Greece small group escorted history tour

Upon arrival in Athens we will make our way to the hotel individually. Our tour begins with a welcome meeting with our Tour Leader at the hotel, followed by dinner.

Athens is the home of the Acropolis and ancient archaeological sites, such as the Plaka with its mix of neoclassical, Turkish, and Greek island architecture. Athens features a mixture of classical Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern architecture.

Ringed by mountains and conveniently located near Piraeus (its Mediterranean port), Athens epitomises both ancient and modern Greece. Here we are introduced to Greek history as we experience this ancient city. We will learn about the influence of past civilisations and experience the many examples of ancient monuments which give testimony to the richness of the Ancient Greek culture.

Today we learn about Greek history and culture with a visit to arguably the city’s most famous archaeological site, the Acropolis, dominated by the Parthenon. We also view the city’s major icons, including Constitution Square and the Plaka, with its medieval town and Byzantine monuments. The evening is free for us to explore the city at leisure.

We depart Athens and and cross the famous Corinth Canal to the virtual island of the Peloponnese. We overnight in the beautiful port town of Nafpolio. There will be time to wander through the Old Town cobblestone alleys and admire the neoclassical buildings.

Today we experience Epidaurus, famed for its UNESCO World Heritage Listed theatre, arguably the most outstanding in the ancient world. We then continue to Mycenae, site of the Lion Gate and Agamemnon’s tomb. We then continue to our base in the Peloponnese, the city of Kalamáta, where we will have dinner at the hotel.

Kalamáta, the most important city in the Peloponnese, has been occupied by the Franks, Angevins, Venetians, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks. The area played an important role in the struggle for Greek independence. Its location enables convenient exploration of the southern Peloponnese and allows us to learn about the rich history and independent people of the southern Peloponnese.

Today we have a full day’s field trip to ancient Sparta, which was at the height of its power between the 8th and the 4th centuries BC, and Byzantine Mystras, with its many churches and Despots’ Palace.

A full day’s field trip takes us from the Acropolis of Sparta to the 13th century BC Palace of the Mycenaean King Nestor. We then skip forwards through more than a millenia of western history to visit Venetian port of Methroni, followed by the the stylish town of Pylos, dominated by its medieval castle and fine natural harbour. We finish the day with dinner at our hotel.

Today we explore the spectacular natural phenomenon of The Diros Caves, as well as the coastal villages and outstanding scenery of the Mani Peninsula. Dinner is again provided at the hotel.

En route to the northern edge of the Peloponnese, we learn about the local production of wine and famed Kalamata olives at the Mercury Estate.The Mercury family is one of Greece’s most respected vintners. We learn about the production of cava in the wine cellar and small private museum and taste the Ktima Mercuris vintages. After we take a walk through the vineyards, we travel to Olympia, ancient home of the Olympic Games, to visit the Olympia Archaeological Museum and the Courbertin Monument. We will have a group dinner at our new hotel.

We start our day with a short introduction and tour of Patras, the largest town in the Peloponnese and second port of Greece. We visit St. Andrew’s Church, dedicated to Patras’ patron Saint. The town of Patras was converted to Christianity by St. Andrew during the reign of Nero. From here we cross the new Rio-Antrio Bridge over the the Gulf of Corinth back to mainland Greece. We travel north to the Island of Corfu. Our journey takes us past Mesolongi, where Byron’s heart is buried, Agrinio, and the traditional market town of Arta, before we board our ferry at Igoumenitsa to Corfu. We will finish the day with a meal at the hotel.

Today we visit we will have a tour of the main sights of Corfu Town. We take a guided walk through the city, where we learn how it has enjoyed unspoiled renovation since many of its finest buildings were destroyed in World War II.

The island of Corfu, located in the Ionian Sea between Italy and the west coast of mainland Greece, is renowned as a popular tourist attraction. Its history reflects Western European influence with occupation since the 14th century by Venetians, French, and British. It is verdant with olive groves, mountains, and woodlands, providing a setting for picturesque scenery. Corfu’s massive forts and fine buildings reflect the architectural styles of Venetian, French, and British occupation, and we learn about the island’s place in European history. Today’s field trip allows us to explore some of the island villages such as scenic Palaiokastritsa with its 17th century monastery.

