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→ Itinerary

Itinerary

APRIL 18 – USA / ATHENS: Depart from Chicago on your overnight flight to Athens, Greece.

APRIL 19 – ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE:  Upon arrival in Athens airport, you will be met by your Tour Director and shortly afterwards will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

APRIL 20 – ATHENS: Today you will be met by your English-speaking guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens. See the complex of monuments that most symbolize Athens – the Acropolis. The highlight of your tour to the Acropolis will be the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world, which was dedicated to the Goddess Athena and conceived in 447BC. Visit the Acropolis Museum, which exhibits sculptures and reliefs that have been recovered from the site. This afternoon is at leisure. (B)

APRIL 21 – ATHENS: This morning you will be met by your English-speaking guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens. Spend time exploring the renowned National Archaeological Museum, one of the richest and most important museums in the world with its formidable collection of unique exhibits such as sculpture, pottery, and jewelry. Afterwards you will enjoy a walk through the ancient district of Plaka, one of the most picturesque and interesting parts of the city. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy Athens by night, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)

APRIL 22 – ATHENS / DELPHI / OLYMPIA: Leave Athens this morning and drive through rugged mountain scenery along the shores of the Gulf of Corinth, arriving at the sacred religious center of Delphi, dramatically positioned on terraces against the backdrop of Mount Parnassus. Explore this extensive and fascinating archaeological site, visiting such masterpieces as the great Temple of Apollo, home of the famous oracle, the sturdy Temple of the Athenians, and the extensive Ancient Theater. Also visit the archaeological museum, a treasure trove of artifacts and boasting the Charioteer of Delphi, one of the most beautiful Greek statues from the 5th century BC. After time at leisure for lunch, you will be driven over the sweeping new bridge that connects the Peloponnese to the mainland, and, passing olive groves and citrus plantations, arrive in the early evening. Enjoy dinner this evening. (B/D)

APRIL 23 – OLYMPIA: The beautiful setting of Olympia, in a grove of trees below the wooded slopes of Mount Kronion, adds a timeless quality to the remains of this most famous of ancient sites. Started in the 8th century BC and held every four years at the late-summer full moon, the Games reached the height of popularity in the 5th century BC when competitors from the farthest colonies came to take part, hostilities amongst warring factions ceased for the duration, and the athletics were complemented by great fairs and festivities. Today your guide brings back to life the excitement and atmosphere of the Games as you visit the remains of the enormous Temples of Zeus, the Palaestra training center, and the stadium itself with its 630ft running course and surviving vaulted entrance. (B)

APRIL 24 – BASSAE / NAFPLIO: A full day of driving today takes you through the lovely countryside, rich in agricultural produce, to the delightful town of Nafplio, situated on a rocky peninsula projecting into the calm waters of the Argloic Gulf. You will stop at Bassae where you will visit the Temple of Apollo, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival in Nafplio, check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner this evening. (B/D)

APRIL 25 – NAFPLIO / EPIDAURUS / NAFPLIO: This morning is at leisure to enjoy the fine facilities of the hotel or perhaps a walk through the charming old town of Nafplio, with its mixture of ancient Greek and Venetian influences. Visit the Folklore Museum, displaying costumes, housewares etc. from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. This afternoon drive to the nearby archaeological site of Epidaurus, to admire the magnificent 4th century theater whose elegance, perfection of design and harmonious proportions made it the most famous in the Ancient World. Today the Theater is beautifully preserved and retains the astonishing acoustics that enabled actors to be heard without difficulty by all the 14 000 spectators. The Theater was the showpiece of a fine Sanctuary dedicated to Aesculapius, God of medicine. There will be time to enjoy the delightful setting of the site before returning to your hotel. Enjoy dinner this evening. (B/D)

APRIL 26 – NAFPLION / MYCENAE / CORINTH / ATHENS: Drive to Mycenae, the city “rich in gold” as described by Homer, dating from the second millennium BC and which, under the tyrannical rule of its warrior kings, gave birth to the important Mycenaen civilization. Visit the site hewn from a rocky hill and ringed by barren mountains, with its proud Lion Gate and Royal Tombs whose majestic “beehive” funerary chambers were filled with treasures. You may like to take lunch beside the extraordinary Corinth Canal, spectacularly hewn out of the rock and just wide enough for ships to pass, and afterwards enjoy a visit of the impressive remains of the acropolis of “wealthy Corinth”, testimony to the importance of the town as a trading center in ancient times. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. (B/D)

APRIL 27 – DEPART ATHENS / USA: This morning you will be transferred with English-speaking assistance from your hotel to Athens’ airport for your departure flight. (B)

→ Inclusions

 Inclusions

• Roundtrip air from Chicago to Athens on Lufthansa
• English speaking Tour Director for duration of tour
• Athens – 3 nights, 5-Star Hotel Royal Olympic
• Olympia – 2 nights, 4-Star Hotel Olympia Palace
• Nafplio – 2 nights, 4-Star Hotel Amalia
• Athens – 1 night, 5-Star Hotel Royal Olympic
• Continental buffet breakfast daily, except the day of arrival
• 6, three-course dinners including: Welcome and farewell dinners in local restaurants in Athens, and an Athens by night tour followed by dinner in a local restaurant
• Luxury Motorcoach with services of professional driver
• Half-day Athens sightseeing tour with English speaking guide and entrance fees in Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
• Half day Athens tour with English speaking guide and entrance fees in National Archaeological Museum
• Entrance fees in Delphi, Olympia, Bassae, Mycene, Epidaurus, and Corinth.
• Portfolio of documents
• Porterage of one suitcase per person
• 24-hour emergency support while in Europe

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

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