FACULTY-LED CROSS-CULTURAL TOUR TO GREECE Athens - Eleusis - Corinth - Nauplion - Mycenae Epidaurus - Kalamata - Olympia - Patras - Delphi Crete - Corfu - Meteora - Kalambaka - Berea Thessaloniki - Pella - Litochoro Organized by Faculty-Led Cross-Cultural Tour to Greece FACULTY-LED CROSS-CULTURAL TOUR TO GREECE Athens Delphi Meteora Crete Day 7 Nauplion - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Nauplion After breakfast drive to Mycenae, to visit the remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with the SampleTour Itinerary: Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses’ Gate, the remains of the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon in which we will actually enter. After a short lunch break we continue on to Epidaurus Day 1 Depart USA the Sanctuary of Asclepeios, ancient god of healing. We see the best-preserved ancient theater in all Depart USA for your flight to Athens. of Greece, famous for the harmony of its design and the perfection of its remarkable acoustics, easily accommodating 12,000 people. After the tour return to hotel in Nauplion for dinner & overnight. (B, D) Day 2 Athens Arrive Athens (mid-afternoon), upon arrival transfer to Parthenon Hotel for dinner and overnight at Day 8 Nauplion - Kalamata your Athens hotel. (B, D) Depart Nauplion, visit Mystras en route to Kalamata. Overnight at hotel Galaxy in Kalamata. Day 3 Athens Day 9 Kalamata After breakfast, start a full day guided walking tour of Athens in the famous Acropolis Hill and the Visit Diros Caves by small boats; sail for 200 meters followed by a walk in the caves. Free afternoon. Acropolis Museum. Climb up the Acropolis Hill and see the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon Overnight at Hotel Galaxy in Kalamata. and Erechtheion. From the top, we enjoy the views to the Odeon, the theatre of Dionyssos, and Philopappou Hill. Then we walk along the pedestrian street towards the Acropolis Museum. Here Day 10 Kalamata - Olympia we will see all the findings excavated on the hill and the surrounding areas. Return to hotel at around Morning departure from Kalamata towards Olympia. Upon arrival, visit the archaeological site in 5p.m. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Parthenon in Athens. (B, D) Olympia, see the Temple of Zeus built by Livon, which houses the 12 meter high statue by Phedeas, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and The Temple of Hera where the Olympic flame Day 4 Athens was lit. Also visit the museum across the street which contains the 4th Century BC statue of Hermes We start our bus tour at 9 a.m. to enjoy a panoramic sightseeing of the city. We will visit the by Praxiteles and a number of other finds from excavations including the Nike of Victory by Paeonios. Panathenian Stadium and will see the Constitution Square where we stop to take pictures of the Check-in at Hotel Neda in Olympia for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the evzones in front of the Parliament Building. We will then see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Academy, the University of Athens, the National Day 11 Olympia Library. After the tour, free time in Plaka or return to hotel on your own. Dinner and overnight at Local visits around Olympia, Lake of Kaiafas or Pyrgos village. Overnight in Olympia. Hotel Parthenon in Athens. (B, D) Day 12 Olympia - Patras - Delphi Day 5 Athens After breakfast drive towards Patras, the second largest port of Greece and cross over the bridge After breakfast we will walk to Mars Hill (the Areopagus), to see the spot where Paul preached to the from Rion to Antirrion, passing by Nafpaktos and arriving in Delphi. Visit the archaeological site, Athenians. We will then continue on foot to the Ancient Agora where we will visit the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Treasury of the Athenians and the archaeological museum. Dinner and archaeological site and we will see the Stoa of Attalos. After a short lunch break we will take a walk in the overnight at Hotel Parnassos in Delphi. (B, D) Flea Market at Monastiraki. Return to hotel in early afternoon. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Day 13 Delphi Hotel Parthenon in Athens. (B, D) Morning optional* visit to Ossios Loucas. Your guide is returning to Athens this afternoon until you Day 6 Athens - Eleusis - Corinth - Nauplion meet again in a few days. Group returns to Delphi for dinner and overnight at hotel. Breakfast and check out of rooms. At 8:00 am we start our journey to the south of Greece. We will Day 14 Delphi - Athens Airport Flight to Crete visit Eleusis, which was an ancient centre of religious devotion that culminated in the annual Eleusinian At 8:00 a.m departure from Delphi to Athens. Arrive to Athens Airport for departure with flight mysteries. We will continue on to the historic Corinth Canal where we will have a brief stop for leaving at 2:00 p.m. to Heraklion, Crete. Arrival and transfer to hotel in Heraklion. Dinner and photos. We will visit the ancient city of Corinth and Acrocorinth (the citadel of Corinth) before driving overnight at Hotel Castelo. (B, D) to Nauplion, for check-in at Hotel Park, followed by dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 15 Crete Excursion to visit Knossos Palace followed by Heraklion panoramic city tour and the Aquarium. