Apr 22 - May 2, 2025
Greece
Jewels of the Aegean: Discover the History of the Greek Islands
Program No. 2490860MEADV-1116-60
Board a small ship for an inspiring voyage through the Greek islands, stopping to learn about the history of Santorini, Crete, Karpathos, Delos and more.
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800-454-5768
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Apr 29 - May 9, 2025
May 6 - May 16, 2025
Sep 23 - Oct 3, 2025
Sep 30 - Oct 10, 2025
Oct 7 - Oct 17, 2025
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11 days
10 nights
25 meals
9B 8L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
7
Karpathos, Olympos Village
At Sea
9
Patmos, St. John Monastery
At Sea
11
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
The Aegean Sea sparkles with historical and cultural gems — from its more famous islands of Santorini and Crete to the lesser-known Karpathos and Tinos, experience it all on this small ship adventure! Board your vessel in Athens after several days of exploration, including visits to the Byzantine museum and the Temple of Poseidon, and prepare yourself for a voyage through time. Discover the Bronze Age architecture of Knossos (the oldest city in Europe), the Medieval Old Town of Rhodes and the whitewashed stone villages along the rim of Santorini. Throughout your journey, hear the stories of each island from local experts who will paint the full picture of the history that you experience firsthand.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; uneven and inclined terrain including hills, stairs without railings and cobblestone streets. Getting on/off motorcoach and climbing in/out of tender.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Spend two nights in Athens, where you’ll visit the Byzantine and Christian Museum and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore independently.
- Visit the St. John Monastery and Grotto on Patmos, the place where St. John received visions that were recorded in the Book of Revelation.
- Stop at the island of Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Jewels of the Aegean: Discover the History of the Greek Islands
Program Number: 24908
The World of the Ancient Greeks
Featuring hundreds of illustrations and invitingly short chapters on topics from the first Greeks to the Heroic Age and classical Athens. With modern color photographs of great Greek cities from Athens and Delphi to Knossos, Ephesus, Pergamum and Priene.
The Greeks, An Illustrated History
This accessible photographic history of ancient Greece pays special attention to Greek innovations: great literature and architecture, war tactics, democracy, the Olympics, Socrates and much more. Cline laces the gripping story of the Greek empire with archaeological discoveries.
The Greek Myths, Complete Edition
A new edition of Graves' classic collection with a cover by comic book artist Ross MacDonald. This expert retelling by Graves, a poet, memoirist and the author of I, Claudius (ITL429), still remains the seminal modern translation of the mythologies of Ancient Greece.
Greece, A Traveler's Literary Companion
In this terrific anthology, 24 modern Greek writers offer a flavor of their nation, its culture and people, beautiful landscapes and rich history.
A Traveller's History of Athens
A brief history of Athens through the 1990's -- wide-ranging, accessible and effectively condensed. With a useful chronology and historical gazetteer, this book marches confidently through the centuries.
It's All Greek to Me
With timelines, a who's who, charts and maps, this handy little primer is a thoroughly entertaining introduction to everything Greek, from poetry and drama to philosophy, history and culture.
Knossos & the Prophets of Modernism
In this marvelous, scholarly study of the myth and meaning on Minoan Crete, Gere illuminates both the original excavations of Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos and how this ancient civilization captured the Western imagination as an idealized society.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of the two major ancient Greek epic poems about the Greek hero Odysseus in his long journey back to his native land Ithaca after the fall of Troy.
Greece, Land of Light
Brukoff's dramatic color photographs are paired with incisive commentary by award-winning author Nicholas Gage for this striking portrait of the people, land and history of Greece and the islands
The King Must Die
The first in Mary Renault's trilogy of well-researched page-turners features the tale of Theseus, slayer of the Minotaur and the king of Athens. Known for her exhaustive research, Renault is an acknowledged master of historical fiction.
Greek Mythology, A Traveler's Guide
This informative, literary traveler's guide introduces Greek mythology geographically through 22 chapters dedicated to specific destinations, from Mount Olympus and Delos to Athens and Mycenae, illustrated with beautiful color drawings.
Introducing the Ancient Greeks, From Bronze Age Seafarers to Navigators of the Western Mind
Classicist Edith Hall visits 10 Greek communities at different moments during the 20 centuries of ancient Greek history, brilliantly assembling a unified vision of the Greek spirit.
Ancient Greece: Art, Architecture, and History
This informative handbook traces Greek art and architecture from the third millennium to the first century B.C.
A Traveller's History of Greece
A nicely written survey from prehistory through the 1990s: wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed.
Modern Greece, What Everyone Needs to Know
A primer on Greek history from the 19th century on, with an in-depth look at the government debt crisis of 2010 and a consideration for the far-reaching implications of the country’s current economic instability.
