Itinerary

Depart the United States for Athens, Greece

Arrive in Athens and transfer to the elegant Hotel King George, conveniently located on Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the center of the city. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accompanied by local naturalists, drive in the morning to the Schinias National Park, a protected ecosystem complex that consists of a wetland and a coastal pine forest that is home to about 270 bird species that have been recorded, including many migrants, and a rich flora. The visit to this important reserve will give us a good introduction to the natural world of Greece. Nearby, we will tour Marathon, the site of the great battle fought in 490 BC between the large invading army of the Persian Empire and the much smaller force of mostly Athenian citizen-soldiers that resulted in the victory of the Athenians. A runner was sent to Athens, 26 miles away, to announce the victory, initiating the race known today as the "marathon". Enjoy lunch at a country taverna. On the return to Athens, stop at the Vorres Museum, which houses the collection of Ion Vorres in his beautiful villa and gardens, and an adjoining hall.

Athens is the capital of Greece and Europe�s oldest city. Its ancient monuments are testimonials to a glorious past that gave birth to democracy and many other ideas and concepts that constitute the Western tradition. We will spend the day exploring the principal ancient sites, including the Agora, the civic and commercial center of Athens and the living heart of its democracy. Socrates could be seen here questioning the assumptions of his fellow citizens. See the remains of temples and other buildings and visit the Agora Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, tour the Acropolis and its celebrated monuments, including the incomparable Parthenon. Visit also the Acropolis Museum, which houses an outstanding collection of sculpture and other artifacts. Continue to the coast to board Callisto and sail.

Famed in antiquity for its wealth that was produced by its gold and silver mines, Sifnos is one of the most delightful of the group of islands in the center of the Aegean Sea known as the Cyclades. Here, the distinctive whitewashed cubic style of architecture prevails. Visit the former island capital of Kastro, an impeccably kept village that has retained much of its medieval character; Apollonia, a labyrinth of white houses, flowers and belfries; and its twin village Artemonas, with its impressive Venetian-style mansions. We will also explore the island's beautiful landscape and look for bird watching opportunities.

Few islands combine so much history and such dramatic scenery as Amorgos. First settled in the 5th millennium BC, it was in the 3rd millennium BC that marked Amorgos' initial apogee when it became an important center of Cycladic culture that produced the distinctive figurines that are found in many of the world's major museums. After arriving at the island's harbor town, tour the remains of ancient Minoa, which was founded in the 10th century BC, and attained its prominence from the 4th century BC to the Roman period. Continue to the famed Monastery of Chozoviotissa, one of the most unforgettable sights in the Aegean. Dating to the 11th century, the monastery is sited in a spectacular setting, clinging a sheer cliff above the sea. We will also explore the main town of Amorgos, clustered around a hill crowned by a fortress, as well as the northern part of the island, which reveals the rugged beauty of the island, including the attractive harbor town of Aigiali, ringed by majestic mountains, and the hill village of Langada, where, in a nearby gorge, we may see the elusive Ruppell's warbler and other bird species.

Awake this morning in Chios, the island that claims Homer as a native son. Since ancient times, Chios prospered through trade, becoming a center of learning and the arts. Drive in the morning to the Monastery of Nea Moni, built in the 11th century in a wooded vale. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Nea Moni is decorated with exquisite luminous mosaics and frescoes. In the main town of Chios visit the Archaeological Museum, whose collection illustrates the richness and individuality of the island. In the afternoon, explore the old mastic villages in the south of the island, including Pyrgi, where the house-fronts are decorated in grey and white geometric designs. Chios is an excellent place to observe birds, and we will offer a birdwatching excursion.

An island of great natural beauty, remote Samothraki�s central massif rises to the great peak of Mount Fengari. According to Homer�s Iliad, it was from this peak that Poseidon, god of the sea, watched the fighting during the Trojan War. Visit the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, one of the most important ancient sites in Greece, a place of worship where Mysteries were held. The secret rites performed here attracted famous pilgrims, included Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, who met and fell in love with his wife and mother of Alexander, Olympias. The statue of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, now in the Louvre, was discovered here in 1863, and subsequent archaeological excavations have revealed the extensive remains of the site. Nature lovers and birdwatchers will be rewarded on our exploration of Samothraki�s lush forested and waterfalls that plunge into deep pools.

From the port town of Alexandroupolis, on the northeastern Greek mainland, we offer a choice of two excursions: The Evros River Delta and the Dadia National Park, or the attractive old town of Xanthi. One of the most important bird habitats in Europe and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, the Evros River Delta is home to more than 300 species of birds as well as to over 350 plant species. After exploring this riverine world and observing its birds, continue to the Dadia National Park, a vast protected deciduous forest that is an important stop for migrating birds. But it�s the raptors that are the main attraction of Dadia. Of the 38 species of Europe�s birds of prey, 36 are resident here. Alternatively, take an excursion to Xanthi, a prosperous market and university town, whose old section is lined with beautiful 19th-century mansions, and its narrow streets are lined with shops and cafes.

According to the legend, Achilles, the "god-like" hero of the Iliad, hid on Skyros to avoid joining the Trojan War. He did not succeed, and as the legend also has it, he rode a Skyrian horse into Troy. Now a protected endangered species, the small-bodied Skyrian horses can still be seen in the wild on the island. With its small bays, rolling farmland and pine forests, Skyros is an appealing island. We will explore tranquil Skyros Town, which is perched on a high rock, topped by a Venetian fortress dating from the 13th century. We will wander through its attractive winding cobblestone alleyways, and visit the superb Folk Museum, housed in a 19th-century mansion, whose collection tells the mythology and folklore of the island. We will also visit the Byzantine Monastery of St. George, founded in 962, to admire its ornate gilded screen. Skyros has been known through the centuries for its local artists - potters, painters, weavers and sculptors. We will visit the workshop of some of them who carry the tradition to this day. At this time of the year, the island attracts birders who come in search of Eleonora's falcon, which migrates annually between here and far away Madagascar.

Dock in Piraeus in the morning. Disembark and transfer to the airport for the return flight home.