Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, Inc., the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975.


Call (800) 454-5768

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST


Create an account                             Forgot your password?

Log In via Facebook

Log in to see all you can do with your online Road Scholar account.

GREECE

Essence of the Greek Islands

Select a Date

 

SIGN UP

and receive your

FREE E-NEWSLETTER

&

E-Photo Book:



Top 10 Learning Experiences Around the World

Find A Program

Search By:

Location

 Greece

Interest

 Any

Price Range

 $3500 - $5000

Start Date

End Date

More Options
Search

AnyInternationalSt. BartsUnited StatesCanadaAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanary IslandsCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChileChinaColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuracaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEaster IslandEcuadorEgyptEnglandEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaFijiFinlandFranceFrance Southern TerritoriesFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench West IndiesGabonGalapagos IslandsGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernsey IslandGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and Mc Donald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIrelandIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJersey IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKoreaKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMidway IslandMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalauPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussia (Siberia)Russian FederationSamoaSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaScotlandSenegalSerbiaSeychellesShetland IslandsSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. Eustatius (Statia)St. LuciaSt. Pierre & MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSurinamSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTasmaniaThailandTibetTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTristan da CunhaTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and CaicosUS Virgin IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe
Road Scholar
Program #3533RJ

Enroll Here
Add to Your Wishlist

15 Days | 14 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
Print
Print
Details
 Email
Email
 Videos
Videos
 Pictures
Photos
Just fill in the information below and click the submit button to send this program to a friend.

* indicates a required field

*Your name:  
*Your Email Address:
 
 
*Your Friend's Email Address:
 
 
Message:


Close [ x ]
 
EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Itinerary for Sep 10 — Sep 24, 2012

Expand all
Day One: Monday, September 10 - Departure 
Depart From: Depart USA for an overnight flight.

Close [ x ]
Type: Three-Star Hotel

 Description: A comfortable hotel, located at the foot of the Acropolis near Plaka in a quiet area that provides a friendly atmosphere.

Contact info:
06 Makri, ST
Athens, 11742 Greece
phone: +210 923-45949
Room amenities: All rooms have direct dial phone, TV, Bath or Shower, and air conditioning.

Facility amenities: Amenities include air-conditioning, central heating, Bar, Restaurant, Room Service, Elevator, garage, and Laundry Service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: tba
Call or email coordinator for reservations and price.

Check in time: 4:00 PM

Day Two: Tuesday, September 11 - Arrive in Athens/Orientation and Dinner 
Afternoon: Arrive in historic Athens, named for the goddess Athena, Greece's capital and social and economic center. Transfer to the hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to rest.

Dinner: Gather about 6:00pm this evening for a welcome drink and orientation with your group leader. The meeting is followed by a festive Welcome Dinner either at the hotel or at a traditional casual restaurant called a taverna.

Lodging: Hotel Parthenon or Similar

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Three-Star Hotel

 Description: A comfortable hotel, located at the foot of the Acropolis near Plaka in a quiet area that provides a friendly atmosphere.

Contact info:
06 Makri, ST
Athens, 11742 Greece
phone: +210 923-45949
Room amenities: All rooms have direct dial phone, TV, Bath or Shower, and air conditioning.

Facility amenities: Amenities include air-conditioning, central heating, Bar, Restaurant, Room Service, Elevator, garage, and Laundry Service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: tba
Call or email coordinator for reservations and price.

Check in time: 4:00 PM

Day Three: Wednesday, September 12 - Acropolis and Ancient Agora 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Climb to the top of Athens' formitable, Acropolis home to a number of temples, most famous of which is the Parthenon, built to honor the city's patroness, Athena. We see the grand sun-bleached structure built by Pericles in the 5th century BC to celebrate the city's victory at Marathon and visit the nearby museum holding artifacts from the site. We then enjoy a walk through the lively Plaka neighborhood with its myriad of churches and shops.

Lunch: Taverna Lunch

Afternoon: This afternoon take part in a lecture introducing the Aegean Sea and Cycladic Islands (so named because they "circle" around the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo). We will focus on the impact of geography and the role of the sea in the development of local culture and delve into the influence of the arts.

