Greece: Ancient Ruins & Iconic Islands
12 days
From
$ 2899
Duration12 days
Step back in time on a journey to Greece, where iconic ruins bring ancient history to life. Explore the awe-inspiring monuments of Athens and the stunning Cyclades islands; and run and jump in the footsteps of ancient Greek athletes at the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Then venture to the olive-covered hills and rugged coasts of the Peloponnese, where some of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey played out; and savor the delightfully fresh flavors of Greek cuisine.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 12 daysService level: Upgraded
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Athens
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Athens
Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Explore the iconic Acropolis with an archaeologist guide and wander among the columns of the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena. Continue to the ancient Agora—where Athenians gathered to discuss the affairs of the day—and listen to our guide bring these timeless ruins to life.
Meals: B
Day 3: Athens/Delphi
Take free time to explore Athens on your own, or choose to visit the National Garden. Afterward, journey to Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo—seat of the fabled oracle of Delphi and considered the center of the world by the ancients.
Meals: B
Day 4: Delphi/Olympia
Explore mystical Delphi on a guided tour, then continue discovering the ruins on your own and visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi to admire the many artifacts discovered at the site. Travel along the breathtaking Gulf of Corinth, crossing into the Peloponnese via the Rio-Antirrio bridge, an impressively long multi-span cable-stay bridge. Wind your way to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and channel your inner champion as you discover this remarkable site, where ancient Greek athletes would gather every four years to compete in a series of sporting events honoring Zeus.
Meals: B
Day 5: Olympia/Náfplio
Browse the Olympia Museum this morning, then travel to Náfplio, a charming port town and the first capital of modern Greece. In Náfplio, lose yourself in the winding lanes of the old town, and take in glimpses of the sapphire-hued Aegean Sea from the hilltops.
Meals: B
Day 6: Náfplio
Embark on an excursion to the Bronze Age city of Mycenae, where the legendary king Agamemnon ruled. Take a guided tour of the ruins, enclosed within Cyclopean walls, and enter the citadel through the famed Lion Gate—one of Europe’s oldest monumental sculptures. Return to Náfplio and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Opt to climb up to the Akronafplia fortress, or hit the beach.
Meals: B
Day 7: Athens/Náxos
Drive back to Athens, stopping en route at the ancient site of Epidaurus and the ruins of Corinth, where the Christian apostle Paul is said to have visited in the first century A.D. From Athens, board a ferry to the Cyclades islands. Relax on board, enjoying sparkling views of the sea, and disembark at Náxos, the largest island in the archipelago.
Meals: B
Day 8: Náxos
The Cyclades are known around the word for their dazzling white villages and golden beaches. On Naxos, while away your time exploring the storybook old town; opt to walk to the emblematic Temple of Apollo, overlooking the sea; or stretch out on a sandy beach.
Meals: B
Day 9: Santorini
Catch a ferry to postcard-perfect Santorini. Get to know this much-photographed isle at your own pace, discovering candy-colored doorways and sugar-cube buildings; and take in a spectacular sunset from the village of Oía. Savor the taste of local produce—marked by the island’s volcanic soil—or unwind at the beach.
Meals: B
Day 10: Santorini
This morning, sail Santorini’s breathtaking sunken caldera, and learn about the volcanic origins of the surrounding crescent-shaped ring of islands. Later, enjoy free time to explore Santorini.
Meals: B
Day 11: Santorini/Athens
Fly back to Athens for an adventure in Greek cookery. Go shopping with a local expert at a market and pick out fresh ingredients; then head to a teaching kitchen and learn how to craft mezze, a platter of appetizers commonly served in southeast Europe and the Middle East. Wash down these tasty snacks with a glass of ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and cheer our journey with your best “opa!”
Due to strict weight restrictions, plan on packing light for your flight. Because of current weight limits and the inability to add on more weight, checked baggage should be no heavier than 15kg, and hand luggage should weigh no more than 6kg.
Meals: B, D
Day 12: Athens
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Ancient Athens Tour with an Archaeologist, Athens Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Athens Market-to-Meal Experience, Athens Your G for Good Moment: Tour of Shedia Home and a Beverage, Athens
- Guided visit of Acropolis and Parthenon
- Guided tour of Ancient Delphi
- Delphi Archaeological Museum visit
- Olympia Archaeological Site and Museum visit
- Guided tour of Mycenae
- Epidaurus and Ancient Corinth Ruins visit
- Santorini Sailing Excursion
- Orientation walks in Athens, Delphi and Náxos
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Ferry, Private vehicle, Plane, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (11 nts)