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Greece: Island Hopping in the Aegean

Program Number: 20916RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/4/2013 - 9/18/2013; 9/18/2013 - 10/2/2013; 5/14/2014 - 5/28/2014; 9/3/2014 - 9/17/2014;
Duration: 14 nights
Location: Greece
Price starting at: $3,779.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 32; 13 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 11 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Low Fat; Low Salt; Gluten Free    

In the Cycladic Islands, discover where mild Aegean breezes refresh communities built among the remains of ancient civilizations and waves lap at the shores of fishing villages where traditional ways of life survive unchanged for centuries. From grand architecture to captivating archaeological sites, learn how the story of Greek civilization is the story of its islands.




Highlights

• In Athens, climb the Acropolis to the Parthenon and discover Greece’s most important relics in the National Archeological Museum.
• Come ashore on the islands of Mykonos, Delos, Paros and Santorini to learn about their role in Greek civilization and conjure the ancient Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.
• Participate in traditional music and dance and taste ouzo, a time-honored drink among Greeks.



Activity Particulars

Walking two miles a day, cobblestone streets, periods of standing. Stairs unavoidable at historic sites.




Date Specific Information

9-4-2013, 9-18-2013, 5-14-2014, 9-3-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Athens, 2 nights; ferry to Mykonos, 2 nights; ferry to Paros, 2 nights; ferry to Santorini, 2 nights; ferry to Crete, 3 nights; overnight ferry, 1 night; disembark Athens, 1 night; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Athens
2 nights
Ferry to Mykonos
2 nights

Historic Athens welcomes you on a climb to the top of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Walk through the old quarter and learn about its many Byzantine churches. Survey the beautiful orthodox chapels, famous windmills and Paraportiani in the port town of Chora. Cross to sacred Delos, birthplace of Apollo, and participate in a Greek cooking class.



Ferry to Paros
2 nights
Ferry to Santorini
2 nights

Stroll through lovely Paroikia and visit the Ekatontapyliani Church founded by St. Helen, mother of Constantine the Great. Enjoy a tasting of the anise-flavored aperitif Ouzo, and in the village of Lefkes, follow narrow medieval streets to the marble quarry where material for many important masterpieces was mined. Explore Fira, Santorini's capital, and the traditional village of Oia. Discuss important archaeological discoveries at Akrotiri and at the Thera Nomikos Museum, where archaeological finds cast light on life before the volcanic explosion in 1450 B.C. that transformed the island. Examine impressive frescoes from Akrotiri at the Prehistoric Museum of Thera, then sample the wares of a local winery and enjoy an evening of food, folk music and dancing.



Ferry to Crete
3 nights

Ferry to Crete and explore Knossos, legendary home of King Minos and the Minotaur. A local ceramicist practices his craft and discusses the pottery traditions of the ancient Minoans. Lunch at a family-run taverna at Myrtia, complete with produce grown in the family garden. Experience a center of Minoan culture at Phaistos and celebrate daily life on the island with the exhibits of the Vori Ethnological Museum.



Overnight ferry to Athens
1 night
Arrival Athens
1 night
Departure

Stroll the aristocratic Old Port of Rethymnon and visit picturesque Chania’s 16th-century Venetian church. Back in Athens, enter the National Archaeological Museum, with artifacts highlighting every era of ancient Greek history.




