Winter in Greece: The Charming Port City of Nafplion

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Orientation. 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. 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At a taverna, a traditional, casual restaurant, we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner. Coffee, tea, water, wine, and soft drinks included.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving roundtrip around 1.5 hours. Walking and standing around 2 hours on uneven and varied terrain with inclines, several steps without handrails.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring a variety of hot and cold options; coffee, tea, water included.

Morning: We will depart by motorcoach to explore Epidaurus, birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepios, the god of medicine, and one of the most acclaimed healing centers of the classical world. Among the sites we will visit is the famous Epidaurus Theatre, built in honor of Asclepios and one of the best preserved ancient Greek theaters in the world. It is also considered the most perfect ancient Greek theater when it comes to acoustics.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal. Water, tea or coffee included. After lunch, we will transfer by coach once again to Nafplion.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: On your own. This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving roundtrip around 5 hours. Walking and standing around 4 hours on uneven and varied terrain without handrails.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will travel by motorcoach to the archaeological site of ancient Olympia, home to the Olympic Games from the 8th century BCE to the 4th century CE. We’ll visit the ruins of the gymnasium where the athletes trained and the stadium where they competed every four years during the sacred games. Afterwards, we’ll explore the ruins of the Temple of Hera and the Temple Zeus, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a meal with coffee, tea, water, and wine included.

Afternoon: We will take a short walk to the nearby Archeological Museum of Olympia. Led by our Group Leader, learn more about the unique sculptures and objects of worship discovered in the surrounding area, including the nearby site of the Ancient Olympic Games. After our visit, we will board the motorcoach once again and return to Nafplion.

Dinner: On your own to savor local flavors.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving roundtrip about 1.5 hours. Walking and standing around 2 hours on uneven and varied terrain with inclines, several steps without handrails.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will transfer by motorcoach to the archeological site of Mycenae. Led by your Group Leader, take a walk and learn about the great Mycenean culture that flourished in this area of the Argolid Plain between 1600 and 1300 BCE. At the heart of this culture was this ancient city of Mycenea, believed to be the capital of King Agamemnon as well as the “well-built citadel” of Homer’s Iliad.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water, and wine included.

Afternoon: We will board the motorcoach and transfer to a local vineyard, where famous Nemean wine is produced. Situated among the vines, the Domaine Skouras winery is an ultra-modern winemaking facility with elegant Greek architecture. Learn about the terroir of Nemean wine, and experience the taste as we enjoy a tasting led by a member of the facility. After, we will transfer by motorcoach to a nearby ceramics factory, where we will continue exploring Greek traditions. Ancient Greece was famed for its ceramics and pottery, in which olive oil and wine was mixed and stored. Led by our Group Leader, we will learn how this tradition has been preserved in modern times, and we will get to see some members of the factory create some ceramic pieces.

Dinner: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Drive to Delphi is about 3 hours. Walking on uneven terrain, some stairs without railings.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Depart early in the morning for a transfer via motorcoach to Delphi. This ancient sanctuary was one of the most important religious sites between the years of 700 BCE and 400 BCE as it was home to the “Oracle of Delphi”, the most prestigious and authoritative high priestess and oracle of the ancient Greek world. We will begin our exploration with a visit to the local Delphi Archeological Museum. Led by our Group Leader, learn and explore some of the exhibits of this museum, which includes some of the best known sculptures of the ancient world. Following our visit to the museum, we will board the coach again and continue onto the archeological site of Delphi. Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the sanctuary of Delphi offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valley below.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal, plus coffee, tea, water, and wine included. After lunch we will transfer by coach to our hotel and check-in.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At the hotel, we will enjoy a meal, with coffee, tea, water, and wine included.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Drive to Athens is about 2 hours. Walking about 2 miles including uphill along a winding trail with many well-worn steps to reach the Acropolis, no handrails; uneven and rocky at the top; standing up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Depart in the morning for a transfer to Athens. Upon arrival, we will check-in to our new hotel.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Discover the signature site of Athens, the Acropolis. Led by our Group Leader, we will climb the formidable Acropolis to explore the pinnacle of Greek Antiquity. Home to some of Ancient Athens’ most iconic monuments – the Parthenon, Erechtheon, and temple Athena Nike – the rocky summit was transformed into a manifestation of Greek advancement in culture and the arts. The Acropolis’ focal point is the Parthenon, built to honor the city’s patroness Athena, constructed under Pericles’ rule and completed in 432 BCE.

Dinner: At the hotel, we will enjoy a plated meal, plus coffee, tea, and water included.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet. Coffee, tea, and water included.

Morning: 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 another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!