What a success. Thanks Adam, Blake, and everyone.
Greece 9 Day Itinerary
Altamont School
October 4–12, 2014
Day 1 Oct.4 Depart USA
Bus to Atlanta and fly from there.
Day 2 Oct. 5 Arrive Heraklion, Crete
We arrive in Heraklion, the largest city of Crete, and enjoy its beautiful Venetian architecture. After an orientation to Greece and a Greek language lesson, we enjoy dinner out in Heraklion and prepare for our journey. Overnight Heraklion.
Day 3 Oct. 6 Knossos, Heraklion
Today we visit the most important site of the great Minoan civilization: the archaeological site of Knossos. Here we see the grand palace complex of King Minos and precious artifacts tracing back millennia that attest to the sophistication of Europe’s first great civilization. We also enjoy modern Heraklion with its unforgettable market and grand Church of St. Minas, the patron saint of the island. Overnight Heraklion.
Day 4 Oct. 7 Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Phaistos
Today we see the greatest collection of Minoan artifacts in the wonderful Heraklion Archaeological Museum, including the Phaistos Disk and Snake Goddesses statues. Leaving Heraklion, we then visit the archeological site of Phaistos as we continue our exploration of the Minoans. We then make our way to Chania where we enjoy dinner out in the beautiful coastal town. Overnight Chania.
Day 5 Oct. 8 Samaria Gorge
In the morning we head to the Samaria Gorge, one of the most beautiful places in all of Greece. We hike (downhill the whole way!) through this verdant gorge, which, at its narrowest point, reaches four meters wide and nearly 300 meters tall. Our hike ends on the Aegean Sea in the small village of Agia Roumeli, accessible only by boat. We enjoy a festive lunch by the waterside before making our way back to Chania. In the evening, we catch an overnight ferry for Athens.
Day 6 Oct. 9 Athens
Today we explore the greatest city of ancient Greece: Athens. We tour the Acropolis Museum with its famous Parthenon Marbles before visiting the Theater of Dionysus, the birthplace of all drama and comedy. We then hike up the Acropolis to view the world famous Parthenon in all its glory. We’ll then explore the ancient Athenian Agora and Agora Museum before enjoying free time to stroll the streets of Athens’ modern shopping district. In the evening we enjoy a festive night out with dinner and rembetiko music. Overnight Athens.
Day 7 Oct. 10 Delphi, Osios Loukas
Departing from Athens, we visit Delphi, the greatest Pan-Hellenic religious site of the ancient Greek world. Here we explore the wonderful museum before making our way up the Sacred Way to the world famous oracle of Apollo. After lunch and free time in the modern village, we continue to the Greek Orthodox monastery of Osios Loukas. At this remarkable, 1,000 year old functioning monastery, students will discover the historical connection between the religion of the ancient Greeks and modern Greek Orthodoxy. We return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 Oct. 11 Athens, Cape Sounion
The day begins at Hadrian’s Arch before visiting the Temple of Zeus, the grandest of ancient temples. We then continue to the Panathenaic Stadium for a race in this storied venue. We then witness the elaborate Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before visiting the National Archaeological Museum, home to the greatest Greek treasures. We then head out to Cape Sounion to see the spectacular Temple of Poseidon with stunning views looking out over the Aegean Sea. We return to Athens for a final celebratory dinner and closing meeting. Overnight Athens.
Day 9 Oct. 12 Depart Greece
We say andio to Greece and return home with a deep understanding of ancient Greece and as lifelong philhellenes!