Greece

More than one-fifth of Greece’s land mass lies offshore in the islands of the Aegean or Ionian seas, while the sites of Classical archeology, myth and literature dominate the mainland and the peninsulas. The Peloponnese, with its spine of mountains and treasures of the ancient world, complements the white-washed villages and turquoise waters of the islands.
Accommodations
Athens: Four-star hotel steps from Acropolis. Mykonos: Four-star hotel on shores of Aegean Sea. Paros: Cycladic-style hotel an easy walk to Old Town and seafront. Santorini: Elegant hotel amid fragrant gardens and palm trees. Crete: Boutique hotel with spectacular views of Venetian Fortress and Mediterranean.
Meals and Lodgings
   Parthenon Hotel
  Athens, Greece 2 nights
   Mykonos Town Hotels
  Mykonos, Greece 2 nights
   Hotel Aegeon
  Paros, Greece 2 nights
   Daedalus Hotel
  Santorini, Greece 2 nights
   Lato Boutique Hotel
  Heraklion Crete, Greece 3 nights
   F/B Elyros or F/B Lato
  At Sea - Ferry Overnight 1 night
   Parthenon Hotel
  Athens, Greece 1 night
 Parthenon Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Parthenon Hotel offers the best of classic and modern Greece. Located in the historic center of Athens, the celebrated archaeological walk of Acropolis is only steps away, and shops, theaters, museums and a vibrant night life are within easy reach. The "Acropolis" metro station stands less than 150 meters away.
  Contact info: 6 Makri Street
Athens,  11742 Greece
phone: +30 210 9234594
web: www.airotel.gr
  Room amenities: Each room has a satellite television, telephone, air conditioning, mini bar, safe deposit box, tea and coffee making facilities, shoe polish machine, free wireless Internet access, and a hair dryer.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, 24-hour reception, safe deposit box at reception, laundry services, business center, currency exchange, hair dresser (upon request), and free WIFI Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: N/A Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. (800) 241-1404
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after: N/A Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services if you would like assistance making hotel reservations for additional non-program nights. (800) 241-1404
  Check out time: 12:00 PM

 Mykonos Town Hotels
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Mykonos Town Hotels are a complex of hotels that offer affordable luxury accommodation in the heart of Mykonos Town. Alongside the white-washed houses, churches and famous windmills of this Greek town, these hotels blend in beautifully with their picturesque surroundings. Guests can dine in the hotel's chic restaurant, enjoy the sea breeze from their private balcony, and experience the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Museums, beaches and the harbor are all within easy reach.
  Contact info: Mykonos Town
PO Box 64,  84600 Greece
phone: +30 22890 23415
web: www.khotels.gr
  Room amenities: Each room has a satellite television, telephone, safe, mini fridge, air conditioning, wireless Internet access (for a fee), and a hair dryer.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers restaurants, a bar, gym, spa, tennis courts, and wireless Internet access throughout the hotel (for a fee).
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Hotel Aegeon
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Hotel Aegeon is located in the town of Parikia on Paros island. Designed in the traditional Cycladic style, this hotel offers warm Paros island hospitality in a pleasant environment. It is a 10-minute walk from the heart of the Old Town, where markets, cafes, boutiques, seaside taverns, and the beautiful seafront are humming with activity.
  Contact info: Periphery Road
Parikia, Paros,  84400 Greece
phone: +30 22840 22153
web: www.aegeonhotel.com
  Room amenities: Each room has a television, telephone, air conditioning, mini fridge, private balcony or terrace, and free wireless Internet access.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a dining area, large reception with television and a bar, swimming pool, outdoor patios, and free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Daedalus Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The four-star Daedalus Hotel is surrounded by fragrant gardens and palm trees and is located in the heart of Santorini's vibrant capital, Fira. Inspired by traditional Cycladic architecture, the hotel combines elegant Greek style and modern amenities for a luxurious and family-friendly stay.
  Contact info: Fira
Santorini,  84700 Greece
phone: +30 22860 22834
web: www.daedalushotel.gr
  Room amenities: Each room has a satellite television, telephone, mini fridge, air conditioning, safe, private balcony or terrace, free wireless Internet access, and a hair dryer.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers a breakfast room, 24-hour reception, outdoor swimming pool, pool bar, sauna, outdoor Jacuzzi, lounge with television and bar, laundry and ironing services, and free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Lato Boutique Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Lato Boutique Hotel is located across from the old city harbor in one of the oldest and quieter neighborhoods of Heraklion. It is within walking distance of the local market, famous archaeological and historical museums, and it offers spectacular views of the Venetian Fortress and the Mediterranean Sea. This charming, modern and colorful hotel has been family-owned and managed since 1978.
  Contact info: 15 Epimenidou Street
Heraklion Crete,  71202 Greece
phone: +30 2810 228103
web: www.lato.gr
  Room amenities: Each room has a satellite television, telephone, mini bar, veranda or balcony, air conditioning, and free wireless Internet access.
  Facility amenities: The hotel offers restaurants, bars, 24-hour reception, lobby, gym, steam room and Jacuzzi, and free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 F/B Elyros or F/B Lato
Type: Cruise Ship
  Contact info: 22 Akti Kondili str.
Piraeus,   Greece
phone: +30 210 4197470
web: www.anek.gr
  Facility amenities: The ship offers a restaurant, cafe, bar, ATM, shops, air conditioning, a pool and wireless Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Athens, Greece. 6:00 PM Meet in hotel lobby. You will be staying at Parthenon Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Athens, Greece. After breakfast on the last day. You will be staying at Parthenon Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
n/a
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Take bus X95 from the airport to Syntagma Square. From there, walk 15 minutes to the hotel.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Athens
  Transportation to site: Take a taxi from exit 3 of the arrivals level at the airport. Cost is approx. 35-40 Euros, after midnight the cost increases to 60 Euros.
  From End of Program
  Location: Athens
  Transportation from site: Take a taxi from the hotel to the airport. Cost is approx. 35-40 Euros, after midnight the cost increases to 60 Euros.
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: In Transit
(Wednesday, September 4)
   
