Essential Greece by Land & Sea

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 & 23

HOME ≈ ATHENS, GREECE

Depart home on overnight flights to Athens. Upon arrival, transfer to the Grand Bretagne, a 5-star deluxe hotel in the refined Kolonaki district, just steps from Syntagma Square. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. GRANDE BRETAGNE (R,D)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

ATHENS

Begin the day with a lecture to set the stage for your exploration of ancient Greece, and set out to explore Plaka (Athens’ oldest neighborhood) and the ancient Agora, once the bustling heart of civic life in classical Athens. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Cycladic Art, a remarkable repository of ancient Aegean treasures, or the Byzantine & Christian Museum, which houses some of the most important collections of Byzantine icons, mosaics, and religious artifacts in the world. Dinner is on your own this evening, with many excellent restaurants just steps from the hotel. GRANDE BRETAGNE (B,L)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

ATHENS ≈ DELPHI

Travel to Delphi for a full-day excursion to one of the most important sacred sites of the ancient Greek world. Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Temple of Athena Pronaia, and the site’s theater, then tour the nearby museum, home to the renowned bronze Charioteer and other masterpieces. Return to Athens in the late afternoon. Dinner is on your own this evening. GRANDE BRETAGNE (B,L)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

ATHENS ≈ EMBARKATION

Visit the Acropolis to admire the iconic Parthenon, followed by a visit to the outstanding Acropolis Museum. After an authentic Greek lunch, continue to Piraeus to embark the Emerald Azzurra. In the evening, join the Captain and meet your AIA study leaders for a welcome reception and dinner aboard the mega-yacht. EMERALD AZZURRA (B,L,R,D)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

DELOS ≈ MYKONOS

After a morning lecture, step ashore on the sacred island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and mythological birthplace of twin gods Apollo and Artemis. A guided tour reveals the island’s remarkably preserved temples, homes, and mosaics, offering a vivid picture of life in a once-thriving religious and commercial hub. Enjoy lunch as you cruise to nearby Mykonos. There’s time to swim, relax or explore onshore. EMERALD AZZURRA (B,L,D)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

KUŞADASI, TÜRKIYE

Arrive in Kuşadası and set out for a guided exploration of Ephesus, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean. Walk the marble-paved streets of this ancient Greco-Roman city, passing temples, baths, and homes, and visit the impressive Library of Celsus and the Great Theater. In the afternoon, choose between visiting the Ephesus Museum, showcasing stunning artifacts from the nearby ruins, or enjoying free time in Kuşadası. Return to the ship for dinner on board and an evening sail toward Crete EMERALD AZZURRA (B,L,D)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

HERAKLION, CRETE, GREECE

Spend the morning exploring the ruins of Knossos, the center of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization and legendary home of the labyrinth and the Minotaur. Then visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which houses a superb collection of Minoan art. Celebrate the journey with a farewell reception and dinner on board. EMERALD AZZURRA (B,L,R,D)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

ATHENS ≈ HOME

Disembark in Athens this morning and transfer to Athens International Airport for flights home. Travelers joining the optional post-tour extension to the Peloponnese peninsula will continue on by motorcoach. (B)

OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXTENSION:

PELOPONNESE DISCOVERY

Continue your journey with three nights in Greece’s Peloponnese, a region where layers of history unfold amid striking landscapes. Explore the ruins of Corinth, stand before the legendary citadel of Mycenae, and marvel at the ancient theater of Epidaurus, celebrated for its remarkable acoustics. Balance these encounters with time to unwind in the seaside beauty of Nafplion. Conclude your travels in Athens with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient art.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

CORINTH & NEMEA ≈ NAFPLION

Disembark in Piraeus and travel into the Peloponnese, stopping to explore ancient Corinth and the archaeological site of Nemea before continuing to the port town of Nafplion. Along the way, pause for a leisurely lunch featuring fresh local specialties. In the evening, enjoy time at leisure to experience Nafplion by night, whether strolling through its lamplit squares, dining at a seaside restaurant, or simply soaking in the romantic atmosphere of Greece’s first capital. AMPHITRYON HOTEL (B with main program, L)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

MYCENAE & EPIDAURUS ≈ NAFPLION

Discover the Lion Gate and the monumental beehive tombs of Mycenae, once the seat of Agamemnon and central to Homeric legend. Continue on to Epidaurus to experience the extraordinary acoustics of its 4th-century B.C. theater. Pause midday for lunch and a wine tasting at a local estate, where native grape varieties and time-honored traditions highlight the distinct character of Greek wines. Return to Nafplion in the evening and enjoy free time for dinner at one of its inviting seaside tavernas. AMPHITRYON HOTEL (B,L)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

ATHENS

Return to Athens and check in to the Xenodocheio Milos Hotel, set overlooking Old Parliament Square and within walking distance of the National Gardens. Enjoy free time with lunch at leisure before an optional guided visit to the National Archaeological Museum, which houses masterpieces including the celebrated gold artifacts of Mycenae. Conclude your travels with a festive farewell dinner. XENODOCHEIO MILOS (B,D)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

ATHENS ≈ HOME

Transfer to Athens International Airport for flights home. (B)