Greece – one of the wonders of Europe and that
of the ancient world. Greece offers to us the background
to the history and culture that has led to the current
civilisation. Our 13-day Wonders of Greece has been
specifically tailored to bring out the different wonders
that Greece is all about.
DAY
1 WEDNESDAY-ATHENS ARRIVAL
Upon your arrival a private taxi will transfer to the
hotel for check in and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel Herodion or similar (1 night)
DAY 2 THURSDAY: ATHENS – CORINTH CANAL –
EPIDAURUS- NAFPLION- MYCENAE- OLYMPIA
In the morning we leave Athens by the coastal road to
the Corinthian Canal (short stop for pictures). We then
drive Epidaurus and visit the archaeological site and
the best-preserved ancient theater in all of Greece,
famous for the harmony of its design and the perfection
of its remarkable acoustics, with a seating capacity
of 12,000 people. We then drive to Nauplia for a short
stop and then continue to Mycenae to visit the archaeological
site. We then drive to Olympia, the birthplace of the
Olympic Games and the most important Sanctuary of Zeus.
Upon arrival check into the hotel for dinner and overnight
stay.
Overnight: 4 star hotel (1 night) (B, D)
DAY
3: FRIDAY: OLYMPIA – DELPHI
After breakfast we will visit the archaeological site
and museum of Olympia. The museum contains most interesting
exhibits such as the pediments and the metopes of the
Temple of Zeus, the statue of Hermes by Praxiteles.
We then drive to Patras, the third largest city-port
of Greece, to Rion where we cross the channel to Antirion
on the “state of the art” new suspended
bridge considered to be the longest and most modern
in Europe. We arrive in Nafpaktos, and continue to Delphi,
the Sanctuary of Apollo and home of the oracle. Check
into the hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: 4 star hotel (2 nights) (B, D)
DAY 4: SATURDAY: DELPHI
In the morning we visit the archaeological site of Delphi.
We proceed onto the Sacred Way to the Athenian Treasury,
the Stoas (arcades), the Temple of Apollo, the Theater
and the remains of the Stadium. We then proceed to visit
the archaeological museum, in which we can see among
other treasures, the unique bronze Charioteer. We then
enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Delphi. Dinner
and overnight in Delphi. (B, D)
DAY
5: SUNDAY: DELPHI-KALAMBAKA
In the morning we start our drive through central Greece
passing through the towns of Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala
to Kalambaka. In the afternoon we will enjoy a spectacular
drive up to visit Meteora. Colossal symmetrical gray
and reddish boulders, as though pushed upwards from
the bowels of mother earth by an invisible hand, sustain
breathtaking beautiful monasteries perched precariously
high above the ground. First built in the 14th century
by monks seeking isolation and salvation, accessible
only by ropes thrown from above. We will climb through
steps built since. They are veritable Byzantine museums
exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique
mosaics and frescoes. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
in Kalambaka
Overnight: 4 star hotel (1 night) (B, D)
DAY 6: MONDAY: DION-THESSALONIKI
In the morning we will drive by Trikala and Larissa
to the famous sacred Macedonian town of Dion where we
visit the archaeological site. Then continue to Thessaloniki,
the second largest city of Greece. We will visit the
most interesting museum of Thessaloniki and enjoy a
sightseeing tour of the city. Check into the hotel in
Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: 4 star hotel (2 nights) (B, D)
DAY
7: TUESDAY: PELLA – VERGINA - BEREA
In the morning we drive to ancient Pella, the capital
of ancient Macedonia State and birthplace of Alexander
the Great. In the 4th century BC the city was laid out
in the familiar «Hippodameian» pattern of
regular rectangular building blocks with impressive
broad streets and a first class water supply network.
The houses were of the typical Greek style dwelling
with a central courtyard surrounded by a colonnade and
open galleries. On the hill to the West stand the remains
of the citadel of the Hellenistic period. We visit the
excavation sites. We then drive on to Vergina to visit
the most important tomb ever discovered; that of King
Philip II and the famous “Vergina treasures”
On to Lefkadia where you visit the excavations and return
to Thessaloniki via Berea for Dinner and overnight at
hotel. (B, D)
DAY 8: WEDNESDAY: THESSALONIKI- ATHENS
After breakfast at the hotel, we take the road back
to Athens. We pass through Katerini and gaze upon the
snow-capped Mount Olympus, the home of the twelve Olympian
gods and goddesses. We go through the Valley of Tempe,
Larissa and Lamia. We stop at Thermopylae to see the
statue of Leonidas. It commemorates the historic battle
between the 300 Spartans, led by Leonidas and the Persian
army of Xerxes in 480 BC composed of thousands. We arrive
in Athens in the evening. Check into the hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Hotel Herodion or similar (2 nights)
(B)
DAY 9: THURSDAY: ATHENS CITY TOUR
In the morning we enjoy a tour of Athens, combining
most of the city’s modern and classical sights.
