ONLY One Departure: May 20-28, 2014

Day 1, Tue-Arrival: (D)

Upon arrival in Athens International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 2, Wed-Athens: (BD)

After breakfast at hotel, you will enjoy a full day tour of Athenswhich will give you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athenssuch a fascinating city. First, we see (by bus) the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma) and later, we come to Acropolis, to visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Then we visit the Metropolitan Cathedral church of Athens where we walk through the beautiful narrow streets of Plaka. (lunch is optional in in one of Plaka’s traditional taverns). Later, we transfer on to the hill of Lecabytus to admire the great panoramic view of the entire city ofAthens. Return to the hotel for some free time to enjoy the city on your own.
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 3, Thu-Athens: (BD)

Breakfast at hotel. Then, leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the CorinthCanal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Visit the women monastery of St. Patapios and then we continue to the archaeological museum of ancient Corinth. Drive to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. Visit to the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs. Departure for Nauplion through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress (short photo stop). Return to Athens by the National road.
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 4, Fri-Athens: (BD)

Breakfast and transfer to the Harbor of Piraeus, where we take the cruise boat to the islands of the Saronic Gulf, Hydra, Poros and Aegina. We will visit the Monastery of Holy Trinity, where the holy relics of St. Nektarios atAegina are located.
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 5, Sat-Athens/Kalambaka: (BD)

After breakfast, leave to Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, arrival in Delphi. Then, meet with tour guide to visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, (Treasury of the Athenians,Temple ofApollo, etc…) and the Museum. Continue to Kalambaka for the night.
Overnight: Kalambaka Divani hotel or similar.

Day 6, Sun-Kalambaka/Athens: (BD)

After breakfast, start by the visit of Meteora (two monasteries), this particularly impressive scenery of nature, with the ageless Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures. It stands suspended between earth and sky, on top of granite rocks. Return toAthens via Trikala,Lamia. Thermopylae (short stop to see the Leonida's Monument across the road), arrive in Athens early in the evening.
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 7, Mon-Athens: (BD)

After breakfast at hotel, you will have a free day to explore the historical center ofAthens. We suggest a walk starting from Ermou Street, Monastiraki market, passing through Thision ancient market and ending up at Plaka, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Athens!
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 8, Tue-Athens: (BD)

Breakfast, then we head to the eastern suburbs of Athensto visit the Cave of Paeania, one of the greatest in Europe with stalactites and stalagmites. Later, we transfer to Nea Makri and the monastery of St. Efraim, for a pilgrimage of his whole-body sanctified relics. We continue to visit the monastery of Penteli on Penteli Mountain where St. Timotheos lived.
Overnight: Athens President hotel or similar.

Day 9, Wed-Departure: (B)

Breakfast then transfer to the Athens International Airport for your onward flight.

INCLUSIONS:-

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Seven night hotel accommodations inAthensat the 4* President hotel or similar, including taxes, service charge and buffet breakfast
• One night hotel accommodations in Kalambaka at the 4* Divani hotel or similar, including taxes, service charge and buffet breakfast
• Six full days of sightseeing with an English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to the following museums: Parthenon, Acropolis museum, Lykabetus teleferik, archaeologicalmuseumofKorinthos, archaeologicalmuseumofMycenae, archeologicalmuseumofDelphi, Meteora monasteries.
• Full day cruise in the Saronic Gulf (Hydra-Poros-AiginaIslands)
• Eight dinners at hotel

Not Included:

• Air
• Visa (for non-American citizens)
• Tipping
• Lunches or drinks
• Any services not mentioned in the 'Inclusions' section