 In Transit: Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrive in Athens / Orientation
(Thursday, September 5)
   
 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 orientation.
 Dinner: Enjoy a festive Welcome Dinner at a "taverna," a traditional, casual restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Parthenon Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Acropolis / Ancient Agora / Plaka
(Friday, September 6)
   
 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. The Parthenon was 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 city's victory at Marathon, and visit the nearby Acropolis Museum holding exquisite finds from the site. Then enjoy a walk through the lively old quarter of Plaka, a neighborhood with many Byzantine churches and endless shops.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local taverna.
 Afternoon: This afternoon take part in a lecture: "Greece: One of the Oldest Civilizations in the World." We will focus on the impact of geography and the role of the sea in the development of local culture, and we will delve into the influence of the arts.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
 Evening: Enjoy a screening of a performance of ancient Greek theater.
   
Accommodations: Parthenon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Cruise to Mykonos / The Cyclades in the Aegean World
(Saturday, September 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Check out of the hotel and transfer to Piraeus, the port of Athens, to board a ferry to Mykonos. On the way to Mykonos, sail as ancient sailors did by Cape Sounion and view from a distance the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon, which guards even today the maritime routes from Athens to the Aegean Islands. Shortly after, enter the world of the Cyclades where islands such as Kea, Kythnos and Tinos emerge from the blue waters of the Aegean. Approach the stunning port of Syros, and then continue on to cosmopolitan Mykonos.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local taverna in Mykonos.
 Afternoon: Attend an enriching lecture: "The Cyclades in the Aegean World." There is no better place than Mykonos to hear our first lecture about the Cyclades - these unique little floating worlds where Apollo the sun-god was born and with him a new era of human civilization! The presentation of history, architecture and also modern life will be followed by a wonderful walk through the picturesque white-washed alleys of the town. Walk past many private chapels, monuments of the people's strong Orthodox faith. Continue to the famous windmills, and finally reach one of the most magnificent religious architectural ensembles of the island, the Paraportiani church. A few steps farther and we experience the vibrant port of Mykonos!
 Dinner: Dinner at a popular local restaurant with views of the windmills and the sea.
   
Accommodations: Mykonos Town Hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Mykonos / Delos - Birth Place of Apollo / Thalassotherapy
(Sunday, September 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Depart by boat from the port town of Mykonos and approach sacred Delos! This unique island was the birth place of Apollo, the god of the sun, music and arts. Located in the center of the Aegean Sea, Delos offered shelter to the ships of the early sailors, attracted rich merchants to build their villas close to the sanctuary of their god, and soon became an important commercial crossroad in the eastern Mediterranean.
 Lunch: Lunch is served at a local taverna and includes a Greek cooking class.
 Afternoon: Relax on the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos. Wander its busy, narrow streets, discover its elegant shops, or enjoy a cocktail in one of the trendy bars. You will also have the opportunity to rejuvenate at the thalassotherapy spa at the hotel. The thalassotherapy program offers the curative effects of mineral enriched seawater and takes you through three pools, each with a different temperature and salinity content.
 Dinner: Explore local fare on your own. You may wish to complete your day with a gourmet dinner in one of Mykonos' many fine restaurants, or opt for a simple evening at a quiet hidden tavern in town.
 Evening: Catch one of Mykonos' magical sunsets, either from the Venetia neighborhood or from the terrace of your hotel.
   
