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AEGEAN HELLENIC program
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Day 1: ATHENS
Arrival in Athens – assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Balance of day at leisure.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 2: ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning city tour of Athens which will give you the opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a
fascinating city. Your guide will take you to the center : Constitution Square, the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown
Soldier. Then driving down Herod Atticus street you will see the Evzones in their picturesque costume and the Presidential Palace.
On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in
1896) and the Athens of the 2nd century A.D., the temple of Olympian Zeus and the Adrian’s Arch. On the Acropolis visit its museum
and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens : the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion and finally,
the “harmony between matter and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 3: ATHENS - PIRAEUS - MYKONOS
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning transfer to the port of Piraeus and embarkation for the 3-day cruise to the Greek islands and Turkey. At 11h00 sailing
to Myconos, the jewel of the Cyclades. Lunch on board. In the afternoon arrival in Myconos. Time at leisure for shopping and strolling
through the typical white-washed narrow streets of the picturesque town. In the evening sailing to Rhodes.
Dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 4: RHODES
Breakfast on board.
Early morning arrival in Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese islands.
Time at leisure or optional excursion to Lindos and the
Medieval town (drive along the picturesque Eastern coastline, scattered
with white washed villages, to Lindos. The most important
of the three great cities of ancient times is guarded by Medieval walls
constructed by the Knights of Saint John in the 13th century.
Within, stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos on the brink of a
precipice 400 feet above the sea. From the Acropolis there are
breathtaking views to the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and
Saint Paul’s Bay where the apostle cast anchor during his historic
voyage to Ephesus. You will proceed on foot uphill to the
Great Staircase leading from the Hellenistic portico to the temple of Athena.
Return to Rhodes city. Enjoy a stroll through the
Medieval town and view the Palace of the Grand Master, the Medieval houses and
the
Hospital of the Knights of Saint John
housing now the archeological museum. In the evening sailing to Patmos.
Lunch / dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 5: PATMOS - KUSADASI
Breakfast on board. In the morning arrival in Patmos.
This serene island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of Saint John the Divine, written here during his exile from the
Roman Empire. The cave where he is said to have lived is now the site of the monastery of the Apocalypse founded in the 11th
century by the abbot Christodoulos. It houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury. At noon sailing to Kusadasi (Turkey).
Lunch on board. In the afternoon arrival in Kusadasi. This seaside resort has undergone vigorous development in recent years and
is an excellent place to shop for Turkish goods. The optional to nearby Ephesus is not to be missed, for here the history truly comes
to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass such
architectural masterpieces as the Magnesian Gate and the Library of Celsus before arriving at the great amphitheater where
Saint Paul was arrested and cast out of the city. In the evening sailing to Piraeus.
Dinner and overnight on board.
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Day 6: PIRAEUS - ATHENS
Early morning arrival in Piraeus.
After breakfast disembarkation and transfer to the hotel. Balance of day at leisure.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 7: ATHENS - DELPHI
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, past the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of Oedipus – Levadia
and Arachova (famous for its colorful rugs and carpets). Arrive at Delphi, the center of the Ancient World – the “Omphalos” (navel)
of the Earth – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a
landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the various Treasure houses
and votive offered by ancient cities, the Castalian Spring and of course the museum which contains the sculpture of the Athlete
Agias
and the famous bronze “charioteer”. Return to Athens.
Overnight in Athens.
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Day 8: ATHENS
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.
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For details and prices, please contact us by email: info @ argonautravel.gr
and let us know of the number of participants as well as your requested dates
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