Day 17 Disembark Ship Explore Delphi and Itea Athens

Destination: Athens Meals
included: B L D
Accommodations: Titania Hotel

Breakfast: Onboard the ship.

Morning: Bid a final farewell to your ship's crew as you disembark in Patras this morning and drive to Delphi and the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which we’ll explore with our Trip Experience Leader or a local guide. The unmatched holdings here include the larger-than-life bronze Charioteer, dating to about 470 BC and one of the finest surviving bronze works of antiquity. The museum is filled with other masterpieces from the Archaic, Classical, and Roman periods, including scenes of the gods watching the Trojan War, a nine-statue family monument from the fourth century BC, and a sculpture of Roman Emperor Hadrian's beloved friend Antinoos.

Then, spend another two hours discovering the archaeological site. Absorb the majesty of ancient Delphi, including the Temple of Apollo where the oracle once prophesied. This ancient sanctuary is beautifully set at the foot of a mountain with a vista over olive groves stretching to the Bay of Itea. Those entering the sanctuary of Apollo in ancient times first purified themselves with the water of the Castalia Fountain, situated in the area. As you approach the Temple of Apollo, you'll walk the Sacred Way used by ancient Greeks such as the historian Plutarch, who was a priest of Apollo at Delphi. See treasuries built here by the Athenians, the Thebans, the Corinthians, and the Syracusans—the great powers of their day—including the theater, built to seat 5,000 people, from which it's possible to get an impressive view if you climb to the top row. You'll also see the famous Tholos at the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. Located a short distance from the main ruins, the circular structure was constructed between 380 and 360 BC and once consisted of 20 Doric columns, three of which have been restored.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll head to our Athens hotel, where you'll have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy at your leisure.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. 

12/15/24