The Athenian Acropolis
Ancient Battles in Greece that Changed the Course of History
A journey through Greece, exploring the places where history was made, from Marathon and Thermopylae to Delphi and the Acropolis.
A Journey of Learning and Discovery
Few countries have shaped the history of warfare more profoundly than Greece, where pivotal battles altered the course of Western civilization. This journey explores the strategy, leadership, and enduring lessons of the encounters fought at Marathon, Thermopylae, Plataea, Leuctra, Chaeronea, and Actium. Standing on these historic battlefields, we will gain a deeper understanding of the decisions and innovations that have influenced military thought for centuries. In addition to visiting the historic battlefield sites, we will also explore several of Greece’s most magnificent archaeological sites, including the fabled Athenian Acropolis and awe-inspiring Delphi, which the ancient Greeks considered to be the center of the universe, other magnificent old towns and sites, such as the medieval walled town of Nafpaktos, heroic Messolonghi, and sprawling Nikopolis, the city founded by Octavian and dedicated to Victory. While in Athens, we will tour the War Museum and, by special invitation arranged exclusively for our group, visit the Greek Parliament and meet with government officials. Our route will also allow us to admire the extraordinarily beautiful countryside of Greece, and travel on country roads that are beyond the reach of tourism. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to explore places where history was made, while admiring the singular beauty of our itinerary.
Leonidas monument, Thermopylae
The burial mound of the Athenians in Marathon who fell in the famed battle of 490 BC between Greeks and Persians
Temple of Apollo, Delphi
The Lion of Chaeronea, a nearly 20-foot-tall funerary monument erected in honor of the Sacred Band of Thebes
Monday, September 20, 2027
DEPART THE US
Tuesday, September 21
ATHENS, Greece
Arrive in Athens. Transfer to the Hotel Elia Ermou (or similar). Welcome dinner in the evening. (D)
Wednesday, September 22
ATHENS
In the morning, explore the Agora, the civic and commercial center of ancient Athens, and the living heart of its democracy. Visit the well-preserved 5th-century BC Temple of Hephaistos, the god of blacksmiths and metalworking, who forged the weapons and armor of the legendary heroes, and the impressive reconstructed colonnaded Stoa of Attalos. Continue to the National Archaeological Museum, which houses masterpieces from Greece’s past. After lunch, visit the War Museum, whose exhibits illustrate Greek military history from prehistoric times to the present. (B, L)
Thursday, September 23
ATHENS
In the morning, tour the Acropolis, site of the incomparable Parthenon and other temples, which represent the highest achievement of the Classical period in architecture and art. Also visit the superb Acropolis Museum. After lunch, visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its honor guard, and, by special permission, the Greek Parliament for a meeting and briefing with government officials. (B, L)
Friday, September 24
ATHENS | ANCIENT BATTLEFIELD SITES | ARACHOVA
Leave the hotel in the morning to visit several important ancient sites. Start at Plataea, the site of the battle that took place in 479 BC between the Greek league and the Persians. The Greek victory clinched the final defeat of the Persians. Continue to nearby Leuctra, where in 371 BC the Boeotians, under the command of the brilliant Epaminondas, defeated the much larger Spartan force. After lunch in Thebes, the fabled ancient city, stop in Chaeronea. Here, the rising Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, defeated the Greek forces in 348 BC and took control of Greece. The Macedonian cavalry was led by the 18-year-old Alexander. Nearby is the charming hill town of Arachova, where we will spend the night at the Hotel Anemolia Mountain Resort (or similar). (B, L, D)
Saturday, September 25
ARACHOVA | DELPHI | ARACHOVA
Drive to Delphi to explore the oracle home of Apollo, famous throughout antiquity, now one of Greece’s most impressive sites. Also visit the on-site Archaeological Museum, which houses a spectacular collection of ancient artifacts. After lunch, return to the hotel to spend time at leisure in lovely Arachova. (B, L)
Sunday, September 26
ARACHOVA | NAFPAKTOS | MESSOLONGHI | PREVEZA
Drive to coastal Nafpaktos, known as Lepanto in the Middle Ages, the site of a decisive victory of Western European powers over the Ottoman Empire in 1571. Continue on to Messolonghi, which figured prominently in the Greek War of Independence (early 19th century), and the place where Lord Byron died in April 1824, and the seaside town of Preveza. Spend the next two nights at Preveza’s Hotel Dioni (or similar). (B, L, D)
Monday, September 27
PREVEZA | NIKOPOLIS | PREVEZA
In the morning, drive across the narrow strait of Actium, site of the decisive naval battle in 31 BC at which Octavian defeated the much larger combined fleet of Antony and Cleopatra to become the undisputed ruler of the Roman Empire, Emperor Augustus. Then, visit Nikopolis, the city founded by Emperor Augustus after his victory at the Battle of Actium. After lunch, spend the afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Tuesday, September 28
PREVEZA | AGRINION | KARPENISI | THERMOPYLAE | LAMIA | KAMENA VOURLA
In the morning, drive through the scenic mountainous countryside of the Greek mainland stopping in the towns of Agrinion and Karpenisi. After lunch in Lamia, visit Thermopylae, the narrow passage where the famous battle between the 300 Spartans under Leonidas fought the invading army of the Persian Empire in 480 BC. Continue to the nearby seaside resort town of Kamena Vourla, where we will spend the night at the Hotel Mitsis Galini (or similar). Dinner will be served at a restaurant by the sea. (B, L, D)
Wednesday, September 29
KAMENA VOURLA | GLA | THEBES | MARATHON | ATHENS
Leave the hotel in the morning for Gla, an important stronghold dating to the Bronze Age Mycenaean period, and storied Thebes, one of the most powerful cities of ancient Greece, and hometown of the hero Herakles (Hercules), statesmen and military leaders Epaminondas and Pelopidas and other figures who influenced ancient Greek history. Visit the Archaeological Museum, noted for its important exhibits, and after lunch, continue to Marathon, famed for the battle that took place in 490 BC, when a small army of mostly Athenians halted the massive Persian invasion. End the day at the Hotel Sofitel (or similar), conveniently located across the street from the departures hall of the Athens airport. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)
Thursday, September 30
ATHENS | US
Transfer to the airport for the return flight home. (B)
$6,490 per person, double occupancy.
Single room supplement: $1,690
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
● Accommodations at deluxe hotels: Three nights at the Hotel Elia Ermou (or similar) in Athens; two nights at the Hotel Anemolia Mountain Resort (or similar) in Arachova; two nights at the Hotel Dioni (or similar) in Preveza; one night at the Hotel Mitsis Galini (or similar) in Kamena Vourla; and one night at the Hotel Sofitel (or similar) in Athens.
● Eight lunches and five dinners.
● Soft drinks, wine or beer served with lunch and dinner.
● Group transfers and handling of luggage overseas at designated times from the airport to the hotel and hotel to the airport.
● Comprehensive program of tours, excursions and other activities as described in the itinerary, with a professional English-speaking guide.
● An experienced Thalassa Journeys Trip Director.
● All local taxes and service charges.
● Gratuities to porters, drivers and guides.
● Complete pre-departure material.
NOT INCLUDED
International airfare, travel insurance, items and expenses of a personal nature, and any items not mentioned in the Itinerary and Program Inclusions.
For reservations and information
Please call Thalassa Journeys at +1 866–633–3611
or email reservations@thalassajourneys.com
Nafpaktos