Accommodations: Mykonos Town Hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Cruise to Paros / Paroikia / Ekatontapyliani Church
(Monday, September 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Check out of the hotel and transfer to the port of Mykonos to board a ferry to Paros.
 Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant on the island of Paros.
 Afternoon: Our Cycladic experience continues with a pleasant walk through Paroikia, the main port of town of the island and one of the most attractive towns in the Cyclades. Visit the Ekatontapyliani Church, an important pilgrimage site of the Orthodox world. According to tradition, the church was founded by St. Helen, the mother of the Byzantine emperor Constantine the Great, in the 4th century A.D. We continue our stroll through the narrow streets where beautiful blooming bougainvilleas decorate every single corner until we reach a typical island tavern where a sip of Ouzo introduces a traditional dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Enjoy a tasting of Ouzo, the anise-flavored aperitif that is a symbol of Greek culture.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Aegeon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Paros / Marble Quarry / Ancient Traditions of Food and Wine in the Aegean
(Tuesday, September 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Today we drive to the well-known village of Lefkes 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 inspiration for many important sculptural masterpieces. We end our field trip in the quaint fishing village of Naoussa.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local taverna.
 Afternoon: Lecture on the ancient traditions of food and wine in the Aegean.
 Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Aegeon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Cruise to Santorini / Sunset in Oia
(Wednesday, September 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Check out of the hotel and board a ferry to Santorini. Also known as Thera, this quintessential Greek island formed its distinctive crescent shape in an ancient volcanic explosion that created its "caldera" or crater.
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ferry, or at the hotel (depending on ferry schedules).
 Afternoon: Enjoy an orientation walk around Fira, the island's vivid capital. Then take a scenic drive north to the most picturesque village of Santorini, Oia. Oia offers unique architectural complexes, elegant art galleries, fashion shops, cozy cafes, gourmet restaurants, as well as its famed sunsets - considered by some to be the most beautiful in the world.
 Dinner: After admiring the sunset, end the day with dinner at a local taverna in Oia.
   
Accommodations: Daedalus Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Santorini / Akrotiri / Wine Tasting / Greek Music and Dancing
(Thursday, September 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: We’ll start our island exploration from the excavations of Akrotiri! The archaeological excavations brought to light the remains of a city destroyed during the eruption of the volcano in 1630 B.C. Today we have the opportunity to see the remains of three and four storey buildings, houses supplied with fresh running water and a drainage system and decorated with wonderful frescoes; it is regarded as one of the most fascinating sites of prehistoric Greece. We continue on to the Prehistoric Museum of Thera to view some of the most important finds from Akrotiri and then to Nomicos Museum to further experience the unique frescoes of Akrotiri.
 Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.
 Afternoon: There is no way to describe the wild volcanic beauty of this island with the gorgeous views and the amazing cliffs dropping straight down to the dark blue waters of the caldera. Therefore, we take you to the edge of the cliffs, where one of the best known wineries of the island is located, to taste some of the finest types of Santorini wine, followed by local meze (appetizers).
 Dinner: Celebrations in Greece center around food, song and family. Enjoy a lively evening with dinner, local music, and folk dancing.
   
Accommodations: Daedalus Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Cruise to Crete / History, Traditions and Herbs of Crete!
(Friday, September 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Explore the traditional village of Pyrgos and discuss the issues surrounding vanishing village life in the Greek Islands. Later, transfer to Kamari on the Santorini's southeast side where we can enjoy the beach resort before boarding the ferry to Crete.
 Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time aboard the ferry to relax. Arrive in Crete and transfer to the hotel.
 Dinner: During our first evening in Crete and just before dinner, we meet at the panoramic roof top of our hotel where our guide will give an interesting talk about the history and traditions of the island, and will also introduce us to the incredible and fragrant world of the herbs of Crete!
   
