Wonders of Greece (10 Days) 

     Your Greece vacation begins at 6:00 PM at the Electra Palace Hotel. Upon your arrival at the Thessaloniki International Airport in Macedonia, a transfer is included to the Electra Palace Hotel, situated in Aristotle Square in the heart of the city. Please join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner overlooking the square and the Thermaic Gulf. (D)

     Called “the Nymph of the Thermaic Gulf” by some, Thessaloniki was founded around 315 BC and named for the sister of Alexander the Great. Begin the first full day of your Greece vacation in the capital city of Macedonia with a walk through the nearby market before continuing on to see some of the city’s most famous monuments and sights, to include the Triumphal Arch of Galerius, the well-known White Tower, the Seven Tower Walls and the Agia Sophia, built in the 7th century and dedicated to the “Holy Wisdom of God.” Discover many facets of Byzantine times in the art and culture showcased at the impressive Museum of Byzantine Culture, which received the prestigious Council of European Museums Prize in 2005. The afternoon is yours to explore further on your own during your Greece vacation. (B,D)

     In the small city of Veria, where the Apostle Paul once preached, there are over 45 barn-like Byzantine-era churches. See both the historic Steps of St. Paul and Barbouta, the old Jewish quarter. Then, continue on to Vergina, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Formerly known as Aigai, it was the seat of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, who was assassinated in 336 BC. Your Greece vacation is enhanced by a visit the Royal Macedonian Tombs that provided invaluable insights into Macedonia’s past when discovered here in 1976. View the stunning gold funerary box that held Philip’s remains, as well as other antiquities considered to be among the greatest treasures in Greece. After lunch, take in the beauty of the Greek countryside on a journey to Kalambaka. (B,L,D)

     Travel to the amazing geological phenomenon of Meteora, whose name literally means “hovering in the air,” today. As incredible as it will seem, these soaring stone towers have been the homes of monks since 985 AD. The earliest monks lived in caves in the rock and eventually 24 monasteries were built atop the towers, accessible only by ladders and baskets raised and lowered by ropes until the 1920s. Legend has it that a traveler about to be hauled aloft in a basket asked a monk if the ropes were ever replaced. “Of course,” replied the monk, “every time one breaks.” Today, six of these miraculous monasteries remain in active use. A visit to two of them reveals the lives of the Greek Orthodox monks and nuns who live there today. Viewing the religious treasures and artifacts they contain, as well as the stunning views seen from their lofty perches, is indeed an inspirational experience during your Greece vacation. (B,L,D)

     Visiting Delphi with an open mind can be an intriguing experience on any Greece vacation. Considered the center of the known world by the ancient Greeks, mystical Delphi is perhaps best known as the home of the oracle of Delphi and its guiding spirit, the god Apollo. In the ancient world, supplicants sought advice from the spirit of Apollo via the oracle… just as some people still do today. See the Sanctuary of Apollo, the home of the priestess who “channeled” the oracle, the Gymnasium and the Castalian Spring, where pilgrims tidied up before consulting the oracle. A visit to the Delphi Museum provides further insights into this fascinating place. The afternoon is free to enjoy the recreational facilities available at your hotel or to join us for an optional trip to the 11th-century Monastery of Osios Loukas to view its beautiful golden mosaics. (B,D)

     As your Greece vacation continues, a drive along the coast of the Gulf of Corinth reveals olive groves and small resort villages en route to the Straits of Corinth and the modern engineering marvel of the new Rio-Antirio Bridge. The renowned Achaia Clauss Winery, where the Imperial cellars hold casqued wine dating from the 1880s – the second-oldest in the world – awaits with a taste of Mavrodaphne, a fortified dessert wine used for communion in Greece’s Orthodox churches. Continue along the Peloponnese to your beach resort and spa for a two-night stay on the shores of the Ionian Sea. (B,L,D)

     While, in antiquity, it was considered to be a sacred site and known as the Sanctuary of Zeus, ancient Olympia is better known today as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Begin your exploration by discovering the history of the Games at the Museum of the Olympics. Experience the wonders of this archeological site with a local guide as you view the Palestra (the training facility for ancient athletes), and the remains of Doric temples, council houses, treasuries and workshops. Although women were not allowed in ancient Olympia at all during the ancient games, it was the venue for the women’s shot put competition during the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. A visit to the treasure-filled Archaeological Museum ensures a memorable day on your Greece vacation. Indulge yourself in the amenities available at your spa resort this afternoon. (B,D)

     Drink in lovely views as you drive inland through scenic mountains this morning. In Kalavryta, pay a poignant visit the Municipal Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavryta before returning to the coast for a journey along the beautiful Straits of Corinth. View the impressive Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893, that cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea, before continuing on to Athens for a two-night stay. (B)

     The Athens of antiquity and the Athens of today are an intriguing contrast on every Greece vacation. Begin in modern Athens with Constitution Square, the Presidential Palace and Embassy Row before experiencing the blending of old and new at Panathenaic Stadium. Originally built in 330 BC and remade in marble in 140 AD, it was refurbished for the first Olympic Games of the modern age in 1876 and served as the venue for the archery competition at the 2004 Athens Games. Then, encounter ancient Athens at the Acropolis and the Parthenon during a walking tour. Have lunch on your own in the famous Pláka before exploring the many treasures exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Please join us tonight for a gala farewell cocktail party and dinner. (B,D)

     Your journey ends in Athens. As your Greece vacation ends, transfers from the King George Palace Hotel to Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport are included. Please allow at least 2 hours for check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. (B)