Dinner: This evening enjoy dinner and a performance of ancient Greek theater. We will have the opportunity to ask questions and delve into the fundamentals of this age-old art form.

Lodging: Hotel Parthenon or Similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming 36 room family run room in the town of Paroikia with a friendly atmosphere.

Contact info:
84400 Paroikia
Paros, 84400 Greece
phone: +228 402-21534
Room amenities: Rooms have air conditioning, telephone, and TV.

Facility amenities: Renovated in 1999 amenities include bar, garden, TV room, breakfast room, laundry service is available near the hotel. The hotel does not have an elevator.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Four: Thursday, September 13 - Paros 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Check out of the hotel and transfer to the port of Athens (Piraeus) and board the ferry to Paros; one of the largest of the Cycladic Islands. Paros is known for its tasty wines and traditional fishing villages. Enjoy an island of gently sloping hillsides, fertile plains and seemingly endless shoreline.

Lunch: lunch is at a typical taverna.

Afternoon: Enrichment Lecture: An overview of Aegean Culture from the prehistoric including the Minoan Civilization to the classical and Hellenistic periods. Commence a walking tour of the vibrant capital Paroikia to observe Italianate architecture. See the Byzantine Cathedral of Ekantontapyliani found by St. Helene, mother of the Emperor Constantine.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel or nearby restaurant.

Lodging: Hotel Aegeon or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming 36 room family run room in the town of Paroikia with a friendly atmosphere.

Contact info:
84400 Paroikia
Paros, 84400 Greece
phone: +228 402-21534
Room amenities: Rooms have air conditioning, telephone, and TV.

Facility amenities: Renovated in 1999 amenities include bar, garden, TV room, breakfast room, laundry service is available near the hotel. The hotel does not have an elevator.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Five: Friday, September 14 - Paroikia and Lefkes 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Later we venture inland to visit the charming mountain village of Lefkas, with its narrow streets and medieval architecture. Along the way we stop to visit the marble quarry, the source of the island's wealth and material for many important sculptural masterpieces. We finish up in the quaint fishing village of Naoussa.

Lunch: Lunch is at a local taverna.

Afternoon: This afternoon is free to explore on your own.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own

Lodging: Hotel Aegeon or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming 36 room family run room in the town of Paroikia with a friendly atmosphere.

Contact info:
84400 Paroikia
Paros, 84400 Greece
phone: +228 402-21534
Room amenities: Rooms have air conditioning, telephone, and TV.

Facility amenities: Renovated in 1999 amenities include bar, garden, TV room, breakfast room, laundry service is available near the hotel. The hotel does not have an elevator.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Six: Saturday, September 15 - Mykonos and Delos 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Depart by ferry for a full day field trip to Delos and Mykonos. We begin by discovering Delos, sacred to the ancients as the birthplace of Apollo and his sister the goddess Artemis. The entire island, considered the holiest island in ancient Greece, is now an archeological site. Here we explore remnants of temples, the agora and the Sacred Way.

Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant on Mykonos.

Afternoon: This afternoon relax on the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos where we have time to wander the town and its chic shops and restaurants before returning to Paros.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel or local restaurant.

Evening: Tasting of Ouzo

Lodging: Hotel Aegeon or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: A 48-room hotel featuring an island style and atmosphere. Located in the town of Fira.

Contact info:
Fira, Santorini
Fira, 84700 Greece
phone: +228 602-2834
Room amenities: All have air conditioning, telephone, TV, music, mini bar, and hairdryer.

Facility amenities: Amenities include swimming pool, pool bar, safe deposit boxes, TV lounge, snack bar, sauna, and laundry service. Hotel has no elevator.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Seven: Sunday, September 16 - Santorini 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Check out of hotel and board the ferry to Santorini. Also known as Thera, this quintessential Greek island got its distinctive crescent shape in an ancient volcanic explosion that formed its "caldera" or crater.

Lunch: Lunch on board ferry, or at hotel, depending on ferry schedules.

Afternoon: Enjoy an orientation walk around the island enchanting capital of Fira.