Accommodations: Lato Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Knossos / Pottery Traditions of the Ancient Minoans / Cooking Demonstration
(Saturday, September 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: We begin the day by discovering Crete's best-known archaeological site, Knossos. Knossos is the legendary home of King Minos and the famed beast Minotaur. Continue to the Museum of Heraklion, and end the morning with a visit to a local ceramicist to watch him at his craft. He will also discuss pottery traditions of the ancient Minoans.
 Lunch: Gain a contemporary vision of traditional island life during an excursion to the typical village of Myrtia. Here we enjoy a delicious lunch at a family-run taverna where all the produce is grown in the family's garden.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore the city of Heraklion. Stroll through the herbs market or relax at a local cafe with a cup of local herbal tea “Diktamo."
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel where the owners will show us how to prepare some traditional Cretan dishes.
   
Accommodations: Lato Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Phaistos Archaeological Site
(Sunday, September 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: A field trip takes us to the archaeological site at Phaistos, one of the richest and most important centers of the Minoan culture. On our way to Phaistos we stop to visit ancient Gortyna, one of the most important cities in Crete with a history that goes back 6,000 years. This is where the famous "Gortyn Code" was founded, which is both the oldest and most complete known example of a code of the ancient Greek law.
 Lunch: Lunch at a taverna in picturesque Matala.
 Afternoon: Investigate the Vori Ethnological Museum with exhibitions celebrating daily life on the island. These exhibits explore food, architecture, weaving, and the customs and traditions of the island. Enjoy a walk through Vori and encounter the remains of the Venetian houses.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Lato Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Rethymnon / Chania Old Town and Market / Cruise to Piraeus-Athens
(Monday, September 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Begin the morning with a visit to Rethymnon, the only Renaissance town in Greece, where one can still see well-preserved Venetian buildings! Then continue on to Chania, a picturesque port on Crete's western coast. Enjoy a walking excursion to explore Chania's oldest neighborhood with its 16th-century Venetian church, market, the Naval Museum, and ending at the charming old ship harbor with its beautiful lighthouse.
 Lunch: Explore local fare on your own at one of the quaint cafes or restaurants.
 Afternoon: This afternoon enjoy some free time in Chania before boarding the ferry to Piraeus, Athens.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ferry.
   
Accommodations: F/B Elyros or F/B Lato
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: National Archaeological Museum / Home Hosted Farewell Dinner
(Tuesday, September 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast onboard the ferry or at the hotel.
 Morning: Transfer from Piraeus to our hotel in Athens. We complete our experience with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, the city's most important collection and home to impressive artifacts highlighting every era of ancient Greek history.
 Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore Athens on your own.
 Dinner: Experience Greek hospitality and savor local dishes at a home hosted Farewell Dinner.
   
Accommodations: Parthenon Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15: Departures
(Wednesday, September 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: Transfer to the airport for departing flights.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Athens Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum is made up of many buildings, which offer an in-depth look into Greek history and culture. An array of artwork and artifacts illustrate the character of the Greek world from ancient times to the 20th century. For additional information, visit www.benaki.gr/index.asp
  Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art illustrates the ancient cultures of the Aegean and Cyprus. The three major subjects on display are Cycladic Art, Ancient Greek Art, and Ancient Cypriot Art. For additional information, visit www.cycladic.gr
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. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Literary Companion to Travel in Greece


Author: Richard Stoneman


Description: Poetry, prose and literature over the ages, arranged geographically with an excellent introduction and commentary. Stoneman artfully weaves together hundreds of short excerpts.



A Traveller's History of Greece


Author: Timothy Boatswain, Colin Nicolson


Description: A nicely written survey from prehistory through the 1990s: wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed.



Ancient Greece: Art, Architecture, and History


Author: Marina Belozerskaya, Kenneth Lapatin


Description: This lively illustrated guide covers the architecture, painting and sculpture of Ancient Greece from the third millennium to the end of the Hellenistic period. With 282 color and 28 black-and-white illustrations.



Culture Smart! Greece


Author: Constantine Buhayer


Description: A concise, no-nonsense guide to local customs, etiquette and culture with a short overview of the land and people along with practical travel advice.



