|
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Greece
Depart to Greece
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Thessaloniki
Arrive in Thessaloniki, capital of Macedonia. Transfer to your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Discover Thessaloniki, Walking Food Tour
Embark on a walking food tour, where you discover Thessaloniki's distinct local flavors and historical landmarks. Learn about the regional cuisine and sample Greek meze dishes and freshly baked goods. Visit the open-air market, with its charming paved alleys, stalls filled with fresh produce, fish, meat, spices, dairy products, and many local specialties. After lunch at a taverna, spend free time at Aristotelous Square. In the evening, take a boat tour around the Thermaikos Gulf and admire views of Thessaloniki and the beautiful coastline. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Monday - Veria Jewish Quarters, Ancient Vergina, Kalambaka
Begin the day with a final look at Thessaloniki's Byzantine walls, panoramic views, and the Gulf of Thermaikos. Depart for the town of Veria and visit its famous Jewish Quarter, as well as the Altar of Saint Paul. Afterward, proceed to the archaeological Site of Vergina in Central Macedonia. Considered one the most extraordinary finds of the 20th century, Vergina was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia. Visit the Royal Tomb of King Phillip (father of Alexander the Great); view the famous "Vergina Treasures" including gold urns, jeweled wreaths, unique art, ivory, and armor, protected by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Continue to the town of Kalambaka, nestled at the base of inspirational Meteora for dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday - Kalambaka Mushroom Museum, Winery Tour
Today, experience a truffle tour to search for the famed fungus and see how specially trained dogs find them in the forest! After a lunch of pasta with truffles, visit the local mushroom museum, to learn about the rich history of the industry in Greece. Afterward, proceed to a nearby winery to see how the locals make their wine in this mountainous region. Dinner tonight is with the group in a local restaurant
Overnight: Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Wednesday - Meteora Monasteries, Nafpaktos
Visit Meteora, meaning "suspended in the air", with its mystical Eastern Orthodox monasteries incredibly nestled perilously close to the edge of bizarre rock formations. Admire the exquisite specimens of Byzantine art and the panoramic vistas over the Peneios Valley. Stop at a workshop of Byzantine icons and souvenirs. Browse the store's vast collection of icons, created using old traditional methods. Afterward, a scenic drive takes you to the picturesque port town of Nafpaktos for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Nafpaktos
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Thursday - Tour the Olympia Archaeological Site
Morning visit to the archaeological site of Olympia, including the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, and the ancient stadium where the Olympic Games were first held in 776 B.C. Visit a local store, where you will have a chance to taste local olive oil and spices. Then, drive north through the plains of Eliad and Achaia, crossing the Corinth Strait via a cabled bridge from Rion to Antirion. Return to Nafpaktos for overnight at your hotel
Overnight: Nafpaktos
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Friday - Archaeological Tour of Delphi, Travel to Athens
Tour the excavated site of Delphi and the archaeological museum, perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered one of the most significant places in Greek history, its stunning setting and ancient ruins are truly inspirational. Walk the Sacred Way to the imposing 4th century B.C. Temple of Apollo, site of the most important oracle in the classical world. Arrive in Athens in the early evening
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Saturday - Athens City Tour
The exploration of Athens begins with a panoramic drive through the city center. View the Panathenian Stadium, the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Continue on to visit the Acropolis, the ancient architectural masterpiece built during the Golden Age of Athens and the new Acropolis Museum, a striking modern building built at the base of the monument where many of the original statues from the Acropolis are now displayed. After lunch together, the rest of the day is at leisure, or you may decide to join the optional Cape Sounion tour. Be sure to walk to Constitution Square, where you might catch a glimpse of the colorfully-costumed Evzone guards, outfitted in the traditional Greek style. Tonight, perhaps walk through the lively Plaka area, the oldest section of Athens, a neighborhood of charming restaurants, shops and sidewalk cafes
Optional: Athens Cape Sounion Tour
Overnight: Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10, Sunday - Ferry to Mykonos
Today, transfer to the port for your ferry to Mykonos. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a guided walking tour of Mykonos town and discover its charm and cultural roots. View white-washed churches, picturesque windmills where the grain used to be milled for bread flour, and stroll along narrow winding streets. Visit the island's "Little Venice," where houses and cafes have been built directly at water level. Conclude the tour with a drink at a local cafe with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers. Tonight, perhaps find a table at a harborside taverna and just savor the bustle of Cycladic island life along with gorgeous views
Overnight: Mykonos
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Monday - Full Day in Mykonos
Today, spend a full day at leisure in Mykonos to enjoy the energetic ambiance of this chic island with its sophisticated world-class restaurants and trendy boutiques. Relax at one of the many golden sand beaches, or wander along the narrow streets of the Old Town. Allow time to shop at one of the many unique boutiques, or relax at a terrace bar. Perhaps choose to participate in the optional excursion to Delos. Explore the island with its history dating back to early Ionian civilization. This splendid archaeological site was once the religious center of the Aegean and Cyclades. According to myth, Latonna gave birth here to Apollo, the Greek sun god, and to Artemis, the huntress and goddess of marriage and fertility. In Delos, view the Sacred Harbor and the regal Sacred Way, flanked by stone lions leading to the temples dedicated to Apollo and Artemis and visit the museum housing some of the most impressive archaeological artifacts found on the island. Afterward, return to Mykonos, where the remainder of the day is free to explore on your own
Optional: Delos Sightseeing Tour (AM)
Overnight: Mykonos
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12, Tuesday - Ferry to Santorini
Today, transfer to the port for your ferry to Santorini. After approximately 3.5 hours, arrive to the beautiful island with its sapphire blue water, snow-white architecture, and multicolored cliffs, considered one of the world's most enchanting getaways. In the afternoon, explore the world of Therian volcanic wines. Visit two family-owned estate wineries, hear about their production processes, and follow up with a delicious wine tasting. Conclude the tour with dinner of local specialties in one of the wineries
Overnight: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13, Wednesday - Morning Tour of Santorini
Today, explore this Greek paradise. Board the bus and drive to Megalochori, one of the most traditional villages on the island. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the traditional architecture. Later, head to the archaeological excavation site of ancient Akrotiri, a former Bronze Age settlement located on the south west of the island. Tour the ancient city that was frozen in time after a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Free time for lunch on your own before returning to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit a local distillery and learn about traditional distillation methods while sampling local spirits like ouzo and tsikoudia. Afterwards, explore the world of Therian volcanic wines. Visit a family-owned estate winery, hear about their production processes, and follow up with a delicious wine tasting. Conclude the tour with a dinner of local specialties at the winery
Overnight: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Thursday - Full Day in Santorini
Spend a full day at leisure in Santorini. Thousands of years ago, one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in history occurred here. This event is believed to have led to the demise of the ancient Minoan culture and inspired several Greek myths. Perhaps, join the optional Santorini Volcano Cruise to spend a relaxing day sailing in the blue waters of Santorini. Sail to the island of Nea Kameni, and walk up to the still-active volcano for a view of the Caldera. Proceed to the island of Palia Kameni, where you will have the opportunity to swim from the boat in the bay's sulfur springs infused water before returning to the port of Athinios in Santorini in the afternoon, passing by the magnificent cliffs of the Caldera. Tonight, during dinner, bid goodbye to your Tour Manager
Optional: Half Day Santorini Volcano Cruise (AM)
Overnight: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 15, Friday - Depart Greece
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Athens, where you will connect to your international flight
Meals: Breakfast
|
