Greece Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Athens
Our representative will be waiting just outside of customs to show you to your transfer from the airport to your hotel. Evening to relax and walk around the Plaka area near your hotel. Highlights of the Plaka include a visit to Brettos, Athens' oldest distillary, on the corner of Kydatheneon and Adrianou streets. The shop is full of colorful bottles. It's a great place to begin the evening and sample his ouzo, raki, brandy, retsina and other tasty intoxicants. Greece is also a great place to shop for gifts and jewelry. We recommend a shop called Old Orient in the Plaka at 73 Pandrossou for its kind and honest owners, wonderful pieces and great service.
Day 2: Athens
After a leisurely morning your guide will meet you at your hotel this
afternoon for a half day tour of the National Archaeological museum.
Its impressive collection is housed in a beautiful neo-classical building.
It is the most important archaeological museums in Greece and one of
the richest for ancient Greek art in the world. Its collections are
representative of all the cultures that flourished in Greece.This museum
contains the fabled Mask of Agamemnon and Cup of Nestor found by Heinrich
Schliemann at Mycenae. Also of interest are pre-historic figurines
from the Cycladic people which eerily resemble modern art, and gorgeous
frescoes from the Palace of Knossos on Crete. Another curiosity is
the The Antikythera mechanism, an ancient mechanical analog computer
(as opposed to most computers today which are digital computers) designed
to calculate astronomical positions. It was discovered in the Antikythera
wreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete,
and has been dated to about 150-100 BC.
Day 3: Athens
This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a half day walking tour of Athens' most important historical sights. He or she will lead you through Greek history. Your questions and the dialogue you create enhance the visit. You will see some hidden gems along with the better known sights including the Acropolis and Agora. After the tour try Cartolina Tours recommended lunch spot (and one our guides' favorites!) Taverna Psaras. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 4: Corinth and Nafplion
After a big breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to pick up your rental car. This saves you from having to navigate the insane Athens traffic! Head out toward Corinth. Stop to see the ships slipping through the impressive Corinth Canal that cuts across the isthmus, then head straight for ancient Corinth, in the hamlet of Archaia Korinthos (Old Corinth), bypassing the modern city altogether. The most conspicuous -- and the most handsome -- surviving building at ancient Corinth is clearly the 6th-century-B.C. Temple of Apollo, which stands on a low hill overlooking the extensive remains of the Roman Agora (the Roman forum, or marketplace). Only seven of the temple's 38 monolithic Doric columns are standing, the others having long since been toppled by earthquakes.
Day 5: Day trip to Mycenae and Tyrins
From Nafplion, take the road out of town toward Argos. When you reach the Corinth-Argos highway, turn right and then, after about 16km (10 miles), turn right again at the sign for Mycenae. On your way back to Nafplion stop at The Archaeological Site of Tiryns: open in summer, daily from 8am to 7pm; in winter, Monday through Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Admission is 2€ ($2.60). Tiryns is 5km (3 miles) outside Nafplion on the Argos road. Both cities boast massive fortifications and Homeric histories. This evening meet our sommelier colleague and learn about Greek wines and Ouzos from one of Greece's most knowlegeable oeneologists. His family has been making Ouzo for hundreds of years. Enjoy a tasting and snacks in one of the best wine shops in the Peloponnese.
Day 6: Nafplion, day trip to Epidauros
Today drive to nearby Epidauros, the sanctuary of Asklepios, the god of medicine. Epidauros is known for its ancient theater which is still in use. 32km (20 miles) E of Nafplion. The Theater of Epidaurus is one of the most impressive sights in Greece. Probably built in the 4th century, possibly by Polykleitos, the architect of the Tholos, this theater seated -- and still seats -- some 14,000 spectators. Unlike so many ancient buildings, including almost everything at the Sanctuary of Asklepios, the theater was not pillaged for building blocks in antiquity. As a result, it is astonishingly well preserved; restorations have been both minimal and tactful. This evening enjoy a stroll along the waterfront in Nafplion.
Day 7: Nafplion
Final day to take in this wonderful city. Climb to the top of the Venetian Citadel (we recommend driving up to the base). The views are outstanding. This afternoon head to the nearby beach and take a swim in the clear blue waters of the Aegean.
Day 8: Santorini
This morning head back to Athens airport and drop your rental car. Afternoon flight to Santorini. Driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your breathtaking caldera view hotel.This is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular islands in the world. The streets of Fira and Ia are carved into the face of a high cliff, overlooking the circular caldera left by an ancient volcanic eruption and now filled with the deep-blue waters of the Aegean. The site of Akrotiri offers a unique glimpse into life in a Minoan city, frozen in time by the eruption 3,600 years ago. This afternoon relax by the pool or stroll the streets and shop.
Day 9: Santorini
Today, 1/2 day guided city tour of Santorini. With your guide, you'll visit Ancient Thira and the Museum of Pre-Historic Thira.
Day 10: Santorini
If the ancient site of Akrotiri has re-opened -- it's a must-see. We'll arrange for a tour. If it's closed, spend the day at one Santorini's fine beach clubs.
Day 11: Depart Santorini
Today a transfer will take you to the airport or ferry port for departure on your journey home or to your next destination.