Depart From: Depart the US on an overnight flight to Greece.

Arrive To: After your arrival in Athens, transfer to the hotel.

Dinner: Welcome Dinner

Lodging: Divani Caravel Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Lecture at hotel before departing on a city excursion of Athens. On a tour to Athens you will view many significant historical and archaeological monuments that date back to the Golden Age of Pericles, in the 5th century BC. During that time, the wealthy, newly democratic and invigorated city-state decided to rebuild the Temples on top of the Acropolis in great splendor. Visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, a unique masterpiece of Greek Architecture. This monument is recognized as the culmination of Greek architecture and sculpture. Examine the Propylea, which blends Doric and Ionic building principles. Continue to the Temple of the Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erechtheum Temple, which was formerly used for cult worship and consists of three basic parts: the main Temple, the north extension and the famous Porch of Maidens. Explore the Museum of the Acropolis housing many masterpieces. View Mars Hill, where St. Paul preached Christianity. You will also be seeing the Ancient Agora, Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theater, Theater of Dionyssos,Temple of Zeus, see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament. Continue to the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the National Library and then to the “Panathenian” Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. After a short photo stop at the Olympic Stadium you return to the port of Piraeus.

Lunch: Lunch at a local hotel.

Afternoon: Visit the National Archaeological Museum. Spend the afternoon visiting the most important museum with artifacts of Greek civilization dating back 5,000 years. You will visit the Golden collection of Mycenae and witness exquisite works in gold dating back to the 2nd millennium BC along with golden death masks that have been excavated by Schliemann. You will follow the evolution of Greek sculpture in marble and bronze from the Archaic to the Roman period. See the marvelous frescoes that adorned the walls of the palace and houses of the Akrotiri in Santorini dating back from the 2nd millennium BC.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Divani Caravel Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Take a break from modern day Athens and journey into the past as you enter the island of Pelop, the Peloponese after crossing the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal. The canal offers a unique experience to the visitor and you will realize the enormity of the achievement as you will have the opportunity to photograph it en route. After the Corinth Canal, you enter the region of Argolis,land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae. Mycenae gave its name to the civilization on mainland Greece and the Greek islands. The German archaeologist Schliemann was the one who excavated Mycenae and uncovered the Royal Tombs recognizable from the wealth of objects found there. Among the finds were golden death masks, jewelry, bronze weapons inlaid with gold and a lot more ornaments all of which are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. You will see the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs and the Treasury of Atreus, a magnificent 14th century BC structure. Break for lunch in a charming local restaurant. After lunch, you will continue on to Nauplion, one of the most charming towns in Greece and the country’s first capital after the war of Independence. A 30-minute drive takes you to Epidaurus. In antiquity, Epidaurus was the center of the Greek medical world and birthplace of Asklepios, patron god of medicine. Psychotherapy, hydrotherapy and brain surgery were some of the treatments performed here. The highlight is of course, its famous theater boasting the best acoustics in the world, even today.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue excursion of Argolis.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Divani Caravel Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Piraeus for ferry to Crete.

Lunch: Lunch on board the ferry.

Afternoon: Arrive in Heraklion, Crete. Transfer to hotel. Introductory lecture on Crete.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Atrion Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Depart for a full day excursion to Gortys, Phaestos and Matala. After breakfast, drive through the most picturesque landscape of central Crete to visit the ancient town of Gortys. Ancient Gortys used to be one of the most powerful cities of historic and prehistoric times. It is well known for its Law Code carved on stone blocks discovered in the Odeum. Other important monumenst on site are the Acropolis and the church of St. Titus. Next stop is the renowned palace of Phaistos which was an important centre for the Minoan civilization. From Phaistos the view of the Messara plain and the Ida range is superb. The tour continues southbound to the coastal village of Matala the ancient port of Gortys and Phaistos where lunch will take place. Matala features one of the best beaches in Crete with artificial caves carved into the north face of the coast. In prehistoric times the caves were used as tombs while during the 60’s the caves hosted a hippie commune! Return to the hotel. Dinner will take place in a local establishment called “Ouzeri” where the locals enjoy Ouzo and Cretan mezedes (tidbits). Return to the hotel and Overnight.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Continue excursion.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Atrion Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Field trip to Knossos and museum. Depart from the hotel to visit Knossos the renowned Minoan Palace! Two brilliant palaces built in Neolithic times… Visit the room of the thrown and the frescoes depicting the Prince of Crete. Every single stone suggests that a great civilization was born in this very place. Proceed to the National Museum of Heraklion that hosts the world's richest collection of Minoan items such as jewelry, statues masterpieces of miniature sculpture and signed engraving. It will certainly create a feeling of admiration and awe for an era long gone…. After the visit to the Museum drive to a small village to meet Mrs. Katerina and experience the art of Cretan cooking! Guests will learn how to prepare Cretan delicacies and then lunch will follow. After lunch drive back to the hotel. Free time and dinner in the hotel.

Lunch: Cooking class where you will help prepare your own lunch.

Afternoon: You have free time for independent exploration.

Dinner: Special Cretan folklore evening in Arolithos.

