Exploring Greece: departs September 15, 2016
WGN Radio and Andrea Darlas present a 10-day private group journey to Greece with highlights including Athens, Parthenon, National Archaeological Museum, Plaka, Delphi, Archaeological Museum, Olympia, Nafplio, Bassae and Kyllini.
Departure:
Chicago: $3,989.00 per person* (includes all departure & government taxes.) *Single supplement is additional $550.
Package Includes:
Air: Round-trip air from Chicago on United Airlines
Accommodations:
Athens – 3 nights, 5-Star Hotel Royal Olympic
Kylini – 2 nights, 5-Star Olympia Golden Beach Resort
Nafplio – 2 nights, 5-Star Hotel Amalia
Athens – 1 nights, 5-Star Hotel Royal Olympic
Other Inclusions:
English-speaking Tour Director for duration of tour
Continental buffet breakfast daily, except the day of arrival
Six 3-course dinners including: Welcome and farewell dinners in local restaurants in Athens and an Athens by night tour followed by dinner in a local restaurant
Luxury motorcoach with services of professional driver
Half-day Athens sightseeing tour with English-speaking guide and entrance fees to Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
Half-day Athens tour with English-speaking guide and entrance fees to National Archaeological Museum
Entrance fees to Delphi, Olympia, Bassae, Mycene, Epidaurus and Corinth
Portfolio of documents
Porterage of one suitcase per person
24-hour emergency assistance while in Europe
Optional Independent Extension to Santorini
$949.00 per person sharing
Santorini – 3 nights, 4-Star El Greco with breakfast daily
Transfer to Athens Piraeus port
Ferry ticket Piraeus-Santorini in economy class numbered seat
Arrival and departure transfers in Santorini
Air ticket from Santorini to Athens on day of departure, including taxes
Click here for the reservation form
For more information contact: Steve Bertrand at 847-606-6065 or steve@stevebertrandtravel.com
Please book early as space is subject to availability.
*Terms and Conditions: This is a Private Group Journey based on a minimum of 30 participants to operate. Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Departure taxes and fuel surcharges are included. Single supplement is additional $550. Air inclusive rates are subject to availability and are based on departure from Chicago on United Airlines. Not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Child/infant discounts not available. Above mentioned hotels are subject to change. Cancellations/Changes: Fares are non-refundable. For a full list of terms and conditions, please visit http://journeysconnect.com/about-1/group-terms-and-conditions
Itinerary (subject to change):
DAY 1 – USA/ATHENS: Depart from Chicago on your overnight flight to Athens, Greece.
DAY 2 – ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE: Upon arrival at Athens airport, you will be met by your Tour Director and shortly afterwards will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. Hotel Name: Hotel Electra. (D)
DAY 3 – ATHENS: Today you will be met by your English-speaking guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens. See the complex of monuments that most symbolize Athens – the Acropolis. The highlight of your tour to the Acropolis will be the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world, which was dedicated to the Goddess Athena and conceived in 447BC. Visit the Acropolis Museum, which exhibits sculptures and reliefs that have been recovered from the site. This afternoon is at leisure. Hotel Name: Hotel Electra. (B)
DAY 4 – ATHENS: This morning you will be met by your English-speaking guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens. Spend time exploring the renowned National Archaeological Museum, one of the richest and most important museums in the world with its formidable collection of unique exhibits such as sculpture, pottery and jewelry. Afterwards you will enjoy a walk through the ancient district of Plaka, one of the most picturesque and interesting parts of the city. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy Athens by night, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. Hotel Name: Hotel Electra. (B/D)
DAY 5 – ATHENS – DELPHI – KYLLINI: Leave Athens this morning and drive through rugged mountain scenery along the shores of the Gulf of Corinth, arriving at the sacred religious center of Delphi, dramatically positioned on terraces against the backdrop of Mount Parnassus. Explore this extensive and fascinating archaeological site, visiting such masterpieces as the great Temple of Apollo, home of the famous oracle, the sturdy Temple of the Athenians and the extensive Ancient Theater. Visit also the archaeological museum, a treasure trove of artifacts and boasting the Charioteer of Delphi, one of the most beautiful Greek statues from the 5th century BC. After time at leisure for lunch, you will be driven over the sweeping new bridge that connects the Peloponnese to the mainland and, passing olive groves and citrus plantations, arrive in the early evening. Enjoy dinner this evening. Hotel Name: Olympia Golden Beach Resort. (B/D)
DAY 6 – KYLLINI – OLYMPIA – KYLLINI: The beautiful setting of Olympia, in a grove of trees below the wooded slopes of Mount Kronion, adds a timeless quality to the remains of this most famous of ancient sites. Started in the 8th century BC and held every four years at the late-summer full moon, the Games reached the height of popularity in the 5th century BC when competitors from the farthest colonies came to take part, hostilities amongst warring factions ceased for the duration and the athletics were complemented by great fairs and festivities. Today your guide brings back to life the excitement and atmosphere of the Games as you visit the remains of the enormous Temples of Zeus, the Palaestra training center and the stadium itself with its 630-ft running course and surviving vaulted entrance. Hotel Name: Olympia Golden Beach Resort. (B)
DAY 7 – KYLLINI – BASSAE – NAFPLIO: A full day of driving today takes you through the lovely countryside, rich in agricultural produce, to the delightful town of Nafplio, situated on a rocky peninsula projecting into the calm waters of the Argloic Gulf. You will stop at Bassae where you will visit the Temple of Apollo, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival into Nafplio, check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner this evening. Hotel Name: Hotel Amalia. (B/D)
DAY 8 – NAFPLIO – EPIDAURUS – NAFPLIO: This morning is at leisure to enjoy the fine facilities of the hotel or perhaps walk through the charming old town of Nafplio, with its mixture of ancient Greek and Venetian influences. Visit the Folklore Museum, displaying costumes, housewares and more from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. This afternoon, drive to the nearby archaeological site of Epidaurus to admire the magnificent 4th century theater whose elegance, perfection of design and harmonious proportions made it the most famous in the Ancient World. Today the theater is beautifully preserved and refrains the astonishing acoustics that enabled actors to be heard without difficulty by all of the 14,000 spectators. The theater was the showpiece of a fine sanctuary dedicated to Aesculapius, god of medicine. There will be time to enjoy the delightful setting of the site before returning to your hotel. Enjoy dinner this evening. Hotel Name: Hotel Amalia. (B/D)
DAY 9 – NAFPLION – MYCENAE – CORINTH – ATHENS: Drive to Mycenae, the city “rich in gold” as described by Homer, dating from the second millennium BC and which, under the tyrannical rule of its warrior kings, gave birth to the important Mycenaen civilization. Visit the site hewn from a rocky hill and ringed by barren mountains, with its proud Lion Gate and Royal Tombs whose majestic “beehive” funerary chambers were filled with treasures. You may like to take lunch beside the extraordinary Corinth Canal, spectacularly hewn out of the rock and just wide enough for ships to pass and afterwards, enjoy a visit of the impressive remains of the acropolis of “wealthy Corinth”, testimony to the importance of the town as a trading center in ancient times. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. Hotel Name: Hotel Electra. (B/D)
DAY 10 – DEPART ATHENS FOR USA: This morning you will be transferred with English-speaking assistance from your hotel to Athens’ airport for your departure flight. (B)
Click here for the reservation form
For more information contact: Steve Bertrand at 847-606-6065 or steve@stevebertrandtravel.com
Please book early as space is subject to availability