Greek Odyssey
| Itinerary | Hotel Information |
| Cancellations & Refunds | Responsibility |
May 17-- Depart Dallas (other US cities optional) for Frankfurt via Lufthansa German Airlines. Relax over the Atlantic and enjoy complimentary meals, cocktails, and a movie or two!
May 18-- Arrive Frankfurt in the morning and continue on to Athens, Greece. Transfer to the Divani Palace Hotel by mid-afternoon with roof-top views of the Parthenon. Dinner in Athens with overnight at the Divani Palace.
May 19-- Morning on the Acropolis with time for the new Acropolis Museum. Explore the Parthenon and other ancient monuments on this venerable site. Lunch in an outdoor taverna aside Roman ruins before browsing through the Old Market of the Plaka and the ancient Agora. Relax before dinner over-looking the ancient Acropolis. Overnight at the Divani Palace Hotel.
May 20-- Visit the National Archaeological Museum with its magnificent bronzes, splendid sculptures, and Schliemann’s golden treasures from Mycenae. After lunch enjoy some leisure time before departure for Cape Sounion by coach and the Temple of Poseidon at the southern tip of Attica. Dinner at a local taverna on the return route. Overnight at the Divani Palace Hotel.
May 21-- Morning departure by coach for Delphi on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, arriving for lunch at the Vouzas Hotel overlooking the beautiful Pleistos Valley. Visit the Delphi Museum with time to relax before a short ride to the mountain village of Arachova before dinner. Overnight in Delphi at the Vouzas with balconies overlooking the expanse of olive groves down to the Corinthian Gulf.
May 22-- Morning in the Sanctuary of Apollo with a walk up the Sacred Way in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims. Find yourself in the Theatre of Dionysus where original Greek drama was enacted on religious occasions. After lunch in town explore the antique shops of Delphi before dinner in Itea on the shores of the Corinthian Gulf. Overnight at the Vouzas Hotel, Delphi.
May 23-- Morning departure for Olympia with breath-taking views along the Cornthian Gulf, crossing over on the new bridge. Check into the Best Western Europa Hotel, Olympia, before lunch. Visit the Olympia Museum housing the superb collections of sculpture, including that from the Temple of Zeus, and bronzes. Dinner in town before overnight at the Best Western Europa Hotel.
May 24-- This morning we tour the ancient Sanctuary of Zeus and the Olympic stadium with special commentary on Greek athletics set against its religious and mythological background. After lunch take time off to relax or participate in the optional excursion to the Merkouri winery near the charming village of Katakolon. Dinner in Olympia with overnight at the Best Western Europa Hotel.
May 25-- Today we travel through mountainous Arcadia in the highlands of the Peloponnesus to the isolated Temple of Apollo at Bassai (ancient Phygalia. After lunch en route we continue on to beautiful Nauplion, the old capital of Greece at the head of the Argolic Gulf, and check into your rooms at the Nauflia Palace high up on the cliffs over-looking the Burtsi (island fortress) in the bay. Dinner in an intimate outdoor Greek taverna with live music before overnight at the Nauflia Palace Hotel.
May 26-- Morning departure for Mycenae and the colossal structures of the Bronze Age; lunch in modern Mykenis, haunt of Heinrich Schlieman. Depart Mykenis for Athens and your flight to the volcanic island of Santorini, ancient Thera. Check in to the new Andromeda Villas on the cliffs overlooking the sea-filled caldera of this mysterious isle. Dinner overlooking the caldera in the main town of Firi before overnight at the Andromeda Villas.
May 27-- Morning visit to the ancient Bronze Age town of Akrotiri, site of a major archaeological excavation revealing houses, shrines and streets 1500 years older than Pompeii. After lunch on the sea nearby, return to Fira for an afternoon of shopping and browsing before a trip to Kamari on the other side of the island where dinner awaits you on a black sand beach under the moon rise. Overnight at the Andromeda Villas.
May 28-- The morning is at leisure to read by the pool, contemplate antiquity while overlooking the caldera, visit a local winery or shop in Fira. In late afternoon we head for the port and board our high-speed ship for Crete, arriving less than three hours later. Transfer to the Capsis Beach Resort on the coast of Greece’s largest island. Dinner at a nearby taverna on the water before overnight at the Capsis Beach Resort.
May 29-- Morning visit to Knossos and the Minoan Palace of Minos. This sprawling, labyrinthian structure was once the residence of Minoan royalty who enjoyed the benefits of privacy, excellent ventilation and sophisticated plumbing some 3500 years ago! After lunch in town visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum before your late afternoon flight to Athens. Transfer to the Divani Palace Hotel; optional dinner overlooking the Parthenon.
May 30-- Early morning departure from Athens on your flight from Greece; arriving home mid-afternoon of the same day.
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May 30-- Morning flight from Athens to Istanbul. Transfer to the five star Holiday Inn City Hotel overlooking the ancient fortification walls. This afternoon your introduction to the fabled city is by means of a private cruise up the romantic Bosporus to view the palaces, summer retreats, villas and mosques along the historic shores. Dinner and overnight at the Holiday Inn City Hotel.
May 31-- Today we visit Agia Sophia, the National Archaeological Museum and the intimate Rütem Paşa Mosque with its glorious tile work. Dinner and overnight at the Holiday Inn City Hotel.
June 1-- Visit Topkapi Palace overlooking the Golden Horn with a tour through the Harem. After lunch in the palace visit the ancient Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Dinner and overnight at the Holiday Inn City Hotel.
June 2-- Early morning departure from Istanbul on your flight from Turkey; arriving home mid-afternoon of the same day.
Divani Palace Acropolis (5 star), Athens (http://www.divanis.com/acropolis/default-en.htm)
Vouzas Hotel (4 star, with balcony views over the Pleistos Valley), Delphi (http://www.greecead.com/gadhome/centralnorth/accommodations/vouzas_hotel_delphi.html)
Best Western Hotel Europa (4 star), Olympia http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Best_Western_Europa_Hotel_Olympia.htm
Naflia Palace (5 star, overlooking the Argolic Gulf), Nauplion (http://www.ellada.net/helios/Nafplia-Palace/index.php)
Andromeda Villas (5 star, overlooking the caldera), Santorini (Thera) (http://www.andromeda-santorini.com)
Capsis Beach Hotel (5 star, on the Mediterranean Sea), Agia Pelagia (outside Heraklion), Crete, (http://www.zeus.gr/hotels/crete/Capsis.html)
Holiday Inn Istanbul City Hotel (5 star, overlooking the ancient walls) (http://www.hiistanbulcity.com/index2.php)
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: Full charges for international airfares will be refunded up to 91 days before departure date provided written notice of cancellation is received by Mediterranean Tours & Travel (MT&T). Cancellations received between 90 & 61 days prior to departure will result in a full refund minus $400 per person. No refund on airfares after 61 days prior to departure. Ground package retail charges will be refunded in full with written notice of cancellation to MT&T up to 91 days prior to departure date, 50% refunded up to 76 days prior to departure date, and 25% refunded up to 61 days prior to departure date. No refund on ground package after 61 days prior to departure. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended.
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