GREEK ODYSSEY
10 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS - MAY 25 - JUNE 3, 2012
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Day 1 - Friday - May 25 - Departure
Depart Portland today for Europe. 

Day 2 - Saturday - May 26 - Athens
Arrive in Europe and connect with your flight to Greece!  Upon arrival pass through customs, and meet with your driver and guide to board your luxury motor coach for a short orientation bus tour of Athens, the capital of Greece, stopping along the way to see the Olympic Stadium. Your hotel is located right under the Acropolis in the Plaka area, where you will experience the wonderful, vibrant, and ancient part of Athens. The neighborhood - Athens' oldest - is closed to automobile traffic. Most of its streets have become pedestrian walkways. The charm of the neo-classical colors, the architecture of the homes, and their lovingly-tended little gardens make the total atmosphere of the area delightful. After check-in at the hotel, meet up at the hotel rooftop for a welcome drink and a stunning view of the Acropolis of Athens, one of the best known sites in the world. The Acropolis is uphill, while the Syntagma and Monastiraki are downhill. In the nineteenth century some wealthy Greeks built neo-classical mansions in these neighborhoods. This evening enjoy dinner and show at a local restaurant to enjoy your first taste of authentic Greek Cuisine. ACCOMMODATIONS: DIVANI PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR (D)

Day 3 - Sunday - May 27 - Athens
After a buffet breakfast begin your exploration of Athens. The city is truly an out door museum in that everywhere you look you will see ancient ruins. Visit the Parthenon and Acropolis Museum, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Palace, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathenian Stadium, and the flea market. You will have some time to explore the market and the Plaka. ACCOMMODATIONS: DIVANI PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR (D)

Day 4 - Monday - May 28 - Greek Island Cruise
Today board your ship for a cruise of the Greek Islands and Kusadasi Turkey. The ship arrives at the Port of Mykonos where you can join an optional tour of the island or just have some time at your  leisure. Sail overnight to Turkey.
ACCOMMODATIONS:  LOUIS CRUISE LINE OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Tuesday - May 29 - Kusadasi/Patmos
This morning your ship will arrive in Turkey and the Port of Kusadasi. Tour one of the world's most spectacular ancient sites, Ephesus, once the commercial center of the ancient world. Dedicated to the Goddess Artemis, Ephesus was a city whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program. The enormous temple is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and has been rebuilt several times. You should also visit the ruins from the period of St. Paul, the Odeon, the monumental fountain, temples, the Library of Celsius, the great theatre, the Baths of Scolastica, the old Roman Forum of Agora, and the Double Church.  Sail to Patmos, a sacred island for Christians, where you will see the famous Monastery of the Apostle John on the hilltop overlooking a landscape of striking beauty. It is believed that this is where Apostle John wrote the book of Revelations.  ACCOMMODATIONS:  LOUIS CRUISE LINE OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Wednesday - May 30 - Rhodes /At Sea
Enjoy Rhodes, the island of butterflies and roses. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The medieval Old Town of the City was declared a “World Heritage” Site. There will be an optional tour to the Acropolis of Lindos and the Old town. At the end of the day set sail for the island of Crete.
ACCOMMODATIONS:  LOUIS CRUISE LINE OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Thursday - May 31 - Heraklion (Crete)/Santorini
Arrive in Heraklion/Crete the largest and most southern Greek island. It is rich in historical remains and scenic variety. Heraklion is believed to be the legendary birthplace of Zeus and where the Minoan Civilization began. An optional tour will be offered to visit the Palace of Knossos and Museum. The imposing Palace is built on the hill of "Kefala" next to the river "Kairatos", in a site chosen for its natural advantage, plentiful water supply, access to the sea, and proximity to a large fertile forest. The site itself includes the Palace of Knossos, The Minoan Houses, the "Little Palace", the "Royal Villa", the villa "Dionysos" with famous Roman mosaics, and the south Royal Temple - Tomb and the "Caravanserai".  Afterwards set sail for the volcanic Island of Santorini, famous for being the legendary site of “The Lost City of Atlantis". You may choose to take an optional tour of the island.  Overnight, sail to Piraeus. ACCOMMODATIONS: LOUIS CRUISE LINE OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Friday - June 1 - Piraeus -Athens/Delphi/Athens
This morning disembark the ship and drive through the mountains to see some of the most beautiful scenery ever before you reach Ancient Delphi. Climb to the top of the most wondrous archeological site in Greece. Here imagine yourself back in the days of the Ancient Grecians. Holding court with political men from Rome, sitting in the theater hearing debates, and gaining the knowledge that was inscribed upon the Delphi oracle “Know thyself and nothing in excess, and upon these all other precepts depend”. Visit the Delphi Museum, housing the famous Naxian Sphinx - part bird, lion and woman, the bronze charioteer, and other wonders of ancient days. Enjoy lunch at an outside restaurant overlooking Delphi. Return to Athens for an overnight. ACCOMMODATIONS: DIVANI  PALACEHOTEL  OR SIMILAR (B, L)

Day 9 - Saturday - June 2 - Athens
Visit the Archaeology Museum including the Mycenaean Room, hosting gold jewelry, artifacts, and masks discovered by the archeologist, Heinrich Schliemann.  The famous “Mask of Agamemnon" brings to life Homer's words from the Iliad: "He was the King of Men distinguished among many and outstanding heroes." In the Cycladic Room, see marble statues dating from the 3rd millennium. The Vase Gallery displays a wide variety of ceramics. One of the most interesting rooms is the Fresco or Thira Gallery, which displays the reconstructed frescos, found at Akrotiri, a Minoan City on the Island of Santorini. This evening enjoy your Farewell Dinner at the Dionysus Restaurant located at the foot of the Parthenon. Do not forget your camera.
ACCOMMODATIONS: DIVANI PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, D)

Day 10 - Sunday - June 3 - Departure
Farewell to Greece as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to New York. Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with many happy memories of ancient and modern day Greece. (B)

PLEASE NOTE: Itinerary sequence subject to change without prior notice.
  • Roundtrip international Air Portland/
         Athens/Portland
  • All sightseeing and transfers by deluxe air conditioned motor coach
  • English-speaking guide throughout
  • 4 nights accommodation in Athens at the Divani Palace Hotel or similar
  • 5 days/4 nights accommodation on board the Louis Cruise Line or similar in an inside cabin
  • Half day tour of Athens
  • Half day tour of the Archaeological Museum
  • Full day tour of Delphi
  • Tour of Ephesus
  • 8 breakfast, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Folkloric Show
  • Hotel taxes and service charges
  • Port Charges, Fuel Surcharges
         ($14.00 subject to change)
  • Portage of 1 piece of luggage per person
         NOT INCLUDED:
  • U.S. Departure Taxes & Security Taxes
  • Port Fees ( $165.00-subject to change)
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, meals not included in program, soft drinks, coffee, tea, mineral water, alcoholic beverages, tips to drivers, guides, transfer personnel, travel insurance, etc…..
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS