Insider's Greece

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Athens

Arrive in Athens, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin to explore this enchanting, ancient city. Perhaps stop for a plate of honey-soaked, cinnamon-spiced loukoumades while you stroll through the winding streets of this cradle of civilization.

Day 3: Athens

Greet the day with a guided sightseeing tour that reveals the glories of ancient Greece. Ascend to the top of the Acropolis and visit the iconic Parthenon, which dominates the city and stands as a powerful and impressive memorial to the remarkable civilization that built it. Then view the Agora, followed by a stroll through the Acropolis Museum, a modern architectural jewel. The afternoon is yours to explore more of the bustling Plaka at your own pace. Tonight you'll be thoroughly entertained by a Greek cultural evening in a traditional village setting. Taste freshly pressed olive oil, dine on authentic taverna cuisine and feast your eyes and ears on professional dancers moving to the traditional music. An expert also teaches you the steps of traditional Greek dances so that you can join in the fun!

Day 4: Overnight Ferry

Travel to mythical Delphi, the hallowed site whose oracle once gave advice to statesmen and generals. Visit the Temple of Apollo, the Delphi Archaeological Museum, featuring artifacts unearthed during local excavations, and the stadium. You'll enjoy lunch with a scenic view of the valley below before returning to Piraeus to board an overnight ferry to Crete.

Day 5: Chania

Disembark in Chania, one of Greece's most beautiful cities and enjoy a typical Cretan breakfast. You'll then spend time exploring this former Venetian port on a guided walking tour. Dinner will be a traditional affair with local music.

Day 6: Heraklion

This morning visit a local agricultural farm to take part in a variety of age old Cretan traditions including beekeeping and honey production, shepherding and baking. Continue into the heart of Crete, Rethymno, where a short stop uncovers this ancient city's aristocratic architecture and Venetian history. Tonight you arrive in Heraklion.

Day 7: Heraklion

Many believed that Santorini was part of the lost continent of Atlantis, and today you'll enjoy a full day excursion by ferry to this stunning island. Your excursion ashore on Santorini includes a guided tour of the beautifully presented archaeological site at Akrotiri and the island's capital Fira. In Fira there will be time for lunch and a walk before returning by ferry to Heraklion.

Day 8: Athens

Today you'll explore Heraklion, the capital of Crete with a guided panoramic tour, including a visit to the 5,000 year-old Minoan Palace of Knossos. In the afternoon, you'll learn some secrets of Greek cuisine during a cooking lesson, focusing on the authentic coffee and treats that you'd find at a local kafeneia. You'll learn to prepare a type of fried dough called loukoumades and coiled and fillled pies called sarikopites, as well as traditional coffee and mountain tea. Then bid farewell to Crete and board a flight back to Athens. Tonight, you'll cap off an exceptional week in Greece with a final dinner.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.