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Greece

The Best of Greece: Island Hopping in the Aegean

Program No. 20916RJ
Discover ancient relics, iconic architecture, inspired art and enduring traditions as you voyage throughout the timeless islands of Greece — a haven of antiquity.
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Food & WineArt History & MuseumsSmall GroupMost Popular
Length
15 days
Rating (4.93)
Activity Level
Starts at
5,699
Flights start at
1,150
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
30 meals ( 13B, 8L, 9D )
4 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader, presenting lectures and conducting field trips; select field trips and lectures will be led by local experts. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles including uphill along a winding trail with over 100 well-worn steps to reach the Acropolis, no handrails; uneven, slippery and rocky at the top; standing up to 2 hours. At the Acropolis Museum, walking and standing for more than an hour. Popular sites may be crowded at certain periods.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll begin our exploration of Athens on foot with a visit to its signature site – the Acropolis. Led by our Group Leader, we’ll climb the rocky summit to explore some of the most iconic monuments of ancient Athens. The Acropolis’ focal point is the Parthenon, built in honor of the city’s patroness Athena and completed in 432 BCE. We will learn how ancient peoples transformed this site into a manifestation of Greek advancement in culture and the arts, and how this legacy lingers to the present. After visiting the Acropolis, we will enjoy a visit to the Acropolis Museum. This museum holds the exquisite finds from the archeological site of the Acropolis and lies over ruins of Roman and early Byzantine Athens. The Group Leader will provide commentary on some of the most notable pieces of the museum before providing us some time to explore the exhibitions independently.
Lunch:
At a local taverna.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will enjoy a lovely walk through the lively old quarter of Plaka nestled at the foot of the Acropolis Hills. One of the most charming and historic neighborhoods of Athens. We will have some independent time before we walk back to the hotel where we will have some time to freshen up and relax. Later, we will gather for a lecture by a university professor from Athens.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving up to 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Ferry ride from Piraeus to Mykonos is around 5 hours. Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking. Due to ferry scheduling, there may be slight changes to the itinerary. Please note that you will have to carry your luggage onto the ferry, and masks are required onboard all indoor passenger areas.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and take the bus to the port of Piraeus to board a ferry to Mykonos. On the way to Mykonos, we’ll enjoy a fantastic view at a distance of the 5th-century BCE Temple of Poseidon, which continues to guard all maritime routes from Athens to the islands of the Aegean. Shortly after, we will enter the world of the Cyclades, where islands such as Kea, Kythnos, and Tinos will emerge from the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. We’ll approach the stunning port of Syros then continue to cosmopolitan Mykonos.
Lunch:
At a local taverna.
Afternoon:
We’ll begin our exploration of the Cyclades with an onsite lecture from our Group Leader titled “The Cyclades in the Aegean World.” This presentation will focus on the history and architecture of the region, with some time focused on depicting what modern daily life looks like. We will take a wonderful walk through the picturesque white washed alleys of Mykonos Town. We will awe in the many private chapels of the town, monuments to the local people’s strong Orthodox faith, before ending our walk at one of the most magnificent religious architectural ensembles of the island, Paraportiani Church.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Ferry ride from Mykonos to Delos is approximately 1/2 hour each way. Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking on uneven terrain; no shade. Due to ferry scheduling, there may be slight changes to the itinerary. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll take the bus to the dock and board a ferry for sacred Delos. This small island located in the center of the Aegean is one of the most important mythological, historical and archeological sites in all of Greece. Considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it was a holy sanctuary and cult center during ancient times. This, in addition to its key position in the Aegean Sea, made Delos a perfect reprieve for sailors, and it attracted many rich merchants interested in building their villas near the sanctuaries of their gods. During an expert-led field trip, we’ll explore the ruins of ancient Delos and learn more about this important commercial and religious crossroad in the Eastern Mediterranean. Afterwards, we will board a ferry once again and return to Mykonos.
Lunch:
At a local taverna.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Ferry ride from Mykonos to Paros is under 1 hour. Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking and some stairs. Due to ferry scheduling, there may be slight changes to the itinerary. Please note that you will have to carry your luggage onto the ferry, and masks are required onboard in all indoor passenger areas.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and ride the bus to the port of Mykonos to board a ferry to the island of Paros.