This morning we will have a guided tour of Palaiokastritsa, including its famous Monastery. On the way back to Corfu Town we will stop off at Achilleion Palace.

After a return ferry to the mainland, we travel via the Ottoman stronghold of Ioannina into the mountainous heartland of Greece. Here we enjoy a short city tour and visit to the Island. We then continue to the mountain town of Metsovo before arriving at our hotel in Kalambaka for dinner.

From the vicinity of Kalambaka we visit two of the ancient Meteoran monasteries, among the most memorable sights of mainland Greece. These monasteries, perched precariously on rock pinnacles, have been used by religious communities since the late 10th century. In previous times access was by ladder or rope, but roads and pathways provide better access today. Here we learn about their ancient origins and history and observe their rich collections of frescoes and icons.

En route to Delphi we pass the typical market town of Lamia before stopping at Thermopylae – the place of the hot springs – the location of Leonidas of Sparta’s famous resistance against Xerxes I, which has since become one of the defining stories of the classical era.

Believed by the Ancient Greeks to be the centre of the earth, Delphi is set on the slopes of Mount Parnassos. One of the most important religious centres in Greece, it is here that the Ancients consulted the “Oracle” at the sanctuary of Apollo. The rocky slopes, strewn with ruins, where olive, pine, and cypress tenuously seek out an existence, add to the mysterious aura which pervades the area, providing one of the most impressive experiences in Greece. Here we learn about the cultural significance of Delphi as we experience this ancient site.

Our field trip today visits UNESCO World Heritage Listed Delphi Archaeological Site and Museum with its famous bronze Charioteer. There will be some free time to explore ancient Delphi.

Today we will board our ferry in Rafina to Mykonos, where there is free afternoon allocated for to enjoy the town at your leisure. We will meet back at the hotel for dinner in the evening.

Mykonos is one of the major islands of the Cyclades. With its blue-domed Orthodox churches, white-washed villages and windmills, it is the archetypal postcard image of Island Greece. The island was under Venetian rule for many centuries, but flourished as a self- sufficient society under the community of Mykonians. The island once attracted a considerable number of European writers, intellectuals, and painters, but now is regarded as one of the glitziest islands of Greece. We explore the island and learn about its history. We also include a field trip to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Delos, with its famous Lion Terrace. There will be free time this afternoon in Mykonos to explore Mykonos town and island.

We have a morning at leisure in Mykonos town, a maze of dazzling white alleys, fisherman’s dwellings, and convoluted streets, nooks, and crannies designed to confuse 18th and early 19th century pirates. Today the town’s layout has the same effect on visitors and getting lost in Mykonos town is all part of the experience. We may like to explore the Folk Museum with its collection of ceramics, embroidery, and Mykonian textiles plus the nearby 16th century Vonis windmill or visit the asymmetrical hodgepodge of 4 chapels which make up the oldest church in Mykonos – the Paraportiani – and stroll through Little Venice with its arcaded Venetian houses built to the water’s edge.

In the afternoon we transfer to Athens, in time for dinner at the hotel.

Today we explore the National Archaeological Museum. It is the largest museum in Greece and one of the world’s great museums. Although its original purpose was to secure all the finds from the 19th century excavations in and around Athens, it gradually became the central National Archaeological Museum and was enriched with finds from all over Greece. Its abundant collections, with more than 11,000 exhibits, provide a panorama of Greek civilisation from the beginnings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity.

The museum is housed in an imposing late 19th century neoclassical building, which was designed by L. Lange and remodeled by Ernst Ziller.

After a morning at leisure we have an afternoon’s field trip to Cape Sunion, Homer’s “sacred headland,” dominated by the Temple of Poseidon. Our included dinner is at a local restaurant at the Cape.

Today we explore sights of Athens at leisure and perhaps have the opportunity to explore the small tavernas of the Plaka. Tonight we take a coach to a local restaurant, where we will have a lively farewell meal surrounded by local music and entertainment.

The tour concludes after breakfast in Athens.