Dinner with Persephone


Author: Patricia Storace


Description: The pleasures and complexities of contemporary Greece, marvelously described by an American poet spending a year there. Storace intertwines her own perceptions with the history of the country and the influence of pop culture on the classical landscape.



Eyewitness Guide Greek Islands


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: Color photography, excellent local maps and an island-by-island synopsis of attractions make this book the one to carry with you.



Greece Map


Author: Michelin


Description: A colorful shaded map of Greece, the Greek Islands and the western coast of Turkey at a scale of 1:800,000.



Greece, A Traveler's Literary Companion


Author: Artemis Leontis (Editor)


Description: In this terrific anthology 24 modern Greek writers offer a flavor of their nation, its culture and people, its beautiful landscapes and rich history.



No Man's Lands, One Man's Odyssey Through the Odyssey


Author: Scott Huler


Description: Middle-aged everyman and NPR commentator Scott Huler draws lessons from the twists and turns of the life of Odysseus in this hilarious account of a whirlwind, six-month Mediterranean journey from Troy to Ithaca.



Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, Why the Greeks Matter


Author: Thomas Cahill


Description: Cahill brings to life ancient Greek society and civilization through the lives and words of politicians, playwrights, a poet, philosopher and artist in this eloquent and absorbing tribute.



The Ancient Mediterranean


Author: Michael Grant


Description: Grant explores the realms of archaeology, geography, art and economics to sketch this classic portrait of the ancient world, from prehistory through the Roman Imperium, and the influence on western civilization.



The Classical World


Author: Robin Lane Fox


Description: From Homer to Hadrian, Fox conjures tyrants, conquerors and enthralling personalities in this marvelously written history of ancient Greece and Rome.



The Colossus of Maroussi


Author: Henry Miller


Description: Miller captures the spirit and warmth of the resilient Greek people in this inspired tale of a wartime journey from Athens to Crete, Corfu and Delphi with his friend Lawrence Durrell.



The Complete World of Greek Mythology


Author: Richard Buxton


Description: With hundreds of color illustrations, site plans, genealogies and maps, this handsome, encyclopedic reference illuminates the world of the Greek gods.



The Greek Myths, Complete Edition


Author: Robert Graves


Description: A new edition of Graves' classic collection illustrated by the comic book artist Ross MacDonald. This expert retelling by Graves, a poet, memoirist and the author of I, Claudius (ITL429), still remains the seminal modern translation of the mythologies of Ancient Greece.



The Greek Way


Author: Edith Hamilton


Description: The book to read if you ever doubt the mark the ancient Greeks have left on Western society.



The King Must Die


Author: Mary Renault


Description: A novel of Theseus, slayer of the Minotaur and King of Athens, including his Cretan adventures. The first in Renault's trilogy of well-researched page-turners.



The Parthenon


Author: Mary Beard


Description: A lively tale of the construction, significance and many uses of the 2,500-year-old architectural marvel.



The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece


Author: Robert Morkot


Description: This pictorial survey of Greek antiquity, recording its culture and expansion, features dozens of full-color maps.



The Search for Ancient Greece


Author: Roland Etienne, Francoise Etienne


Description: Lavishly illustrated, this pocket encyclopedia covers the archaeology and meaning of ancient Greece, quite an accomplishment for such a slim book.



The World of Odysseus


Author: Moses I. Finley


Description: A classic portrait of ancient Greek society based in large part on the author's ground-breaking interpretation of the Iliad and Odyssey.



The World of the Ancient Greeks


Author: John Camp, Elizabeth Fisher


Description: Featuring hundreds of illustrations and inviting short chapters on topics from The First Greeks to The Heroic Age and Classical Athens. With modern color photographs of great ancient cities from Athens and Delphi to Knossos, Ephesus, Pergamum and Priene.



iSpeak Greek Phrasebook


Author: Jennifer Kellogg, Alex Chapin


Description: An MP3 audio disc is bundled with a 16-page phrase book in this innovative language program, where you can see and hear 1,200 phrases on your iPod, iPhone, Zune or other portable device.





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