Lunch:
At a local taverna.
Afternoon:
We will continue our Cycladic experience with a pleasant walk through Parikia, the capital of Paros and one of the most attractive towns in the Cyclades. During this walk, we will visit the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, an important pilgrimage site in the Orthodox world that was founded in the 4th century CE by the mother of Constantine the Great, Saint Helen. Our stroll will take us through narrow streets decorated with beautiful bougainvillea until we reach a typical island taverna, where we will be greeted with a sip of ouzo – a dry, anise-flavored aperitif that is a symbol of Greek culture.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking for 2 hours on uneven terrain on sloping and inclined paths. Several ascents and descents. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will drive by bus to the traditional mountain village of Lefkes, the capital of Paros during the Middle Ages. This beautiful town is decorated in whitewash houses and windmills, traditional Venetian architecture, as well as charming cafés and tavernas along narrow cobblestone streets. On our way to Lefkes, we will stop at Paros’ marble quarry, a major source of the island’s wealth and an inspiration for many sculptural masterpieces. After our visit to Lefkes, we will depart by bus to the quaint fishing village of Naoussa.
Lunch:
At a family-run taverna, where all produce is grown in the family’s local garden. This meal will include a cooking class.
Afternoon:
En route back to the hotel, our Group Leader will talk about the ancient traditions of food and wine in the Aegean. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore independently.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Ferry ride from Paros to Santorini is approximately 3.5 hours. Walking for up to 2 hours; some stairs. Due to ferry scheduling, there may be slight changes to the itinerary. Please note that you will have to carry your luggage onto the ferry, and masks are required onboard in all indoor passenger areas.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and board a ferry to the island of Santorini. Officially known as Thira, this quintessential Greek isle received its distinctive crescent shape after an ancient volcanic explosion.
Lunch:
Depending on ferry schedules, lunch will be boxed or taken aboard the ferry.
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel, we will take a scenic drive north to the most picturesque village of Santorini, Oia. Known worldwide for its iconic blue dome houses, Oia offers unique architectural complexes, elegant art galleries, fashion shops, cozy cafes, and gourmet restaurants.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Celebrations in Greece center around food, song, and family. We’ll enjoy a lively evening with dinner, local music, and folk dancing.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving up to 15 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking for 3 hours, some stairs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will begin our day with a field trip by bus to the excavations of Akrotiri. Sometimes called the “Pompeii of the Aegean,” this Minoan city was destroyed and buried in ash during a volcanic eruption sometime in the 16th century BCE. Today’s remains are surprisingly well preserved and include a series of three and four story buildings, houses supplied with a fresh water and drainage system, and many wonderful frescoes. After our visit to the archeological site, we will continue onto the Prehistoric Museum of Thera to view some of the most important finds from Akrotiri. After visiting the museum, we will set out on a walking field trip of Fira, the island’s vivid capital.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will make our way to the cliffs of Santorini, where one of the best-known wineries of the island is located. Wine has been produced in this region since ancient times and became renowned during the Middle Ages as a result of Venetian influence and trade on the island. We’ll enjoy an opportunity to taste some of the finest types of Santorini wine, accompanied by dinner with matching food and wine.
Dinner:
At the winery.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Ferry ride from Santorini to Heraklion/Crete is over 1.5 hours. Steep walking for under 1.5 hours on uneven terrain, and many stairs with no handrails. Due to ferry scheduling, there may be slight changes to the itinerary. Please note that you will have to carry your luggage onto the ferry, and masks are required onboard in all indoor passenger areas.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and begin our day with a field trip to one of the traditional villages of Santorini. Led by our Group Leader, we’ll take a walking field trip in the town while discussing the issues surrounding vanishing village life in the Greek islands. After some time to explore on our own, we will transfer to a local beach on the south side of Santorini, where we will have an opportunity to swim in the pristine waters. (Swimming is subject to weather conditions; we suggest bringing swimming shoes due to volcanic sand.)
