Tour Overview
At the ancient site of Delphi, where the Greeks once consulted the Oracle about the future, there's a small round sculpture. It's known as the omphalos - the cosmic belly button. The Greeks believed that Delphi was the very center of the world - the place where it all came into being. Indeed, many aspects of Western culture came into being in Greece - drama, art, philosophy and science. It's a heady feeling to walk on stones that may have been trod by Plato, Homer or Agamemnon. But at many places in Greece, where ancient ruins are surrounded by the noise and smells of traffic, or where pristine island beaches are packed by topless sunbathers, it's apparent that the influence works the other way as well: Greece, it sometimes seems, has been overtaken by the modern world it spawned. The trick for travelers in Greece is to find the golden mean - in this case, the balance between environment and history, between crowds and quiet, between ancient and modern. With a bit of planning (and maybe a query to the Oracle), you can find beautiful settings that can soothe your soul, while centuries of art and history invigorate your mind. And very likely, you'll be as charmed by the Greek people as you are by their landscape. During our last trip, we learned the Greek shortcut to communication - dancing. Growing frustrated with our attempts to speak in rudimentary Greek, an elderly Greek woman in a small island village grabbed us by the arm and began dancing. It was late at night, and we whirled around the terrace by moonlight, barriers dropping by the second.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Athens, GreeceArrive Athens and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder the day is at leisure for you to relax after your journey or to start exploring the vibrant city of Athens independently. Hotel St. George Lycabettus Day 02: Athens
Full day sightseeing tour of Athens. Today you will see the principal monuments and sites of the city, including Athens Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Theater of Dionyssos. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Ancient Agora that was the hub of the city from the 6th century BC. After lunch (on own) you will walk through the ancient district of Plaka, one of the most picturesque parts of the city, before arriving at 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 that was dedicated to the Goddess Athena and conceived in 447BC. Your tour will end today at the Acropolis Museum that exhibits sculptures and reliefs from the site. Hotel St. George Lycabettus (B) Day 03: Athens – Mykonos
Transferr to Pireus harbor to board a fast ferry to the island Mykonos (3.5 hours.) Upon arrival in Mykonos you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of your day will be at leisure. Santa Marina Resort & Villas (B) Day 04: Mykonos – Delos – Mykonos
Transfer by ferry to the neighboring island of Delos, where you will enjoy a tour of this uninhabited island of many archaeological treasures. Delos was first a place of pilgrimage before becoming a thriving commercial port in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. Return to Mykonos by ferry to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Santa Marina Resort & Villas (B) Day 05: Mykonos – Santorini
Transfer to Mykonos port to board your fast ferry to Santorini (3 hours.) Upon arrival in Santorini, considered to be the most spectacular of all the Greek islands, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. Canavas Oia Hotel (B) Day 06: Santorini
This morning enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour (4 hours) of the island. Sightseeing will include the magnificent underground Minoan town of Akoitiri, and a visit and wine tasting at a vineyard at Antoniou. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Canavas Oia Hotel (B)
Day 07: Santorini – Depart
Transfer to Santorini airport for your flight home. (B)
