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. This tour, starting from Kusadasi
(Ephesus) in Turkey, allows you to combine this journeys
with our Discover Asia Minor – another journey
that covers the history of Europe at it’s best.
DAY
1 WEDNESDAY-ATHENS ARRIVAL
Upon your arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Stanley (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 to see the Sanctuary of Asclepeios,
dedicated to the god of healing. We visit 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 remains of the pre-historic
citadel fortified with the cyclopean walls, the Lionesses'
Gate, the Mycenaean Palace and the Tomb of Agamemnon.
We then continue to Olympia, drive to Olympia, the
birthplace of the Olympic Games and the most important
Sanctuary of Zeus.
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 by car-ferry to Antirrion.
Driving through Nafpaktos, we arrive in Delphi, the
Sanctuary of Apollo, home of the oracle. Check into
the hotel.
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. After our
visit, we see below the road the ruins of the gymnasium
and of the Temple of Athena Pronoia with the famous
4thth c. BC Tholos. We then 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. (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.
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.
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 and especially the museum,
which displays sculptures, relief and mosaics of Classical
and Hellenistic times. Then we drive on to Vergina.
Here we visit the most important tomb ever discovered--that
of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander
the Great; this tends to conform to the hypothesis
that Vergina is the ancient Aigai, the first capital
of Macedonia. Here we see the fabulous findings from
the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
Return to Thessaloniki passing by Berea (Acts 17:11)
where the Apostle Paul arrived, and according to his
custom went to the synagogue where, to his pleasant
surprise, he discovered that these Jews were “more
noble” than those he had encountered in Thessalonica.
We see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating
his preaching. According to the local tradition,
it was at this place where he stood and delivered
his
sermons (Acts 17:10-11). (B, D)
DAY 8: WEDNESDAY: THESSALONIKI- ATHENS
After a satisfying breakfast at the hotel, we will
visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
before 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.
Overnight: Hotel Stanley (2 nights) (B)
DAY 9: THURSDAY: ATHENS CITY TOUR
In the morning we will be picked up from our hotel
for our tour of Athens. Our tour begins with the
Acropolis, the site of four of the greatest masterpieces
of classical
Greek art – the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the
Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike – can
be seen as symbolizing the idea of world heritage.
Our tour continues with the highlights of modern
Athens: we pass by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
Parliament
House, Presidential Palace, Panathenian Stadium,
Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Academy, the University
and the
National Library. The rest of the day at leisure. (B)
DAY 10: FRIDAY TRANSFER TO PIRAEUS
At 8:30 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 11:00 a.m.
In
the afternoon (6:00 p.m.), call at Mykonos. It
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: Golden Star Cruise – inside
D category (3 nights) (B, L, D) DAY
11: SATURDAY: KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEY – PATMOS,
GREECE
At 9:00 a.m. we embark on the cruise ship in Kusadasi,
We set sail for Patmos Greece at noon. At 4:00
p.m. we arrive at this beautiful mysterious rocky
island
in the Dodecanese, 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.
Here we have an optional tour to visit the Monastery & Grotto
and 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) where our optional excursion takes us
from the lively
bustling city to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos,
legendary home of the Minotaur (half bull and half
man). Sail for Santorini at 11:30 a.m., where we
arrive at 4:30 p.m. Take 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. 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
2008
English Speaking Departures May 14, Jun 11, Sep 03 &
18
Meals
as mentioned (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Golden
Star Cruise (D cabin, inside category on full board starting
with lunch and ending with breakfast).
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.
Visa Support as required
International Airfare
Departure Taxes
Travel Insurances
Visa Fees
Drinks/Beverages with meals
Optional shore-excursion during the cruise.
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
CA $ 1800
USA - West Coast
US $ 1400
Canada - East Coast
CA $ 1600
USA - East Coast
US $ 1200
Participants
This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
The
above tour can also be done departing from Kusadasi
(Ephesus), Turkey on May 10, Jun 07, Aug 30,
Sep 13 & 27 and ending in Athens (13
days).
The
tour cost will be increased by $310.00 extra per person.
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.