The World Beyond The Classroom
Home to the first Olympics Games, Greece was the first area in Europe where advanced early civilisations emerged. Walk through olive groves, through ancient sites, then move on to clusters of sparsely inhabited islands. Roam from beaches to rocky mountains and explore the breathtaking scenery. (Recommended for late spring/summer/autumn)
Day 1 Athens (Plaka and Monastiraki ) Day 2 The beauty and history of Athens Day 3 - 5 The National Marine Park of the Sporades. Day 6 Athens( Plaka) Day 7 Aegina Island Day 8 Hydra Day 9 GREECE Porto Heli - Monemvassia Day 10 Athens-Dubai
Main focus subject What’s included in price: Geography Air ticket
Related subjects All accommodation History, Environmental Management, Art and Design Full time tour director
Environmental focus Meals Marine ecology and related human threats. Tours led by local expert tour guides
Entrance fees to attractions
BFC Travel Management Tel: +971 4 360 7177 1110 Gold Crest Executive, Fax: +971 4 441 9256 Jumeirah Lake Towers,PO Box Email: [email protected] 334391, Dubai, UAE Web: ww.bfctravels.com Day 1
Arrive in Athens and be transferred from the air- and Ottoman monuments such as the Tower of port for your stay at the beautiful 4 star Electra the Winds, the Fethiye Mosque and Hadrian’s Palace Hotel, close to the most charming areas Library. Wander through the Monastiraki market of Athens: Plaka and Monastiraki. and end your evening dining in a typical Greek Athens (Plaka and After check-in, start your walking tour in the restaurant, enjoying a traditional folklore show Monastiraki area, where you will see Roman with live music and dancers. Monastiraki )
Day 2
Breakfast at rooftop restaurant of hotel, with beauty of the Ancient Cycladic civilization until views to the Acropolis. the eruption of the Santorini (Thira) volcano. First stop: THE ACROPOLIS. Starting early, you will Amazing gift shop, too! go on foot from your hotel. In the Acropolis visit Late-ish lunch will be taken in nearby Kolonaki, the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age or a simple picnic, feeding the ducks on one of of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena the ponds in the National Garden across the Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony street from the museum. between material and spirit,” the monument that After lunch, by bus, you will be taken to the Sea “puts order in the mind,” the Parthenon. Climb turtle rehabilitation center of Glyfada, one of the down to the unparalleled Acropolis museum, an three in the Mediterranean. See how turtles from unforgettable experience. the region are healed and rehabilitated there, by From there, by bus, visit Benaki Museum: a stun- an international team of experts and volunteers. ningly set up museum right across the beauti- It’s an NGO, so donations are welcome. ful Parliament building, depicting exhibits from Afterwards, it’s time to go back to Monastiraki, Greece’s Post-Byzantium era until modern times. to check out the folklore market and have an af- Continue on foot to enjoy the boutique Museum ternoon coffee and evening meal at one of the The beauty and of Cycladic Art, exhibiting in a modern way the restaurants along the train lines by Attalos forum. history of Athens
Day 3-5
Currently the largest marine protected area in truly relax and take your time to explore all three Europe, the marine park includes three stunning islands with expert local nature guides. This is islands, Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, the haven truly an amazing experience in terms of nature; of the last remaining Mediterranean Monk Seal in particular, the beauty of the marine environ- population. 300-400 individuals live in the wa- ment. Mamma Mia movie was made in Skopelos ters around these islands, along with dolphins and local hospitality with wonderful food await and a multitude of other marine animal species. you as you stay in a comfortable and charming The islands are green and each one unique, so guesthouse for the next 3 nights. The National Marine after “the Athens experience” you will be able to Park of the Sporades
Day 6 Travel back to Athens and, after hotel check in, we in Plaka, personally recommended and out of will show you some of the best restaurant options this world!! Overnight at the Electra Palace Hotel. Athens( Plaka)
Day 7
After breakfast, you will be driven to the port of hospitality in the island’s best seaside restaurant Piraeus to sail into the deep blue waters of the (ssh, it’s a secret!). Stroll carefree in the town’s Aegean Sea, heading to Aegina Island, arriving pedestrian zones and don’t forget to buy the an hour later. Visit the only wildlife hospital in the branded and unrivalled in the world Aegina pis- region, hosting all sorts of wildlife and avifauna. tachios! Buy from the Co-Op kiosk in the port. Visit the ancient Afaia temple and the adjacent They’re the cheapest and best ones! Overnight at little museum. The view is even more stunning the beautiful Danae Hotel on Aegina Island, just than that of the Acropolis. Swim in Aghia Marina a stone’s throw from the town centre. Aegina Island or Marathonas and enjoy fresh fish and wonderful Day 8 Return to Pireus and catch a flying dolphin (hy- the terraced restaurants in the evening. Swim drofoil) to “the jewel of the Saronic Gulf”: Hydra. “on the rocks” in crystal clear, deep waters. Hike A national heritage island, it remains as it was in to the Monastery at the top of the hill and enjoy the 1700’s. Enjoy the amazing architecture and the monks’ hospitality. Check out the amazing visit the mansions of ship owners who have byzantine frescoes and the avifauna from the been instrumental in fuelling the 1821 inde- top of the hill. There are at least 40 species of pendence war from the Ottoman Empire. Let birds from May to September. Overnight in a lo- yourself be bewitched by the romanticism of cal guesthouse/hotel. Hydra
Day 9
After your boat ride, head by bus to Epidaurus your photography skills; you have never seen a and Argos, enjoying the archeological wealth more beautiful place. Have dinner overlooking of the region, but also a wildlife tour in the the Aegean Sea, staying in a local guesthouse nearby woods and nature trails. Head down overnight before heading back to Athens the Porto Heli - to magical Monemvassia by bus and practise next morning. Monemvassia
Day 10 On your way back to Athens, stop briefly at Byzantine times. Your time in magical Greece is Mystras and see how civilization can blend beau- over but many memories will remain as you head tifully with the natural environment and learn back to Dubai in the afternoon. about the spiritual history of the region during Athens - Dubai