SEPT. 2012: GLORIOUS GREECE Ancient Ruins & Sunny Islands

ANCIENT ISLES OF GLORIOUS GREECE
Ancient Ruins & Sunny Islands
September 17 – September 29, 2012

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.”

– Susan Heller -

Stunning whitewashed villages gaze over blue seas and ruins echo with the voices of ancient philosophers. Join Earthbound Expeditions on an unforgettable journey to the cradle of Western civilization. Our handcrafted adventure to Greece promises to be filled with mouth-watering Greek specialties, sun-drenched beaches and historic walks through romantic ruins. We’ll sleep among the blue domes on Santorini, sail in the Cyclades and immerse ourselves in archeological treasures.

JOURNEY OVERVIEW

2 Nights Athens, Greece
2 Nights Meteora Ancient Monasteries
1 Night Delphi
2 Nights Nafplio Seaside Village
2 Nights Isle Mykonos
3 Nights Isle of Santorini

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Private guided walks through the Parthenon and Acropolis, the National Archeological Museum of Athens
• Plaka district markets
• The extraordinary, cliff-hanging monasteries of Meteora
• The ancient archeological sites of Delphi, Argos, Mycenae and Epidaurus
• Glamorous Mykonos and stunning Santorini
• A visit to an island winery, the village of Pyrgos and the Paleolithic Museum of Fira (Santorini)
• A sunset cruise off the coast of Santorini
• Opportunities for morning or afternoon hikes and/or walks
• An excursion to the isle of Delos
• A small group of soon-to-be friends!

IT’S INCLUDED

• Fully guided by an expert Earthbound Expeditions guide
• Twelve nights in charming, centrally located hotels (all rooms with private bath)
• All breakfasts and twelve additional lunches or dinners (two-thirds of all meals)
• Transportation from Athens to Santorini by private air-conditioned motor coach and public ferries
• All entrances listed in the trip highlights section above
• Private guided tours of each archaeological site visited
• All tips for driver, guides and other persons assisting you while participating in a group activity
• Country and city maps
• A reading and video list
• Alumni-appreciation discounts applied toward future Expeditions

TRIP FACTS
Length: 13 Days/12 Nights
Price: $3,775 (12 to 16 participants)
Price: $3,625 (17 to 23 participants)
Single Supplement: $695
Trip Dates: September 17-29, 2012
Based on an exchange rate of .77 Euro = $1USD

WAYS TO SAVE!

Pay by check: Pay your final balance by check or money order and save $75 per person.

Alumni Discounts: All alumni of Earthbound Expeditions will receive $100 off the published journey price (private trips may be excluded). If Earthbound Expeditions has other discounts available, participants may choose the greatest available discount.

Refer a Friend: Refer a friend and save an additional $75 for each person new to Earthbound who travels with you on an Earthbound Expedition. “Refer a Friend” discounts may be combined with other discounts.

“We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts, have their root in Greece.”

- Percy Bysshe Shelley -

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS…

DAY 0
Depart for Athens
Arrive a day or two early and take some time to enjoy this bustling cultural hub before joining your fellow travelers. You may wish to visit some of Athens’ sights not included in the tour. Note: If you are departing from North America, you will arrive in Europe the following day.

DAY 1
SEPTEMBER 17
Arrive in Athens
Arrive in Athens, the birthplace of Western Civilization. After settling into our centrally located hotel, your guide will host a welcome orientation followed by a feast at a nearby local taverna. Sleep in Athens

DAY 2
The Acropolis and the National Archeological Museum
The Acropolis was the political and religious center of the ancient Greek world. The Temple of Athena (better known as the Parthenon) proudly crowns the Acropolis. Today, we visit the Parthenon and Temple of Nike to see how the development of Western Civilization was unthinkable without the contributions of the Greeks. After a tasty lunch in a local taverna, our hunt for ancient treasure continues with an excursion to the National Archeological Museum of Greece. There, your guide will escort you through endless rooms, all bursting with powerful bronze statues, beautifully carved marble statues and priceless artifacts. The evening is yours to explore the back alleys of the Plaka market. Sleep in Athens