Dinner: Drive to the traditional village of Oia to enjoy one of its famed sunset that are considered by many to be among the most beautiful in the world. Dinner at local taverna in Oia.

Lodging: Hotel Deddalus or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: A 48-room hotel featuring an island style and atmosphere. Located in the town of Fira.

Contact info:
Fira, Santorini
Fira, 84700 Greece
phone: +228 602-2834
Room amenities: All have air conditioning, telephone, TV, music, mini bar, and hairdryer.

Facility amenities: Amenities include swimming pool, pool bar, safe deposit boxes, TV lounge, snack bar, sauna, and laundry service. Hotel has no elevator.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Eight: Monday, September 17 - Thera Nomikos Museum/Oia 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: A local guide will take us on an orientation walk near the famed archeological site of Akrotiri, nicknamed the Minoan Pompeii. We continue on to the Thera Nomikos Museum to view archeological finds that present a glimpse into Ancient daily life before the volcanic explosion in 1450 BC. Visit the Prehistoric Museum of Thera to view its collection of artifacts from a variety of Aegean islands. Inspect impressive frescoes from the archeological site at Akrotiri.

Lunch: Lunch on own

Afternoon: Roundout the afternoon with a stop at a local winery and the chance to sample its wares.

Dinner: Celebrations in Greece center around food, song and family. Enjoy a lively evening with dinner and local music and folk dancing.

Lodging: Hotel Deddalus or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming and modern 160 room hotel located in a quiet area near the archaeological museum.

Contact info:
Mirabelou & Ighias
Heraklion, 71307 Greece
phone: +281 022-9103
Room amenities: TV, mini bar, air-conditioning, direct dial phone, veranda, safe.

Facility amenities: Amenities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, swimming pool, roof garden, health studio, sauna, souvenir shop, jewelry, hairdresser, room service, elevator, laundry service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Nine: Tuesday, September 18 - Ferry to Crete 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Explore traditional Pyrgos and discuss the issues surrounding vanishing village life in the Greek Islands. Later transfer to Kamari on the island's southeast side we will have some time to enjoy this beach resort before boarding the ferry.

Lunch: Lunch on your own

Afternoon: Free time aboard the ferry to relax.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Atlantis Hotel or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming and modern 160 room hotel located in a quiet area near the archaeological museum.

Contact info:
Mirabelou & Ighias
Heraklion, 71307 Greece
phone: +281 022-9103
Room amenities: TV, mini bar, air-conditioning, direct dial phone, veranda, safe.

Facility amenities: Amenities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, swimming pool, roof garden, health studio, sauna, souvenir shop, jewelry, hairdresser, room service, elevator, laundry service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Ten: Wednesday, September 19 - Palace of Knossos 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: We begin the day by discovering the Crete best-known archeological site, Knossos, legendary home of King Minos and the famed beast the Minotaur.

Lunch: Gain a contemporary vision of traditional island life during the excursion to the typical village of Myrtia. Here we enjoy lunch at a family-run tavera where all the produce is produced in the family's garden.

Afternoon: Enjoy a lecture on the island's geography and some of the many civilizations that made their home here including legendary Minos, the Myceneans, and the Romans.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Atlantis Hotel or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming and modern 160 room hotel located in a quiet area near the archaeological museum.

Contact info:
Mirabelou & Ighias
Heraklion, 71307 Greece
phone: +281 022-9103
Room amenities: TV, mini bar, air-conditioning, direct dial phone, veranda, safe.

Facility amenities: Amenities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, swimming pool, roof garden, health studio, sauna, souvenir shop, jewelry, hairdresser, room service, elevator, laundry service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Eleven: Thursday, September 20 - Heraklion Archeological Museum 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: This morning visit a local ceramacist and watch him at his craft. He will also discuss pottery traditions of the ancient Minoans. Continue our exploration of the Crete's history at the Heraklion Archeological Museum where we view its rich collection of artifacts.

Lunch: Lunch on your own

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel

Evening: Lecturer continues our journey through Cretan history during a presentation exploring the island from the Roman to the modern eras.

Lodging: Atlantis Hotel or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Charming and modern 160 room hotel located in a quiet area near the archaeological museum.

