Greece 8 days, 7 nights

χαίρετε (hello)! Welcome to Greece!

Itinerary – Touch down in Athens, clear customs, meet your tour manager, and depart for your hotel.   Settle in before attending an orientation briefing – go through your itinerary, talk about Greek customs, how to stay safe, and even learn a few words in Greek!

This afternoon, immerse yourself in Athenian life with a stroll around the ‘old town’ neighborhood of Plaka – known for winding pedestrian streets and views of the Acropolis and the City of Athens.

Walk up to the top of Pnyx Hill to see the founding site of Athenian Democracy; perhaps even stage a debate!

Enjoy a hearty welcome meal of traditional Greek food such as moussaka or fasotha – white bean soup. Greeks are known for their love of food and welcoming hospitality – you’re unlikely to go hungry on this trip!

Overnight:  Athens

Meals:  Lunch and Dinner

Itinerary – Dive right into the culture and architecture with a guided tour of the Athenian Acropolis, taking in the magnificence of the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Propylaea! Walk around the slopes of the Acropolis to the Theater of Dionysus, once home to the City Dionysia that celebrated all things drama in reverence of Dionysus himself.

After lunch, walk to the Acropolis Museum to view the fantastic sculptures and artifacts.   Don’t miss the actual excavation underneath the museum. A great opportunity to immerse yourself in the outline of the ancient city.

Since you have visited the home of ancient Greek theater, it’s time for you to have a go! Create and perform your very own Greek tragedy with a professional workshop. Understand the different genres of Greek play, write your own lyrics (in English), and then take to the stage!

Overnight:  Athens

Meals:  Lunch and Dinner

Itinerary – ‘ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΑΥΤΟΝ’ – ‘Know Thyself,’ the quote inscribed above the entrance to our next destination, Delphi! Today, travel by private coach to the Greek sanctuary of Delphi.

Wind your way up the sacred way past temples and treasuries to the stadium at the very top (all the while marveling at how they got all the marble up the mountain!). Explore the museum’s treasures, including the renowned Delphic Charioteer and Sphinx statue.

Travel back to Athens and enjoy a well-earned dinner at a local taverna.

Overnight:  Athens

Meals:  Lunch and Dinner

Itinerary –  Dive into archaeology today with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum.  Home of the largest collection of Greek artifacts in the world!  Don’t miss the impressive Kleobis and Biton, the statue of the emperor Augustus (pulled out of the Aegean Sea!), and the golden death mask of Agamemnon!

Learn about the technology developed by the Ancient Greeks with a visit to the Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology. See inventions the Ancient Greeks used – from alarm clocks to autopilot technology!

Take the funicular through the tunnel and out onto the beautiful Lycabettus Hill.  Enjoy the stunning views of the city and relax as the sun sets. Head back down into the city for another delicious Athenian dinner.

Overnight:  Athens

Meals:  Lunch and Dinner

Itinerary – Today, depart Athens and travel by coach to Peloponnese via the world-famous Corinth Canal, an impressive feat of engineering, first begun (with no success) in the 1st century and eventually completed in 1893. Drive on to the site of Mycenae, where the world of Homer’s heroes comes to life through impressive archaeological ruins.

Marvel at the cyclopean walls, so named because of the enormous stones that certainly only a giant cyclops could move! Don’t miss the Lion Gate and the impressive Tomb of Clytemnestra.

Travel to Homer’s “mighty walled Tiryns,” and wander through the impressive halls and walls of this legendary citadel. After exploring both mighty cities, you will continue to Nafplion, the modern capital of Greece, where you will have time to settle into your hotel.

Head out into the streets of Nafplion, known for its eclectic architecture and impressive history. Enjoy some much-needed downtime, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight:  Nafplion

Meals:  Lunch and Dinner

Itinerary – On your final full day in Greece, you will head out to the ancient site of Epidaurus, known for its healing sanctuary of Asclepius and spectacular theatre. See how much of your Greek Tragedy you can remember and enjoy experimenting with the acoustics that still impress tourists and performers to this day.

Relax and let your creativity shine through in a pottery-making class. Learn about the history of pottery in Greece, and try making your own figurine.

Overnight:  Nafplion

Meals:  Lunch and Dinner

Itinerary – Travel back to Athens and head back to the airport – it’s time to say goodbye to Greece – ready to return home and tell of your adventures – a big εὖγε to Everyone!

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (meals based on flight times)