DAY 3
Due north to the Ancient Monasteries of Meteora
Leaving Athens, we’ll make our way up into mainland Greece, to the towering rock formations of Meteora. The name Meteora is derived from the Greek verb meteorizo: to suspend in the air. There are few places in Greece that are so intensely visual. We’ll arrive at our hotel and rise early tomorrow to begin our pilgrimage. Sleep in Meteora

DAY 4
Visit the towering monasteries of Meteora
There were once 24 monasteries clinging to these rocks, built in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Now only 6 remain inhabited and open to visitors. One can only imagine the baskets on ropes and pulleys needed to haul up each brick or board to construct these towering places of worship. We’ll visit the most spectacular: Megalo Meteoron or “Metamorphosis.” Sleep in Meteora

DAY 5
South to ancient Delphi
Depart today today for the region of central Greece known as Roumeli, to visit the classical site at Delphi. Most people come to this region for this purpose only and it is worthwhile. Delphi is the only ancient site that combines a unique wealth of monuments from all over the country with the natural beauty of the landscape. Tucked right under the cliffs, Delphi is one of the places many travelers find most memorable. The steep climb is rewarded with spectacular vistas and incomparable treasures. Sleep in Delphi

DAY 6
Delphi to Nafplio via ancient Olympia
We’ll leave mainland Greece today and travel to the Peloponnese Peninsula, where the Kladheos River meets the Alfios. This sanctuary was in use for two millennia as a religious and athletic center, but of all the games, the Olympics were the most prestigious. We’ll visit all the highlights of this historical place and maybe throw a discus just for fun.

After lunch, we cross the peninsula where the lovely seaside village of Nafplio awaits your arrival. In the 1700′s, this seaside gem was intimately linked to the prospering sea power, Venice. This is your home for the next two nights so you’ll have plenty of time to stroll through Nafplio’s well-preserved elegant old town and soak up the ambiance of the Aegean Sea. Sleep in Nafplio

DAY 7
Excursions to Ancient Mycenae and Epidaurus
We begin our day with two of the oldest Greek settlements, Mycenae and Epidaurus. The ancient city of Mycenae gave its name to the entire Bronze Age. By 1500 BCE, Mycenae merchants and military had come to dominate Greek lands. Legend has it that the powerful enemy of Troy, King Agamenon, ruled Mycenae.

After lunch, we continue our journey through time by visiting the 4th-century BCE amphitheater of Epidaurus. The theater’s perfect acoustics and elegant lines are astonishing. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Nafplio. Sleep in Nafplio

DAY 8
Evening ferry to the glamorous island of Mykonos via Corinth
As we make our way to the Port of Piraeus, we stop first to wonder at ancient Corinth and its famous canal. Occupied by the Romans in 146BCE, the city under Roman domination became the Imperial capital of Greece. What remains, despite powerful earthquakes, is the most complete Greco-Roman town plan. Side Note: Corinth once had the well-deserved reputation for luxury and vice, which predictably exercised Saint Paul when he arrived in AD 52 for an 18-month sojourn.

In the early evening we escape from the mainland in search of the serenity of Greek isles. By boat we cruise blue waters to the glamorous sun-drenched island of Mykonos. Boasting one of the prettiest and most solicitously preserved towns in the clyclades, Mykonos is a great place to unwind. Sleep in Mykonos

DAY 9
Mykonos and an excursion to the island of Delos
In the morning, you’ll take a short boat trip to nearby Delos. This sacred island was amongst the three most important religious centers of ancient Greece. Athens considered Delos and its’ god Apollo so important that in 5th century BCE, it decreed that no one could be born or die on its sacred soil. Upon your return to Mykonos, stroll through flower decked alleyways, take in the countless white washed houses and walk up to the famous windmills of Mykonos. Sleep in Mykonos

DAY 10
Ferry to the mythical island of Atlantis,Santorini
Our exploration on the Greek Cyclades continues today with a boat trip to the picturesque island of Santorini. Note: Depending upon the ferry schedule you may be stopping at the Island of Naxos for several hours where you will have time for a leisurely lunch before re-boarding your ferry to Santorini.

