GREECE
This afternoon we depart from Houston Airport and fly to Athens via London aboard British Airways. BON VOYAGE!
Welcome to Greece. Upon arrival at Athens airport this afternoon, we will be met by our English-speaking guide, who will assist and transfer us by our private deluxe motor coach to our first class, centrally located hotel in Athens.
The eastern-most European city on the Mediterranean, Athens is where past and present, East and West, myth and history co-exist in a forever engaging pageant. Bounded on three sides by mountains, the sprawling city is built around eight hills, one of which boasts the breathtaking Acropolis (or ‘high city’), which stands sentinel over Athens and is visible from virtually everywhere.
Tonight, we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner at our hotel.
Today we will be taken on a full day sightseeing tour of Athens with our English-speaking guide. First, we drive along the European boulevard of Athens and meet the three neoclassical buildings of the Academy, the University, and the National Library. We will travel through Constitution Square , which is overlooked by the Parliament building, and then on to the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium (where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896), and the Statue of Harry Trumann. We will also see the National Guard in front of the Presidential Palace and will continue to the Acropolis. On the Acropolis, we will have the opportunity to see and learn about the four fabulous buildings that stand on it (i.e., the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Victory, and the Propylaea). We will continue with a visit of the brand new Acropolis Museum. In the afternoon, we will visit the National Archaeological Museum.
The entire day is free to explore this incredible and exciting city on our own.
Day 5 |
ATHENS / OSSIOS LOUKAS / DELPHI |
This morning our private deluxe motor coach takes us via the scenic new road along the coast, to mystical Delphi, once considered the center of the earth and the most sacred site to ancient Greeks. Throughout the seventh and sixth centuries B.C., Delphi was a popular pilgrimage site, where people visited the Temple of Apollo to ask the oracle questions on every subject from politics to marriage, fertility and money. In this place of wild beauty overlooking the Corinthian Gulf, we visit the Ossios Loukas Monastery, where we will see the most representative example of 11th century mosaic decorations in an octagonal church.
We will then check in at our hotel in Delphi.
This morning we will visit the Temple of Apollo, where Pythia, the priestess who was much respected all over the ancient world, delivered her prophecies. We will visit the Museum that houses the bronze statue of Charioteer, one of the masterpieces of ancient Greek art. We will then proceed through the sacred way to the archaeological site where we will visit the different Treasures, including the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, and the Pyrene Fountain.
After breakfast, our motor coach journey takes us to Olympia. The ancient settlements at Olympia are the cradle of the Olympic Games, which are now famous worldwide. The area, one of great natural beauty, has been inhabited without interruption since the 3rd Millennium B.C., and in the late Mycenaean period, it became a religious center. We will visit the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 B.C., the temples of Zeus and Hera, the Stoa of Echo, and the Stadium. We will stay overnight at our hotel in Olympia.
Day 8 |
OLYMPIA / EPIDAURUS / NAUPLIA |
This morning we leave Olympia and drive first to Epidaurus for a tour of its well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air amphitheatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. To this day, performances of classical drama are still given in the theater.
We then proceed to Nauplia via Rion/Antirion Bridge. Upon arrival, we check in at our hotel in Nauplia, a fisherman’s village and resort area. Formerly the capital, it is now a pleasant port with an old Venetian fort.
Today we will enjoy a tour of two ancient cities, Mycenae and Nemea, with our guide. Mycenae, described by Homer as ‘rich in gold,’ was the traditional leader of the Mycenaean
world and the home of King Agamemnon. Excavations of these ancient cities were begun in 1841, and the discoveries of Heinrich Schliemann excited the world in the 1870s.
We then proceed to ancient Nemea, the site of a sanctuary of Zeus and the home of the bi-annual Nemean games, which rival even the games at Olympia and Delphi. It was here that Hercules performed the first of his twelve labors—slaying the Nemean lion who lived in a nearby cave. After visits, we return to our hotel in Nauplia.
This morning we leave Nauplia and drive first to Corinth. Here we visit the ancient ruins of the city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. Included are the first century shops, the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, and the Bema seat. We continue to Acrocorinth, the Acropolis of Corinth. The limestone mountain (575 meters) is among the strongest natural fortresses in Europe. The citadel was the goal of all who aspired to the domination of the Peloponnese, and it changed hands many times. The summit is enclosed by a wall, and the only approach is defended by a triple line of fortification. The top of the Acrocorinth once housed the Temple of Aphrodite, where 1000 sacred courtesans, masters at their trade, helped visitors ‘commune’ with the goddess.
After Corinth and Acrocorinth, we proceed to Piraeus (port of Athens), where we board our overnight ferry to Crete. Outside cabins on the ferry have been reserved especially for us.
This morning we arrive at the port of Heraklion (Crete). Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological home of Zeus.
Today we will enjoy a full day visit of Knossos and Heraklion Museum with our English-speaking guide. After a short drive through the town of Heraklion, we will arrive at the Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan’s archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete. Based on the wealth of artifacts that his expedition found, Evans theorized that this was the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. These findings will be viewed in detail, as our guide will lead us on a journey of discovery to learn about the sophisticated culture that flourished thousands of years ago on this island. The Palace, which is decorated with frescoes and shields, houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King’s Chamber with the alabaster throne, the Queen’s Apartment, and beautiful courtyards and shrines.
After visiting this remarkable site, our coach will take us to the heart of Heraklion, where we will be given some free time to explore the beauty of this ancient town, which combines the facilities of a modern city with the ambience of these unique Greek islands. We will then board our motor coach for the return journey to the Venetian lion-guarder port of Heraklion. We will stay overnight at our hotel in Heraklion
Today we will be taken on a full-day sightseeing tour with our English-speaking guide. Our tour will include visits to Phaestos, Gortys, and Aghia Triada.
Tonight we will board our overnight ferry to Piraeus (port of Athens). Outside cabins on the ferry have been reserved for us.
This morning we arrive at Piraeus (port of Athens). Our waiting motor coach will transfer us to our hotel, with the remainder of the day free to do some last minute shopping.
Tonight, we will get together with our fellow tour members to relive all the pleasant times, great bargains, and new adventures we have shared over an unforgettable farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Athens.
Early this morning we will be transferred to Athens airport to board our British Airways jet for the flight home via London. We will arrive in Houston this afternoon from our wonderful vacation of Greece. Our memories will last us a lifetime.
|
