DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Athens.

DAY    2            ARRIVE ATHENS - ELEUSIS - NAFPLIO (3 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our tour manager/guide who will accompany us to the Greek Peloponnese. En route, we will stop for a visit to Ancient Eleusis, which was a center for religious devotion that culminated in the Annual Eleusian Mysteries. Existing from the Mycenaean period, thousands of people from around the world would come to be initiated. Our visit to the ancient sight will be highlighted by: the remains of the Greater Propylaia, built by the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius; the Ploutonion, the sanctuary of Hades; the Lesser Propylaia; the Telesterion, a 5th century temple; and the Anaktoron, the holiest portion of the sight. Our visit will also include a visit to the small Museum with artifacts from the ancient sight. We continue to Nafplio, our base for the next three evenings. Nafplio is one of the loveliest towns in all Greece, and the old city features neoclassic houses, picturesque streets, Turkish fountains, fascinating mosques and magnificent outdoor cafes.

DAY    3            MYCENAE, CORINTH & EPIDAURUS
We will make an early start, as we travel to Mycenae, a fortified Palace Complex uncovered by archaeologist Heinrich Schielmann in 1874. The complex is one of the earliest examples of sophisticated citadel architecture, and only the ruling class would have inhabited the hilltop palace. Highlights of our visit will include: the 13 century BC Lion Gate; Grave Circle A, with six royal family shaft graves; the Royal Palace situated at the acropolis summit; and the Secret Stairway, a flight of 99 steps dropping to a cistern deep beneath the citadel. We continue outside the palace complex, where will visit the Treasury of Atreus, the most outstanding of the tholos tombs. Dating from the 14th century BC, it is one of only two double-chambered tombs in Greece. We continue to Corinth, one of the largest and most prosperous cities in ancient Greece and the site of an important Roman colony. The ruins of the ancient city rare spread out for miles, but we will focus on the site known as the Acrocorinth, beyond the main city. We will explore the remains of the huge rock fortress, which could withstand lengthy sieges due to the presence of the upper Peirene spring on the southeast side of the ramparts. In addition to the fascinating remains of the Acrocorinth, we will also be afforded one of the most sweeping views in all of Greece. Our panoramic views stretch over 35 miles in all directions, from the Geraneia range in the northeast to the peaks of the Ziria in the southwest. We conclude our afternoon with a scenic drive to Epidaurus, an extensive therapeutic and religious center, dedicated to the healing god Asklepios. We will visit the Theater of Epidaurus, the most famous and best-preserved of all the ancient theaters in Greece. The theater could accommodate up to 14,000 spectators, and the acoustics are still a marvel of engineering. We return to Nafplio for the evening.

DAY    4            TRIPOLIS, MYSTRAS & SPARTA
This morning, we travel to Tripolis, where we will visit the Menelaion, the shrine honoring Helen of Troy's long-suffering husband, Menelaus. Our day continues to majestic Mystras, which occupies a panoramic site on a spur of the rugged Taygetos range. Founded by the Franks in 1249, it was later the seat of the Despots of Morea and became the last major Byzantine cultural center by the 15th century. Before exploring the site, we will stop for a fine view of the entire site from the Kastro (Castle). We will enter the site from the castle, and explore the monasteries, churches, palaces and houses that line the narrow, winding streets. We will visit the Despots' Palace, a rare example of Byzantine civic architecture, highlighted by the Throne Room of the rulers of the Cantacuzene and Palaiologgos dynasties. Our final stop today will be in Sparta, home of one of the most powerful of the Greek city-states. We will explore the remains of the Acropolis, including the cavity of the Roman Theater and the Artemis Orthia Sanctuary, where young Spartan boys were whipped to learn courage and endurance. Our afternoon concludes with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, highlighted by: a fine collection of Roman mosaics, a classical marble head of a warrior, possibly Leonidas I, and bas-reliefs from the Sanctuary of Apollo at nearby Amykles. We return to Nafplio for the evening.

DAY    5            NAFPLIO - ATHENS (2 NIGHTS) (BIRTHPLACE OF WESTERN
                          CIVILIZATION)
Our morning commences with a visit to the Acropolis, which has dominated the skyline of Athens for over 2,000 years. A citadel was built on the rock in Mycenaean times, and was the first of a series of temples that honored Athena, the city's divine patroness. In 480 BC the Persians captured the Acropolis, and the Athenian leader Pericles rebuilt the site according to his plan of unsurpassed beauty and grandeur. During our tour of the Acropolis, we will view: the Propylaia, the monumental entrance to the complex; the Temple of Athena Nike; the Parthenon, the temple to Athena which crowns the Acropolis; the Erectheion, dedicated to Poseidon and Athena; and the Theater of Herodes Atticus, originally built in AD 161. Our time on the Acropolis concludes with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, featuring a superb collection of treasures excavated from the area. Our day continues as we view Hadrian's Arch, an enormous triumphal arch built by the Roman Emperor, which is still a symbolic entrance to Athens. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is the largest temple in Athens, and we will get a sense of its enormous size on our visit when we view the 15 columns that remain of the original 104. This evening we will explore and dine in the lively Plaka Area, the historic heart of Athens.