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Heraklion. (B, D) Day 16 Crete, Boat Tour Full day cruise with gulet to Dias Island which is an uninhabited island off the northern coast of Crete. The islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city of Heraklion. There is also a legend that a giant lizard tried to destroy the island of Crete, but Zeus turned it in to stone with a thunderbolt, thus creating the island. After our visit and cruise return in the afternoon to Heraklion. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, D) Day 17 Crete - Corfu Morning free in Crete. Transfer from hotel to Heraklion airport for your flight departing at 3:25 pm to Corfu via Athens. Arrival at 6:50 pm to Corfu. Transfer to Hotel Sea Bird. Dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 18 Corfu, Boat Tour Discover the deep blue of the Ionian sea today with a boat trip. Group will be in 2-3 boats. In the morning enjoy a scenic drive through the lush green countryside to Paleokastritsa, famous for the crystal blue-green sea, the mysterious grottoes, the impressive rocks and bays. Board the boats from Alypa to Rovinia Beach where we have our first stop for swimming. We pass by beautiful bays of Klimatia, Limni, Plakes where we will have time to take pictures and stop in Marmara beach. We then Nauplion continue our cruise to Paradise beach where the wonderful jagged coastline of this stunning location can be enjoyed. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Corfu. (B, D) Faculty-Led Cross-Cultural Tour to Greece FACULTY-LED TOUR MAP CROSS-CULTURAL TOUR TO GREECE THESSALONIKI VERIA LITOCHORO KALAMBAKA CORFU METEORA C E E Corinth E R DELPHI G ATHENS Day 19 Corfu PATRAS AEGEAN SEA City tour of Corfu. Visit the pretty mountain village of Gastouri, the Achilleon Palace, constructed for CORINTH the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Continue on to Kanoni, where we’ll see the Pontikonissi (Mouse) Island. Drive to the site of ancient Kerkyra, called Kanoni with the summer residence of the old OLYMPIA Greek Royal Family. On the way back drive by Garitsa bay, we will see the old Venetian Fortress, spend time in old town the shopping centre “Esplanade” at one of the biggest squares in Europe. We’ll also see St Spyridon church, patron saint of the island. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 20 Corfu Northern Corfu Tour. After breakfast we drive along the greenery of the countryside to Paleokastritsa. We visit the 18th century Monastery, with its Byzantine icons and its architecture, with a view over the Ionian Sea. Stop at the picturesque Lakones village, called Bella Vista, pass through typical Greek villages, like Makrades, Troumbetas as well as the fishing village Kassiopi, with its brightly colored bobbing boats. After some free time for lunch we return to hotel driving through the villages of Kalami, picturesque fisher-bay of Kouloura, Nissaki beach, Barbati, Ipsos and Dassia. (B, D) CRETE INCLUDING • International roundtrip Air Tickets between USA – Istanbul • Twenty-six nights in Greece at local 3* hotels • Daily breakfast and dinner as seen in the itinerary (B: breakfast, D: dinner) • All land transportation by private fully air conditioned mini bus or coach throughout the tour. Corfu • Athens-Heraklion-Corfu airfare with one piece of luggage up to 23 kgs. • English speaking escort assistance on arrival/departure at all cities. Day 21 Corfu - Meteora - Kalambaka Departure from hotel to take the morning ferry to Igoumenitsa (1,5 hrs). Meet your guide and board the bus • All sightseeing tours as specified in the itinerary with licensed English speaking to head to Meteora. Visit a monastery and overnight in Hotel Famissi in Kalambaka. (B, D) local guides. Day 22 Kalambaka - Berea - Thessaloniki • Entry fees to the above sites. Morning visit to a second monastery in Meteora. At noon depart for Thessaloniki. On the way stop in • All highway tolls and parking fees. Berea. Dinner and overnight at Hotel El Greco Thessaloniki. (B, D) • One-way ferry tickets from Corfu to Igoumenitsa. Day 23 Pella - Thessaloniki • Boat tours in Corfu and Crete as specified in the itinerary (non private boat). Morning visit to Pella - Afternoon city tour of Thessaloniki with White tower, Old City Walls, Rotunda, St.