Eyewitness Guide Greek Islands
Color photography, excellent local maps and an island-by-island synopsis of attractions make this book the one to carry with you. Includes a chapter on Athens.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Athens
Program Concludes
At Sea
Meals
25
| 9B |
8L |
8D |
Activity Level
The Aegean Sea sparkles with historical and cultural gems — from its more famous islands of Santorini and Crete to the lesser-known Karpathos and Tinos, experience it all on this small ship adventure! Board your vessel in Athens after several days of exploration, including visits to the Byzantine museum and the Temple of Poseidon, and prepare yourself for a voyage through time. Discover the Bronze Age architecture of Knossos (the oldest city in Europe), the Medieval Old Town of Rhodes and the whitewashed stone villages along the rim of Santorini. Throughout your journey, hear the stories of each island from local experts who will paint the full picture of the history that you experience firsthand.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Spend two nights in Athens, where you’ll visit the Byzantine and Christian Museum and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore independently.
- Visit the St. John Monastery and Grotto on Patmos, the place where St. John received visions that were recorded in the Book of Revelation.
- Stop at the island of Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; uneven and inclined terrain including hills, stairs without railings and cobblestone streets. Getting on/off motorcoach and climbing in/out of tender.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(16 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
25 meals | 9B | 8L | 8D |
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Athens
Meals:
D
Stay:
Divani Palace Acropolis
Activity Note
Check-in available from 3:00 PM.
Afternoon:
After arriving at the hotel, check-in and take some time to unpack and relax. Attend an orientation meeting. The Study Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Unless otherwise noted, all lectures and field trips will be led by our Study Leader, a local expert.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, get to know your fellow participants with a welcome meal.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Athens, Byzantine Museum, Kaisariani Monastery
Location:
Athens
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Divani Palace Acropolis
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our exploration of Athens with a visit to the Byzantine museum, with its beautiful gardens located in the heart of the city centre. Led by our Study Leader, we will have the chance to explore the rich collection of religious artifacts dated from the Early Christian period all the way to post-Byzantine era and understand their significance to the entire Greek world. We will then reboard our coach for a short drive to visit the Kaisariani Monastery, with its beautiful frescoes.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will return to the hotel, you will have free time to relax or explore Athens on your own.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Temple of Poseidon, Embark Ship
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Please pack your passport and any medications in your hand luggage today. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Check out of the hotel and transfer our luggage to the motorcoach before departing for our excursion. We will enjoy a scenic drive along the Athens Riviera on our way to Cape Sounion, the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. Upon arrival we will visit the Temple of Poseidon, who according to Greek mythology was the "master of the seas" and brother of Zeus. Learn about the significance and value of Poseidon to Athenians and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Aegean sea before making our way to Marina Zeas to embark our vessel.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will transfer to the Marina Zeas, on the eastern coast of the Piraeus peninsula, to embark our ship in the late afternoon for the cruise portion of our program. Once aboard, we will have a welcome drink to meet the ship's crew and staff, followed by a safety orientation before we depart. Please note that your departure is part of our Adventures Afloat programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship, dinners will be eaten in the open seating dining room. Most will be buffets, with choices of salads, vegetarian and meat or seafood entrees, dessert, and coffee, tea, and water. The first and last dinners on board will include a glass of wine, with other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Athens on our journey to Santorini.
Day
5
Santorini, Akrotiri (Tender Port)
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Going ashore in Santorini may require the use of a tender, requiring climbing in/out of it; assistance provided as needed.Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking; standing up to 2 hours. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.NOTE: Santorini is a very popular cruise ship stop, be prepared for several cruise ships in port and crowds on the island.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Disembark by tender and board the motorcoach for a pleasant drive through the countryside passing the village of Pyrgos to the famous archaeological site of Akrotiri. If Santorini is known as the Greek Pompeii it is because of ancient Akrotiri. Excavations uncovered an ancient town frozen in time by ash from an eruption some 3.600 years ago. Remains of sophisticated buildings with great frescoes and other constructions are evidence of an elaborate lifestyle. Continue by motorcoach to the northern coast taking in amazing views to reach Oia, the most picturesque village of Santorini with its magical views over the Caldera. A short drive will bring us back to Fira where we will have a short guided walk and a visit of Fira museum.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Santorini on your own.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Santorini on our journey to Crete.
Day
6
Rethymno, Crete, Palace of Knossos
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles over mostly uneven terrain. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
After arriving at Crete’s lively port of Rethymno, we will set out via motorcoach for an exploration east to the ancient Minoan capital of Knossos, considered to be the oldest city in Europe. Knossos is the home to many well-known legends including King Minos, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Daedalus and Icarus. As we explore on foot, led by our Study Leader, we will view elaborate architecture and elegant wall frescoes that are reminiscent of the days when Knossos was among the strongest cities in the Mediterranean.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Knossos.
