Day 1: ARRIVE IN ATHENS
Arrival to Athens, the birthplace of democracy and one of the world’s first great ‘cities’. Meet your guideat the airport and transfer by private coach to our centrally located hotel, and after checking in, we willtake a leisurely escorted stroll to acclimatize ourselves with the area. We will have the opportunity tovisit the famous Plaka. Dinner will be in the hotel.
Day 2: NAUPLION / ARGOLIS (MYCENAE & EPIDAURUS) / PIREAUS
This morning depart Athens with your guide by private coach for Nauplion. Journey to the plain of Argolis, the land of myth and magic and home to two of Greece’s most important ruins: Mycenae and Epidaurus. From the moment Heinrich Schliemann discovered a tomb in 1882 and stared in awe at a golden mask, presumed to be that of King Agamemnon, Mycenae achieved fame throughout the world. According to archeological evidence, Mycenae had been inhabited since 3,000 BC and its unique importance lay in the fertility of the surrounding plain, the ingenuity of its rulers, and its strategic location. Pass under the famous Lion Gate and gaze upon the six shaftgraves excavated by Schliemann. Not to be missed is Epidaurus to see the most impressive open-air theatre in all of Greece. Built in the 4th Century BC, the theatre accommodates 14,000 spectators and the acoustics areconsidered to be the best in the world. In the late afternoon arrive to the port of Pireaus and board the overnight ferry to Crete. Dinner and overnight onboard.
Day 3: CRETE
This morning you will have breakfast on the ferry before your early morning arrival in Crete. Board you private coach and go on a guided tour of Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek Islands with a fascinating history spanning Minoan, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman empires. Transfer to our centrally located hotel in Heraklion, the largest town on the island that buzzes with activity and a lively pace. After checking in, visit the Crete Aquarium. Afterwards, take a guided tour of Knossos, the capital of the Minoan Empire-- the earliest recorded civilization in Europe. Built in 1700 BC on the rubble of another palace, it was the centre of the religious, economic and social life of the Minoan civilization. Dinner in a local cretan restaurant. Overnight Heraklion.
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| Day 4: CRETE
This morning depart with your guide by private coach for Rethimno, a picturesque city that maintains its old aristocratic appearance. Buildings date from the 16th century and narrow streets radiate out from the lovely Venetian harbour beside the stunning crescent-shaped beach. Stroll through the principal historic sites including the Venetian-era citadel, the Fortezza, which is one of the best preserved castles in Crete. Enjoy a guided tour of the Fortezza. This afternoon, enjoy a guided traditional pony ride along the cretan beach. Return to Heraklion for dinner in a local restaurant and overnight.
Day 5: CRETE
After breakfast, visit the western side of the island and one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, the Venetian-era city of Chania. Enjoy an interactive guided experience as you stroll along the stunning harbour and explore the lovely old town, which has been rebuilt after sustaining heavy damage during the WW2 German occupation. Enjoy a guided hike through the breathtaking Cretan Gorge. Combining various architectural styles from Baroque to neo-Classical, Chania is one of Crete’s most famous sites and visually beautiful. Board an overnight ferryto Athens. Dinner onboard
Day 6: ATHENS
This morning you will have breakfast on the ferry before your early morning arrival to Pireaus. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer by private coach to our hotel with an enroute orientation tour of Athens that will introduce us to its principal sights. We will visit the Acropolis, Antiquity’s most splendid group of monuments, once a sanctuary of religious worship and by the middle of the 5th century B.C. the pedestal for artistic creations of theClassical Era. Our tour will visit the magnificent Doris Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the small Ionic tempe of Athena Nike and the ancient Agora. Dinner will be in the hotel.
Day 7: ATHENS / DELPHI / ATHENS
Today’s guided excursion takes us to Delphi by private coach, site of the famous Pythian Oracle by coach. Considered to be a sacred valley by the ancient Greeks, legend contends that Delphi was “the navel of the earth”; the mythical god Zeus determined that the valley was the centre of the earth. While touring the archeological site, we will see the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Theatre, the Tholos, the Stadium, and finally the Osios Loukas Monastery. Dinner will be in a local Restaurant. |
