Greece Tour, 9 days
Itinerary Day 1 Athens Day 2 Athens Day 3 Athens - Osios Loukas - Delphi Day 4 Delphi- Olympia Day 5 Olympia Day 6 Olympia - Megalopolis - Messene - Kalamata - Mystras (Sparta) Day 7 Mystras - Mykene - Nafplion Day 8 Nafplion Day 9 Nafplion Epidaurus - Corinth Canal - Athens
Day by day Djoser trips do not have rigid daily schedules. The travel days are set and the tour leader will have a suggested plan daily. You are welcome to join the group or explore on your own. The tour leader can make suggestions for you. * NOTE TO FACULTY MEMBERS PLANNING A CUSTOM UNIVERSITY STUDY TOUR: If you are planning a study tour for a private group, use this description as your daily guideline. We can build in scheduled activities that highlight you area of study. Day 1 - Athens Day 2 Athens Day 3 Athens - Osios Loukas - Delphi We start in the capital and the largest city of Greece, Athens. Greek history and culture combined with a lively nightlife, a traditional cuisine and a pleasant temperature will make an unforgettable impression on you.the Acropolis is obviously one of the most famous monuments of Greece and is a symbol of Athens. Acropolis in Greek means literally the highest point of the city, so you also have a beautiful view of Athens. On the Acropolis are several temples dedicated to different Greek gods. The most famous temple, the Parthenon, was built to honor the goddess Athena, its namesake and patron of the city. You should not miss this monument, if you are visiting Greece. With a walk of about 15 minutes you make your way to the National Archaeological Museum. Here you'll find the statue of Poseidon, made at the beginning of the classical period. Not far from the museum are the busy shopping streets of the modern city center. After visiting the bustling capital we depart by bus to Delphi. En route we stop at the monastery Osios Loukas, which is seen as as having the most beautiful Byzantine edifice of Greece. Loukas, to whom the monastery is dedicated, was successively adventurer, ascetic hermit, healer and prophet. In this latter capacity, he attracted the attention of the emperor. To immortalize him a beautiful monastery was built for him. After the stopover, it takes another hour before you arrive in Delphi. This place has about 1,500 inhabitants. The beautiful landscape invites you to take a walk through Delphi the visit to temples, theaters and treasure houses that remained still from the fourth century BC. Delphi, Olympia & Mystras Day 4 Delphi - Olympia Day 5 Olympia
Day 6 Olympia -Megalopolis- Messene- Kalamata - Mystras (Sparta) In Olympia among the pine trees can be found the remains of the early foundations of the Olympics were born. Since 776 BC the names of the winners were noted. This year was considered the beginning of the Olympiads, as well as the start of the Greek era. The Olympics took place on one day and there was only one venue, a stadium spanning over 192 meters. In the course of time, more and more components were added. The Emperor Theodosius banned the Games in 393, but in 1896 the tradition was resumed. You will now find the remains of a temple of Hera and Zeus, the altar where sacrifices were made and you run your own race on the remains of the old stadium. On the way to Mystras we visit two archaeological sites. The ancient Megalopolis theater is well worth seeing. The ancient Messene, a fortified town, was built in 369 to break Sparta's power. You'll find a small museum, beautiful statues and remains of the western gateway, the 'Arcadian Gate. Kalamata is a lively port town on the promenade with many restaurants and cafes. From Kalamata you pass through a scenic route through the mountains Taigetos- brought to Mystras. This Byzantine ruin town is on the UNESCO list. From the top of the mountain you walk along various relics from the era of the Crusaders, Byzantines, Turks and Venetians down. A few miles away is the modern Sparta, where unfortunately has few remnants from the illustrious military stronghold of Greek antiquity. Nafplion, Epidaurus and Mycenae Mystras Day 7 - Mycenae - Nafplion Nafplion Day 8 Day 9 Nafplion - Epidaurus - Corinth Canal - Athens Day 10 Athens After visiting the famous Lion Gate of Mycenae we travel to Nafplion, a town that attracts many Greek tourists. This ancient town has streets paved with Venetian marble and lined with chic boutiques. The Palimidi fortress offers stunning views of the sea and Nafplion, and is worth the climb! Nafplion is also ideal to get