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 Sophia Daskalakis’ Group with The Olive Tree Retreat presents: Exploring Greece and its Islands featuring Mykonos, Santorini & Classical Greece 15 Days 22 Meals Departure: June 19, 2008 Approximate Rates: Double: $4,289 per person Includes: Roundtrip airfare from Newark, NJ. Collette Vacations - 1 (877) 584-7302 |
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Day 1: Overnight Flight Discover the beauty and timeless wonder found only in Greece. From the colorful Greek Islands to historic classical Greece, every day is filled with new and wonderful experiences. This fascinating tour of Greece begins with an overnight flight. Day 2: Athens, Greece - Tour Begins Your tour begins in the capital city of Athens. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Athens’ historic district, known as the Plaka. In a traditional taverna you will feast on local cuisine and wine, and enjoy Greek entertainment. (D) Day 3: Athens A comprehensive tour of Athens brings the past to life as it showcases the city's ancient and glorious monuments. See the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, the Royal Palace, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Olympic Stadium and visit the incredible Acropolis. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon to further explore this captivating city. (B) Day 4: Athens - Mykonos This morning you will transfer to the port of Athens where you will board a ferry for Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands. Enjoy magnificent views as you sail across the brilliant Aegean Sea to this island paradise. (B, D) Day 5: Mykonos Enjoy a relaxing day to independently explore the charms of Mykonos. The beautiful island beaches beckon for a day spent relaxing in the Mediterranean sunshine. Don’t miss Mykonos Town, where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. You will want to stroll through the island’s elegant shops and enjoy the fresh seafood offered in the waterfront tavernas. (B)  Day 6: Mykonos - Santorini Bid farewell to Mykonos as you sail to the most spectacular destination in the Mediterranean, the fabled island of Santorini. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a typical Greek dinner. (B, D) Day 7: Santorini Spend a day exploring the cultural wonders and history of Santorini. Travel through a fascinating landscape of vineyards, whitewashed chapels and volcanic cliffs as a local guide escorts you on an island tour. Visit Oia, where the best views of the crater are found, and explore the island capital of Thira. Later, experience the excavations at Akrotiri* which reveal a Minoan city dating from the second millennium BC. Finish your tour with a visit to an island winery that produces the unique and famous wines of Santorini. (B) Day 8: Santorini Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience island living. Spend some time relaxing poolside at your hotel and further exploring the winding streets of Thira, with boutiques, workshops and market stalls. You might wish to take an optional boat excursion to the active volcanic crater - the very heart of Santorini. This evening enjoy a traditional dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D) Day 9: Santorini - Athens - Thermopylae - Kalambaka Fly back to Athens today to begin exploring classical Greece. From Athens you will head north through central Greece. Visit the site of the ancient historic city of Thermopylae where you will stop to see a monument dedicated to Leonidas, who died defending the city against the Persians. Also, stop at a local studio to see painters at work creating beautiful Byzantine icons. End your day in Kalambaka, a typical Greek town at the foot of the Pindos Mountains. (B, D) Day 10: Kalambaka - Meteora - Kalambaka Today you will tour Metéora, a unique landscape of limestone, rock “towers” that stand nearly 900 feet into the air. Over 600 years ago, Byzantine monks chose to build their monastic community perched atop these virtually inaccessible rocks. As you travel through the dazzling Peneios Valley you will stop and visit two of these remote holy places. Return to Kalambaka this afternoon for some time to explore the town or relax. (B) Day 11: Kalambaka - Delphi - Arachova Continue on to the ancient city of Delphi, one of Greece’s most important religious centers during classical times. It was here that the famous Oracle was consulted to foretell the destiny of Man. A local expert guides you on a visit to the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Doric Temple and the Theatre. (B, D) Day 12: Arachova - Olympia Travel along the Gulf of Corinth before crossing into the Peloponnese. Continue south to the historic city of Olympia, a testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization. Your guided visit includes a tour of the sanctuary of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC. (B, D)
Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cross the Arkadian Mountains to the ancient city of Mycenae. A guided visit of the excavations features the Beehive Tombs and the Lion Gate. Continue to Epidauros to view the spectacular 2,300-year-old open air theater. End your day in the charming seaside village of Tolo. (B, D) Day 14: Tolo - Nauplion - Tolo Spend the day experiencing the seaside charms of Nauplion. Your visit includes the old town and the imposing Palamedes Fort, situated high atop the city, with commanding views over the town and the Argolic Gulf. An afternoon at leisure allows you to explore the town at your own pace. Celebrate the end of your trip with a delightful farewell dinner. (B, D) Day 15: Tolo - Tour Ends Your tour of Greece ends in Tolo this morning. (B) Collette Vacations - 1 (877) 584-7302  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||