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  • Ancient Greece - Birthplace of Western Culture

    Greece

    - Sample Itinerary -

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“The program was wonderful, everything was well coordinated and the tour guide was amazing. We did not have one single issue while in Greece. A big thank you to CEPA for such excellent planning and coordination, and selecting such professional services.”

University of South Dakota, Ancient Greece and the
Beginning of Humanistic Counseling

  • Academic Field(s)

    History

  • Destinations

    Athens, Hydra, Nafplion, and Olympia

  • Duration

    10 days

  • Accommodation

    2- and 3-star hotels in Athens, Hydra, Nafplion, and Olympia

Ancient Greece significantly influenced the development of the Western culture and civilization. Modern democracies are based on the Greek beliefs in government by the people, trial by jury, and equality under the law. Greece is the origin of many outstanding accomplishments, such as spectacular architectural monuments, unique works of poetry, fundamentals of philosophy as well as significant findings in natural history and mathematics.

  • DAY 1

    • Overnight flight to Athens, Greece (group flight can be booked separately)

  • DAY 2-3: ATHENS

    Stay 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Athens

    • Arrival at Athens International Airport (ATH)
    • Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator
    • Guided walking tour of Athens, including the old historical quarter, Plaka, clustered around the Acropolis, labyrinthine streets, and neoclassical architecture
    • Welcome dinner at a Greek restaurant
    • Guided tour of the Acropolis, which dominates the center of the modern city from the rocky crag and is dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena
    • Guided tour of the New Acropolis Museum, which displays 4,000 artifacts and provides visitors with a comprehensive explanation of human presence on the Acropolis

  • DAY 4-6: PIRAEUS - HYDRA - ATHENS

    Stay 2 nights at a 3-star hotel on Hydra

    • Ferry tickets from Piraeus to Hydra
    • Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator
    • Guided walking tour of Hydra Port, the main town of the island
    • Hike up to the Profitis Ilias Monastery and enjoy breath-taking views of the island
    • Ferry tickets from Hydra to Piraeus

    Stay 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Athens

    • Check-in at the hotel
    • Free afternoon in Athens

  • DAY 7: ATHENS - MYCENAE - EPIDAURUS - NAFPLION

    Stay 1 night at a 2-star hotel in Nafplion

    • Guided tour of the Archaeological Site of Mycenae, which comprises the fortified acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites
    • Guided tour of the Ancient Site of Epidaurus, including the museum and the world-famous theater from the 4th century BC
    • Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator

  • DAY 8: OLYMPIA

    Stay 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Olympia

    • Guided tour of the Archaeological Site of Olympia and its museum, which includes the sanctuary of Zeus and many buildings erected around it
    • Check-in at the hotel and orientation session by your CEPA On-Site Coordinator

  • DAY 9-10: DELPHI - ATHENS

    Stay 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Athens

    • Guided tour of the Archaeological Site of Delphi and its museum, where many political decisions were made after consultation of the Oracle
    • Check-in at the hotel
    • Farewell dinner at a Greek restaurant
    • Departure from Athens International Airport (ATH)
  • What’s included in this sample itinerary:

    Academic and professional excursions with special presentations • cultural excursions and field trips with local, bilingual guides • entrance fees and reservations • accommodation in 2- and 3-star hotels (twin rooms for students; single room for the faculty) • daily breakfast • welcome and farewell dinner • local transportation by private bus as needed • ferry tickets • public transportation passes in Athens • on-site coordinator during excursions • orientation sessions • time to study, instruct, and explore

Programs require a minimum of 12 participants.

Your custom quote will be tailored to several key factors, including:

  • travel dates
  • final group size (including faculty leaders)
  • program duration
  • specific excursions
  • your preferred accommodation and meal plans
  • other specific requirements

How to Plan with Alternatives in Mind:

As part of our commitment to environmental protection and cultural respect, we encourage you to explore sustainable alternatives when planning your study abroad program.

Whether choosing accommodation outside a major city center or opting for eco-conscious lodging, every small step helps preserve Europe’s historic cities and cultures while keeping your program expenses in check.

Together, we can develop programs that are both culturally conscious and eco-friendlier. 

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Accomodation

By exploring nearby housing options instead of staying in major European cities, we can minimize our impact on overtourism. Ask us about the "second city" strategy.

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Pack light

Every extra kilogram on a plane, train, or bus increases energy consumption. A "carry-on only" rule is a win for both the planet and your back.

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Cultural Behaviour

Learn the "Golden Three": Learning "Hello," "Please," and "Thank you" in the local language is more than a courtesy; it signals respect for the local identity and immediately changes the dynamic of your interactions.

Travel routes

By basing a program in one location and building in day excursions, we can minimize the environmental impact.

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Eat "KM 0"

Look for restaurants with the "Kilometro Zero" label (common in Italy and Spain), which guarantees ingredients are sourced locally.

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Water

Refill Stations: Europe has some of the cleanest tap water in the world. Use apps like Refill to find public fountains and avoid buying plastic bottles.

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Climate Action

We offset the carbon footprint of our operations and programs, and plant one native tree for each participant in a CEPA study abroad program.

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Travel in the "Shoulder" Season

Visiting in March or October helps distribute income to locals year-round and prevents the "ghost town" effect that happens in tourist hubs during winter.

Interested in running a similar program or building one from scratch?

Let’s get in touch by choosing where you are in the planning process.

I have all the details

You know your exact travel dates and destinations, and are ready to request a formal proposal with quote. (at no charge or committment)

I am just starting

You have great ideas but might have questions, need further advice or want some guidance to bring everything together in an itinerary.