Itinerary

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Athens, Greece. (Sat.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling companions at a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Day 3:
Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia. (Sun.) Motor along the coast to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two more major features today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate—Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (BB,D)

Day 4:
Nauplia–Olympia. (Mon.) Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then an afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity performed in honor of the King of Deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM which displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Olympia–Delphi. (Tue.) Drive to the busy seaport of Patras, and proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. Finally, visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th century B.C. bronze statue. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Delphi–Meteora Area. (Wed.) North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka for an afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. We have selected two of them for you to visit: VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. (BB,D)

Day 7:
Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens. (Thu.) Past Larisa to the comfortable coastal highway. Today’s highlight is a visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex; and Marathon, where in 490 B.C. 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders. (BB)

Day 8:
Athens. (Fri.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the Royal Palace, government buildings, and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not try out local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek for a fitting farewell to this fascinating country? (BB)

Day 9:
(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

 

Dates & Prices

ATHENS
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing; visit the Acropolis

ANCIENT CORINTH
Guided visit of the excavations

MYCENAE
Guided visit of the excavations

EPIDAURUS
Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater

OLYMPIA
Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum

DELPHI
Guided visit of the excavations; visit the archaeological museum

METEORA AREA
Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries

THERMOPYLAE
Guided visit
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Madrid, Spain. (Sat.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Madrid. (Sun.) The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely turned towards the future. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide takes you to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen can be arranged. (BB)

Day 4:
Madrid–Toledo–Granada. (Mon.) This morning focus on splendid Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, and the Church of SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Also time to visit a Damascene steel workshop before continuing to history-steeped Granada. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Granada–Torremolinos. (Tue.) See the sights of Granada with a Local Guide and visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by Gypsy cave dwellers. Amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Then turn towards the sea, away from the mountains, to lively Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. (BB)

Day 6:
At Leisure in Torremolinos. (Wed.) A day at leisure at your beachfront hotel. Browse through the trendy boutiques and sample the many fancy restaurants. You may want to join an optional excursion to the rock fortress of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (BB)

Day 7:
Torremolinos–Jerez–Seville. (Thu.) Visit picturesque, historic Ronda, perched on a platform of the Sierra de Ronda and cut in two by a deep ravine, before reaching Jerez, famous for its sherry wines and magnificent horses of mixed Spanish, Arab, and English blood. Highlight today is a visit to a SHERRY BODEGA. Then on to Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia. (BB,D)

Day 8:
Seville. (Fri.) Listen to your Local Guide’s account of the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire MARIA LUISA PARK. Drive to the Plaza de España, the Gold Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the fine baroque building which is now the university but used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus’ tomb, the world’s largest Gothic edifice. Finally stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. The rest of the day is at leisure. For a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional flamenco show. (BB)

Day 9:
Seville–Cordoba–Madrid. (Sat.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide in Cordoba features the Alcazar, the Roman Bridge, and the medieval Old Jewish Quarter. Tour the magnificent 8th-century MOSQUE OF THE CALIPHS, famous for its 850 pillars of porphyry, marble, and jasper. Motor north from the fertile valley of the Gualdalquivir River through the arid landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha back to Madrid. Tonight why not join an optional dinner outing to celebrate the success of this exciting vacation? (BB)

Day 10:
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

 

Dates & Prices

MADRID
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum

TOLEDO
Guided sightseeing, visit an early synagogue, the Gothic cathedral, one of El Greco’s masterpieces in Santo Tomé Church, and a Damascene steel workshop

GRANADA
Guided sightseeing, visit the Alhambra and the Water Gardens of the Generalife

RONDA
Orientation

JEREZ
Visit a sherry bodega

SEVILLE
Guided sightseeing, visit Maria Luisa Park, the cathedral with Columbus’ tomb, Santa Cruz quarter

CORDOBA
Guided sightseeing, visit the Mosque of the Caliphs
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Madrid, Spain. (Mon.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Spanish capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and have a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Madrid. (Tue.) The capital since 1561, Madrid today is a strikingly modern city, the showcase of a country resolutely projected towards the future. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide takes you to Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Then the highlight: a visit to the palatial PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. The afternoon is at leisure. An optional excursion to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen can be arranged. (BB)

Day 4:
Madrid–Segovia–Salamanca. (Wed.) Cross the rugged Sierra de Guadarrama on the way to Segovia, famous for its Alcazar and the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Stop for pictures of walled Avila, where St. Theresa founded the Order of Carmelites. Overnight in Salamanca, whose baroque Plaza Mayor is one of the country’s grandest squares. (BB,D)

Day 5:
Salamanca–Fatima, Portugal–Lisbon. (Thu.) Enjoy the majestic scenery of the Serra da Estrela mountain range during your morning drive into Portugal. In Fatima, visit the SANCTUARY of OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, before continuing to Lisbon. (BB)

Day 6:
Lisbon. (Fri.) Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa and did not subside until the 1970s. Guided sightseeing includes two Manueline jewels: Belem Tower, guarding the estuary of the Tagus River, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of ALFAMA, the quarter of the seamen. This evening why not sign up for an optional dinner with Fado-style entertainment? (BB)

Day 7:
Lisbon–Seville, Spain. (Sat.) Enjoy a scenic drive through the Algarve and reach the vibrant capital of Andalusia. During your guided afternoon sightseeing hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire MARIA LUISA PARK. Drive to the Plaza de España and the fine baroque building, which is now the university but used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus'' tomb, the world''s largest Gothic edifice. Then stroll through the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER . (BB,D)

