In Transit: Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight to Greece.

Afternoon: Arrive in historic Athens, Greece's capital and social and economic center, which is named after the goddess Athena. Transfer to the hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to rest. Gather at 6:00 PM for a welcome drink and program orientation.

Dinner: Enjoy a festive Welcome Dinner at a "taverna," a traditional, casual restaurant.

Lodging: Parthenon Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Climb to the top of Athens' Acropolis, home to a number of temples, the most famous of which is the Parthenon, built to honor the city's patroness, Athena. See the grand sun-bleached structure built by Pericles in the 5th century BC to celebrate the Greek victory against the Persians. Then visit the nearby Acropolis Museum, which holds exquisite finds from the site and is considered the new jewel of Athens.

Lunch: Lunch at a local taverna.

Afternoon: This afternoon take part in a lecture introducing "The Olympic Spirit and Truce in Ancient & Modern Times."

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Parthenon Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Travel by coach to Cape Sounion via the scenic coastal road and enjoy panoramic views of the Saronic Gulf and its islands. Cape Sounion is famous for its 5th-century B.C. temple dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea. The temple stands at a rocky promontory guarding the maritime route from Athens to the Aegean Islands. The spot is superb! It offers magnificent views of the blue Aegean Sea and the hundreds of islands that emerge from its waters. When British poet Lord Byron visited Sounion, he immortalized his visit by inscribing his name on one of the ancient pillars of the temple. Continue down to the bay overlooked by the temple, where we will have lunch and swim.

Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant in Cape Sounion.

Afternoon: Free time to relax in the sun and swim in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea at Cape Sounion. Return to Athens in the late afternoon.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Lodging: Parthenon Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Today we head north! We cross the regions of Central Greece to reach the foot of Mount Olympus, the highest Greek mountain, the dwelling of the twelve gods. On the drive through the northern-most region of continental Greece, observe plains covered with olive groves, beautiful mountains, and historical areas such as Thermopylae.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant en route to Leptokaria.

Afternoon: Arrive in Leptokaria at approximately 4:00 PM. During a late afternoon presentation, meet the gods of Olympus!

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Poseidon Palace

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: An early morning drive brings us to Prionia at an altitude of 3600 feet, where we begin our hike descending towards the town of Litohoro. Varied geological features, such as small lakes of crystal-clear water and sheer mountain slopes, create a rare beauty and an entirely rewarding experience. Following a well-marked path, we hike on the slopes of Mt. Olympus enjoying the lush vegetation as well as the secret sounds of the sacred mountain, eventually reaching Agios Dionysios Monastery. At this point, participants who feel satisfied with the morning hike (approx. 1 hour) may board the coach at return to town. Participants who wish to continue hiking may descend to Litohoro via the Epineas Gorge (approx. 4 hours).

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Enjoy a field trip to Dion to see the remains of one of the most important sanctuaries of the northern Greeks, the Macedonians, who primarily worshipped Zeus.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Poseidon Palace

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Board the coach and set off to the site of the most venerated oracle of the ancient Greek world, Delphi!

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant en route to Delphi.

Afternoon: Explore the archaeological site of Delphi. Located on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, it offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valley below.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Apollonia Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Guided visit of the wonderful Museum of Delphi, where some of the best known sculptures of the ancient world are exhibited. Then we depart for the southernmost region of continental Greece, Peloponnesus, where the holiest sanctuary of the ancient Greeks is located: Olympia!

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant en route to Olympia.

Afternoon: Exploring the archaeological site of Olympia in its tranquil setting is quite an experience! On a guided visit, stroll through the remains of the Gymnasium and the Palestra where the athletes were trained, explore the impressive remains of one of the oldest temples in Greece dedicated to Hera, and walk through the ruins of the temple of Zeus that housed the chryselephantine statue of the God, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then proceed to the stadium where athletes from all over the Greek world competed during the sacred Olympic Games. Here we'll sit on the ground as the spectators of the ancient times did and enjoy a lecture on the ancient Pan-Hellenic Games.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Europa Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: This morning we'll visit the archaeological museum of Olympia, where unique sculptures, objects of worship, and many ex-votos found in Olympia are exhibited. We conclude with a visit to the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening in the attractive village of Olympia. Then get into the Greek spirit by learning some Greek dances!

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Europa Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Drive through the beautiful mountainous Arcadia, the heart of Peloponnesus, to the region of Argolis on the east coast and its attractive port town, Nauplia. Our first stop will be the Mycenae archaeological site.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Mycenae.

Afternoon: In the early afternoon, we arrive in Nauplia, embark our sailing boats, and set sail to explore the nearby coasts and islands. Our first stop is the caves where ancient seafarers used to find shelter and where ancient navigation tools were discovered. We continue to the naturally protected bay of Porto Heli where we will overnight.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant in Porto Heli.

Lodging: Nautica Bay Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Like the ancient Aegean seamen, this morning we set sail for further exploration. We stop at the uninhabited island of Dokos, where we enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Then we continue on to cosmopolitan Hydra, home to wealthy ship owners and famous for its unique architecture.

Lunch: Lunch at a local taverna on Hydra.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the picturesque port town of Hydra. Later in the afternoon, we continue our sailing regatta, a race from Hydra to Poros.

Dinner: Dinner at a local taverna on Poros.

Lodging: Xenia Poros Image Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: This morning's sailing regatta brings us to Epidaurus, a port on the Peloponnesian coast.

Lunch: Lunch at a local taverna in Epidaurus.

Afternoon: From the port of Epidaurus, we drive inland to one of the best preserved theaters of the 4th century B.C., which was part of the important healing center of Asclepius.

Dinner: Dinner at a local taverna in Epidaurus.

Lodging: Saronis Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: A wonderful morning sailing regatta in the Saronic Gulf will give us the chance to enjoy the beautiful day on our way to Perdika, Aegina. We will stop at the uninhabited island of Moni for swimming.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Perdika.

Afternoon: After lunch sail to Agia Marina. Upon arrival we will visit the well known ancient temple of Aphaia overlooking the Saronic Gulf.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Apollo Hotel Aegina

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy one last morning of sailing. Our Aegean adventure concludes in Athens, the bustling capital.

Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant in Athens.

Afternoon: Visit the beautiful and unique Panathenaic marble stadium, as well as the modern Olympic Stadium where the 2004 Olympics were held. At the stadium, hear a lecture: "Revival of the Olympics." Then celebrate the sailing regattas with an award ceremony.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Lodging: Parthenon Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: There is no better way to end our program than to drive to Marathon where in 490 B.C. the Athenian army, under the leadership of their general Miltiades, defeated the Persians! Around the tomb of the ancient Athenian soldiers who fought for the freedom of their homeland, we'll organize a race to pay our tribute to these brave men. The participants will receive a wreath of olive branches.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own in Athens.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Athens on your own.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner at a local taverna in the lively old quarter of Plaka, a neighborhood with many Byzantine churches and endless shops.

Lodging: Parthenon Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the airport for homebound flights.

Meals Included: Breakfast