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Greece

Jewels of the Aegean: Discover the History of the Greek Islands

Program No. 24908RJ
Board a small ship for an inspiring voyage through the Greek islands, stopping to learn about the history of Santorini, Crete, Karpathos, Delos and more.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Athens
Program Concludes
Athens
Meals
25 ( 9B, 8L, 8D )
Activity Level
The Aegean Sea is a shimmering canvas dotted with historical and cultural gems. From the iconic beauty of Santorini and Crete to the serene, lesser-known wonders of Karpathos and Tinos, you can experience it all on this incredible learning adventure. Your journey begins in Athens where you'll spend enriching days exploring the Byzantine museum's treasures and standing in awe at the Temple of Poseidon. Then, step aboard your comfortable ship for an exploration through centuries of history, uncovering the secrets of the past — from the ancient Bronze Age architecture of Knossos (Europe's oldest city) to the captivating Medieval Old Town of Rhodes and the breathtaking whitewashed villages perched along Santorini's dramatic rim. Throughout your journey, local experts will bring each island's stories to life, painting a vivid picture. Find yourself in this immersive journey into the heart of the Aegean's timeless allure.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Spend two nights in Athens, where you’ll visit the Byzantine and Christian Museum and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore independently.
  • Visit the St. John Monastery and Grotto on Patmos, the place where St. John received visions that were recorded in the Book of Revelation.
  • Stop at the island of Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Eftychia “Effie” Soupourtzi feels lucky and blessed to be a licensed guide/lecturer since 2000 because this has been her dream job ever since she was a child. Back then, she was happy to show the sites and tell stories to friends and family visiting from abroad, today she's twice as happy and excited to meet interesting people, travelers of the world who wish to see, hear and learn about her beautiful country’s history and culture and share with them her passion and insight.
Antonis Zaglakoutis is an Athenian. His studies in Greece and abroad turned traveling into a career. For 40 years, he has been introducing visitors to his homeland as a licensed guide, lecturer, and exploration leader: seeing it always as a fascinating learning experience, doing it always with unspoiled enthusiasm. In parallel, he has also worked on cultural and educational programs and projects in Greece as well as Italy and the Middle East. Antonis is fluent in English, French, and Italian.
Laura Giannola was born in London and has been speaking English almost from day one as her mother is British and her father is Greek. She also speaks fluent German. She grew up on the island of Corfu, where she finished her schooling and then continued onto the National School of Tourist Guides. She has completed courses at the Open University of Greece concerning the Greek Culture, has been accredited by the WFTGA National Trainer of Guides, and enjoys taking archaeological, historical, and photography courses.
Nikos Mastroxristos was born and raised in Rhodes, Greece. He studied in Athens in the History and Archaeology Department of the Faculty of Philosophy. He has a bachelor's degree, a master's, and a Ph.D. in Byzantine archaeology. Nikos worked as an archeologist for about 10 years and has been leading groups in Greece since 2014.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles per day; uneven and inclined terrain including hills, stairs without railings and cobblestone streets. Getting on/off motorcoach and climbing in/out of tender.
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?
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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.

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.

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.

Sustainable Travel

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