Experience first-hand Greek culture and the Greek way of life through a magical program that will help you understand the Greek Spirit!
Day 1: Athens
- Arrival in Athens, meet your onsite program coordinator (OPC) at the airport and transfer to Delphi (~2.5 hr drive) for check-in and orientation; accommodations at a Beach Hotel
- Evening: Welcome dinner
- Meals: Dinner
- Transportation: Airport to accommodations (one group transfer via private coach); accommodations to dinner (walking)
Day 2: Delphi
- Morning: Visit Delphi archeological site and museum
- Afternoon: Local neighborhood tour by OPC (nearest ATM, grocery, pharmacy, etc), followed by free time to explore the small city of Itea
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach and walking)
Day3: Delphi – Itea
- Day: Visit elementary school in Itea, including meetings with the principal and an English-speaking teacher to talk about the elementary school system of Greece, and in particular the challenges faced during the recent economic crisis
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)
Day 4: Delphi – Itea
- Day: Visit Itea High School to observe a class session, interact with the students (including the opportunity for some beach volleyball!), and walking tour of the school
- Evening: Group buffet dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)
Day 5: Delphi
- Day: Guided walking tour from Itea to Delphi via the ancient path that passes Tholos and the gymnasium where ancient Greek athletes trained for the Olympic games. Your guide will also point out medicinal plants and other fun facts about the native flora
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visit (walking tour, return to Itea via public bus)
Day 6: Delphi
- Morning: Volleyball tournament with Itea High School students – join in or just relax on the sand and cheer on the competitors!
- Afternoon: Group lunch near the water, followed by free afternoon to enjoy the beach
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)
Day 7: Delphi _ Olympia
- Day: Depart Itea via private bus to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games. Spend the day visiting ancient Olympia archeological site as well as the museum of Olympia. The journey will take us along the scenic coastal road from Delphi to Olympia, crossing over the Millennium Bridge, a feat of engineering built for the 2004 Olympic games
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 8: Delphi – Amfissa
- Morning: Olive oil tasting in the Valley of Amfissa – taste one of the most prominent local products and learn about the process of turning olives into delicious olive oil!
- Afternoon: Visit the Center of KPE of Amfissa where traditional Greek agricultural cultivation methods are taught – many children from nearby villages come here to learn the local trade
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 9: Delphi
- Day: Day trip to Mt. Parnassus – walk through the forest to visit a mountain village, packed lunch included. Return to the hotel and enjoy some free time at the beach
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 10: Delphi
- Morning: Organized soccer game between guests students and local high school students at the stadium of Amfissa
- Afternoon: Seaside games and swimming at the beach
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 11: Delphi
- Day: Final day in Delphi (Itea) – free day to rest, explore the city, relax with new Greek friends by the shore
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: None
Day 12: Delphi – Athens
- Day: Depart for Athens, stopping at Arachova (a famous mountain village) along the way where you’ll eat at a traditional restaurant and sample some local, homemade specialties. After lunch, stop at the Monastrey of Osios Lucas to learn a little bit about Greece’s Byzantine history before making your way to Athens and checking into your new accommodations, at a central Hotel
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 13: Athens
- Day: City tour of Athens, including the Acropolis and Pantheon, as well as the New Acropolis Museum. Walk through Plaka (the old city), with free time for lunch and some souvenir shopping. Return to the hotel late afternoon.
- Evening: Group dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking and public transit)
Day 14: Athens
- Day: After breakfast, transfer to the port for a day cruise around the three islands of the Sardonic Gulf – Hydra, Poros and Aegina – enjoy an onboard lunch buffet and exploring the islands. Return to the hotel early evening.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach and boat)
Day 15: Athens – Mycenae – Epidauros
- Day: Day trip to Mycanae and Epidauros, with a stop at the Corinth Canal
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 16: Athens
- Day: Visit to the SOS Children’s Village. More than just an orphanage, this international organization helps care for and educate “unwanted” children to be the change their communities need. Listen to a guest talk by some staff members to learn about the different services this organization provides, including early education, vocational training and creativity workshops
- Evening: Group dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking and public transit)
Day 17: Athens – Marathon – Sounion
- Morning: Visit the Marathon Museum and tombs of Athenian soldiers, along with an ancient battlefield, with a professional guide
- Afternoon: Visit Cape Sounion
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 18: Athens – Varkiza
- Day: After breakfast, head to the YaBanaki (Varkiza) Beach, where you can enjoy live music and swimming before returning to Athens mid-afternoon
- Evening: Farewell dinner with traditional Greek show and dances
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 19: Athens
- Day: Transfer to Athens airport for return flight home
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transportation: Accommodations to airport (one group transfer via private coach)