Greek Odyssey: Athens to Corfu

Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel in the city center. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in and relax or explore the neighborhood.

Meet your fellow travelers and Smithsonian Journeys Expert before setting out on a guided tour of the Acropolis.  Perched some 500 feet over the city, the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon were the religious heart of ancient Athens. Continue to the renowned Acropolis Museum to view its remarkable collection of antiquities, including portions of the storied Parthenon frieze. After time at leisure, gather for a welcome dinner this evening. (B,D)

Travel just outside of Athens to Cape Sounion, a rocky headland that rises high above the cobalt Aegean Sea. Visit the Temple of Poseidon, perched at the cliff’s edge and steeped with mythology, and see its stately Doric columns, standing since the fifth century BC. On your return to the city, stop for lunch on the Athenian Riviera. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening to discover Athens and its restaurants. (B,L)

Browse an incredible array of sculpture, bronzes, and jewelry at the National Archaeological Museum, which houses the world’s finest collection of Greek antiquities, spanning the Neolithic era to the Hellenistic Age. Depart for Delphi, stopping en route in the mountain resort of Arachova, where you’ll have time for lunch on your own. Arrive in Delphi in the early afternoon and dine together tonight. (B,D)

Experience the World Heritage site of Delphi, the sacred home of the Oracle of Delphi, set amid stunning mountains.  Explore the evocative ruins of the Sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, as well as a theater and stadium, and see artifacts from the site at the acclaimed Archaeological Museum. Journey north to the Thessaly region, stopping for lunch on the way. In the mid-afternoon, arrive in Kalabaka, a town tucked at the foot of the rock cliffs and pinnacles of Meteora. After time to get acquainted with Kalabaka or relax at the hotel pool, meet the group for dinner. (B,L,D)

The World Heritage site of Meteora is an astonishing sight: twisting rock pillars jut out of the plains, rising some 1,000 feet and harboring medieval monasteries atop their summits. Of the original 24 built in the 14th century, only six are still active. On a tour of the site, step into two of these monasteries and learn about the daily life of the Orthodox monks who live and work in them. Stop to see Byzantine icons on the way to back to hotel, and enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the town and its surroundings as you wish. (B)

Journey toward Mount Olympus for a visit to Dion, the “city of Zeus.” Glimpse daily life in ancient Greece at the open-air Archaeological Park and tour the Saint Dionysios Monastery of Olympus, nestled in a picturesque gorge. Travel on to the vibrant Aegean port of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city.  After checking into our centrally located hotel, enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Delve into history on a tour of the city, founded in 316 BC and named after Alexander the Great’s sister. Visit the Archaeological Museum, and examine the superb mosaics of the Rotonda, a World Heritage-listed church dating to the fourth century. See the White Tower, originally an Ottoman fortress and now a symbol of Thessaloniki and a museum. After lunch at leisure, gather for a trip to the market, where you’ll select fresh ingredients for a cooking class. In the evening, dine on the Greek specialties you’ve created together. (B,D)

Travel to the archaeological site of Aigai, or Vergina, of ancient capital of Macedon and now a World Heritage site. Descend into its underground museum to see the royal tomb of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, and other members of his family. Continue to Igoumenitsa and enjoy free time for lunch before catching the ferry to the Ionian island of Corfu, your home for the next three nights. (B,D)

Begin your exploration of this fabled island on a morning tour of Corfu Town, another World Heritage site. Venture into the Venetian Old Fortress, built atop a rocky promontory jutting into the sea, and visit the excellent Corfu Museum of Asian Art, housed in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. After lunch together, the remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B,L)

Cruise the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea aboard a pri­vate yacht today. Take in stunning views of the Old Town as you sail along the island’s eastern coast, and discover secluded coves where you can swim or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Disembark in the afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Savor two traditional flavors of Greece at their source today. Stop in for a tour of a 15th-century olive oil mill and taste varieties of this ingredient that is so essential in Greek cuisine. Then visit a distillery to sample kumquat liqueur, a distinctively sweet and tangy citrus cordial produced only on Corfu. This afternoon, fly to Athens for your final night and celebrate your journey at a farewell dinner. (B,D)

After breakfast, cross from your conveniently located hotel to the terminal to catch your flight home. (B)