Athens to Venice: Exploring Greece and the Dalmatian Coast

Detailed Itinerary

Saturday, September 21, 2013 - DEPART HOME

Sunday, September 22 - ATHENS, Greece | EMBARK
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the port of Piraeus to embark Aegean Odyssey. Overnight aboard ship for twelve nights. (D)

Monday, September 23 - ATHENS
AM excursion into the heart of ancient Athens: the Acropolis with its sweeping views of the modern city, and the nearby, 226,000-square foot Acropolis Museum (pending special permission for a Monday visit). PM free to return to the ship or explore Athens independently. Aegean Odyssey departs Piraeus this evening. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, September 24 - NAUPLIA | MYCENAE | NAUPLIA
AM arrival at the picturesque port of Nauplia for an excursion to the imposing Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae and nearby Treasury of Atreus, a huge tholos tomb. Upon returning to Nauplia, either spend the PM relaxing and exploring on your own, or take an optional excursion (additional cost) to the ancient site of Epidaurus, a vast UNESCO World Heritage site whose jewel is the 14,000-seat Greek theater. Aegean Odyssey departs late tonight. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, September 25 - MONEMVASIA
AM arrival at Monemvasia, a massive rock rising from the sea and joined to the mainland by a causeway built in the 6^th century, nicknamed “the Gibraltar of Greece.” Take a walking tour of the lower town, which includes the 13^th-century Christós Elkómenos cathedral, with its Venetian belfry. Those who feel energetic can also climb the path to the upper town to see the 13^th-century church of Agía Sofia, a rare example of a domed octagonal church with original wall paintings. Aegean Odyssey departs in the early PM. (B,L,D)

Thursday, September 26 - KATAKOLON | OLYMPIA | ITHACA
AM excursion from the small fishing village of Katakolon to ancient Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. Admire at this sprawling site the remains of the imposing Temple of Zeus, which once housed a gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus that was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; and the famous Stadium, the largest of its day that could accommodate 45,000 spectators. Also visit the site’s excellent museum before returning to the ship. Aegean Odyssey sets off in the early PM to cruise the Ionian Islands en route to Ithaca. Arrive this evening in Vathy, Ithaca, for time at leisure. Aegean Odyssey departs late tonight. (B,L,D)

Friday, September 27 - CORFU | SARANDE, Albania | BUTRINT
AM sightseeing starts in Corfu Town with a visit to the Old Fortress. Atop the remains of a Byzantine castle the fort was built over four centuries, first by the Venetians and then by the British, who erected the fort’s church of St. George. Stroll along the Venetian-built Esplanade and discover Old Town’s narrow stepped streets, Georgian mansions, and 16^th-century Agios Spyridon church. At lunchtime, Aegean Odyssey departs for Albania. Early this PM, walk along the winding paths of the archaeological site of Butrint to discover layers of civilization, including a visit to the site museum. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint was successively the site of a 6^th-century Greek colony, a Roman city, and a bishopric. It prospered under Byzantine administration, and was occupied in the 14^th century by the Venetians and later by the French. Today the approximately 50-square-mile site is a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. (B,L,D)

Saturday, September 28 - CRUISING KOTOR BAY | DUBROVNIK, Croatia
AM cruising the scenic fjord of Kotor Bay, Montenegro, and arrive in Dubrovnik, Croatia, this evening for time at leisure. Overnight in port at Dubrovnik. (B,L,D)

Sunday, September 29 - DUBROVNIK
AM walking tour of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved medieval walled city in the Mediterranean. Our walk in the Old Town takes us along the city’s main street to the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, the latter home to Europe’s oldest pharmacy (founded in 1318 and still in existence), and past such landmarks as the Sponza Palace, Baroque Church of St. Blaise, Onofriou’s Fountain, and Cathedral of Our Lady. PM free to relax and explore on your own. Aegean Odyssey sets sail this evening. (B,L,D)

Monday, September 30 - SPLIT
AM arrival in Split for a half day excursion to Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, the palace complex is a vibrant warren of museums, shops, and restaurants alongside medieval fortifications, pre-Romanesque churches, and Gothic chapels. After the tour, you will have time at leisure to explore independently. PM optional tour (additional cost) to the delightful nearby island of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with architectural jewels that include weathered Romanesque churches and outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period. Aegean Odyssey sets sail late tonight. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, October 1 - ZADAR | CRUISING THE KORNATI ISLANDS|
AM arrival for a half day walking tour of Zadar, a town that has changed hands frequently since the first Neolithic settlement was established here. As a result, Zadar’s magnificent Old Town contains a wealth of monuments such as the 1^st-century Roman Forum, now the site of several of Zadar’s most beautiful churches. Our tour includes the 12^th/13^th-century Cathedral of St. Anastasia, Croatia’s largest church and a superb example of Romanesque architecture; the 9^th-century Church of St. Donatus, a Byzantine masterpiece; and the Church of St. Mary and its adjacent convent, the latter home to the Museum of Sacred Art. PM cruising amid the breathtaking beauty of the Kornati Islands. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, October 2 - VENICE, Italy
Arrive in Venice and set out on an AM excursion that begins with a boat ride down the beautiful Giudecca Canal to St. Mark’s Square and Venice’s bustling stone boardwalk. Walk to St. Mark’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and to the 14^th-century Gothic Doge’s Palace. Afterward, enjoy free time around St. Mark’s Square. This evening, we will be treated to a private tour of remarkable St. Mark’s Basilica and the breathtaking sight of its famous mosaics illuminated in a spectacular light show. Overnight in port. (B,L,D)

Thursday, October 3 - VENICE
Today is at leisure, to relax and explore Venice independently, or you might join an optional excursion (additional cost): a half-day guided walking tour from the pier to such highlights as the 16^th-century Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the massive Chiesa di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, a church originally built by Franciscan friars in the 13^th century and replaced in the 15^th century. Overnight in port. (B,L,D)

Friday, October 4 - VENICE | DISEMBARK | HOME
Transfer to the airport this morning for flights homeward. (B)

If you have any additional questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884).