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Sunlit, colorful buildings of a coastal town in Greece are nestled against the bright blue sea with arid hills in the distance.
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Greece/Turkey

The Greek Isles & Ephesus — A Small Ship Voyage

Program No. 25368RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Athens
Program Concludes
Athens
Meals
25 ( 9B, 8L, 8D )
Activity Level
From
6,999
Free Airfare From Select Cities
Uncover the wonders of ancient Greece and Turkey on this exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage. Beginning in Athens, climb the iconic Acropolis with an expert, standing where ancient philosophers once walked. Then, set sail to explore the hidden treasures of the Greek Islands. On Naxos, savor Kitron, a rare liqueur made from the island’s citron trees. On Milos, explore a Roman amphitheater with sweeping Aegean views. Experience Ephesus, the jewel of Greek-Roman cities and walk the same streets as Cleopatra and Mark Antony. From Santorini’s volcanic landscapes to the healing grounds of the Asclepieion on Kos, uncover local traditions and ancient wonders that bring Greece’s storied past to life. Throughout your voyage, enjoy access to onboard instructors and get to know other Road Scholars who love learning as much as you do!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Enjoy exclusive access to experts who will be with you throughout your journey and learn from them as you take in onboard lectures and educational activities.
  • Ascend the legendary Acropolis with a local expert and uncover the stories behind its iconic ruins as you explore this enduring symbol of Athens and Western civilization.
  • Discover the grandeur of Ephesus, where towering columns, ancient mosaics and one of the largest Roman theaters in the world tell stories of a once-thriving city at the heart of trade and culture.
  • Venture to lesser-traveled islands like Naxos and Milos to experience authentic Greek island life, from timeless traditions to local flavors.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Georgia is a Greek licensed tourist guide in English and Turkish. She holds a Diploma in Tourist Guiding, a Certificate in Museum Education, a BA in Cultural Studies and an MEd in Adult Education with a specialization in Adult Education for Museums and Archaeological Sites. She has been guiding in Greece since 1981 and strongly believes that learning through travel can be both fun and rewarding.
Evi Karachaliou graduated from the University of Crete with a degree in tourism. She then continued her education to become a licensed Greek guide. For the last nine years, she has worked with many groups from the United States exploring on small cruise ships and buses. She is passionate about her work and strives for the groups she leads to leave Greece with unique experiences and memories.
Ioanna Christoforaki, born and raised on the island of Rhodes, has lived in Athens for the past 20 years. She studied history and archaeology at the University of Athens and holds a Master’s degree and a Doctorate from the University of Oxford. She has worked at the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Open University, and the Academy of Athens. Her research interests focus on the visual and material culture of the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages and cultural interchanges among its people.
Elsa Savva was born in Monte Carlo, Monaco. She moved to Athens for high school, graduated from the School of Guides, and later studied art history at the Sorbonne in Paris and the Chelsea School of Art in London. She currently works as an official guide in Greece and as a group exploration manager around the world.
Myrto Siori has been working as an exploration leader for English speaking guests coming from different parts of the world for the past 42 years. In addition to Road Scholar, she has worked for TWA Gateway Vacations, Vantage, Viking, Noble Caledonia, and more. Her passion is to introduce visitors to a country's culture, way of life, food, customs, and traditions which she hopes to share with you.
Androniki Stavroulaki, Niki for short, lives in Crete, the largest Greek island. She did her university studies in Corfu and Luxembourg, where she worked as a translator for the European Union. Usually juggling between linguistics and leading groups, Niki currently focuses on the latter. She is passionate about her job, languages, traveling the world, and sunsets.
Spiros Tsampikakis comes from the island of Rhodes. He has been a professional photographer for more than 15 years. Spiros started off as a photojournalist, working offshore in combat zones and as a stringer for organizations such as Reuters, the Associated Press, Seven, and more before pivoting into commercial photography. Portraits, documentaries, fashion, advertising and weddings have all been part of his business.
Dr. Samuel Gartland is an associate professor in ancient Greek history and culture at the University of Leeds. He specializes in the history and archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean, exploring how landscapes, societies, and cultures interacted across the Greek world and beyond. An award-winning university teacher, he enjoys bringing the ancient world to life for specialist and public audiences alike.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles per day over various types of terrain; walking up stairs unassisted, getting in and out of motor coaches. Please note: the ship does not have an elevator and is not suitable for wheelchair or electric scooter use.
Floating Campus®
On our Road Scholar Floating Campuses, we’ll have the entire ship to ourselves and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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