Spring Break Study Tour to Greece

Day 1: Athens

Day 2: Athens

Day 3: Athens –Corinth- Epidauros Theatre –Mycenae –Tiryns

Day 4: Athens-Delphi-Athens

Day 5: Crete – Heraklion

Day 6: Crete- Heraklion – Gorthys – Phaistos

Day 7: Crete – Piraeus – Athens

Day 8: Athens

Day 9: Athens

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Athens

The Spring Break Tour to Greece starts upon your arrival at Athens Int’l Airport Venizelos. Meeting and transfer to your superior standard hotel in Athens, located near the Acropolis and the Plaka area. Afternoon at leisure. Welcome dinner in a Plaka restaurant. Overnight. (D)

Day 2: Athens

Sightseeing in Athens , including guided tours of the Acropolis (Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike , Erechtheion, and Acropolis Museum ), Theatre of Dionysus, Theatre of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Olympian Zeus , and Agora, where Socrates engaged Athenians in philosophical conversation and where a Temple of Hephaistos still stands.

The Areopagus, where the first Athenian law court was established and where Saint Paul preached in 54 A.D. and received his first Athenian convert to Christianity, can be viewed from the Acropolis. Lunch in Plaka area. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight. (B, L)

(Optional trip: the afternoon a trip to Cape Sounion, Drive along the coast of Riviera Attika to visit the Temple of Poseidon, overlooking the Aegean Sea. Dinner in a typical taverna along the road.

Day 3: Athens –Corinth- Epidauros Theatre –Mycenae –Tiryns

We will tour the site of ancient Corinth , where Saint Paul preached to the Corinthians, and its small museum, after which we will proceed to Epidaurus . Epidaurus is the site of the best-preserved and constructed theater of ancient Greece (plays are still performed there); it was regarded as a place of healing and renewal for those attending the tragedies presented there.

Proceed to visit is to Tiryns , birthplace of Hercules, with its massive Cyclopean walls and fortifications. From Tiryns , which served as a satellite fortress for the Mycenaeans in the 13 th century B.C., we proceed to Mycenae itself. Mycenae was the home of the Achaian warrior and king Agamemnon, who marshaled and led the Greek troops in their ten-year siege of Troy after the Trojans’ abduction of Helen, the wife of Agamemnon’s brother, Menelaus.

We will visit the ruins of Mycenae, where the famed lion gates guarding Agamemnon’s palace can still be seen, along with the palace walls, rooms, famous “beehive tombs,” and other artifacts. Lunch in a small historical tavern in Mycenae. Return to Athens in the evening. Overnight. (B, L)

Day 4: Athens-Delphi-Athens

In the morning we start the full day trip to Delphi – which was the most celebrated and mysterious site of prophecy in ancient Greece. Home of the oracle of Apollo, it is situated on the side of Mount Parnassus , residence of the Muses.

We will visit the extensive site of the oracle, theater, and museum. Visit the Hosios Lucas Monastery . Lunch in the traditional village of Arachova. Return to Athens in the evening and transfer to Piraeus for the overnight trip to Heraklion, Crete, leaving at 21:00. Overnight onboard in 4-berth cabins. (B, L)

Day 5: Crete – Heraklion

Arrive Heraklion, Crete in the morning. Transfer to the hotel. Full day Tour to Knossos Palace which is the most important archaeological site on Crete.

It contains the largest and most luxurious Minoan Palace, and the Museum of Heraklion, which is one of the most outstanding museums in the world. It contains finds from all over Crete, focused mostly on prehistoric Minoan civilization, a civilization which ruled the island for over 1,200 years. Lunch in a typical Cretan tavern with local specialties. Visit the Historical Museum, Arkadi Monastery,N. Kazantzakis Grave. Overnight. (L )

Day 6: Crete- Heraklion-Gorthys

A full day tour to Phaistos, which is the second most important town in Minoan Crete, with the palace of Rhadamanthys, brother of Minos. Unlike the Palace of Knossos there have been no reconstructions here. Continue to Matala, the fishing village, which was the port of Phaistos. (B,L)

Day 7: Crete – Piraeus – Athens

Day at leisure for students in Heraklion for optional excursions and visit. In the evening transfer to the port and embark ferry for the overnight trip back to Piraeus/Athens sailing at 21:00 Accommodation in tourist-class cabins, 4 bedded. (B).

Day 8: Athens

Arrive in Piraeus port around 6:00 am. Disembarkation and transfer to Athens. Day at leisure. Farewell dinner in Plaka. Overnight in Athens.

Day 9: Athens.

After breakfast transfer to Athens International Airport for the return flight back home. End of the Cultural Study Tour of Greece.