La Sorrellanza - Greek Odyssey!

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Tuesday June 13: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States on your late night departure Eastwards, arriving at your connecting airport in the morning

Day 2, Wednesday June 14: Overnight Flight

Today you'll connect in the continental USA for your onward overnight flight to Europe

Day 3, Thursday June 15: Athens

Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival in Athens meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening in a local restaurant. (D)

Day 4, Friday June 16: Athens

Today after breakfast take a full day tour of Athens with a licensed guide. Your tour includes entrance to the Acropolis site and Museum, as well as the Temple of Olympian Zeus (the biggest temple of the ancient times). This afternoon rehearse for your performance, and after an early dinner together give your first concert in a local venue such as a church or community arts center. (B,D)

Day 5, Saturday June 17: Athens

This morning visit Cape Sounion, noted for its Temple of Poseidon, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age of Athens. Return to Athens this afternoon where you'll have time to explore at your own pace before coming together for your second concert. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant (B, D)

Day 6, Sunday June 18: Athens

Today is free for you to continue exploring Athens at your leisure: you could take in Constitution square, the Parliament, the many Neoclassical buildings of Athens, the Presidential Palace, and the Hadrian's Arch, to name just a few. Tonight's dinner is independent (B)

Day 7, Monday June 19: Nafplion

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head west, stopping first at the engineering marvel that is the Corinth Canal. The journey continues with a visit to the archaeological site of Mycenae & the theatre of Epidaurus, dating back to more than 300 years BC and seating up to 14,000 spectators. Continue to Nafplion for your overnight and dinner (B,D)

Day 8, Tuesday June 20: Nafplion

After an early breakfast you'll transfer to the port, and board a boat for a cruise taking in 2 stunning islands. The first stop is the beautiful island of Hydra, where you'll discover a pretty traffic-free town which has inspired artists such as PIcasso and Maria Callas. Then you'll continue to Spetses whose name of the island dates back to the era of Venetian rule and is due to its fragrant flowers (Iisola di spezie means “island of aromas”). Here you have time to swim on the island's excellent beaches, or explore the enchanting Old Harbour and narrow streets filled with neoclassical houses. Return to the mainland in time for dinner (B,D)

Day 9, Wednesday June 21: Olympia

After breakfast check out and depart for Olympia, the birthplace of the modern elite athletic test! After some free time, enjoy an early dinner together before your next performance, which could be in collaboration with a local choir or other ensemble. (B,D)

Day 10, Thursday June 22: Olympia

Today is spent exploring the cradle of modern sporting achievement, as you step amongst the ruins of temples, the gymnasium and the stadium, the palaestra and other buildings that bear witness to the brilliance of ancient Greek architecture and religious life which are preserved at the archaeological site.

Day 11, Friday June 23: Delphi

After breakfast check out and depart for Delphi with a stop at Nafpaktos, site of one of the most historic naval battles between Greece and Turkey in the 16th Century, as well as the Venetian castle that towers over the town. Continue to Delphi and check into your hotel, before dinner together in a local restaurant (B,D)

Day 12, Saturday June 24: Delphi

Spend the morning exploring Delphi, the center of the universe for ancient Greeks. A local guide shows you the ancient site where ancient Greeks asked for counsel from its fabled oracle. Visit the Temple of Apollo and the Delphi Archaeological Museum, featuring artifacts unearthed during local excavations. Tonight perform your final concert in a local venue (possibly in collaboration with a local ensemble) before dinner together (B,D)

Day 13, Sunday June 25: Athens

After breakfast check out and begin your journey back towards Athens. En route visit to the historic monastery of Ossios Loukas, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating from the 10th Century, and housing some of the most perfectly preserved frescos and mosaics in Europe. Continue to Athens, arriving in time for your farewell dinner with traditional folklore entertainment! (B,D)

Day 14, Monday June 26: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)