Start your cultural immersion at the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of the city of Athens. Visit the Parthenon temple and the Acropolis Museum to learn about the history of ancient Greece. In the evening, go to the Plaka neighborhood to enjoy dinner and traditional Greek music.
Visit the ancient site of Delphi, once considered the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. See the Temple of Apollo and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and the Tholos. After visiting the site, explore the village of Delphi and enjoy a meal in a local tavern.
Discover the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Explore the ancient site of Olympia and see the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium, and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. In the afternoon, visit the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity.
Visit Mystras, a beautifully preserved Byzantine town near Sparta. See the imposing castle, the Palace of the Despots, the churches and monasteries with their well-preserved frescoes. In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants in Sparta and try local specialties.
Visit Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. Visit the Palace of Knossos, an ancient Minoan palace or the archaeological site of the ancient city of Phaistos. Go for a swim at one of the beaches on the south coast of the island or enjoy a meal in a traditional tavern in Heraklion.
End your cultural immersion in the beautiful island of Santorini. Watch the sunset in Oia, a picturesque village with traditional Cycladic architecture. Visit the ancient site of Akrotiri and see the well-preserved remains of the Minoan settlement that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC.
Travelers can fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) and then use public transportation or hire a car to get to the different locations. Consider traveling by ferry to get to the islands (not included in estimated costs).
If you have more time, consider visiting other Greek islands such as Mykonos and Corfu. If you have less time, consider skipping one of the locations or spending less time in Athens.
Athens International Airport (ATH) is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Athens city center.