristou family winery for Greek wine tasting. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour to Cape Sounion along the scenic coast of the Saronic Gulf, passing the beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza. Visit the Temple of Poseidon, perched high on the cliff, offering a unique view of the Saronic Gulf and breathtaking sunset. Overnight: Athens

Day 4: Full Day 3-Island Cruise (Aegina, Poros & Hydra)

Depart for Piraeus, port of Athens. Cruise to Aegina, once an ancient commercial port and the first capital of modern Greece. Next, visit the island of Poros with its enchanting little harbor and neoclassical houses. On to Hydra, an island that has captured many artists’ appreciation with its delightful waterfront cafes and no motor vehicles. Enjoy lunch aboard the cruise ship. Sail back to Piraeus arriving around 7pm. Overnight: Athens

Day 5: Argolis - Corinth, Mycenae & Epidaurus

Drive to the Peloponnese. Photo opportunity at the Corinth Canal, then visit Ancient Corinth including the Temple of Apollo and the museum. Continue to Mycenae, visiting the Lionesses Gate, the Tombs of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and the Palace. After lunch, drive to Argos, continue to Nauplia, then on to Epidaurus to visit the remains of the important sanctuary and the world-famous ancient theater capable of seating 15,000 people with amazing acoustics. Visit the Museum exhibiting medical and surgical instruments of the time. Overnight: Athens

Day 6: Delphi

Drive along the National Highway past Thebes and Levadia to the mountain town of Arachova for a short stop. Continue to Delphi, one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece. See the remains of the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Temple of Apollo along the Sacred Way lined with Treasuries and Arcades. Visit the Museum to see excavated findings including the famous Charioteer statue. Overnight: Athens

Day 7: Back Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home, or to your next destination.

Optional 3-Day Mykonos Extension

Day 1: Athens to Mykonos

Fly to Mykonos. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2: Explore Mykonos

Guided tour of the island including the bay of Ornos, Ag. Giannis with views to Delos Island, Ano Mera village with the Orthodox Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, Kalafatis beach, and a walking tour through Chora with its picturesque streets and windmills.

Day 3: Delos

Guided tour to the sacred island of Delos, legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. View remains of temples and residences dating from the Neolithic to Roman periods, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Amphitheatre, and the Museum of Delos.

Day 4: Back Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Notes

• Tours are operated on demand
• Program can be customized for groups and/or individuals
• Tour leaders travel free with a minimum group of 15 people
• Tours can be combined with other destinations (Israel, Italy, Turkey)
• Airfare available from all U.S. gate cities
• Prices available upon request