Day 8:
At Leisure in Seville. (Sun.) All day at leisure with lots of things to do. Your Tour Director will have suggestions how to spend your time. For a truly Andalusian night out reserve a seat at our optional flamenco show. (BB)

Day 9:
Seville–Tangier, Morocco. (Mon.) Through the sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras. Board your FERRY and sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa. In Tangier, jumping off point for the Moorish conquest of Spain and home town of the legendary medieval traveler Ibn Batuta, sightseeing with a Local Guide features a picture stop at the Sultan’s palace and a panoramic drive to CAP SPARTEL, where you will quench your thirst Bedouin-style with a glass of hot mint tea. Time to explore this fascinating city on your own. (BB,D)

Day 10:
Tangier–Torremolinos, Spain. (Tue.) Visit Tangier’s colorful GRAND SOCCO market and explore the narrow streets of the Casbah. Then return by FERRY across the Straits to the Bay of Algeciras. The vistas of the Rock of Gibraltar are spectacular! Then drive to your hotel in Torremolinos along the elegant Costa del Sol. (BB)

Day 11:
At Leisure in Torremolinos. (Wed.) A day at leisure to browse through the trendy boutiques. You may want to join an optional excursion to the rock fortress of Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704. (BB)

Day 12:
Torremolinos–Granada. (Thu.) Into the mountains to history-steeped Granada. Visit its main attraction, the ALHAMBRA, with a Local Guide. A fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by gypsy cave dwellers. Amble through the magnificent WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE, the royal summer residence. Afternoon at leisure. (BB,D)

Day 13:
Granada–Toledo–Madrid. (Fri.) Drive through the olive and orange groves of the rolling Andalusian hills and later the more barren landscapes of Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Toledo, spectacularly situated on a granite hill surrounded by a loop of the Tagus River. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the 13th-century GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, and the church of SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Also time to visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP before returning to Madrid. Tonight why not join an optional farewell dinner outing? (BB)

Day 14:
(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

 

Dates & Prices

MADRID
Welcome dinner, guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum

SEGOVIA
Picture stop at the Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar

AVILA
Picture stop at the walled town

FATIMA
Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary

LISBON
Guided sightseeing, visit Jeronimos Monastery and the Alfama

SEVILLE
Guided sightseeing, visit Maria Luisa Park, the cathedral with Columbus'' tomb, and Santa Cruz quarter

ALGECIRAS-TANGIER
By ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar

TANGIER
Guided sightseeing, panoramic drive to Cap Spartel, visit the Grand Socco market

GRANADA
Guided sightseeing, visit the Alhambra and the Water Gardens of the Generalife

TOLEDO
Guided sightseeing, visit an early synagogue, the Gothic cathedral, one of El Greco’s masterpieces in Santo Tomé Church, and a Damascene steel workshop
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Munich, Germany. (Sun.) Time to rest or to start exploring the Bavarian capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Munich–Prague, Czech Republic. (Mon.) An orientation tour of Germany’s “secret capital” features the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, 17th century Nymphenburg Palace, and MARIENPLATZ in the historic heart of the city. Later head for the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and travel to Prague, the “Golden City.” How about an optional Czech folklore show tonight? (BB,D)

Day 4:
Prague. (Tue.) Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. See 1,000-year-old HRADCANY CASTLE, ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of all Europe. Afternoon at leisure. This evening why not an optional dinner outing? (BB)

Day 5:
Prague–Bratislava, Slovakia–Budapest, Hungary. (Wed.) Into Moravia where Napoleon established his headquarters during the battle of Austerlitz. Around lunchtime you reach Bratislava, the economic and political center of Slovakia. Afterwards follow the course of the Danube River to Budapest. (BB,D)

Day 6:
Budapest. (Thu.) Your Local Guide takes you through Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. See the elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second largest Jewish Synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then visit the 13th-century ST. MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged. (BB)

Day 7:
Budapest–Vienna, Austria. (Fri.) This morning drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing with vistas of the Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish Quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. An optional excursion to the wine village of Grinzing is available. (BB)

Day 8:
At Leisure in Vienna. (Sat.) A whole day at leisure gives you an opportunity to join exciting optional excursions such as to the Vienna Woods, historic Schönbrunn Palace, a concert, or to just explore this magnificent city on your own. (BB)

Day 9:
Vienna–Salzburg. (Sun.) Follow the Danube River and pass the Sound of Music lakeland to Salzburg. A pleasant stroll in the afternoon with a Local Guide takes you through the historical center. Admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, and the monumental Domplatz. Also visit MOZART’S BIRTHPLACE in the charming Getreidegasse. (BB,D)

Day 10:
Salzburg–Munich, Germany. (Mon.) After a leisurely morning, a comfortable drive brings you back to Munich. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner and, as a finale to this exciting tour, you may want to opt for a stein of beer at the famous Hofbräuhaus. (BB,D)

Day 11:
(Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)

 

Dates & Prices

MUNICH
Welcome and farewell dinners; orientation including Marienplatz

PRAGUE
Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock; Visit Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral

BRATISLAVA
Lunch stop

BUDAPEST
Guided sightseeing, picture stop at Fishermen’s Bastion; Visit St. Matthias Coronation Church

VIENNA
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral

SALZBURG
Guided sightseeing, visit Mirabell Gardens, St. Peter’s Churchyard, and Mozart’s birthplace