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Details Classical Greece
From picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic ruins, this vacation is a classic. From Athens
travel through ancient Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus. Take in the spectacular scenery as you drive
through the Arkadian Mountains to Olympia where you'll learn about the history of the original Olympic
Games. Then ferry across the Gulf of Corinth to visit the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo
in Delphi. Next it's on to the Meteora area to visit the fantastic cliff top Varlaam and St. Stephen's
monasteries. Next visit Thermopylae, and in Athens, guided sightseeing features the Acropolis, the
Roman temple of Zeus, and the Agora where Socrates taught.
Day 1
Arrival in Athens, Greece
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| Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling
companions at a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
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Day 2
Athens-Corinth-Mycenae-Epidaurus-Nauplia
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| Motor along the coast to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT
CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two more major features today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century
excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the
Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate-Europe's oldest known monument, remains
of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then a short
drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater.
Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (BB,D)
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Day 3
Nauplia-Olympia
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| Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then an afternoon in OLYMPIA,
where the athletes of antiquity performed in honor of the King of Deities. Learn about the history
of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the
Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM which displays Praxiteles' magnificent statue of
Hermes. (BB,D)
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Day 4
Olympia-Delphi
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| Drive to the busy seaport of Patras, and proceed through the picturesque fishing villages
along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating
tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount
Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. Finally visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL
MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century B.C. bronze statue. (BB,D)
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Day 5
Delphi-Meteora Area
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| North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka for an afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape
of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. We have selected two of them for you to visit:
VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN'S, featuring a unique collection
of icons and an incredible panoramic view. (BB,D)
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Day 6
Meteora Area-Thermopylae-Athens
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| Past Larisa to the comfortable coastal highway. Today's highlight is a visit to THERMOPYLAE,
the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas' 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes' huge Persian
army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of
Sophocles' Oedipus Rex; and Marathon, where in 490 BC. 10,000 Athenians defeated more than
twice that number of Persian invaders. (BB)
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Day 7
Athens
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| Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Parthenon's crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS,
the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of
Zeus, Theater of Dionysus and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the Royal Palace,
government buildings, and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to
the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not try out
local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek for a fitting farewell to this
fascinating country? (BB)
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Day 8
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| Tour ends. (BB)
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Additional Information
Meals
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| - 7 buffet breakfasts (BB); 4 three-course dinners (D); a welcome drink in Athens
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City Highlights
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- ATHENS Welcome drink; guided sightseeing; visit the Acropolis ANCIENT CORINTH Guided
visit of the excavations MYCENAE Guided visit of the excavations EPIDAURUS Guided visit of
the 2,300-year-old open-air theater OLYMPIA Guided visit of the archaeological site and
the museum DELPHI Guided visit of the excavations; visit the archaeological museum METEORA
AREA Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen's Monasteries THERMOPYLAE Guided visit
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- Please note surcharges may apply due to special events on in the different cities -
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