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will depart by bus to Athinios port, where we will board our ferry for Heraklion, Crete. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our new hotel, check in, and proceed to dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking and standing for 2 hours; some stairs without railings, no shade. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Arriving by bus, we will discover Crete’s best-known archeological site, Knossos. The palace of Knossos was once the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization but was abandoned in the Late Bronze Age (1380–1100 BCE) for unknown reasons. Its location and confusing architectural design have made many believe this is the legendary home of King Minos and the site of the famed labyrinth in which he placed his son, the Minotaur. After our visit, we will gain a contemporary vision of traditional island life with a visit to a local village.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a delicious lunch at a taverna.
Afternoon:
We will return to Heraklion, where we will have time to explore independently. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. After returning to the hotel, we will meet up once again before dinner to listen to a presentation by a local expert on the flora and fauna of the island of Crete.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving up to 70 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking and standing for 3 hours on uneven terrain; many stairs without railings, no shade.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will board a bus and set out to explore the remains of two ancient Minoan cities. We will first visit the ancient city of Gortyna, once one of the most important cities in Crete, which holds a history of more than 6,000 years. This site is believed to be the birthplace of European civilization, as legend holds that it is where Zeus kidnapped and had an affair with princess Europa – the namesake of the continent. From this affair, Europa would give birth to the three Minoan kings of Crete: Minos, Rhadamathys, and Sarpedon. Besides its link to mythology, Gortyna is also famous for its “Gortyn Code,” discovered in the 19th century, which is the oldest and most complete example of ancient Greek law. After this visit, we will make our way to the archeological site of Phaistos, the second largest city of Minoan Crete. Built high atop a hill, this city provides a fantastic view of the Lasithi mountains in the east of the island and the small villages of the south. Just as Knossos is believed to be the home of legendary King Minos, Phaistos is believed to be the home of ancient King Rhadamathys. We will then head to Vori, a small typical Cretan village. With our Group Leader, we will enjoy a walk and encounter the remains of old Venetian houses. If there is an opportunity (as opening hours are limited), we will explore the Vori Ethnological Museum as well. This museum perfectly weaves the customs and traditions of the island of Crete.
Lunch:
We will hop on a bus to the picturesque town of Matala, where we will have lunch at a local taverna.
Afternoon:
Matala is a small beach settlement which was very popular with hippies in the 1960s. Nowadays, it is popular with locals, with many restaurants, nice beaches, and small shops. Here we’ll have some time to explore independently with the Group Leader close by. There may be an opportunity to swim this afternoon, so be sure to bring your bathing suits and swimming shoes.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving up to 70 miles, approximately 3.5 hours driving time. Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking. Overnight ferry ride from Heraklion/Crete to Piraeus is approximately 9 hours. Due to ferry scheduling, there may be slight changes to the itinerary. Please note that you will have to carry your luggage onto the ferry, and masks are required onboard all indoor passenger areas.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After check-out, we’ll board the bus and make our way to the old town of Rethymnon, one of the few preserved Renaissance cities in all of Greece. With our Group Leader, we’ll see the stunning architecture of this area, which bears a strong Venetian and Ottoman influence and style.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will then head towards Chania, a charming port on Crete’s western coast. With the Group Leader, we will enjoy a walk through Chania’s old neighborhood, including a 16th-century Venetian church, the local market, and the old ship harbor with a beautiful lighthouse. Before dinner, we will enjoy some time to explore Chania independently.
Dinner:
Early dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
We will head to the port and board the overnight ferry that will take us to Piraeus-Athens.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking and standing for 2 hours, some stairs without railings. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Upon arrival in Piraeus, we’ll disembark the ferry and take the bus to our next hotel for breakfast and luggage storage.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will take the bus for a short drive to the National Archeological Museum, where the Group Leader will show us the highlights before we set out for independent exploration. This museum holds the richest collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity in the world, showcasing over 20,000 pieces from multiple archeological sites in the country. Following our visit, we’ll return to the vicinity of the hotel by bus and break until dinner. Hotel check-in will be available after 2:00 p.m.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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