Classical Greece & Islands of the Aegean

Day 1 UK - Athens Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Athens. On arrival, you are met by Voyages to Antiquity representatives and transferred to your hotel. Day 2 Athens Athens has been influenced by many, and has itself influenced the world. Choose to visit to the Acropolis, the 5th century BC site dominated by the Parthenon; or visit Illissia Mansion, home to the Byzantine and Christian Museum which holds the world’s largest collection of icons, and then the Byzantine Monastery of Kaisariani with its fine frescoes and elegant gardens. Day 3 Athens - Delphi We drive to Osios Loukas, a World Heritage-listed Byzantine monastery, en route to Delphi. Rooted deep in ancient Greek myths, a sanctuary to Apollo was created here and, between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the Delphic Oracle sat within it, channelling the god’s wisdom. It was also the site of the Pythian Games, the second most important after the Olympics. We stay at a hotel in Delphi tonight. Day 4 Delphi - Nauplia Mycenae was one of the greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilisation. Hear stories of great Greek victories and tragedies on a tour of a town that rivalled Troy, before we continue to Nauplia, where we stay tonight. Day 5 Epidaurus - Piraeus We visit Epidaurus, known throughout the Hellenic world for its unique medical facilities. Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, with the exception of the theatre. We continue to Piraeus to embark Aegean Odyssey (4T). Day 6 Santorini Enjoy the wonderful scenes and visit the picturesque villages of Santorini, including Oia, a village famed for its whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches. Then choose from Akrotiri, an archaeological site that reveals an amazingly well-preserved city of houses, streets, squares and workshops, or Argyros Winery. Ship to shore tender service. Day 7 Heraklion We spend the morning at the magnificent Palace of Knossos, with its flamboyant decoration, courts, audience chambers and residential areas is an impressive and inspiring site. The guided tour will take you through this legend-rich, entrancing complex that sprawled across five acres, where everything from the throne room to royal living quarters is reconstructed with meticulous care. On our return to Heraklion, we will visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilisation of Crete. An optional afternoon tour to explore Cretan village life is also available. Day 8 Agios Nikolaos A day at leisure to enjoy the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos. Day 9 Karpathos Enjoy the dramatic scenery and wild mountains in Karpathos, a craggy island that has largely escaped commercialisation. Karpathos has many customs practised nowhere else in Greece, and women can still be seen wearing the island’s traditional, colourful clothes. It is believed that Prometheus and his Titans were born here. Day 10 Rhodes Leave behind the port where the Colossus once stood and discover a stunning ensemble of Gothic architecture in Rhodes Town. Many structures date to the era of the Knights of St John. Visit the restored Grand Master’s Palace which served as a fortress and later, a summer residence of Mussolini. Or you may prefer to take an excursion to the Acropolis at Lindos. At the summit is the Doric Temple of Lindian Athena, an archaeological jewel with views over St Paul’s Bay, where the Apostle is said to have sought shelter. Day 11 Nisyros Discover the treasures of beautiful Nisyros, created according to mythology, during the war between Gods and Giants. The long history has left faint traces of Minoan and Mycenaean cultures, many classical sculptures, Roman baths and byzantine churches, although standing in ruins today. Ship to shore tender service. Day 12 Delos - Mykonos Discover the tiny, deserted isle of Delos, the religious centre of the Cyclades. Some of the richest archaeological treasure troves in Greece await as you leave the sacred harbour on your guided walking tour, including the spectacular Avenue of the Lions and the guardians of the sacred lake where Leto gave birth to the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo. The afternoon is then at leisure in Mykonos, a cosmopolitan island said to have been formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. This charming, whitewashed resort also offers spots of historical interest. Ship to shore tender service. Day 13 Piraeus - Athens - UK We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.