Exploring Greece and Its Islands

br />Discover the magnificent ruins of ancient Greece in their tranquil Mediterranean settings. This well-paced 15-day journey balances expeditions to Greece's most important Classical age monuments (like the famed Acropolis) with ample time to wander the winding streets, vineyards, boutiques, marketplaces and beaches on Mykonos and Santorini. Enjoy Greek food, wine and entertainment at a taverna in the lively Plaka district in Athens. Learn from a local expert on a tour of Athens' cache of historic monuments and the famed Acropolis.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Discover the beauty and timeless wonder found only in Greece. Your 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, wine and enjoy Greek entertainment.

Day 3: Athens
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Touring Athens, see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, the Royal Palace, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Olympic Stadium and the incredible Acropolis (UNESCO).

Day 4: Athens - Thermopylae - Kalambaka
Travel north through central Greece to the ancient city of Thermopylae where you stop to see a monument dedicated to Leonidas, who died defending the city against the Persians. Then, stop at a local studio to see painters creating beautiful Byzantine icons. End your day in Kalambaka.

Day 5: Kalambaka - Metéora - Kalambaka
Today you tour Metéora (UNESCO), a unique landscape of limestone rock “towers” that stand nearly 900 feet tall. 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, stop and visit one of these remote holy places. Return to Kalambaka for some leisure time.

Day 6: Kalambaka - Delphi - Arachova
Continue on to the ancient city of Delphi (UNESCO), 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.

Day 7: Arachova - Olympia
Travel along the Gulf of Corinth before crossing into the Peloponnese and the historic city of Olympia (UNESCO), a testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization. Your guided visit includes the sanctuary of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games were held.

Day 8: Olympia - Mycenae - Epidauros - Tolo
Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cross the Arkadian Mountains en route to the ancient city of Mycenae (UNESCO). A guided visit of the excavations features the Beehive Tombs and the Lion Gate. Continue to Epidauros (UNESCO) to view the spectacular 2,300-year-old open air theater. End your day in the charming seaside village of Tolo.

Day 9: Tolo - Nauplion - Tolo
Today, experience the seaside charms of Nauplion. Explore the old town and the imposing Palamedes Fort, situated high atop the city with commanding views.

Day 10: Athens - Mykonos
This morning you transfer* to the port of Athens and board the high speed ferry to Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands. Enjoy magnificent views as you sail across the Aegean Sea to this island paradise.

Day 11: Mykonos
Your day is at leisure. Perhaps you will visit a beautiful island beach or Mykonos Town, where traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity.

Day 12: Mykonos - Santorini
Bid farewell to Mykonos as you sail to the most spectacular destination in the Mediterranean, the island of Santorini. Upon arrival, visit a winery followed by a tasting of the unique wines of Santorini that have become world-famous.

Day 13: Santorini
Spend the morning exploring the cultural wonders and history of Santorini. Begin by traveling through a fascinating landscape of vineyards, whitewashed chapels and volcanic cliffs to the spectacular town of Oia, where the best views of the crater are found. Later, visit the Archaeological Museum** with its impressive collection of frescoes, Byzantine works of art and sculptures of the Hellenistic period. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 14: Santorini - Athens
Bid farewell to the Greek Islands and fly back to Athens for your overnight stay. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip to Greece.

Day 15: Athens - Tour Ends

Don't miss our current specials: FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/10/2010 - 9/24/2010	$2,199
9/17/2010 - 10/1/2010	$2,199
9/17/2010 - 10/1/2010	$2,349
9/24/2010 - 10/8/2010	$2,199
10/1/2010 - 10/15/2010	$2,149
10/8/2010 - 10/22/2010	$2,149
3/31/2011 - 4/14/2011	$2,099
4/1/2011 - 4/15/2011	$2,099
4/7/2011 - 4/21/2011	$2,099
4/14/2011 - 4/28/2011	$2,099
4/15/2011 - 4/29/2011	$2,099
4/29/2011 - 5/13/2011	$2,149
5/15/2011 - 5/28/2011	$2,399
5/22/2011 - 6/4/2011	$2,399
6/5/2011 - 6/18/2011	$2,399
7/10/2011 - 7/23/2011	$2,499
9/4/2011 - 9/17/2011	$2,399
9/11/2011 - 9/24/2011	$2,399
9/18/2011 - 10/1/2011	$2,399
9/25/2011 - 10/8/2011	$2,399
10/2/2011 - 10/15/2011	$2,399
10/9/2011 - 10/22/2011	$2,399
3/18/2012 - 3/31/2012	$2,249
4/15/2012 - 4/28/2012	$2,299
4/22/2012 - 5/5/2012	$2,299
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

FREE Door to Door Service

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