Lodging: Atrion Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer from hotel to airport for flight to Rhodes via Athens.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: After arriving in Rhodes, enjoy an introductory city excursion.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Semiramis Hotel Rhodes

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Full day excursion to the Old City and Lindos. Your tour today starts with a scenic drive to the Acropolis of Lindos.As soon as you arrive in Lindos you will climb the steps to the Acropolis where you will have an extensive guided tour of the premises . After the tour of the Acropolis and the church in Lindos and a short time for a photo opportunity, you will proceed to the meeting place from which you will be taken for a typical Greek lunch in Haraki village. After enjoying your lunch, your tour will take you in Rhodes Town after a slow ride around the seaside roads of the city, accompanied by a narration from your guide. The bus continues to drive to the ancient stadium of the Temple of Apolonos, where you will have a guided tour and an opportunity to take photographs. You are then driven to the walls of the Old Town where your tour continues on foot and you will walk through the Gate d’Amboise in the Old Town. You will be guided through the Palace of the Knights, see the Inn of England and the Archaeological Museum. When the guided tour is completed, you will have some free time for an independent exploration of the Old City and you will enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Continue excursion.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Semiramis Hotel Rhodes

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Visit a local wine factory with meze. Your tour commences from the port and takes you along the sea front roads around the new city, as well as on a panoramic tour of the ancient stadium of Apolonos where you will stop for a short guided tour and to take photographs. You will then be driven to the CAIR wine factory ,one of the two local distilleries in Rhodes, you will have a guided tour of the factory. Your guide will take you through the actual wine making progress and when the tour is completed, you will have an opportunity to savour the wines, if you so wish. When the tour of the winery is finished you will be taken to the old town where you will have the chance to taste the other famous Greek drink, Ouzo, along with a traditional Meze.

Lunch: Meze during wine factory visit.

Afternoon: Your afternoon is free for independent exploration.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Semiramis Hotel Rhodes

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to port for ferry to Marmaris, Turkey. Upon arrival, drive to Ephesus, stopping at Euromos to see one of the best preserved ancient temples in antiquity. Site lecture on the cult of Zeus and Mycanean times.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Enjoy a visit to Didyma home to the largest temples of antiquity dedicated to Apollo. Didyma contained a temple and oracle of Apollo, the Didymaion. In Greek Didyma means "twin". Next to Delphi, Didyma was the most renowned oracle of the Hellenic world but an establishment preceding literacy and even the Hellenic colonization of Ionia. Didyma was the largest and most significant sanctuary on the territory of the great classical city Miletus.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Korumar Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a morning lecture on Ephesus and its ancient graffiti and its meanings. Following the lecture, we will begin our exploration of Ephesus.Ephesus by far is the most important, largest and the best preserved ancient archeological site in Turkey. Once the capital of the Asia Minor province of the Roman Empire and the most important port on the Aegean, Ephesus enjoyed immense wealth and prosperity in ancient Greek and Roman periods. It is a fascinating feeling to walk on the same marble streets that were once trodden by Alexander the Great, Hadrian, St.Paul, and Virgin Mary. The grand theater with its 24,000 people capacity and the marvelous Library of Celsus still awe their visitors.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Field trip to the Museum of Ephesus to see the magnificent artifacts uncovered at the site and the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Korumar Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Izmir Airport and take the morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the old city.

Lunch: Lunch in Istanbul at a typical restaurant

Afternoon: Visit the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. An awe inspiring architectural site dominating the old city of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque captures visitors with its impressive volume and its majestic dome as soon they enter the mosque. This mosque is famous for its exquisite tile-work decoration from the 16th and 17th centuries, hence one of the reasons for its name.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Legacy Ottoman Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Lecture on the Urban Development of Istanbul from an architectural perspective.

Lunch: Lunch in Istanbul at a typical restaurant

Afternoon: Excursions to Hagia Sophia, Church of the Savior in Chora and the Underground Cisterns.Undoubtedly, the most important landmark of the city, Hagia Sophia has withstood the rigors of time since 537 AD. Often dubbed as the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, the Church of Holy Wisdom is a mind-baffling structure with its huge mystical dome suspended above a basilical plan and the magnificent mosaics that still glisten­ across galleries. A little gem of a church, tucked away by the ancient walls of the city, a visit to the Chora Museum is a must to witness the splendid masterpieces of late Byzantine art in the form of exquisite mosaics and frescoes. The artistic styles demonstrated in this church foreshadows the dawn of European Renaissance.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Legacy Ottoman Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Visit the Topkapi Palace and Rustem Pasha Mosque to witness Ottoman architecture in its golden years.This immense palace that was started to be built in 15th century, was the seat of the Ottoman Sultans who ruled the once most powerful Empire of Europe for 400 years. This Palace demonstrates the wealth and power that was controlled by the Ottomans between 15th and 18th centuries. Its massive courtyards, maze of corridors and alleys in the exotic and inspiring Harem, lush gardens, domes and chimneys certainly make up one of the most impressive skylines of the city.

Lunch: Lunch in Istanbul.

Afternoon: This afternoon will be spent exploring some of Istanbul's bazaars, including the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar. You will have ome free time to exlore these bazaars.The Spice Bazaar is located in the busy commercial district of the old city right by the Golden Horn. The Bazaar and the surroundings are perfect places to witness the vibrant commercial activity that this city has been attracting for thousands of years. Spices have been traded in this Bazaar since mid 17th century and this Bazaar continues to capture its visitors with its exotic aromas of the Orient. Wits maze-like alleys and narrow streets, the Grand Bazaar attracts everyone like a magnet, shopper or sightseer alike. It is an absolute delight to stroll the streets of this 500 year-old colorful bazaar. Your intentions could be to look for bargains in various Turkish handicrafts, to shop for precious old kilims, to find the workshops of the skillful goldsmiths, to sip a cup of Turkish coffee at the old coffeehouse, or to take pictures of the artisans and shopkeepers, you are guaranteed to have a great time in the Bazaar.

Dinner: Farewell dinner.

Lodging: Legacy Ottoman Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to airport for international departures.

Meals Included: Breakfast