DAY 1-Flight to Athens, violet-crowned, city of divinity.

DAY 2- Transfer to our 5-star hotel in the shadow of the Akropolis. Time for a walk before dinner in an authentic neighborhood taverna.

DAY 3- The Parthenon is the symbol of Classical civilization. This morning we will visit the Akropolis, then the treasury of Greek antiquities, the National Museum.

DAY 4-Today, a walking tour around the agora, Plaka, cathedral, Syntagma Square, and the open-air market in Athinas Street.

DAY 5-We begin our tour visiting some of the most fabled and important sites in the development of Greek civilization: Corinth, where St. Paul preached; Mycenae rich in gold, the city that gave its name to an era; Epidauros, home of the best preserved theater in Greece. Stroll around beautiful Nauplion.

DAY 6-Before leaving Nauplion we will visit Tiryns, the Mycenaean home of Herakles. On to the scenic valley of Lacedaimon and Sparta, famed in antiquity for Helen, warriors, iron-clad discipline, and laconic wit.

DAY 7-Today we explore the Menelaion and the Mycenaean site, beautifully situated on Mt. Taygetos.

 

DAY 8-From Sparta we travel through the mountains to Olympia, site of the first Olympic games in 776 BC.

DAY 9 - Crossing the Gulf of Corinth, we travel through the Parnassos range to Delphi, the sanctuary sacred to Apollo, god of Greek enlightenment.

DAY 10- Happy with the blessings of Apollo, we travel east to Pelion, land of centaurs, Peleus, and brilliant Achilles. "The Greeks know it as one of their country's most idyllic corners."

DAY 11 - This morning we are off the beaten path to the two oldest Neolithic settlements in Europe: Sesklo and Dimini. Dimini is identified by some as Iolkos, the kingdom of Jason. This afternoon enjoy the picturesque villages and rugged beaches of rustic Pelion.

DAY 12 - From the magic land of the centaurs we travel to the gem of classical civilization, Athens, stanchion of Hellas. En route we will visit Thermopylai, site of the great battle in 480 BC.

DAY 13 - Today, war & religion. We visit Marathon, site of the most significant battle of the Persian Wars. On to Elefsina (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. We will explore the similarities with modern religion.

DAY 14 - The day is free for a cruise to the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf: Aegina, Poros, Hydra.

 

DAY 15 - We drive past Mt. Hymettos out through Attica to the airport, bringing with us a notion of where we came from, who we are, and the possibilities before us.

 

25 June - 9 July 2005

Cash discount rate from JFK: $3942
Single supplement: $650

9 - 23 July 2005

Cash discount rate from JFK: $3872
Single supplement: $650

INCLUDED

* Roundtrip scheduled air from JFK
* First class hotels
* Discussions of Greek myth, art,
literature, history, thought, culture
* Expert Guiding
* Admissions as mentioned
* Expert guiding
* Transfers
* Breakfasts, two dinners

NOT INCLUDED

* Passport
* Tips to guides and drivers
* Items of a personal nature