Day One:
Depart your gateway city for Athens, Greece aboard scheduled jet service (provided for air-inclusive particpants only). (Meals Aloft)

Day Two:
Upon your arrival, transfer by motorcoach to the Athens Plaza Hotel (provided for air-inclusive participants only). The afternoon is to explore or relax after your journey. This evening, gather for a Welcome to Greece reception and dinner with Greek cuisine. (Meals Aloft, D)

Day Three:
Excursion: Highlighs of Athens.  See Athens’ highlights, including the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium, and Constitution Square. 
After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Heraklion on the island of Crete. Drive the scenic north coast to the Rithymna Beach Hotel, with ocean-view rooms and a pool. relax with the gift of local sine, fresh fruit and mineral water waiting in your room. (B, L, D)

Day Four:
Educational Focus: The Island of Crete in History. Explore the Roman, Venetian, Minoan and other cultures that contributed to Crete's unique identity.
Excursion: Rethymnon Walking Tour. Enjoy a tour of Rethymnon, Crete's intellectual capital. Visit the Venetian Fortezza, the Old Harbor, the 16th-century Venetian Loggia, the Mosque of Nerantzes, the Orthodox Church of the Four Martyrs and the Mosque of the Kara Pasha.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Rethymnon.
Educational Focus: The Realm of the Great King Minos. Examine the rise and fall of the Minoan civilzation, which flourished from around 2000 B.C. until nearly 1450 B.C.
Independent Exploration: The afternoon is yours to explore independently.
This evening, sample Greek specialties and ouzo during an informal reception at your hotel. Rithymna Beach Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Five:
Excursion: Palace of Knossos. Drive to the Palace of Knossos archaeological site, the center of the extinct Minoan civilzation and the legendary Labyrinth guarded by the Minotaur. Take an in-depth tour of the ruins.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant before returning to Rethymnon.
Independent Exploration: This afternoon, relax on the beach or explore on your own. Rithymna Beach Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Six:
Excursion: Chania and the Monastery of Agia Triada. Follow a winding coastal road to the Akrotiri Peninsula and stop in charming Chania. Stroll through ancient streets shaded by olive trees and oleanders to the Venetian Harbor.  Following lunch, return to the hotel via the Monastery of Agias Triadas, with its 17th-century multi-domed chrch where monks still live, study and produce olive oil and wine.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch in Chania.
Educational Focus: Meet the People. Take the opportunity to talk with local Cretans about life in Greece today. Afterward, enjoy a traditional Greek dinner with wine and music at The Taverna at your hotel. Rithymna Beach Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Seven:
Depart Heraklion and take a short flight to Santorini. Transfer to the El Greco Hotel.
Independent Exploration: The remainder of the day is yors to do as you please. El Greco Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Eight:
Educational Focus: The Minoan Life of Santorini. Enjoy a geographical overview of Santorini. Learn about the history of this primordial island, the legend of Atlantis and the massive volcanic eruption of 1450 B.C.
Excursion: Museum of Prehistoric Thira.  See the treasures unearthed from the excavation of Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan city. This civilization flourished on the island at the time of the volcanic eruption and left behind the fascinating artifacts displayed at the museum. Then, drive to the top of Mt. Profitis for unparalleled views of the island.
Local Flavor: Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant.
Indpendent Exploration: The afternoon is yours to pursue individual interests. El Greco Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Nine:
Independent Exploration: Enjoy time on your own this morning.
Excursion: Cruise to Thirassia. In the late morning, depart for the harbor and cruise across the shimmering waters to the nearby Caldera Islet of Thirassia. where you'll admire a remarkably different perspective of Santorini.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch at a local taverna.
Indpendent Exploration: After lunch,  return to Santorini, where you'll enjoy free time for exploring and shopping. El Greco Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Ten:
Excursion: Ia. This morning, enjoy one of Santotini's most beautiful town, the serene village of Ia.
Educational Foucs and Excursion: In the afternoon, learn about Greece's rich heritage of viticulture and wine-making. Drive to a local family-owned winery that specializes in organic wine. Enjoy a wine-tasting featuring local styles and varieties of wine, accompanied by a lecture.
Local Flavor: At a local restaurant, sip a glass of wine as you view the spectacular Greek sunset. Then, enjoy dinner. El Greco Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Eleven
Independent Exploration: Seek out any last-minute souvenirs or relax and enjoy the peace of island life on stunning Santorini.
Depart the hotel for a short hop to Athens. Upon arrival, transfer to the Athens Plaza Hotel, where you'll enjoy lunch before spending the balance of the day at leisure.
Enjoy tonight’s farewell reception followed by your graduation ceremony and dinner. Athens Plaza Hotel (B, L, D)

Day Twelve
After breakfast, transfer to the Athens airport for the return flight to your gateway city (provided for air-inclusive participants only). (B, Meals Aloft)

Note: Itinerary may change due to local conditions.  Many excursions in the program involve an element of walking as some of the finest attractions are not closely accessible by motorcoach.

• Experience the diversity of Greece and the Aegean islands while spending four days on Crete, four days on Santorini and two days in Athens.
• Marvel at the “glory that was Greece” as you visit and learn about the most important archeological sites – the Palace of Knossos and the Acropolis.
• Immerse yourself in Greek traditions of food and wine as you sample local delicacies accompanied by fine local vintages.
• See astounding contrasts while sailing the ancient Aegean from Santorini to the Caldera Islet of Thirassia
• Enrichment discussions and with local experts
• Informative educational programs
• Learn about life in Greece during the Meet the Locals exchange

• Round-trip scheduled jet service to Athens, Greece.*
• Motorcoach transfers, round-trip, to/from the airports, including baggage handling at the hotel.*
• Three full meals each day, including a breakfast buffet, a two-course lunch and a three-course dinner.  Enjoy tea or coffee with all meals and wines with dinner.
• Some meals are served at local restaurants and feature a culinary experience of authentic regional specialties.
• Special welcome reception, festive graduation ceremony and a special farewell dinner.
• Informative educational programs, presented by local experts, will enhance your insights into the region.
  
• Many included extras:
• Services of a professional Campus Director and expert English-speaking local guides throughout your stay.
• Detailed travel and destination information to assist you in your planning.
• Deluxe travel kit, including an attractive travel bag.
• All U.S. and foreign governmental airport/departure taxes and fees, airport security surcharges, VAT, service charges and port charges, if applicable.*
• Automatic $250,000 Flight Insurance for all passengers ticketed by AHI International, subject to policy terms.*

* Provided for air-inclusive participants only.

Rithymna Beach Hotel
The Rithymna Beach has all the hallmarks of a beautiful Cretan village, from its own chapel of St. John to its own olive oil press.  Winner of more awards than any other hotel in Greece, the hotel features a main building enveloped in a colorful, tree-shaded garden.  Enjoy the hotel’s seemingly endless amenities, including a refreshing pool, gym, sauna and a private sandy beach.

Santorini Palace Hotel
Santorini Palace is an A' Class Hotel in Fira, the island's capitol. It is within walking distance from the breathtaking caldera, fine restaurants, and the main shopping center. The hotel is equipped with all the modern comforts you would expect from a first class establishment and maintains an attentive staff dedicated to serve your pleasure needs.

Athens Plaza Hotel
Located in the heart of the city on presitious Constitution Square close to shopping, the Athens Plaza is a deluxe, five-star hotel with the flair and ambience of a smaller boutique hotel, all within walking distnace of the Old City.  Adfter an extensive renovation in 2004, the hotel boasts luxurious guest accommodations and breathtaking views of the Acropolis.