Contact info:
Mirabelou & Ighias
Heraklion, 71307 Greece
phone: +281 022-9103
Room amenities: TV, mini bar, air-conditioning, direct dial phone, veranda, safe.

Facility amenities: Amenities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, swimming pool, roof garden, health studio, sauna, souvenir shop, jewelry, hairdresser, room service, elevator, laundry service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Twelve: Friday, September 21 - Phaistos Archeological Site 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: A field trip takes us to Archeological site at Phaistos one the richest and most important centers of the Minoan culture.

Lunch: Lunch at taverna in picturesque Matala.

Afternoon: Later investigate the Vori Ethnological Museum with exhibitions celebrating everyday life on the island. Exhibits explore food, architecture, weaving, customs, and traditions of the island. Enjoy a walk through Vori and encounter the remains of the Venetian houses.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel or local restaurant.

Lodging: Atlantis Hotel or Similiar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Other

 Description: Greek ferries and hydrofoils can hold up to 600 passengers and cruise the the waters between the Greek Islands and the mainland.

Contact info:
N/A
N/A, N/A Greece
Room amenities: Cabins are outside cabins with private bath, lower bed and air conditioning.

Facility amenities: Amenities include bar, restaurant, lounge, shops, decks for walking, air conditioning and elevators.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Thirteen: Saturday, September 22 - Chania Old Town and Market 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: We begin our discover of this picturesque port on Crete's western coast. Enjoy a walking excursion exploring of Chania's Old Town, with its 16 century Venetian church, the market, the charming old ship harbor and the Naval Museum.We will visit Gavalochori village with time at its folklore museum.

Lunch: Lunch on your own

Afternoon: This afternoon enjoy an excursion the Rethymnon to stroll its aristocratic Old Port. Then transfer to Heraklion to board the ferry to Athens.

Dinner: Dinner on board

Lodging: Aboard Ferry

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Three-Star Hotel

 Description: A comfortable hotel, located at the foot of the Acropolis near Plaka in a quiet area that provides a friendly atmosphere.

Contact info:
06 Makri, ST
Athens, 11742 Greece
phone: +210 923-45949
Room amenities: All rooms have direct dial phone, TV, Bath or Shower, and air conditioning.

Facility amenities: Amenities include air-conditioning, central heating, Bar, Restaurant, Room Service, Elevator, garage, and Laundry Service.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: tba
Call or email coordinator for reservations and price.

Check in time: 4:00 PM

Day Fourteen: Sunday, September 23 - National Archeological Museum/Farewell dinner 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel or onboard ferry

Morning: Transfer from Piraeus to our hotel in Athens. We complete our experience with a visit to the National Archeological Museum, the city's most important collection and home to impressive artifacts highlighting every era of the ancient Greek history.

Lunch: Lunch on your own

Afternoon: Free time to explore Athens on your own.

Dinner: Home hosted dinner

Lodging: Hotel Parthenon or Similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day Fifteen: Monday, September 24 - Depart for USA 
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the airport for homebound flights

Meals Included: Breakfast
Enroll Here

Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
Currently selected:Prices Starting At:

Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•13 nights of accommodations
•32 meals: 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 12 dinners
Click here to learn more

Ratings

4.9
Close [ x ]
 
Ratings are determined by participant evaluations.

Reviews

Back to Back Adventures

Choose a nearby learning adventure to add before or after this program:
Click here to see options

Support Lifelong Learning

Our educational adventures are made possible by donors like you

Please support lifelong learning here
We've got you covered Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan included in the price of our programs
Protect Your Program Investment Road Scholar Trip Cancellation, Interruption and Travel Delay Insurance
Registration & Policies
Click to learn more
Are you making your own travel arrangements? Click here
for important information
Don't miss a word
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology with listening devices on Road Scholar programs.

Need Help?

Call us toll free at 800-454-5768

Free Catalog | Refer a Friend | Gift Certificates | Press | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Careers | Contact Us

© Elderhostel, Inc. 2013
11 Avenue de Lafayette | Boston MA 02111 | Toll-Free 1-800-454-5768