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Itinerary
SEPTEMBER 17 – USA / ATHENS: Depart from Chicago on your overnight flight to Athens, Greece.
SEPTEMBER 18 – 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)
SEPTEMBER 19 – 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. Afterwards, your afternoon is free in Athens. (B)
SEPTEMBER 20 – 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. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy Athens by night, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)
SEPTEMBER 21 – ATHENS / CORINTH / EPIDAURUS / NAFPLIO: Depart from Athens and drive to Corinth where you 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. Then on to the 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 driving to the delightful town of Nafplio, situated on a rocky peninsula projecting into the calm waters of the Argloic Gulf. Enjoy dinner in your hotel tonight. (B/D)
SEPTEMBER 22 – NAFPLIO / MYCENAE / NAFPLIO: After breakfast 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 Mycenean 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. Return back to Nafplio with the balance of the day 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. Enjoy dinner in your hotel tonight. (B/D)
SEPTEMBER 23 – BASSAE / OLYMPIA: A full day of driving today takes you through the lovely countryside, rich in agricultural produce, to Olympia. You will stop at Bassae where you will visit the Temple of Apollo, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival in Olympia, check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner this evening. (B/D)
SEPTEMBER 24 – 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)
SEPTEMBER 25 – DELPHI / ATHENS: Leave Olympia this morning and start your journey back to Athens. Pause 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, drive through rugged mountain scenery along the shores of the Gulf of Corinth to Athens. Enjoy dinner this evening. (B/D)
SEPTEMBER 26 – DEPART ATHENS / USA: This morning you will be transferred with English-speaking assistance from your hotel to Athens’ airport for your departure flight. (B)
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.
- → Inclusions
Inclusions
- Roundtrip air from Chicago to Athens on Turkish Airlines
- English speaking Tour Director for duration of tour
- Athens – 3 nights, 4-Star Hotel Titania
- Nafplio – 2 nights, 5-Star SEAFOS Luxury Resort & Spa
- Olympia – 2 nights, 5-Star Hotel Hotel Arty Grand
- Athens – 1 night, 4-Star Hotel Titania
- 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 to the Acropolis archaeological site
- 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
- Hotel 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.
This is a Private Group Journey based on a minimum of 20 participants to operate. Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement is additional $700. Child/infant discounts not available. Above mentioned hotels are subject to change. Cancellations /Changes: Fares are non-refundable. Air inclusive rates are subject to availability and are based on departure from Chicago on Turkish Airlines in Economy. Special seat assignments on request basis only. Air carrier charges a supplement for special seat assignment requests. Not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Child/infant discounts not available. Please note: City tourist taxes in Athens are not included and must be paid directly to the hotels on checking out. Taxes are approximately €5 – €8 per person, per night. Cancellations/Changes: Payments are non-refundable. Substantial restrictions apply for cancellation/change, and depend upon the package type. Trip protection is recommended. The applicable Travel Protection Plan will be applied to your purchase. Additional details will be provided on your Itinerary and Travel Protection Plan Voucher travel documents upon purchase. For travelers on offered Escorted Vacations, Golf, or Cruise Vacations, travel protection is provided by Trip Mate Inc. This coverage is designed to protect your travel investment with a full cash refund less the cost of the insurance and cancellation fees for the following covered reasons such as death, sickness, injury or certain other covered reasons. Full description of coverage can be found by clicking here. The cost of this protection is 8.5% of the total cost of your trip and must be purchased at time of booking. All claims are to be made to Trip Mate Inc.