GEMS OF THE GREEK
ISLE & ITALY
OBERAMMERGAU
Athens • Corinth • Rhodes • Patmos • Rome •
Florence
15 DAYS
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HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TOUR
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This tour is offered only as a suggestion.
You may customize this itinerary and any other aspect of this tour.
DAY 1 – NEW YORK • ATHENS
Depart from Denver on our flight to Athens. Meals and overnight on board.
After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.
DAY 2 • ATHENS
Arrive in Athens today where we are met and transfered to our hotel.
Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 • ATHENS • CORINTH
This morning we drive along the Saronic Gulf across the Corinth
Canal, through rolling vineyards, to Corinth.
Visit the Doric style Temple of Apollo, market place, museum, fountain
of Pirene, the Bema of St. Paul and Agora. Return to your hotel in Athens
in the early afternoon. Dinner and overnight. This afternoon enjoy a
city tour of Athens including the House of
Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
the Theatre of Dyonisius, Mars Hill and the Odeon
of Herodes Atticus. Proceed to the famous Acropolis
Hill. Entering past graceful Propylea Temple,
visit the marble Temple of the Wingless Victory, the
incredible Parthenon, considered the worlds most perfectly
proportioned edifice. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
DAY 4 • ATHENS • PIRAEUS • MYKONOS
This morning we drive to Piraeus and embark on our cruise through the
Aegean to Turkey. Our elegant cruise ship is one of
the finest and offers 8 passenger decks a theater, a pool, a gymnasium
and a sauna. Arrive at Mykonos in the afternoon. The
afternoon is at leisure on this small and famous gleeming white Aegean
Island, with its golden beaches, windmills and picturesque narrow roads.
DAY 5 • RHODES
Early morning arrival in Rhodes. This fortified stronghold
was built by a Crusading Order which originated from Palestine. After
your stroll, enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere from one of the elegant
cafés on the yacht harbor, or take an optional excursion
to visit the Temple of Athena on the majestic, rocky
Acropolis of Lindos, with the blue Aegean beneath it and the sophisticated,
whitewashed artists' colony at its foot.
DAY 6 • KUSADASI • PATMOS
This morning we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. Kusadasi
is a colorful harbor town and the starting point for an optional
excursion to the ancient Greek city of Ephessus.
Excavation still continues in this once great and important city, which
was founded in the 10th century B.C. and was subdued by both Croesus
and Alexander the Great. Walk through history along streets lined with
magnificent public buildings, among them the Baths of Skolasticia, the
Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the theatre. Ephessus
also played an important part in the life of the Apostle Paul, who wrote
an epistle to its inhabitants. This afternoon we spend our
time cruising the beautiful, blue Aegean arriving after lunch in Patmos.
Patmos is the beautiful, rocky island where the exiled St. John the
Divine received the mystical Revelation which forms the last book of
the New Testament. Optional excursion to the Grotto of the
Revelation and then on to the 11th Century Monastery of St. John, which
houses an original manuscript of the Gospel. Enjoy the panoramic view
from this superb, fortress-like complex, high on a hill.
DAY 7 • PIRAEUS • ATHENS • ROME
Morning departure from the cruise ship. Return to Athens
where we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome. Upon arrival
in Rome we are met and transfered to our hotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 8 • ANCIENT ROME
This morning visit Via Piemonte, Aurelian Walls, Pinciana Gate, Via
Veneto, Via XX Settembre, Fountain of the Four Seasons and the Quirinal
Palace. We will stop at Trevi Fountain and then visit
the Pantheon, a two thousand year old Pagan Temple.
We then go on to Palazzo Madama or Senate House, Piazza Navona, built
on the ruins of the Circus of Domitian, The Supreme Court, St. Angelo’s
Castle, the old Vatican Fortress, and the Basilica
of St. Peter. Next we visit Capitoline Hill,
see a panoramic view of the Roman Forum and the Palantine
Hill, Imperial Foro, Colosseum, Arch of Costantine,
Circus Maximus, the Aventine Hill, St. Paul’s
Gate, Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Basilia of St. Paul
outside the Walls, the Domus Arena, Tito’s Baths, Church
of St. Peter in Chains with the Statue of Moses by Michelangelo.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 9 • ROME
This morning visit the Vatican Museum and Art Galleries,
the Round Hall, the hall of the Greek Cross, the tomb of St. Helen and
St. Costance, the Sistene Chapel with the works of
Michelangelo, Gallery of the Chandeliers, Gallery of the Tapestries
and the Geographical Maps, and the Library Hall. Proceed the Piazza
San Bernardo, Moses’ Fountain, Piazza della Republica with Naiadi’s
Fountain, Via Nazionale, Piazza Venezia with the Memorial to
King Victor Emanuel II and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 10 • ROME • FLORENCE
After leaving Rome we make our way to Florence along the “Sun
Route” motorway; driving through the regions of Lazio
and Umbria. Florence is now a cultural centre
as a result of its historic past and the birthplace of the Italian language.
The city which is of Etruscan-Roman origin flourished during the Middle
Ages as a free commune; under the Medici Princess it was further enriched
by the Renaissance Art. We pass through the new area to reach the religious
heart of the city where we visit: The Galleria dell’Accademia
with its original Statue of David, the Third Pietà and
the Prisons by Michelangelo. We then proceed to the Cathedral
S. Maria del Flore, with its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi,
the Baptistery, where we find the golden bronze doors of Ghiberti and
we admire the Giotto Belfrey. We continue to Piazza della Signoria with
the Palazzo Vecchio (Town Hall), the Loggia dei Lanzi
where we find the Cellini Perseu and the Fountain of Neptune.
Continue to Piazza Santa Croce where we will visit
a leather factory. Free time is available to visit the Church
of Santa Croce where there are the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo,
Rossini and Machiavelli; or for shopping. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 11 • FLORENCE • VENICE
This morning we depart Florence for Venice as we drive
along the Venezian Gulf up to Ravenna, called the Byzantium
of the West, to see the mosaics of Europe. Upon arrival we take a walking
tour of this fascinating city to view such sites as the gondolas, St.
Mark’s Square, the Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs,
the canals and the Doges Palace. Dinner and overnight
in Venice.
DAY 12 • VENICE • INNSBRUCK
Depart Italy today for Innsbruck, Austria. Upon arrival we take a guided
city tour by motorcoach and on foot showing us the main sights such
as Maria Theresien Strasse, The Belfry and the charming
Little Golden Roof. Proceed to our hotel for dinner
and overnight.
DAY 13 • INNSBRUCK • OBERAMMERGAU
This morning we proceed into Germany to King Ludwig II’s
beautiful Linderhof Castle with its cascades and gardens.
Just before entering Oberammergau we visit the Ettal
Benedictine Abbey. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 14 • OBERAMMERGAU
Full day in Oberammergau for the Passion Play.
Oberammergau is in the Bavarian Alps, famous for its woodcarving industry.
In the year 1633, the town was stricken by the plague. In desperation
the people of the village took an oath that they would stage a performance
of the Passion of Jesus every 10 years if the plague would vanish and
save their town. The town was saved and the first performance took place
in 1634. From 1690 on, the play has been performed regularly every 10
years. The play takes almost eight hours to perform and the 124 speaking
parts are performed by inhabitants of the village. The audience is seated
in a roofed auditorium while the stage is open-air. Lunch and dinner
are included.
DAY 15 • OBERAMMERGAU • MUNICH • NEW YORK
Transfer to Munich airport where our guide will assist us with check
in procedures. Board our hometown flight to Denver.
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