Is your organization or group planning a trip? Here's some information on different countries to which we specialize in taking groups and individuals. Contact us with the form at the bottom of the page if you'd like a custom itinerary quote.
Don't see your destination country on our list? No problem, we'll put together a unique itinerary just for you, just contact us with your planned destination.
Greece
Somehow, I keep finding myself in Greece and I'm so grateful. The seat of ancient democracy is as vibrant as ever, and even as Greece is in the news more often for a variety of reasons, there's been no better time to relax in one of the most peaceful beautiful places in the world.
My first trip to Greece was just a quick stop in Athens and Santorini - if you're going to just catch a glimpse of the country, those are the two places to go for the Parthenon and sheer natural beauty, respectively. Next, I took a slower jaunt backpacking my way through the Greek Islands, appreciating the slower pace of life and watching the sunset past the white-washed buildings over the water each night. I found myself touring the interior of the country later, and was awestruck by the sudden rock outcroppings of Meteora and the ancient and modern mix in Thessaloniki.
I like to do Greece either primarily by boat or primarily by land, but we mix and match a little bit too. Think about adding some time in Turkey to your trip too - they're great compliments to a group trip.
Either way, you'll walk away mesmerized by the beauty, the amazing fresh food, the startlingly pleasant people, and the pervasive history of Greece.
-Andrew
Itinerary
day 1 - Depart USA
day 2 - Arrive Thessaloniki
We’ll take this day to recover a little bit from the long trip. After all of us arrive we will proceed to the sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki. We will be visiting the medieval Acropolis of the city, the basilica of St Demetrios, the Roman Agora and driving around we will see the Rotonda Palace, the White tower, and the Egnatian avenue once known as via Egnatia.
day 3 - Phillipi day tour, Thessaloniki
We will depart from the hotel to travel east to reach the port of Kavala once known as Neapolis the port where St Paul landed for the first time on European grounds. We will see the mosaic commemorating this event as well as the remains of the Turkish aqueduct. then we will travel north where the ancient city of Philippi was discovered the place where, according to Acts chapter 16, Paul baptized Lydia, the first European convert.We will see the location of this first baptism and then we will walk around the ruins of the ancient city. In the afternoon we will return back to Thessaloniki.
day 4 - Stop at Vergina, Meteora
This morning we will leave the city of Thessaloniki traveling west and in an hour's journey we will arrive to Veroia, also named Berea, in the Acts Chapter 17 v.10-14. After visiting the Altar commemorating Paul's visit as well as the Juice Quarter we will continue to Vergina the place identified as the fist capital of the ancient Macedonian Kingdom. In 1976 the archaeologist discovered there the tomb of king Filip II father of Alexander the Great. After our guided tour of the place we will take the western direction of the Egnatian motorway to reach the town of Kalambaka where we are visiting one of the Byzantine monasteries of the Meteora Rocks one of the greatest monastic centre of the Orthodox Christian world.Additionally we will enjoy the unique natural beauty of this special area.
day 5 - Meteora, Delphi, and Athens
Departing from Kalambaka we will drive towards the south. On our way to Delphi, once believed to be the navel of the world we will enjoy the scenery and a stop by the historical area of Thermopylae where a legendary battle happened between the Greeks and the Persians 480 B.C. Around noon we will arrive to Delphi to enjoy a guided tour through one of the UNESCO sites in Greece. Delphi is the home of the famous Sybiline Oracle. We will also visit the museum where famous masterpieces are exhibited. After lunch we will continue driving to Athens to spend overnight
day 6 - Cruise, sail to Mykonos
We’ll head in the morning to the Athens port of Pireus to embark the Cruise ship.In the afternoon the cruise ship will arrive to the port of Mykonos. We’ll have some time to stroll around the pictoresque narrow streets of the Mykonos town and grab souvenirs or a leisurely CAPPUCCINO.
day 7 in turkey Ephesus and Patmos
In the morning the ship arrives to Kusadasi Turkey which is located about 25 kilometres away from the ancient city of Ephesus.(Acts of the Apostles, chapter 19 v. 19-38). The group will have the opportunity to visit Ephesus, the home of Mary, and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. John the apostle and Mary the mother of Jesus relocated here after the resurrection and it became the epicenter for the church. Paul also sent Prisca and Aquilla here to serve believers and Thecla joined Paul in ministry here. The cruise ship will remain at Kusadasi until noon and early in the afternoon will arrive at the island of Patmos a famous Greek island where St John the Divine wrote the books of the Apocalypse 1900 years ago. The passengers will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse as well as St John's Monastery in the little town of Chora on the top of the hill.here.
day 8 - Crete and Santorini
Early in the morning the ship will arrive at the island of Crete. Iraclion is the biggest Cretan town. We can choose to either visit Knossos the legendary kingdom of King Minos and one of the greatest archaeological sites in the country or take a calm day to stroll around the streets of the historical area of Iraclion. At noon the ship sails to reach Santorini the most spectacular island of the Cyclades Islands and one of the top destinations in the world. We’ll have plenty of time to explore the Phyra town and enjoy the view to the volcano and the unique Caldera created by it's eruption thousand of years ago.
day 9 - Disembark Cruise, tour Athens and Corinth
Early in the morning after disembarking the Cruise ship we’ll drive to Corinth. First stop of the tour will take place at the spectacular Corinth Canal. Then the tour continues to Ancient Corinth, one of the greatest Greek cities of the antiquity also important during the Roman times. The visit will give the opportunity to follow Acts Chapter 18. Corinth is the site of the beginning of the partnership in ministry between Paul and Prisca and Aquilla. We will visit the Agora (market) where their open airy tent shop was likely situated. After lunch we’ll head back to Athens for the sightseeing tour through the University, the Panthenean Stadium, Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympus Zeus. The highlight of the tour is the visit of the Acropolis. In the end you will visit Areopagus (Mars Hill) and will view the Agora places mentioned in Acts Chapter 17 v.16-34, along with the Parthenon. Later in the evening we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy our last night in Greece.
day 10 - Depart Greece for USA
TOTAL PRICE: ontact us below for a quote today!
IDEAL GROUP SIZE: - 9-40 people
TOTAL DAYS GONE - 8-10 days
*Please note, all itineraries with Andrew W Lyon Travel are customized specifically for your needs and your group. These itineraries are based on standard tours and will be adjusted as we talk with you about your specific needs.
Is your organization or group planning a trip? Here's some information on different countries to which we specialize in taking groups and individuals. Contact us with the form at the bottom of the page if you'd like a custom itinerary quote.
Don't see your destination country on our list? No problem, we'll put together a unique itinerary just for you, just contact us with your planned destination.