Day
1, arrive Athens, Saturday
You will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Enjoy a welcome dinner in a traditional Greek
tavern in the old part of Athens, Plaka.
Day
2, in Athens, Sunday
See the highlights of Athens this morning on a
sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling
capital city is set amidst reminders of a long
and glorious past: graceful temples, centuries-old
monasteries, and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit
the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Erectheion
with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena
Nike and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis
lies the ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus
and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening
are free.
Day
3, to Delphi and Kalambaka, Monday
Your first stop this morning is Delphi, where
the famous oracle foretold the destiny of men.
The Temple of Apollo, in which the oracle functioned,
was built in the 6th century B.C. Also see the
Sacred Way, the Stadium and the Castilian Fountain,
where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation
for consulting the oracle. Visit the Archaeological
Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive
collection of finds from the site, including the
beautiful "Bronze Charioteer," before
continuing on to Kalambaka.
Day
4, to Ohrid, Tuesday
After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes
of Meteora, known as "the rocks that fell
from the sky." Here monks built their rock-top
monasteries, far away from civilization. Of the
13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s
cells, only 4 are now active. The most important
is Megalo or Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture
with its tall and intricate dome, 12 sides and
fine frescoes. Continue across the border to Macedonia,
and on to Ohrid.
Day
5, to Tirana, Wednesday
The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural
and spiritual center, classified as a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Start your morning sightseeing
tour with a walk through the cobblestone streets
of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia,
containing some magnificent frescoes from the
10th century. In the early afternoon, travel to
Tirana, the capital of Albania.
Day
6, in Tirana, Thursday
On a morning sightseeing tour, see the Skanderbeg
Square, the Mosque of Et’hem Bey, the Clock
Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s
national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with
Soviet assistance; and the National History Museum,
with a mosaic on its facade portraying Albanian
history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring
on your own, shop, or just relax.
Day
7, to Dubrovnik, Friday
After breakfast, depart Tirana and travel to the
town of Shkodra, a cultural center and one of
Albania’s oldest cities. See the ruins of
Rozafa Castle, set on a hill high above the city,
then cross the border into Montenegro and on to
Croatia and beautiful Dubrovnik.
Day
8, in Dubrovnik, Saturday
There is a walking tour of "Old Dubrovnik"
this morning; the Rector's Palace, Bell Tower
Clock, Orlando's Column and the Sponza Palace.
You will also see the Dominican Monastery and
Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of
the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is
at leisure.
Day
9, in Dubrovnik, Sunday
Today, full day is at leisure to relax, shop or
explore on your own.
Day
10, departure Dubrovnik, Monday
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your
departure flight.
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