Join Our State as we discover the wonders of Greece from the Parthenon to Plaka, the oldest part of Athens, to the island Mykonos with its 16th century windmills, to Santorini with its white-washed buildings overlooking the turquoise Aegean Sea.
October 3 – 11, 2023
Package Includes:
Round-trip airfare — Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport- Seven nights hotel accommodations
- Eleven meals: seven breakfasts and four dinners
- All sightseeing per itinerary
- All admissions per itinerary
- Professional tour director
- Our State host
- Motor coach transportation
- Hotel transfers
- Baggage handling at hotels
Round-trip airfare — Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Itinerary Highlights:
- Three Nights – Athens, Two Nights – Mykonos, Two Nights – Santorini
- Athens City Tour
- The Acropolis & Parthenon
- The Acropolis Museum
- The Plaka & Syntagma Square
- Ancient Olympic Stadium
- Mykonos
- Delos Tour
- Santorini Tour
- Santorini Winery Visit & Tasting
- Oia Village Walking Tour
- Greek Island Ferry Rides
Detailed Itinerary*:
DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Board your overnight flight to Europe.
DAY 2: ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE
Arrive in Athens, meet your tour director, and transfer to your hotel. Athens boasts some of the most glorious history in the world. Arguably, the most important civilization of the ancient world flourished in Athens and relives through superb architectural masterpieces. Tonight enjoy a Wine & Beer Reception followed by a Welcome Dinner with your fellow Our State travelers.
Meals: D
Overnight: Athens
DAY 3: ATHENS CITY TOUR
This morning enjoy an Athens City Tour featuring Syntagma Square, the Temple of Zeus, and the Ancient Olympic Stadium. Today’s highlight will be a visit to the Acropolis with its incredible Parthenon, the most important site of the city and one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Then visit the New Acropolis Museum, the modern building houses statues, and other masterpieces from the classical era. Later, continue to the Plaka, the oldest part of the city, filled with history, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. The rest of the day is at your own pace to further explore Athens.
Meals: B
Overnight: Athens
DAY 4: ATHENS – MYKONOS
This morning transfer to the Port of Piraeus outside of Athens to take a high-speed ferry to Mykonos, which belongs to the Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the galleries, sandy beaches, and landmarks, including a row of 16th century windmills which sit on a hill above Mykonos Town.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Mykonos
DAY 5: MYKONOS SIGHTSEEING
This morning take a ferry to Delos, known as the legendary birthplace of twin gods Artemis and Apollo. Enjoy a tour of Delos featuring the Temple of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Artemis, the Old City, the Theater, and the iconic Terrace of the Lions. Enjoy some time to explore on your own and maybe visit the Museum of Delos. Later, return to Mykonos and enjoy one of the great restaurants in town this evening on your own.
Meals: B
Overnight: Mykonos
DAY 6: MYKONOS – SANTORINI
Today take a high-speed ferry to one of the most picturesque islands in the world, Santorini, Greece’s most romanticized island, famous for its white-washed buildings and hilltop villages overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Visit a local winery to enjoy a Wine Tasting. Santorini is an island with a wine-making tradition as its volcanic soil and special climate combine to give local wines a unique taste. Next, travel through the fascinating landscape to the spectacular town of Oia, where the best views of the crater are found. Enjoy an Oia Village Walking Tour to explore this special village and discover why it is one of the most photographed places in all of Greece. Later, check into your hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Santorini
DAY 7: SANTORINI – DAY AT LEISURE
Today is at leisure to explore the island on your own. Perhaps visit the excavation site of ancient Akrotiri, one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera located in Fira, or discover the colorful beaches created by the volcanic eruption. Maybe wander, shop, take photos, and enjoy a relaxing Mediterranean meal while enjoying the spectacular views and whitewashed architecture.
Meals: B
Overnight: Santorini
DAY 8: SANTORINI – ATHENS
Today take a high-speed ferry to Athens, and enjoy some time at leisure. Relax at a cafe or perhaps do some last-minute shopping. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Athens
DAY 9: ATHENS – RETURN TO USA
Today fly home with wonderful memories of your Athens and the Greek Islands Tour.
Meals: B
*Please note: While we try to produce each tour exactly as outlined here, tour details are subject to change.
Accomodations:
- 2 Nights – Divani Palace Acropolis or Divani Caravel, Athens
- 2 Nights – Porto Hotel, Leto Hotel, San Antonio Hotel or San Marco Hotel, Mykonos
- 2 Nights – El Greco Hotel or Santorini Palace, Santorini
- 1 Night – Divani Palace Acropolis or Divani Caravel, Athens
On some dates alternative hotels may be used.
Tour Rates:
Booking Discount Rate*: $4599 per person, based on double occupancy, all-inclusive
Regular Rate: $4,699 per person, based on double occupancy, all-inclusive
Single supplement is $1025
*Make your final payment by check prior to the final payment due date of July 20, 2023, and receive a $200 per couple or $100 per single booking discount. Ask about the no risk deposit.
For reservations or more information:
Premiere World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com
Optional 3-Night Delphi & Kalambaka Post Extension
Optional Post Tour Extension Includes: Three Nights Hotel Accommodations (1-Kalambaka, 1-Delphi area & 1-Athens Airport area, Sightseeing & Admissions per Itinerary, Tour Director, Five Meals (Three Breakfasts and Two Dinners), Baggage Handling and Airport Transfer.
Additional Expenses: $1025 per person (double occupancy) / $1475 single
Note: Extension must be booked with your initial $500 pp tour deposit. Due to group air policies outbound air could be a different schedule than the rest of your group for the Extension passengers.
DAY 9: ATHENS TO KALAMBAKA
Today travel to Kalambaka. Enjoy a visit to two Meteora Monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monasteries are built on spectacular natural sandstone rock pillars and although it is unknown when Meteora was established, hermit monks were believed to be living among the caves and cutouts in the rocks as early as the 11th century. Later, check into your Kalambaka area hotel and enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Kalambaka
DAY 10: KALAMBAKA TO DELPHI
Today travel to Delphi which clings to the side of Mount Parnassus at 2,000 feet. Here you visit Ancient Delphi to see the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Doric Temple, and Theater. Also visit the Delphi Museum before checking into your hotel in the Delphi area. Dinner with your fellow travelers is included this evening.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Delphi Area
DAY 11: DELPHI – CAPE SOUNION – ATHENS
Today travel to Cape Sounion and visit the Temple of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea. Perched on the craggy rocks of Cape Sounion, the temple was built during 444–440 BC. Later, arrive in Athens for a one-night stay.
Meals: B
Overnight: Athens Airport Area
DAY 12: ATHENS – FLIGHT HOME
Transfer to the Athens Airport and fly home.
Meals: B
Additional Information:
What to expect on an Our State trip:
Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.
We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.
You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.
Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.
Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.
One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
Physical requirements:
Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.
Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.
Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.
We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.
If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.
COVID-19 Travel Precautions – Update:
Effective January 1, 2023, Our State highly encourages, but no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters for travelers on our domestic tours. This policy goes into effect for international travelers on April 30, 2023. We will keep all participants updated of any changes to these requirements.