DAY    6            ATHENS
This morning we begin with a visit to two of Athen's most interesting churches. First we visit Panagia Gorgoepikoos, a tiny 12th century church also known as the Little Cathedral. Built entirely of Pentelic marble, this domed, cruciform church is highlighted by its beautiful bas-reliefs and the Lintel Frieze, dating from the 4th century BC. We continue next door to Mitropoli, a huge cathedral made of marble from 72 demolished churches. The cathedral is the official seat of the Bishop of Athens and is used for ceremonial events, such as coronations and state funerals. Our morning concludes with a visit to the nearby Museum of Greek Popular Musical Instruments, which houses an impressive collection of over 1,200 musical instruments. Instruments from all over Greece are displayed, and the museum traces the history and development of different styles of Greek and island music, all the way to the arrival of rempetika (Greek Blues). This afternoon we will take a Walking Tour through the Monastiraki, the old area which takes its name from a sunken monastery. This section of Athens is highlighted by the Fethiye Mosque, Tsistaraki Mosque, the Roman Agora, the remains of Hadrian's Library and the unique Tower of the Winds.

DAY    7            ATHENS - FLIGHT TO MYKONOS (2 NIGHTS)
Our morning commences with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, one of the world's most important museums, which houses treasures collected from many small museums in and around Athens. (Subject to Museum re-opening) Our day continues with a visit to the Ancient Agora, or marketplace, which formed the political heart of Athens from 600 BC. Socrates was indicted and executed here in 399 BC. The theater, schools and stoas filled with shops also made this the center of social and commercial life. We will explore the vast remains of the ancient complex, which have been excavated since the 1930s, including Hephaisteion, the best-preserved Temple, and the Stoa of Attalos, a reconstructed, colonnaded building, which houses a small museum with the finds from the Agora. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for a short flight to the Island of Mykonos. D

DAY    8            DELOS & MYKONOS
This morning we will take an excursion to the small island of Delos, which was considered by the ancient Greeks to be the holiest of sanctuaries, the sacred center around which the other Cyclades circled. Delos is unquestionably one of the most remarkable archaeological preserves in the world, displaying ample evidence of its former grandeur. We will take a Specialist-guided tour of the ancient sight, which will include: the Sacred Harbor; the fascinating Maritime Quarter, a residential area with the remains of houses from the Hellenistic and Roman era (reminiscent of Pompeii); the massive Theatre, site of choral competitions during the Delian Festivals; the Agora of the Competialists; the Sacred Way, which leads north toward the Sanctuary of Apollo; the Propylaea; and the famous Avenue of the Lions. Our time on Delos concludes with a hike up to Mount Kinthos, the highest point on the island, which offers an overview of the site and a fine view of most of the Cyclades, including the neighboring islands of Rinia, Siros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos and Paros. On our way down, we will view the remarkable Grotto of Hercules, a small temple built into a natural crevice in the mountainside, which offers another unique view of the harbor and the archaeological site. We will return to Mykonos this afternoon, where we will take a Walking Tour through the labyrinthine alleys of Hora, an essential element of every Mykonian holiday. Hora is the quintessential Cycladic town, and during our walk we will view the remains of a small Venetian Kastro (fortress); the Panagia Paraportiani; the Alefkandra Quarter, better known as Little Venice, for its cluster of homes built overhanging the sea; and the famous Windmills of Kato Myli, where we can enjoy views back toward Little Venice.

DAY    9            MYKONOS - HYDROFOIL TO CRETE (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we continue our island-hopping as we take a Hydrofoil Speed Ferry to the island of Crete, which holds the glories of the Minoan culture. Upon or arrival, we will explore the treasures of Iraklion, beginning with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, one of the great archaeological sites of the world. Using every possible clue and remnant, large parts of the palace have been rebuilt, including walls, floors, stairs, windows, and columns. During out tour, we will get a good sense of the structure's labyrinthine nature, as we will be viewing the remains of two major palaces plus several restorations that were made from about 2000 B.C. to 1250 B.C. Time permitting; we will visit the Archaeological Museum, one of the world's premier collections of art and artifacts from the Minoan civilization. Many of its most spectacular objects are from the excavations at Knossos, and feature a variety of objects, styles, techniques, and materials. This evening we will dine in a Music Tavern, featuring traditional Cretean food and live music.

DAY    10            SAMARIA GORGE TOUR
Today we will take a guided excursion to explore the Samaria Gorge, one of the great natural splendors of Europe. This morning we will drive to the top of the gorge, followed by a Hike down the gorge. As a hike, it's relatively taxing, and here and there you will scramble over some boulders; however, the gorge offers several opportunities to break away from the crowds. We will be treated to the fun of crisscrossing the water and the amazing sights of wildflowers, dramatic geological formations, and several chapels. At the conclusion of our hike in the village of Ayia Roumeli, we will take a Boat Ride, which takes us from the end of the gorge to Khora Sfakion, where we will board our bus and return to Iraklion for the evening.

DAY    11            CRETE - FLIGHT TO ATHENS (1 NIGHT) - CAPE SOUNION
This morning we will take a short flight back to Athens. Upon our arrival, we will travel south to Cape Sounion, on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Here we will visit the Temple of Poseidon, ideally positioned for worship of the powerful god of the sea, as it was built on a beautiful site set back from the sheer cliffs tumbling into the Aegean Sea. The present temple, built in 444 BC, stands on the site of older ruins. It features an Ionic Frieze made from Parian marble and 15 of the 34 original Doric columns survive. We continue to our hotel in central Athens.

DAY    12            DEPARTURE FROM ATHENS
Our enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as our guide accompanies us to the airport for the flight home.