Greece
Day 1 March 12 Flight Day 2 March 13 Athens Walking tour of Athens Day 3 March 14 Athens - Guided sightseeing of Athens. Day 4 March 15 Optional Saronic Gulf Cruise Day 5 March 16 Athens - Patra Transfer to Patras Day 6 March 17 Patras - Argolida Transer to Argolida Day 7 March 18 Argolida - Athens Guided sightseeing of Mycenae Transfer via the Corinth Canal to Athen Day 8 March 19 Guided Excursion to Cape Sounion Optional Greek Eveninng Day 9 March 20 Home
Overnight flight to Greece. Relax as you fly across the Atlantic.
Arrival in Athens. touchdown in Athens, Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of WEstern civilization. After clearing customs, you are greeted by your bilingual EF Tour Director, who will remain with you throughout your stay.
Get aquainted with the endearing Plaka district. Stroll past Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which was built beginning in 515 B.C. to honor the most powerful of all Greek gods.
An expert local guide introduces you to the antiquities of Athens. Climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthenon, perhaps the world's greatest architectural feat. See the Temple of Arthena Nike, which once housed a gold statue of the goddess (her wings were clipped to keep her from ever disserting the city). Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. After seeing the Presidential Guard in their traditional costumes, pass the stadium where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, as well as lively Ominia and Syntagma squares. During free time you may have later, use your ticket from this mornings's sightseeing to explore other sights oin Athens. Visit the Agora, ancient Athen's political, economic and commercial center, which hold remains of the Temple of Hephaistos, begun in 449 B.C. You might also visit the Athenian Cemetery, a who's who of ancient Athens. It contains impressive tombs, where statesmen, warriors and authors were laid to rest.
Journey through the islands of the Saronic Gulf. Your first port of call is ancient Aegina, already well-known in the days of the pan-Hellenic Games. Then it on to Poros, site of the Temple of Poseidon,. Here, Demosthenes, a GReek orator who led the Athenian opposition toward Macedonia, escaped a death sentance by committing suicide. Last stop is Hydra, whose inhabitants figured prominently in the Greek War of Independence (GReece was a part of the Ottoman Empire until 1821). You'll also enjoy an included lunch during the cruise.
Guided Sightseeing of Delphi
As youtour Delphi, ponder the mysteries of what lies in your future, as did Greece's ancient military leaders, who left gifts for the Oracle in hopes of good fortune in battle. Then visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to legend, the god communicated with mortals. Your visit concludes with a sttop at the Delphi museum, whose collection boasts many artifacts dating back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of the mythical past of ancient Greece.
Spend the night in Patras, capital of Peloponnese.
Guided Sightseeing of Olympia
Visit Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games almost 2,800 years ago. According to legend, Hercules proposed the idea of the Olympics, which were intended as a means of honoring Zeus. The ancient Olympic Games were contested every four years for a thousand years until Emperor Theodosius outlawed them in A.D. 393. The modern Olympic Games began in 1896 in Athens, and the Olympic flame is still lit by a reflection of sunlight at the restored stadium in Olympia. The stadiumalso hosted the men's and women's shot-put competition when the Olympics returned to Greece in 2004. Also peruse the Olympia Archaeological Museum, which houses artifacts of bronzes, terracottas and sculptures,as well as a collection from the Olympic Games.
Continue to Argolida. Home to Greece's first capital, the peninsula is dotted with orange and olive groves. Together with the Isthmus of Corinth, Argolida forms the Saronic Gulf, known for its sailing and charters due to its proimity to Athens.
Guided sightseeing of Epidarurus.
Visit the ancient site of Epidaurus, famous for its open-air theater (dating from 4th century B.C.), the best-preserved in all of GReece.
You'll also tour legendary Mycenae, founded by Perseus with the help of the Cyclops. From here, Agamemnon began his campaign against Troy.
Then go by way of the Corinth Canal (Oedipus spent his childhood in Corinth) en route to Athens.
Journey to Cape Sounion and view the Temple of Poseidon, located on a promontory over-looking the Aegean Sea.
Tonight, opt to experience Greece's unique colorful culture during an evening of traditional entertainment and cuisine. Enjoy an authentic meal composed of typical dishes at a specially selected taverna in or near the famous old Plaka district if Athens. Watch an enthralling belly-dance performance, and witness the fancy footwork and twirling bravado of traditional Greek dancing while musicians perform on bouzoukis, stringed instruments unique to Greece. Musical instruments, which date from the Bronze Age in Greece, have long played a central role in Greek tradition, as have regional dances.
Return home
Your tour director assists with the transfer to the airport, where you'll check in or your return flight home.