This tour includes an overview of the modern city and
striking contrasts to the remains of its glorious past.
Drive by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of
the Parliament House on Constitution Square, The Panathenaikon
Stadium, and site of the first modern Olympic games
in 1896. See views of the government buildings and elegant
homes. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the
Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, National
Library and Omonia Square. In contrast, visit the Roman
Temple of Olympic Zeus and the crowning beauty of ancient
Athens, the Acropolis with its many monuments atop its
rocky base including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the
Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheum with its porch
of maidens. We enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
(B)
DAY 10: FRIDAY TRANSFER TO PIRAEUS
At 8:00 in the morning we transfer to the port of Piraeus
for our 3-Day Cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey.
Embarkation and sail for Mykonos at 10:30 a.m. In the
afternoon (6:30 p.m.), call at Mykonos, an island that
combines international jet-set atmosphere and a very
active nightlife. Stroll at leisure through the whitewashed,
flower-decked alleyways, climbing to the sculpture church
of Paraportiani or along the waterfront of «Little
Venice» to the well-known windmills. Set sail
for Kusadasi at 11:00 p.m.
Overnight: Louis Cruise or similar - inside
IB category (3 nights) (B, L, D) DAY
11: SATURDAY: KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY – PATMOS,
GREECE
At 7:00 a.m. we arrive to Kusadasi Turkey. You can enjoy
the time at leisure in Kusadasi port or enjoy an optional
excursion to the A.ncient city of Ephesus, to tour the
spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in
this once great and important city, which was founded
in the 10th century BC. Walk through history along marble
streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among
them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus,
the Temple of Hadrian and the Theater, or to the house
of Virgin Mary & Ancient Ephesus or to the Turkish
Baths after your tour you will have some time for souvenir
shopping before sailing for Patmos, Greece at noon.
At 4:30 p.m. we arrive at the beautiful mysterious rocky
island in the Dodecanese, Patmos reputed to be where
St John the Theologian wrote both his Gospel and the
Apocalypse. A monastery dedicated to the 'beloved disciple'
was founded there in the late 10th century and it has
been a place of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox learning
ever since. The fine monastic complex dominates the
island. The old settlement of Chorá, associated
with it, contains many religious and secular buildings.
Enjoy your time exploring Patmos on your own or join
one of the optional tours: to either visit the Monastery
& Grotto or a Scenic Tour of Patmos island. After
your tour you will have some free time for browsing.
Return to the ship for an evening sailing to Crete at
9:00 p.m. (B, L, D)
DAY 12: SUNDAY: HERAKLION CRETE, GREECE – SANTORINI,
GREECE
At 7:00 a.m. we call at Heraklion Crete, (Acts 27:7-13)
Enjoy free time at the port or take one of the optional
to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, legendary home
of the Minotaur (half bull and half man) or a Cretan
Lifestyle tour (panoramic) which takes you to the village
of Archanes and Vathypetro (location of the oldest farmhouses
of Crete and then to a wine factory. Sail for Santorini
at 11:00 a.m., Upon our arrival at 4:30 p.m. you can
explore the island on your own by taking a mule or the
cable car up to the white-washed town of Thera, perched
high on the rim of the ancient volcano. The eruption
of which (1,600 BC) literally buried a flourishing Bronze
Age town which has now been excavated at Akrotiri. You
can also chose to join one of the optional tours visiting
Oia Village & Fira town or a boat tour to the Volcano
& hot springs. We sail for Piraeus at 9:00 p.m.
(B, L, D)
DAY 13: MONDAY: PIRAEUS ARRIVAL – ATHENS DEPARTURE
At 7:00 a.m. arrive at Piraeus. Disembark after breakfast
and transfer with our representative to Athens International
Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” for your
departure flight.. (B)
Departure
Dates
2010
English Speaking Departures May 12,
Jun 23, Sep 08, 22
& Oct 06
Inclusions
Tour
Price Includes
Tour
Price Does Not Include
Hotels
as mentioned or similar
Meals
as mentioned (B-Breakfast,
L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Louis
Cruise (inside cabin on full board starting
with lunch and ending with breakfast)
or similar.
Port
taxes
Sightseeing
and transfers mentioned by seat-in-coach.
Services
of local English speaking guide
Entrance
fees to museums and sites included in
the itinerary.
Any
airfares
Airport/Departure/Security
Taxes
Insurances
/ Visas
All optional shore-excursions during
the cruise
Drinks/Beverages
with meals
Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides
Tour
Price
We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada
- West Coast
N/A
USA
- West Coast
US
$ 1600
Canada
- East Coast
N/A
USA
- East Coast
US
$ 1400
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.
THE
WONDERS OF GREECE
DAY
3: FRIDAY: OLYMPIA – DELPHI 
DAY
7: TUESDAY: PELLA – VERGINA - BEREA
DAY
11: SATURDAY: KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY – PATMOS,
GREECE
