Past and Present: Alexander the Great and Ancient Greece (2025)

Get some rest on an overnight flight to Skopje, Macedonia.

Rest in the hotel after the overnight flight. Enjoy lunch in Skopje center while watching the bustling capital city. After lunch, explore the many plazas and take in the historical avenues before returning to the hotel for dinner and an early rest.

Admire the local art and mosaics while on a city tour of Skopje. Listen as the guide describes the dense history of the region and appreciate the monuments located in the main square of the city. After the tour, cross a stone bridge to explore the Old Bazaar, an ancient cobblestone area filled with craft shops and traditional artisans, and pick up some handmade souvenirs.

Boat through the canyon for a leisurely morning on the lake. Arrive at a lunch spot nestled between two mountains. Float back in the afternoon and take in the beautiful natural landmarks along the way. Use the rest of the day to travel to the historic city of Bitola, Macedonia. Eat a quick dinner in the city center before heading to the hotel.

Explore Bitola, a city founded by Alexander the Great and a host to many great empires such as the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, and Ottomans. Appreciate the dense history of the country on a tour of the Museum of Bitola. Enjoy lunch and a cappuccino in one of the many cafes on Širok Sokak Street. Once caffeinated and rested, stroll up the street towards Magnolia Square, stopping at Saat Kula Clock Tower and Vergina Sun Fountain on the way. Savor dinner near the square before heading back to the hotel.

Wake up and enjoy the scenic drive to Thessaloniki, Greece. Start the afternoon in Greece with a cafe lunch in the open-air food market on Athonos Square. After lunch, wander the surrounding markets and pick up local crafts and handmade souvenirs. End the day at a traditional Turkish bath known for the nearby flowers. Dine at a local restaurant and head back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

Start the day in the Upper City and stroll down to Lower City. Along the way admire the frescoes and mosaics of Osios David, Nikolaos Orphanos, and Profitias Elias. After a break for lunch and coffee, continue with a leisurely walk to view the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, and the Roman agora. Return to the hotel for dinner and much needed rest.

Wake up and eat breakfast at the hotel before hopping in the van to Athens. Stop for lunch in a coastal town. After enjoying the views and stretching your legs, head back to the van to complete the journey to Athens. Wander around the historic city before settling in for the night.

Today we fly from Athens to Crete. Spend the day exploring the island’s capital of Heraklion including the Venetian walls and lions square.

Today we dive into the history of the island. First we visit the Palace of Knossos, once the center of the earliest Aegean civilizations. In the afternoon, spend time learning about Minion civilization in Crete at the Archaeological Museum.

Wake up and take the ferry to Santorini. As we approach the island, marvel at the natural beauty and whitewashed houses lining the coast. Explore the ancient town of Akrotiri and 18th-century monastery. In the evening, watch the sunset over the Aegan Sea before dinner.

Today we take a boat ride to the Santorini volcano and hot springs. In the evening, enjoy local food specialties while taking in traditional music and folk dance.

Begin the day on top of the acropolis by exploring the phenomenally built Parthenon and learn about the Greecian culture in the Acropolis museum. Wander down the hill to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, completed in the second century. After a delicious Greek lunch, meander around the Plaka neighborhood and admire the beauty of the flower-lined cobblestone streets. Pick up traditional crafts on the way back to the hotel for an early night.

Wave goodbye to Greece as you fly home thinking of all the fun memories you made.