Join
us as we sail over the wine-dark sea to beautiful sun-drenched
islands for a unique tour designed to give you the best of
ancient and modern Greece at a relaxing pace. (The order of
the itinerary may vary due to the sailing date of the cruise.)
Day
1 - Board our plane for Thessaloniki.
Day 2 - Arrive at
our 5-star hotel in this beautiful city by the sea. Stroll the promenade
and enjoy the sunset before dinner in a local taverna.
Day 3 - Thessaloniki
is famous for its beauty, history, and restaurants. Today we will tour
the city including the famous archaeological museum. This evening, feast
on local delicacies.
Day 4 - Philip,
Alexander, and Aristotle will be our subjects as we visit the ancient
Macedonian capital of Pella and the royal tombs at Vergina.
Day
5 - Dion, nestled in the shadow of Mt. Olympos, is the largest archaeological
site in the north and was the sanctuary of Zeus. We'll explore the site,
the area, and stay overnight here, seeking inspiration from Zeus.
Day 6 - Through
the beautiful Vale of Tempe we reach Pelion. Visions of centaurs, Thetis
and brilliant Achilles stimulate our imagination. "The Greeks know
it as one of their country's most idyllic corners."
Day 7 - This
morning we are off the beaten path to the two oldest Neolithic settlements
in Europe: Sesklo and Dimini, possibly the home of Jason. This afternoon
enjoy the picturesque villages and rugged beaches of rustic Pelion.
Day 8 - We make
a metaphorical leap from the wild land of the centaurs to the serenity
of Delphi. En route we'll visit Thermopylai, where the Spartans fought
and died in 480 BC.
Day
9 - Inspired by Apollo's enlightenment, we travel south to the Amphiaraion,
ancient center of dream interpretation. On to Marathon, site of the
most significant battle of the Persian Wars and namesake of the famous
Olympic race. On to Athens.
Day 10 - We have
reached the gem of classical civilization, violet-crowned Athens. Today,
a walking tour around the agora, Plaka, cathedral, Syntagma Square,
and the open-air market in Athinas Street.
Day 11 - A
day-trip south takes us to the Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron, then
on to Sounion to visit the temple of Poseidon, perched majestically
above the sea.
Day
12 - Like the initiates of the Classical Age, we make our way the short
distance out to Eleusis, the most inspiring religious site of the classical
age. This was the setting for the Mysteries of Demeter, a religion which
promised immortality of the soul.
Day 13 - More local
sightseeing around Athens as we travel to Paenia where we will visit
the Vorres Museum of Greek Folklore then on to spectacular Koutouki
Cave.
Day
14 - Today is free for visiting any of the famous museums of Athens,
a trip to the Parthenon, or just enjoying the ambience of the newly
remodeled city.
Day 15 - We drive
past Mt. Hymettos out through Attica to the airport, bringing with us
a notion of our own connection to Greece.
We have
directed this tour many times in the past and will do so in the future.
Keep checking back with us at this site.
Included
as part of the tour:
- Roundtrip
air from JFK
- First
Class hotels
- Discussions
of Greek myth, art, literature, history, thought, culture
- Expert
Guiding
- Admissions
as mentioned
- Breakfasts
- Transfers
Not
included with the tour:
- Tips
to Guides & Drivers
- Items
of a personal nature