The Cultural Study Tour of Greece – 15 days

Day 1– Athens

Arrive Athens International 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 with Greek folkdances and music. 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 . In the afternoon walk down from the hotel to visit the new Acropolis Museum, which will be inaugurated early 2009. Overnight. (B)

Day 3 – Athens – Cape Sounion – Athens

In the morning visit the National Archaological Museum of Athens. In the afternoon a trip to Cape Sounion, Drive along the coast of Riviera Attika to visit the Temple of Poseidon, overlooking the Aegean Sea. Optional dinner in a local tavern on the way back. Overnight (B)

CRUISE:

Day 4 – Athens – Epidaurus – Mycaene – Nemea – Corinth.

Early morning depart by coach. 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. Then to Corinth where the cultural study tour of Greece yacht part starts. Embark the yacht . Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 5 – Corinth – Itea – Delphi

Early morning sail in the calm Corinthian Gulf to the port of Delphi – Itea. Drive along the Amphissa’s olive groves to Delphi. Delphi 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 museum and archaeological site. In the evening return to Itea and dine onboard. Overnight. (B,D)

Day 6 – Itea – Kefalonia

In the morning sail through the Corinthian Gulf to the beautiful island of Kefalonia. Kefalonia is the largest island of the Ionian islands, wealthy and fertile, famed for its wine Robola. Lord Byron lived on Kefalonia where he wrote Don Juan. Picturesque villages like Assos and the fishing village of Fiscardo, where houses have retained their traditional architecture unaltered. Visit, dinner, overnight.(B,D)

Day 7 – Kefalonia

Full day in Kefalonia to explore the island. Overnight (B,D)

Day 8 – Kefalonia- Ithaka – Zakynthos

In the morning sail to the famous island of Ulysses – Ithaka. Visit. Sail early afternoon for Zakynthos (Zante). Visit. Overnight (B,D)

Day 9 – Zakynthos – Kyllini – Olympia

In the morning cross over to Peloponnese, the port of Kyllini. From there by coach to visit ancient Olympia. Visit. Return to Kyllini and sail for Naupaktos town on the main land. (B,D)

Naupaktos, the Jewel of the Corinthian Gulf , where the famous Naval Battle of Lepanto took place on Oct 7 , 1571 .The famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantez, who himself was wounded in the Battle of Lepanto , serving in the Spanish infantry , recounted many of his experiences in the novel Don Quixote. The battle marked the end of Turkish naval supremacy and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire’s decline on both land and sea. Visit. Overnight. (B,D)

Day 9 – Zakynthos – Kyllini – Olympia

In the morning cross over to Peloponnese, the port of Kyllini. From there by coach to visit ancient Olympia. Visit. Return to Kyllini and sail for Naupaktos town on the main land. (B,D)

Naupaktos, the Jewel of the Corinthian Gulf , where the famous Naval Battle of Lepanto took place on Oct 7 , 1571 .The famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantez, who himself was wounded in the Battle of Lepanto , serving in the Spanish infantry , recounted many of his experiences in the novel Don Quixote. The battle marked the end of Turkish naval supremacy and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire’s decline on both land and sea. Visit. Overnight. (B,D)

Day 10 – Naupaktos – Corinth Isthmus-Aegina

Early morning sail from Naupaktos back to Corinth, cross the Corinthian Canal-which divides the main land from Peloponnese peninsula. In the evening arrive at Aegina island. Visit. Overnight. (B,D)

Day 11– Aegina –Piraeus

Early morning proceed to Piraeus Yacht Harbor. After breakfast, disembarkation.

Day at leisure in Athens. In the evening, transfer to the ferry , leaving for Heraklion, Crete at 10:00 pm. Overnight trip with accommodation in tourist-class 2-bedded cabins.(B)

CRETE:

Day 12– Crete – Heraklion

Arrive Heraklion, Crete in the morning. Transfer to the hotel. Tour to Knossos Palace which is the most important archaeological sie 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. Overnight.(B,D)

Day 13 – Crete

Full day tour to Phaestos, which is the second most important town in Minoan Crete, with the palace of Radamanthys, 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 Phaestos. (B,D)

(Optional: One-day cruise to Santorini from Heraklion available (Dep. at 09:45 and returns at 7:30 pm).

Day 14 – Crete – Piraeus – Athens

Day at leisure for students in Heraklion for optional excursions and visit. In the afternoon transfer to the port and embark ferry for the overnight trip back to Piraeus/Athens. Accommodation in tourist-class cabins, 2-4 bedded.(B)

Day 15– Athens

Arrive in Piraeus port around 6:00 am. Disembarkation and transfer to Athens International Airport for the return flight back home. End of the Cultural Study Tour of Greece.

(B) =breakfast, (D)=Dinner