Overview
Begin this expansive Greek tour in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, with a journey that inspires up-close exploration. Your group will visit the Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Panathenaic Olympic Stadium to learn how ancient engineering and sports culture shaped our world. Visit the crossroads of where the East meets the West in Turkey. Cruise to the celebrated islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos to study unique Aegean volcanic geology.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Greece (Athens)
Day 2
Arrive in Athens
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Athens city walk
In Athens, history is never far away. Walk with your Tour Director through the Plaka district, where winding streets reveal balconies filled with flowers and tavernas alive with traditional dancing. Then visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, begun in the 6th century BC and finished by Hadrian in AD 132, and see Hadrian’s Arch, once marking the divide between ancient and imperial Athens.
Day 3
Athens guided sightseeing tour
Explore Athens with your local guide, where ancient history and modern life meet. Visit the Acropolis, the heart of classical Athens, to see the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the elegant Temple of Athena Nike. Admire sweeping views of the city before stopping at the 2004 Olympic site, a symbol of Greece’s enduring athletic spirit. Continue to Syntagma Square to watch the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Parliament, then to Omonoia Square, a lively gathering place surrounded by cafés and olive trees.
Travel to Pireus or Lavrion
Depart Athens on a 7-day Aegean cruise
Set sail from Athens to some of the Mediterranean's most spectacular destinations. Cruise to Kusadasi and nearby Ephesus to experience Turkey's ancient past, then continue to Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Milos, Santorini, and Mykonos. Discover volcanic landscapes, historic cities, picturesque harbors, and whitewashed villages overlooking the sea. Your cruise includes three guided shore excursions: Oia Village in Santorini, Ancient Ephesus through the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Heraklion. Itinerary and included excursions are subject to change based on your departure date.
Cruise overnight to Kusadasi
Day 4
Kusadasi visit
Step off your cruise in Kusadasi and journey to the remarkable ruins of Ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities of the Roman world. Stroll along marble streets lined with temples and monuments, admire the impressive Library of Celsus and Great Theatre, and discover how this thriving city served as an important center of commerce, culture, and religion in the ancient Mediterranean.
Cruise overnight to Rhodes
Day 5
Rhodes visit
Once a political and religious hub of the ancient world and home to one of its seven wonders, Rhodes now welcomes visitors with sunny beaches and medieval charm. Explore its hilltop castle and the Palace of the Grand Master, built by Christian knights in the 1300s, later rebuilt by Italians after an 1856 explosion to serve as a summer retreat for Mussolini.
Cruise overnight to Crete
Day 6
Crete visit
The largest city on Crete and the fourth-largest in Greece, Heraklion blends a vibrant modern atmosphere with a rich ancient past. Visit the Archaeological Museum to explore the city's Minoan heritage, then discover historic churches and ancient ruins, browse local markets, or sample traditional Greek fare.
Cruise overnight to Santorini
Day 7
Santorini visit
Explore the whitewashed lanes, blue-domed churches, and cliffside viewpoints of Oia, one of the most iconic villages in the Cyclades. Discover how Santorini's volcanic history shaped the island's dramatic caldera, breathtaking scenery, and distinctive architecture.
Cruise overnight to Mykonos
Day 8
Mykonos visit
Discover Mykonos, one of the most popular islands in the Aegean and among the smallest in the Cyclades. Stroll through whitewashed streets lined with shops and cafés, admire the island's iconic windmills and medieval architecture, and visit the capital of Hora, where colorful fishing boats and luxury yachts share the picturesque harbor.
Cruise overnight to Milos
Day 9
Milos visit
Discover the unique coastline, colorful rock formations, and volcanic landscapes that make Milos one of the Aegean's most distinctive islands. Learn how volcanic activity and geological processes shaped the island's dramatic scenery over thousands of years.
Cruise overnight to Athens
Day 10
Arrive in Athens
Cape Sounion guided excursion
Visit the Temple of Poseidon, perched high above the Aegean Sea at Cape Sounion, the southernmost tip of mainland Greece. Walk among the towering marble columns of this 5th-century BC temple, built around the same time as the Parthenon, and take in sweeping views of the coastline and sea.
Day 11
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in London
Stroll the Thames River on a guided city walk with stops at Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Soho, and visit the National Gallery before enjoying a classic fish and chips dinner. The next day, take a guided sightseeing tour featuring Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to and from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program. Ask your Account Manager for details
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding multi-day bus drivers)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
High school credit for students in grades 6-12, or college credit for students in grades 9-12, upon completion of the travel program and required WorldStrides online coursework
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Athens, Turkey and the Aegean
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.