A Taste Of Athens
"A perfect introduction to the oldest and most historical neighborhood of Athens, begin this evening with an escorted walking tour of Plaka. Built around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, the district of Plaka is known as the neighborhood of the gods, referring not only to the numerous Archaeological sites, but also to the ancient gods of Greece and their passion for entertainment, drinking wine and dancing. While making your way through the labyrinth of small streets lined with souvenir shops selling leather, jewelry, replicas of archaelogical findings, also notice the neoclassical architecture. See the old houses, once mansions, with their red roof tiles, the Lysikrates Momument opposite Hadrians Arch and as you proceed along the main pedestrian street within Plaka called Andrianou Street, you will pass by the Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, the Bath house of the Winds, finally making your way towards the Greek taverna for dinner and entertainment. Our typical Greek menu begins with various starters to introduce you to the local food including cheese pies, spinach pies, village sausage, stuffed vine leaves and meatballs along with the famous tzatziki dip made of yogurt and garlic, a full greek salad and bread. The main course is a pork or chicken "souvlaki" served with oven potatoes and dessert is walnut cake with a scoop of ice-cream. Red and white local barrel wine is served to accompany this meal.
Approximate value: €45 EUR per person

Acropolis Museum
"Today you have the opportunity to be taken on a guided tour of the newly built and internationally renowned Acropolis museum. Constructed in 2007 and designed by a Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi in co-operation with a Greek architect Michalis Fotiadis, the museum covers 25,000 sq. meters with 14,000 sq. meters of exhibition space. This was a long awaited vision of the Athenians to successfully support, conserve, safely house, and display the thousands of artifacts currently associated with the Acropolis and ancient Athens. Free time is allowed for walking or shopping in the Plaka district of Athens before entering the museum. The museum itself, suspended on pillars, is built above a large urban settlement which can be seen by looking down while walking around the exhibition as the floor surface is made of glass. The main attraction of the museum is the Parthenon Gallery. Found on the third floor, you can see what remains in Greece of the Parthenon marbles and fully understand the size and structure of the Acropolis. The gallery also constructed of glass, provides spectacular views of the Acropolis.
Approximate value: €30 EUR per person

Aegean Cruise
"An early departure from the hotel with your Tour Director at approximately 7.15am, and drive to the designated port for embarkation on today's cruise of the Saronic Gulf. Departing at 8.00 am, begin sailing towards the island of Hydra, located approximately 37 nautical miles from the southern mainland. You will notice that donkeys are used for transportation on this small island as cars, by law, are prohibited. On Hydra you will stay approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes allowing for a walk around the shops along the quay or a swim in the Aegean Sea. Departing Hydra, en-route to the island of Poros, a Greek style buffet lunch is served with many of the local traditional foods including Greek salad, stuffed vine leaves, fish roe salad, beans, beetroot, tzatziki, local cheeses, and main courses with fish, beef, pork, chicken or vegetables are served. The island of Poros, 31 nautical miles from Piraeus and with only a 200 meter wide stretch of sea separating it from the town of Galatas on the mainland, is a popular weekend destination for Athenian travelers. The cruise remains on Poros for approximately 1 hour before departing for your final destination, the island of Aegina. The island of Aegina with a population of 13,550 is the largest of the 3 islands visited today. The ship remains at the port for approximately 2 hours allowing time for shopping, swimming or sightseeing. Even though an extinct volcano substitutes for 2/3's of the island, Aegina is well known for cultivating pistachio nuts and exporting worldwide. Estimated time of return to the port after todays cruise is approximately 19.30.
Approximate value: €88 EUR per person

By Night
"Escorted by your Tour Director, depart from your hotel and make your way along the harbour front until you reach the port of the Caique boats. Here you will be welcomed on-board by the Captain and taken to the island of Bourtzi which is located approximately 450m from shore. You will have time to explore the Bourtzi Fortress, built to provide protection to the town of Nafplio mainly against pirates. After the Greek War of Independence of 1821, where the fortress was active in defending the town against the Turks, the next few unsettled decades saw the fortress occasionally housing government officials in need of a secure and protected enviroment. In 1865 the fortress became the permanent residence for the town's executioners, and finally from 1930 - 1970 The Bourtzi Fortress was used as a Hotel. After approximately 30 minutes to explore the small island of Bourtzi, return to the port with the local Caique and after a short 5 minute walk to a nearby Taverna, you can enjoy a traditional 3 course meal listening to the bouzouki player entertain with traditional Greek tunes. The meal starts with "Gemista" which is an oven baked tomato, stuffed with rice, onion, garlic, and a combination of herbs. For the main course you can choose between oven baked lamb on the bone or chicken breasts served with potatoes cooked with olive oil and oregano, accompanied by a traditional greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, feta cheese and olives. Finally for desert a traditional baked semolina dish called "Ravani" is served with ice cream. You will also enjoy the local red or white barrel wine or soft drinks. After your meal allow for some free time to leisurely walk amongst the narrow "Venetian" streets enjoying the tall houses, decorative squares and colourful shops. Estimated time of return to your hotel is approximately 22.00.
Approximate value: €30 EUR per person

Olympia Archeological Site
The tour today begins with your tour director escorting your group from the hotel to the Archaeological site of Olympia where you will meet your local Greek guide at the entrance to the site. Considered today as being one of the most interesting and educational sites you will find throughout the Peloponnese, Olympia is mostly famous for being the venue of the Ancient Olympic Games and home to the Olympic flame. Today you will see the remains of a gymnasium, ancient temples, the stadium, housing structures, and just outside the site, the archaeological museum hosting findings from the ancient site and from other excavations in the surrounding areas with well labeled exhibits including the famous statue of Hermes of Praxiteles and Nike Paionios. The games held in Olympia, were actual athletic events with a religious element as they were dedicated to the god Zeus. The Temple of Zeus, located close to the stadium, was built in the 5th century BC by a local architect and made of limestone and marble. Historical records narrate that a giant statue of Zeus was found inside the temple made of ivory and gold. The site of Olympia also houses one of the oldest temples in Greece, The Temple of Hera. This was constructed in the 7th century BC and is the alter where the Olympic Flame is lit for today's modern Olympic games. As did the ancient Olympians, you can enter the Stadium through the archway and run on the ancient track stretching just over 200 meters.
Approximate value: €23 EUR per person

Delphi Archeological Site
"The sightseeing tour today begins with your Tour Director escorting you to the entrance of the Archaelogical site of Delphi where you will meet and continue with a local guide. Located on top of a hill overlooking a valley blanketed with olive trees, Delphi is among the most popular ancient sites in Greece. During the 8th century B.C. Delphi became internationally known as the "naval" or center of the earth, considered to be the holiest of all holy sites. The reason being the powers of Pythia, the priestess and Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle could supposedly tell the future. Sitting on a tripod inhaling ethylene gases in a state of hypnotic trance and muttering words incomprehensible to mere mortals, holy priests were needed to interpret her visions into a common language and deliver the prophecy to whoever was requesting it. For this reason no major decision was made without consulting the Oracle of Delphi first. While visiting Delphi you will see the Temple of Apollo which housed the oracle, the various treasuries holding the offerings made to the god Apollo and the Oracle, the stoa of the Athenians where trophies were displayed from their sea battles, the ancient theatre, the grand alter, the "Naval of the Earth" stone, the marketplace, statues, ceramics and many artifacts from excavations at Delphi. You will also have time to visit the archaelogical museum close to the site and finally, walking downhill, to see the Sanctuary of Athena Pronea consisting of several altars, temples, two treasuries and the Tholos, a round construction rather unusual for the ancient Greek architecture.
Approximate value: €23 EUR per person