We will spend our morning exploring the archaeological site and museum in Delphi before continuing our drive south to Athens.

In antiquity Delphi was known as the center or the navel of the earth for it was believed that when Zeus released two eagles from opposite sides of the world they would meet in Delphi. It reached its height in power in the 4th century as the sanctuary to the god Apollo. Pilgrims would gather here to seek advice from the great oracle, Pythia, on various matters including waging wars.

We explore the sanctuary by walking up the Sacred Way to see the Treasuries, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo. We will visit the museum of Delphi to marvel at the unique collection of artifacts from the excavation, including the bronze “Charioteer” one of the best preserved ancient works of metallurgy.

Today we enjoy the day exploring Athens, its highlights and visiting the world renowned Acropolis and the new Acropolis museum.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the oldest cities in the world spanning a history of 3,400 years. Home of the great minds, philosophers and teachers of ancient times such as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, Athens is the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western Civilization.

A bus tour will guide us through the highlights of Athens; House of Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Presidential Palace, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, to lead us to the world renowned Acropolis.

We will walk through the architectural wonders of the Golden Age of Pericles; the Propylaia, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We walk to Areopagus or Mars Hill, the site where trials were heard before the Council of Elders and where St Paul delivered his speech to the Athenians. We visit the ancient Agora where Athenians gathered not only for commercial purposes but also for political and religious ones. Our visit is not complete without a tour of the New Acropolis museum, which houses the findings of the Acropolis of Athens.

This morning we will cross the Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese where we visit Ancient Corinth. We will return to Athens for a free afternoon.

Drive through the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, which separates Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and connects the two Seas, the Ionian and the Aegean. Continue to Ancient Corinth, one of the most important trading cities of ancient Greece dating back to the 6th century B.C. Visiting the archaeological site we will come across the Temple of Apollo, the agora, the sacred spring and the Peirene Fountain. The apostle Paul resided in Corinth for 18 months in A.D. 51–52. Here he wrote the First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians. We will visit the site of the Bema of St. Paul, where he preached.

Take advantage of your free afternoon to explore, relax and shop in the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki in central Athens.