Ireland

Ireland

Highlights: The Burren, Dublin, Kilmainhaim Gaol, Galway, Giant's Causeway, Aran Islands.
Hot topics: History, Religion and Monasticism, Literature (W B Yeats, James Joyce, Jonathan Swift).

England

England

Highlights: Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Bath, Oxford, Stonehenge, Stratford upon Avon.
Hot topics: Literature, History, Theatre, Finance, Art and Architecture.

Scotland

Scotland

Highlights: Glencoe, Edinburgh, Skye, Iona, Stirling Castle, Clava Cairns, The Hermitage.
Hot topics: Geography/Geology, History, Literature, Politics and Government.

Poland

Poland

Highlights: Krakow, Auschwitz, Kazimierz, Warsaw, Museum of 1944 Uprising, Westerplatte.
Hot topics: World War II, The Holocaust, Jewish Culture, 20th Century History.

France

France

Highlights: Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Versailles, Foutainebleu, Reims, Chartres, Normandy.
Hot topics: Art (Impressionists, Monet, Rodin), Literature, European History.

Spain

Spain

Highlights: Granada, L'Alhambra, Cordoba, Mesquita, Barcelona, Museo de Picasso, La Sagrada Famila, La Pedrera, Madrid, Museo Del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Toledo.
Hot topics: Art, Modern Art (Picasso, Miro), Architecture (Gaudi).

Portugal

Portugal

Highlights: Lisbon, Faro, Fatima, Coimbra, Porto.
Hot topics: Navigation and Exploration, Monarchy and Empire, European History, Religious Studies.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Highlights: Zurich, View from Felsenegg, Zermatt, Mount Rigi, Aare Gorge, Rhone Glacier, Lake Lucerne, Appenzell, Grundewald, Rhine Falls (Europe's largest waterfall).
Hot topics: Geology, Environmental Studies, Travel and Tourism, Finance.

Belgium & Netherlands

Belgium &Netherlands

Highlights: Amsterdam, Anne Frank's House, Rijkmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Canals, The Hague, Bruges, Brussells, Antwerp.
Hot topics: European Politics and Government, the European Community, International Law, Art, European History.

Germany

Germany

Highlights: Berlin, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Pergamon Museum, Potsdam, Bavaria, Neuschwanstein Castle.
Hot topics: World War II, Modern History, Jewish Culture, Politics and the European Union.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic

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Hot topics: Aliquam aliquam quam ac augue semper placerat vitae et mauris.

Austria

Austria

Highlights: Salzburg, Mozart Residence, Halstatt, the Alps, Estherhazy Palace, Eisenstadt, Castle Herberstein, The Imperial Hotel, Vienna, Graz.
Hot topics: Music, Geology, European HIstory.

Hungary

Hungary

Highlights: Budapest, Hungarian Parliament, Godolla Palace, Szechenyi Baths, Esterhazy Palace in Fertod, Szentendre, Visegrad.
Hot topics: The Hapsburgs, Austro-Hungarian Empire, European History.

Croatia

Croatia

Highlights: Dubrovnik, "The Pearl of the Adriatic", Hvar, Split, Trogir, Zadar.
Hot topics: Empire (Byzantine, Ottoman, Venetian, Hungarian), Ancient History, Archeology, Architecture, Modern European History.

Greece

Greece

Highlights: The Parthenon, Epidaurus, Delphi, Mycenae, Olympia, Meteora Pinnacle Monasteries.
Hot topics: Archeology, Classicism, Philosophy, Art, Ancient History.

Italy

Italy

Highlights: Roman Forum and Colisseum, Uffizi Gallery, San Marco, Venice, Pompeii.
Hot topics: Archeology, Art, Architecture, Ancient History.

ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS – GREECE

This tour explores the history of an Ancient Civilisation which has shaped so many of our moral and philosophical attitudes, sports and political ideals.

ARRIVE IN ATHENS

Arrive in Athens, birthplace of Western Democratic ideals and a home to ancient gods, heroes and philosophers. Your walking tour of Athens will give you an introduction to Athens’ personality; vibrant modern metropolis and classical capital.

ATHENS

Today we spend a full day in Athens. This morning an expert local guide will introduce us to some of the pearls of this pre-eminent Ancient Civilisation. The city takes its name from its patron, the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena. The first modern Olympics were held here in 1896 and again in 2004.  We will then ascend the Acropolis to see the Parthenon Temple, the Ancient World’s greatest architectural feat. The afternoon will be free for you to continue your exploration of ancient Athens; see the Temple of Winds, the Agora and Hadrian’s Library. Browse the Plaka district and the market at Monastiriki.

CAPE SOUNION

Today we journey south to Cape Sounion and visit the spectacular Temple of Poseidon, god of the sea. The Temple is on a rocky promontory overlooking the Aegean.

DELPHI and PATRAS

Travel across Greece to Delphi, home of the Oracle, a shrine of the ancient world that was sought out and trusted by peoples all around the Mediterranean.  Earth-shattering prophesies would be delivered to immortals and mortals alike, many recorded by Herodotus, seen by many as the father of history. The capital of the Peloponnese, Patras is our stop for tonight.

OLYMPIA and TOLO

Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games more than 2,500 years ago will be brought to life by your expert local Guide. Ancient legends tell us the games were held in honour of Zeus, chief of all Greek deities. The Games were held every four years for a thousand years.  You may wish to run a ‘stade’, the first sprint, on the original track.

EPIDAURUS and MYCENAE

A day of historical highlights. We will visit one of ancient Greece’s best preserved theatres at Epidaurus.  Greek tragedies are still performed here, meaning the show has been going on for the best part of 2,500 years!  Next, Mycenae where history and myth merge, the Trojan War has its roots here.

RETURN HOME

Your Tour Manager will escort you to the airport for your flight home.

THIS TOUR CAN BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A CRUISE OF THE GREEK ISLES MAKING IT AN 11 DAY TOUR.

3 DAY CRUISE OF THE GREEK ISLES (THIS IS A SEASONAL TOUR EXTENSION)

Embark on a 3 Day Cruise that visits Mykonos, Kusudasi  (for Ephesus), Crete & Santorini as its ports of call.  The cruise line offers optional excursions at most ports and you can enjoy all the shipboard amenities during your time aboard.