Athens Pre-Voyage Extension

Explore the center of the ancient Greek world

Venture straight to the heart of ancient Greek culture. See the Acropolis on an early morning walk, visit renowned museums, see the landmarks of the city, and dine on regional specialties—all in the company of guides who weave the narrative of life of this ancient city.

Day 1 - Fly overnight from the U.S. to Athens, Greece

Day 2 - Athens

We arrive in Athens, and make our way to the Grand Hyatt Athens hotel, located in the shadow of the Acropolis. We’ll have a buffet lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the new Acropolis Museum, which displays some of the finest sculptures and other art of Ancient Greece, including many items brought in from the Acropolis to protect them from the elements. We’ll have a brief orientation tour of the city, where you will see the former Royal Palace (now the Parliament), along with a number of Athens’ finest neoclassical buildings. There will also be a walk through the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built between the sixth century B.C. and second century A.D. This evening, gather for a brief introduction to Greek history and mythology. Dinner is on your own, allowing you to discover one of Athens’ restaurants or go to bed early. (L)

Day 3 - Athens

Our morning is devoted to the Acropolis, the spiritual heart of Athens and much of the Ancient World. This enormously rich site has not only the Parthenon, which was built in 438 BC, but a host of monuments from both earlier and later in its rich history. We’ll continue to the Agora, the focus of political, commercial, administrative, and social activity in ancient Athens, and see its extensive stoas, temples and other remains. The Agora also has an excellent small museum. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, take a guided stroll through the lively food market, and walk through lively neighborhood streets lined with shops selling antiques, housewares and other goods. Dinner tonight will be at a top Athens restaurant featuring Greek specialties. (B,L,D)

Costs & What's Included

Occupancy

Double Occupancy

Single Occupancy

Cost Includes:

Airport arrival transfer if traveling on the recommended flight; accommodations as shown in the itinerary, or similar; meals as shown in the itinerary; local guides on all excursions; tips to local guides, to porters and to waiters for included meals.