Educational Athens & Crete

A fourteen-day educational programme linking the classical monuments of Athens and Delphi with Minoan Crete—Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the island's towns and landscapes.

Day-by-day programme

1. Day 1

   Arrival Athens

   Arrival Athens, meet and transfer to your hotel. Light lunch at the hotel, welcome orientation. Dinner at a Greek restaurant.

2. Day 2

   Athens City Tour

   Our tour will include the most significant sights of this fascinating city as well as a visit to the Acropolis. Lunch in a traditional taverna in Plaka. Return to the hotel for our first lecture. BBQ dinner at restaurant.

3. Day 3

   Delphi Tour

   With the company of our professor, today we drive to Delphi, the center of the ancient world. Visit the treasury of the Athenians, the temple of Apollo and the museum. Return to Athens. Dinner tonight will be at a Local restaurant.

4. Day 4

   One Day Cruise

   A wonderful cruise to the Saronic Gulf islands; Aegina, Poros, Hydra. Lunch is served on board. Dinner tonight will be sea food at Mikrolimano.

5. Day 5

   Cape Sounio

   This morning visit the Athens flea market and continue with a visit of the archaeological museum. Lunch at "Palia Athina" restaurant and on to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon. Dinner at the village Kalivia.

6. Day 6

   Corinth / Mycenas / Epidaurus

   We drive to the Corinth Canal, (short stop) and on to ancient Mycenae. After lunch leave for Epidaurus to see the 4th century BC theater famous for its astonishing acoustics. Return to Athens, directly to Piraeus Port where we embark our ship for Crete. Dinner on board.

7. Day 7

   Crete

   Arrival at Heraklion and board our coach for our hotel in Rethymno. We take a short walking tour in order to unwind before our lunch. Welcome and orientation meeting with our professors. Dinner at the hotel.

8. Day 8

   Knossos

   This morning a lecture followed by a visit to Knossos of the Minoan Civilization. We will also visit the Heraklion museum. Our dinner tonight will be at a local tavern with folklore dancing.

9. Day 9

   Gortys & Phaestos

   Lecture and a tour to Gortys/Phaestos, two famous sites. We have lunch in a nice local restaurant. Dinner at the hotel today

10. Day 10

    Day free

    Lecture and rest of the morning free. After lunch a visit to Agia Irini Monastery where we will be welcomed by the nuns. "Zorbas night" dinner tonight.

11. Day 11

    Lasithi Plateau

    Tour to Lasithi Plateau -3,000 feet up to the west slope of Mt. Dicti, Lasithi Plateau green and fertile, irrigated by thousands of white - sailed windmills - offers a breathtaking view. Our next stop is at Psychro with the Dictean cave, the mythical birthplace of Zeus, an impressive sight with stalactites and stalagmites. Lunch along the way. Dinner at the hotel.

12. Day 12

    Rethymno Tour

    Lecture followed by a tour of Rethymno and Venetian Fortress, built in 1575 on the Paleokastro Hill. It really offers a marvelous view of the city and the sea. Lunch here. Dinner at the hotel

13. Day 13

    Chania

    Lecture and continue with a visit to Chanea, the former capital of Crete and perhaps one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. Traditional lunch. Farewell dinner at the hotel, diploma ceremony.

14. Day 14

    Departure