Hail and rejoice then, Leto the blessed, for glorious children
you bore, lordly Apollo and Artemis shooter of arrows,
her in Ortygia, him brought forth in Delos the rocky,
while you reclined on a great tall peak of the Kynthian highland,
close to a date-palm tree by the streams of the River Inopos.
How shall I sing of you who are in all ways worthy of singing?
For to you, Phoibos, melodious songs are intoned the world over,
both on the mainland, nurturing heifers, and over the islands;
all of the crags are delightful to you, and the sharp promontories
jutting from steep high mountains, and rivers that flow to the seabrine,
beaches that slope down into the water, and deep sea harbours."

The Homeric Hymn to Apollo, translated by Rodney Miller

This 3-week tour of Greece explores the archaeology and history of the Aegean islands. We travel by ferry between the islands and have our bus with us so we can visit the towns and main archaeological sites on the islands. We start in Athens where we visit the Museum of Cycladic Art with its fascinating collection of marble figures from the central Aegean. We also visit the life-size replica of an Athenian trireme at Phaleron Bay.

We then begin our journey through the Cycladic islands of the central Aegean. We begin in Mykonos where we explore the old town and museum. We then take a day trip to the island of Delos, famous for its remarkable archaeological remains including a theatre, Hellenistic houses and the temples of Apollo and Artemis.

We then head to Naxos where we see the ancient town ruins including the temple (probably dedicated to Apollo). By bus we will see the rest of the island including the ancient quarries with their unfinished statues. Our tour then takes us to the island of Paros. We see the extensive remains of the ancient town including a 6th Century church. We explore the island and have lunch in Naoussa. We then visit the island of Milos. This is famous for the ruins of Phylakopi, an ancient settlement preserving Minoan wall paintings. Artefacts from the site are preserved in the archaeology museum. A highlight of the tour is two nights on Santorini to explore the archaeology of ancient Akrotiri and the volcanic island of Nea Kameni.

We then explore the islands of the Dodecanese. We fly to Rhodes where we have an extended stay to explore the rich history of the island. We begin with a visit to the archaeology museum. We spend a day exploring the beautiful ancient remains on the island, including ancient Rhodes, the stunning acropolis of Lindos, and the ancient cities of Kamiros and Ialysos. From Rhodes we take a day excursion north to the very beautiful island of Symi with its 19th Century mansions. We then explore the superb medieval walled city of Rhodes and the monuments of the Knights of St John including the Palace of the Knights.

We head by ferry from Rhodes to Kos. Here we explore the extensive archaeological remains of the harbour and see the fortress of the Knights of St John. The following day we visit the Asklepion, an ancient medical centre associated with Hippocrates. We then head north by ferry to Samos. This island is famous for its Sanctuary of the Goddess Hera. We also see the archaeological remains of ancient Pythagoreio and the aqueduct tunnel of Eupalinos. The tour concludes in Athens where we visit the ancient port city of Piraeus and then see the national Archaeological Museum.

The walls of Rhodes

ITINERARY*

Day 1: Arrive Athens
You should arrive in Athens. Overnight Athens.

Day 2: Athens - Cycladic Museum - Olympias trireme at Phaleron
In the morning we visit the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art. This museum contains an extensive collection of ancient art including objects from the Cycladic Islands of the central Aegean. Most famous are the iconic stone figurines of the Early Bronze Age. After lunch we visit the Maritime Tradition Park at Phaleron, south of Athens, where we see the Olympias, a life-size modern replica of an ancient trireme. Overnight Athens.

Day 3: Ferry to Mykonos - Archaeology Museum - walk in old quarter
In the morning we catch the ferry (2 and half hours) to Mykonos. We visit the Mykonos Archaeological Museum which contains numerous artefacts from Delos/Rheneia. The most famous object is the 7th Century funerary urn representing the Trojan Horse. In the afternoon we walk in the Kastro district and Little Venice. Overnight Mykonos.


Day 4: Delos
Today we take a short boat ride to the island of Delos, famous for its cult of Apollo and Artemis. On arrival we walk through the theatre quarter where we see the magnificent mosaics in the Hellenistic period houses. We also see the terrace of the foreign gods. After a picnic lunch we explore the sacred quarter including the Temple of Apollo. Overnight Mykonos.

Day 5: Mykonos - ferry to Naxos
This morning we see the remains of the Venetian fortress at Palaiokastro and visit the Maritime Museum. We also explore the remains of a Mycenaean tholos tomb. In the afternoon we take a ferry (1 hour 45 min) to the nearby island of Naxos. We take a walk along the causeway to Palatia Island where we see the ruins of a 6th Century temple. Overnight Naxos.

Day 6: Naxos - ancient quarries with abandoned kouroi
Today we explore the island of Naxos. In the centre of the island we see the ancient quarries where there are unfinished kouroi (monumental marble statues). After lunch in the village of Chalki we head to the northern part of the island to see a colossal statue near Apollonas. Overnight Naxos.


Day 7: Naxos - Venetian fortress - Archaeology Museum - Temples of Dionysus and Demeter - Ferry to Paros
In the morning we visit the Venetian fortress at kastro and see the Archaeology Museum. We also see the small Archaeological Quarter with Mycenean wall. We then visit the archaic Sanctuary of Dionysus at Yria and after lunch see the impressive Temple of Demeter at Gyroulas. In the afternoon we take the ferry (1 hour) to the island of Paros. Overnight Paros.

Day 8: Paros
We explore the extensive archaeological remains of Parikia which include Hellenistic and Roman houses and ancient workshops. We visit the remarkably well preserved 6th Century Ekatontapyliani Church. We also see the Archaeology Museum and the remains of the Venetian fortress. In the afternoon we have lunch in the village of Lefkes and visit the ancient quarries of Paros where very fine marble was extracted. Overnight Paros.

