Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Athens and transfer to Piraeus to embark the Corinthian.
Day 2: Katakolon, Peloponnese / Olympia
Visit Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics, the ancient Sanctuary of Zeus and a vast sanctuary of well-preserved altars, temples and other ruins. Highlights of the site include the Temples of Hera and Zeus, the Council House and the Treasuries. The Archaeological Museum houses exquisite sculptures and other artifacts from the site.
Day 3: Kyparissia / Bassae / Pylos
From the pleasant port town of Kyparissia, drive through the impressive landscape of Arcadia to visit the celebrated Temple of Apollo Epikourios (“protector”), built on a rocky terrace about 3,500 feet above sea level. Constructed in the 5th century b.c., the temple is one of the best preserved in Greece (currently under a protective tent). Return to Corinthian and sail along the coast to attractive Pylos, built on the shore of spacious Navarino Bay, for an excursion to the Palace of Nestor, dating from the 14th century, the Mycenaean period. The palace’s archives contained tablets with Linear B inscriptions, the earlier form of Greek. Sailing late in the evening gives the opportunity to explore on your own Pylos, with its narrow arcaded streets.
Day 4: Gytheion / Mystra
Built between its beautiful waterfront and a steep hill, Gytheion is the port of ancient and modern Sparta, and according to legend, the place from where Helen fled with Paris to Troy. Today, the area around Gytheion is known for its excellent olive oil. Drive inland to Mystra, the best surviving Byzantine town in Greece (14th to 15th centuries), built on a rocky spur overlooking Sparta. Once a great center of learning, art, and culture, Mystra is dominated by its ramparts, palaces, and the graceful domes of its churches, many of which contain frescoes. In Sparta, visit the Archaeological Museum.
Day 5: Rethymnon / Phaestos / Knossos, Crete
Crete, Zeus’s legendary birthplace, was home to the Minoan civilization, Europe’s first. Arrive in Rethymnon, where ancient minarets, Venetian and Turkish houses, and a medieval fortress intermingle to compose one of Crete’s most delightful towns. This morning, drive to the south of the island to explore the Minoan palace of Phaestos, a site occupied since the Neolithic period, which overlooks the fertile plain of Mesara. Also stop at the village of Vori to visit the splendid Museum of Cretan Ethnology.
Alternatively, enjoy the morning at leisure to explore Rethymnon, including its Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, drive to Knossos, where the brilliance and refinement of the Minoans are revealed in the excavations found here. The largest palace of the period on Crete, Knossos is a labyrinth of corridors, stairways, and chambers decorated with frescoes illustrating life as it was 4,000 years ago.
Day 6: Santorini / Knossos
Corinthian sails into the flooded volcanic crater of Santorini, one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular islands. From the sea enjoy a beautiful view of the whitewashed village of Phira, set atop a 1,000-foot-high palisade. Then travel to Akrotiri, which, centuries ago, was inhabited by a sophisticated Bronze Age society. In the 2nd millennium B.C., volcanic eruptions shrouded the island in a blanket of pumice and ash, preserving many of Akrotiri’s buildings. Like Pompeii, the houses here still contain pottery and other household furnishings left as they were abandoned, and the narrow streets and broad squares remain much as they did 3,600 years ago. Return to Phira to visit its excellent museum, with the most complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization in the world.
Day 7: Nafplion / Mycenae / Epidaurus
Arrive at Nafplion for an excursion to Mycenae, a center of the world of the Mycenaeans, an extraordinary civilization that flourished in the second millennium b.c. Homer described Mycenae, the home of Agamemnon, as “rich in gold.” A tour of the citadel includes the royal beehive-shaped tombs, set outside its walls, and the dramatic Lion Gate, which leads to the acropolis and grand palace. Drive to Epidaurus, the ancient shrine of Asklepios. The ruins are dominated by a 4th-century theater, one of the finest in Greece. Spend the afternoon at leisure in lovely Nafplion, one of Greece’s best preserved medieval towns.
Day 8: Pireaus / Disembark / Athens
Disembark in Piraeus and transfer to the airport in Athens for return flights home.
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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.