Afternoon:
We will continue to explore Knossos, one of the UNESCO’s Minoan Palatial Centers. Late in the afternoon, we will return to Rethymno and embark our ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Crete on our journey to Karpathos.
Day
7
Karpathos, Olympos Village
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Boarding our motorcoach from Diafani port, we will drive into the mountainous area of Northern Karpathos where we will reach Olympos village. It is one of the most famous villages of the Aegean Sea often described as a living Greek folklore museum. The village itself, built on the slopes of a mountain was isolated from the Southern part of the island and not accessible by asphalt road until the last few years. It is for this reason that its residents preserved their ancient traditions, old customs and their local dialect; traditions which originated from the ancient Doric people.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
The ship is scheduled to depart Karpathos at 1:00 p.m. This afternoon will be spent onboard at leisure as we sail to Rhodes for an evening arrival.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Rhodes this evening.
Day
8
Rhodes, Acropolis at Lindos, OldTown
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles; no handrails; uneven, sometimes slippery surfaces; standing up to 2 hours. At Lindos Acropolis, walking up hill and standing for more than an hour. Popular sites may be crowded at certain periods.All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
The ancient city-state of Lindos was for many centuries the most important on the island. It reached its heyday in the 6th century BCE. Modern Lindos is situated 40 miles from the city of Rhodes and bears above it the Acropolis of Lindos with the ancient Temple of Athena, built in 300 BCE. Here and there, we will come across mansions of captains built between the 16th and 18th centuries CE. We will then walk to the Acropolis of Lindos. Here stands the Doric temple of Athena, erected atop an older monument.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue our Field Trip and explore the Old City of Rhodes, one of the rare survivors of the medieval world in Europe. It stands unscathed, in all its vibrant beauty. We will walk through the old town where the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Hospitallers, left an indelible mark. We will visit the Palace of the Grand Master, one of the greatest monuments erected in the Middle Ages. It was the administrative center, the residence of the leader of the Knights of St John of Rhodes, and the seat of the established ruling class. Moving on, we will walk along the street of the Knights, one of the highlights of the medieval town, where seven imposing inns were constructed in the early 16th century, representing the seven countries from which the Knights of the Order of St John originated. We will return to the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Rhodes on our journey to Patmos.
Day
9
Patmos, St. John Monastery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Depart the picturesque harbor of Skala for a short drive to the Grotto of the Apocalypse and the imposing Monastery of St. John, built 900 years ago. Its thick, high walls are crowned all around with battlements and eight chapels. Visit the Treasury museum in the Monastery with its jeweled chalices, crowns, vestments and old manuscripts dating back to 1073. We will then continue for an exploration in Chora lead by our Study Leader. Chora is of unique charm not only because of the dominating Castle and Monastery but for the Byzantine residences said to be the strongest ones built in the Aegean. Enjoy some time at leisure before returning to our ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Patmos on your own.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Patmos on our journey to Delos.
Day
10
Delos, Pyrgos (Tender Port)
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
MS Panorama
Activity Note
Tender Port (smaller tender boats will be used). Walking up to 3 miles on uneven ground with wide and exposed roads. There is no shade on Delos, so a hat and sunscreen is strongly recommended. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
After disembarking by tender this morning, we will explore the island of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island and the birth place of Apollo and Artemis. We will set out by foot with our Study Leader and visit the island’s main archaeological sites. This is a walking Field Trip as the island is uninhabited, there are no vehicles on the island.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
The ship is scheduled to depart Delos at 1:00 p.m., arriving in Tinos at 2:30 p.m. Upon arrival in Tinos, we will board our motorcoach and drive to Pyrgos, the biggest village of the island. Known as a premier art centre, we will be visiting the renowned Marble Museum to learn more about this craft from mining to artwork. We will then have some free time to wander around the narrow streets and admire the architecture or enjoy a coffee in the picturesque coffee shops, before making our way back to the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Tinos on our journey to Athens.
Day
11
Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Ship is scheduled to arrive in port at 2:00 a.m., disembarkation by 9:00 AM
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Disembarkation at the Marina Zeas in Athens will follow after breakfast, timing based upon cabin location and flight schedule. All participants must be off the ship by 9 AM. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
MEALS
25 Meals
9 Breakfasts
8 Lunches
8 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
- Apr 22, 2025 - May 02, 2025
- Apr 29, 2025 - May 09, 2025
- May 06, 2025 - May 16, 2025
- Sep 23, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
- Sep 30, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
- Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
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