Day 9: Delion - Naoussa and Mycenean fortress - afternoon ferry to Milos
This morning we visit the Delion, a temple dedicated to Apollo and Artemis. We then drive to the northern part of the island to visit Naoussa. We see the small Venetian fortress which guards the bay and the nearby Mycenaean fortress at Koukounaries. In the afternoon we take the ferry (1 and half hours) to Milos. Overnight Milos.

Day 10: Milos - Phylakopi - ancient Milos
This day is set aside to explore the island of Milos, a volcanic island famous for its obsidian. In the morning we drive NE of the capital Adamas to see the ruins of ancient Phyakopi, a settlement which had a strong Minoan influence. We then explore the archaeological remains of ancient Milos and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon we explore the 13th Century Venetian fortress at Kastro. Overnight Milos.

Day 11: Ferry to Santorini - Akrotiri ruins - Fira Archaeological Museum
In the morning we take the ferry to Santorini (2 hours). We explore the remarkable archaeological ruins of Late Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri. The site was buried in a volcanic eruption and is remarkably well preserved. We also see the Fira Archaeological Museum which contains numerous artefacts from Akrotiri. Overnight Fira.

Day 12: Cruise to Nea Kameni - free time
This morning we catch a boat to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni where we visit the crater. After lunch there is free to explore the many wonders of Santorini. The choices are endless: take a walk along the edge of the volcano rim for magnificent views of the entire caldera, explore the numerous shops in the town, read a book, or simply relax while enjoying the splendid views from the hotel. Overnight Fira.


Day 13: Fly from Santorini to Rhodes - Archaeology Museum of Rhodes
In the morning we fly from Santorini to Rhodes. In the afternoon we go for a walk in the old crusader city of Rhodes, see the ancient port where the 'Colossus of Rhodes' once stood, and have a visit to the Archaeology Museum which is located in the Hospital of the Knights of St John. Overnight Rhodes.

Day 14: Lindos - Kamiros - Ialysos - ancient Rhodes
In the morning we drive to the spectacular ancient site of Lindos on the east coast of Rhodes. The site is famous for its ancient acropolis and Temple of Athena. In the afternoon we cross to the western side of the island to see the ruins of ancient Kamiros and Ialysos. We also see some of the ancient remains of the city of Rhodes including a temple of Apollo, stadium and nymphaeum at Mt Smith archaeological park. Overnight Rhodes.

Day 15: Rhodes city of the Knights of St John
Today we explore more of the medieval walled city of Rhodes. We visit the Crusader monuments in the Street of the Knights, explore the centre of the Old Town and its mosques, and see the remarkably preserved walls and moat of the Crusader City. In the afternoon we explore the Grand Master's Palace, the medieval home of the Knights of St John which was reconstructed in the 20th Century. Overnight Rhodes.


Day 16: Symi
Today we take a day excursion from Rhodes to Symi (about 1 hour each way). This small, beautiful island lies to the north of Rhodes and preserves a very scenic 19th Century harbour with the mansions of wealthy sponge divers. Overlooking the town, on the ridge known as the Chorio, is the ruined castle of the Knights of St John where the ancient acropolis was sited. We will also see the Monastery of Panormitis. Overnight Rhodes.

Day 17: Ferry to Kos - ancient Kos and Archaeology Museum
In the morning we take the ferry from Rhodes to Kos (about 2 hours). We explore the extensive remains of the ancient city which are located in the Archaeological Park around the edge of the town. Remains include the ancient agora and a reconstructed Roman house. We also see the Archaeology Museum and the Castle of the Knights of St John. Overnight Kos.

Day 18: Kos Asklepion - ferry from Kos to Samos
This morning we visit the remarkable ruins of the ancient Asklepion of Kos, located 4km away and dedicated to Asclepius the god of Medicine. The most famous practitioner here was Hippocrates who transformed ancient medicine in the early 4th Century BC. The extensive site contains temples, altars and shrines. In the afternoon we catch the ferry from Kos to Samos (4 and half hours). Overnight Samos.

Day 19: Samos - Archaeology Museum and ruins of Pythagoreio
Today we see the archaeological heritage of Samos. We explore the ancient port city of Pythagoreio where we see the harbour and city walls. We see the Archaeology Museum and visit the remains of the 4th Century Hellenistic and Roman villas and ancient theatre. We also walk through part of a remarkable aqueduct which brought water to the ancient town of Samos. It was designed and built by the engineer Eupalinos. Overnight Samos.

Day 20: Samos - Sanctuary of Hera - Museum of Vathy - fly to Athens
In the morning we explore the impressive remains of the Sanctuary of Hera. The complex includes a series of temples including the enormous shrine of the goddess built by the tyrant Polycrates. We then cross the island to see the Museum in Vathy. In the late afternoon we fly to Athens. Overnight Athens.


Day 21: Daphni Monastery - Salamis - Piraeus
In the morning we head to Piraeus, the ancient harbour of Athens. En route we stop to see the 12th Century frescoes at Daphni Monastery. We take a ferry to Salamis Island to see the location of the famous battle. We head to Piraeus harbour where we see the ancient ship-sheds of Zea Harbour, the remains of the harbour walls and visit the Archaeology Museum of Piraeus. This contains some superb bronze statues. Overnight Athens.

Day 22: Free morning in Athens - National Archaeological Museum
In the morning there is some free time to explore Athens. After lunch we visit the National Archaeological Museum. We explore the highlights of the museum and have a look at the remains from the Aegean Islands including Milos. Overnight Athens.

Day 23: Depart Athens
We board our plane for the flight back to Australia.

* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.