many impressions and enjoy the sea. It is advisable to bring water shoes since there are pebble beaches. Before we return to Athens, we visit one of the best preserved theaters classics at Epidaurus. In classical antiquity enjoyed Epidaurus was known for its sacred sanctuary where Asklepios practices medicine. Then we look at the Corinth Canal, the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf that connects the Peloponnese to an island. The canal was dug in the late 19th century and is used mainly for tourist ships. You'll spend the last night in Athens. Depending on the time of the flight you still have time to buy the last souvenirs. On average, groups consist of around 16 participants. The maximum group size is 22 people
Practical information Accommodations & Meals We stay in good middle class hotels, the rooms are equipped with private shower and toilet. They are generally within walking distance of the inner cities, but it also happens that you have to take a local bus, tram or taxi. The breakfast is included in the fare. The character of the hotel vary by site. So we stay in Athens in a modern comfortable hotel with all amenities. The hotel in Mystras has been nicely renovated and also offers added value thanks to its beautiful location with lovely garden and pool. Athens Delphi Olympia Mystras Nafplion Crystal City Hotel (http://www.tripadvisor.nl/hotel_review-g189400-d667406-reviews-crystal Pan Artemis (http://www.tripadvisor.nl/hotel_review-g189408-d1876183-reviews-artemis_ho Hotel Kronio (http://www.tripadvisor.nl/hotel_review-g189487-d501164-reviews-hotel_kroni Byzantion Hotel (http://www.tripadvisor.nl/hotel_review-g651974-d233065-reviews-byzantio Nafplia Hotel (http://www.tripadvisor.nl/hotel_review-g319780-d1401263-reviews-nafplia_ho This selection gives a good picture of the hotels we stay on this trip. Single Single travelers are in close consultation, categorized with other single travelers of the same sex. Would you not be classified with another participant, you can a single book at the applicable surcharge from 175, -. Because we generally use small accommodations, there is in the month of July only a very limited number of single rooms available. Flights & Transportation The flights are operated by Transavia. Participants receive approximately 8 weeks before departure, a provisional schedule.the most common flight schedule is as follows, subject to change: Amsterdam - Athens 6:45 to 11:05 Athens - Amsterdam 21:20 to 23:50 Time difference: one hour later than in the Netherlands.
Land Package The price of the trip without international flights amounts from 1.095, -. Transport On this trip we travel mostly by bus. We sail with a ferry to the peninsula Peloponnese. Money Matters In Greece, the euro is the currency. ATMS: widely available. We recommend that you keep 250, in cash on you. Credit cards: are accepted in many places. As a guideline for costs not included in the fare, such as meals, entrance fees, optional excursions and personal expenses budget a minimum of $250 per person per week Prices in major cities are comparable with home. In smaller towns, costs are slightly lower. The entrance fees to museums and major attractions are between 5, - and 15, -. With an international student or a senior citizens' card the entry fee is often free or reduced. It is customary to tip for services rendered. For the group's convenience a tip jar is established at the beginning of the trip, from which the (joint) tips are paid out to drivers, guides, hotel staff, etc. The usual tip per person collected is 20, -.This does not include a tip for your tour leader. Tipping is appreciated and the amount up to you. Meals In the fare breakfast is included, so you can pick a restaurant for lunch and for evening meals. The Greeks serve a simple breakfast, usually consisting of bread, butter, jam, ham and cheese. In addition, tea or coffee are served at breakfast. Greece is justly famous for its extremely varied cuisine. Besides roasted meats and stews with meat and vegetables (such as mousaka) there is a huge choice of fish caught in Greek waters. Greece is famous for its fine wines and ouzo, the aniseed-flavored aperitif. Hotel Extension An additional stay in Athens with accommodation in a centrally located hotel can be booked in advance of your tour. In Athens there are several restaurants and cafes in the vicinity. Please refer to