It’s a spectacular approach to Santorini as the ship enters a vast, almost landlocked circle. On the upper rim cling whitewashed, blue-domed buildings of Thìra, the island’s capital village, where in the following days you’ll enjoy splendid views of the port below.

Some believe Santorini to be the legendary Atlantis. In 1500 BCE the Island exploded in a powerful volcanic eruption, creating the now-existing caldera. Sleep in Santorini

DAY 11
An excursion to the Village of Oìa
Get into the rhythm of island life and sift your way through the whitewashed village of Santorini or make your way to a black sand beach where you can partake in the ancient Greek ritual of sun bathing-there are plenty of beaches to choose from!

While on Santorini, we’ll of course take a scenic drive to visit Oìa, located on the island’s northernmost peninsula. Famous for its blue domes, Oìa is perhaps the most stunning and photographed village in all of Greece. Some might wish to make their way to Oìa via a dramatic seaside hiking trail. Sleep in Santorini

DAY 12
Another day of leisure on Santorini and an evening sunset cruise
Today lets take in a nearby winery, where we will learn how wine, the nectar of the gods, is produced. After the winery visit, we make our way to Pyrgos, a delightful village not far from Fira with a panoramic view of the whole island. We’ll also have a guided visit of the Paleolithic Museum in Fira. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax and soak up some more sun, then we’ll have a sunset cruise and enjoy a gala farewell feast tonight, where we’ll toast to our wonderful trip! Sleep in Santorini

DAY 13
SEPTEMBER 29
Depart for USA: Tour over after breakfast. Bon Voyage!
Santorini is well-connected to Athens. There are daily direct flights (45 minutes) to Athens’ airport. You may also choose to return to Athens by high speed or slow boat.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Deposit and payment schedule: A $500 deposit per person is required to reserve your journey. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for our refund policy. A separate deposit may be requested for the air portion of your journey.

Not Included: Airline surcharges, taxes, baggage fees, alcoholic beverages with meals, meals not mentioned, room/mini-bar service, gratuities for hotel staff, travel insurance, items of a personal nature and activities not listed.

Pricing: In the event that there are fewer than the minimum number of participants listed on the itinerary, a small group comfort charge will be offered to ensure the journey departs as scheduled. Former guests have greatly appreciated the benefits of traveling with a smaller group. Earthbound staff or hosts are not included in the number of tour participants. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for pricing information specific to each journey.

Currency Fluctuations: The exchange rate on which the trip is based is listed on the itinerary under “Trip Facts” and was obtained through www.xe.com. Although no changes in the price of your trip are expected, Earthbound reserves the right to add a currency supplement or offer a refund due to unexpected currency fluctuations of plus or minus 5%. Seventy-five days prior to departure, rates will be reviewed and if necessary updated. Fluctuations greater then 5% will be noted in the final balance letter and invoice. Example: If the dollar falls against the Euro at a rate of 7%, a 2% surcharge will be added. In this case, Earthbound will absorb the initial 5% loss in the dollar. If the dollar gains against the Euro by 7%, a 2% reduction in price will be offered. NOTE: This policy pertains to euro zone countries (Russia, Western and Eastern Europe) only.

Dress: In general, our guests feel most comfortable when dressed in a “casually smart” (not formal) way. We are often asked about jeans and Europeans of all ages do indeed wear them. None of the places we visit or dine require that women wear dresses or that men wear suit jackets or ties or any other special clothing. You’ll dine in casually elegant bistros that are not at all stuffy.