ATHENS CULTURAL TRIP

ITINERARY

DAY 1- arrival

Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel. Rest  of the day is free. 

Overnight in Athens

DAY 2- Ancient Times

Breakfast in the hotel

In the morning you will begin your tour with a visit of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens

Then transfer to the Acropolis and visit the Architectural Masterpieces of Golden Age of Athens: The propylea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit” the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon
See the Aeropagus (Mars Hill) where Apostle Paul took and preached about the truth to the Gentile nation and then walk to the Ancient Agora, which was the center of political and public life in Ancient Athens. The agora was utilized for commerce, political, religious and military activity

Proceed to lunch in the historical city center and after lunch continue with a visit of the New Acropolis Museum

Then drive along the coastal road, past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza to the most southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. On the way you have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the little islands off shore. After visiting the Temple of Poseindon , you have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Sounio, and then drive back to Athens center, where you’ll have a dinner accompanied by an Italian speaking escort

Dinner in a local restaurant serving authentic Ancient Greek recipies, will complete your day’s trip to Greece’s ancient culture
Return to the hotel for overnight

Day 3: Athens through History

Breakfast in the hotel

Begin with a morning bus tour and see the Panathenaic stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (Ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Evzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Uknown soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma)

Proceed with a guided visit at the Numismatic Museum of Athens. The period from the 15th to the 20th century is covered through the coins of most of the Modern and contemporary era states. An emphasis is shown to coins circulated in Greece, such as issues of the Ottoman empire, coins of European states and empires and coins and banknotes of the Modern Greek state

Lunch in the city center

Then Continue to a visit of Benaki museum. This group of collections comprises many distinct categories totalling more than 40,000 items, illustrating the character of the Greek world through a spectacular historical panorama: from antiquity and the age of Roman domination to the mediecal Byzantine period: from the fall of Constantinople (1453) and the centuries of Frankish and Ottoman occupation to the outbreak of the struggle for independence in 1821; and from the formation of the modern state of Greece (1830) down to 1922, the year in which the Asia Minor disaster took place

Transfer back to your hotel

Overnight in Athens

Day 4: Folk History

Breakfast in the hotel

Your program today will start with a visit to the Greek Folk Art Museum and take a tour in Greece’s History through the evolution of the country’s folk art.
The Museum owns rich collections of objects representing all branches of folk art: embroidery, weaving, costumes, masquerades, shadow theater, silver work, metal work, pottery, woodcarving, folk paintings and stone carving. The collection dates from 1650 till today

The day continues with Greek Folk dances lessons by the famous Dora Stratou Theater/ School, in the indoor hall at Philopappou Hill or at a location of your choice, by teachers with many years' experience. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance as well as educational material.

After the end of the lessons you will proceed to lunch in the historical center and then transfer back to your hotel

In the evening a traditional Greek dinner will follow along with live Greek Music and Greek dancing show in which you will participate and practice the dances that you learned this morning
After dinner transfer back to your hotel for overnight

Day 5: Athens Today

Breakfast in the hotel

Begin you day with a walking tour through Athens’ main food Market- the Varvakeios Street Market. Observe the locals in their daily food shopping and relations and interfere with them

Then continue on foot through Monastiraki- the famous flee market of Athens and one of the main tourist attractions of the City. Here you will find from simple souvenirs to expensive antiques and clothing. Enjoy the famous Greek Souvlaki (lunch) which you may have in one of the plenty local souvlaki restaurants of the area

Transfer back to your hotel

In the afternoon you will visit the Lycabettus Hill and will be able to observe almost the whole City and its suburbs, down to Piraeus….Walk down the hill and proceed then to dinner

Transfer back to your hotel- overnight in Athens

Day 6: Departure

Today after breakfast transfer to Athens Airport