our prices page for hotel extension costs. The prices to not include the transfer to / from the airport. Excursions With Djoser you decide which sights you find worth visiting. One traveler may roam through the markets looking for bargains, while the other wants to look around at ease in a museum or prefers to relax ona terrace, have a glass of wine and watch the daily life around you. In most cases, you can explore on your own or with peers, with or without the help of our tour guide, on foot or by local transport i.entrance fees are not included in the price, so you have the freedom to draw your own plans. Some sights you should not be missed or they are difficult to reach or are en route to our next overnight. Such excursions are built into the program but the entry fees are not included.. During this trip through Greece, the following excursions are built into the travel program: - Visiting the monastery Osios Loukas, one of the most beautiful buildings of Bysanthijnse Greece. - Visiting Megalopolis - Visit to Messene - Visit of Mycenae, the ancient Lion's Gate - Visit to Epidaurus - Visit to the Corinth Canal Travel Documents - Valid passport - Driver's license if you plan to rent a scooter or a car. Health Issues & Insurance There are not vaccinations required for Greece. However, this does not mean that the sanitary conditions are the same as in the United States. Especially in the summer it can be very hot. Be careful what you eat. Stay hydrated. Drinking tap water is not advisable everywhere. But bottled water is readily available for sale.
Group Composition Djoser travelers are active, enthusiastic travelers of all ages. Join an international group with travelers from the Netherlands, Belgium and North America, who will be the minority group on these trips. Most of our trips range from a minimum of eight participants to a maximum of 20 or 22. You will find couple and singles on our trips. Feel free to call us if you wish to know the demographic make-up of a particular trips (number of singles and age range). Minimum group size: 8 Maximum group size: 22 What to expect when traveling with an international group - Djoser, Inc. (the United States office) has been a Greece tour operator for over 15 years. Djoser, B.V. (the Netherlands office) has been a Greece tour operator for over 25 years. So together we bring vast experience. Most of our trips are arranged in cooperation with Djoser, B.V. in the Netherlands. Because they cater to the voracious travel appetites of the Dutch, we can offer a vast number of programs around the world with hard-to-find itineraries, with numerous departure dates. On our Greece group tour, you will travel with an international group, with most participants from Holland and Belgium. The international make-up of our groups is the attraction for many regular Djoser travelers and adds another cultural element to the trip. Typically, there are only one to five North Americans per group. You will find that almost all of your fellow travelers have an excellent command of English and most are very willing to socialize. It s a great idea to extend an invitation to a few travel mates for coffee or a drink early in the trip. They will appreciate your effort and this is a great way to break the ice. It will be easier for them to test out their English skills in a quiet, one-on-one setting. Group members tend to warm up to one another in a day or two. As with every tour group, compatibility has most to do with individual personalities. The Dutch are experienced and hearty travelers. We attract travelers of all ages and we enjoy the mix! You will find our participants welcome opportunities for independent explorations in addition to group activities. No matter their age, Djoser travelers expect, and are up to lots of walking, hiking, biking, or whatever comes our way. The Dutch and Belgian travelers will fly as a group from Amsterdam. You will meet the group and tour leader at the hotel where you will begin the land program with the group. Tour Leaders & Support Staff This journey is guided by an experienced Dutch tour guide who speaks Dutch and English.. Our tour guides are responsible for the organizational and technical aspects of the trip. Their extensive travel experience and expertise adds value to the Djoser Travel. Careful and comprehensive training lays the groundwork for our tour leaders.
Climate & Geography Greece has a stable Mediterranean climate with a pleasantly warm spring from March to June and hot, dry summers from June to October. In general, it is warmer on the islands than on the mainland.