Day 1 - We flew into Athens then hopped onto a bus to the port town of Pireaus.

Day 2 - We boarded a ferry to the island of Santorini, which took about 7 1/2 hours. The boat made short stops at the islands of Paros and Naxos before arriving at the port of Athinios. We took a bus to Fira where we spent the remainder of the day exploring the spectacular town.

Day 3 - We took a boat tour to Nea Kameni, an eruption island in the center of the watery caldera. We walked around a bit then sailed to the other island, Palea Kameni. In the later afternoon, we caught a bus to the breathtaking town of Oia. We watched the sun set then returned to Fira.

Day 4 - We took the ferry back to Pireaus. We took the metro into downtown Athens. We saw the presidential guards, the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation, the Plaka (the oldest section of Athens) and climbed Areopagus Hill (for a view of the city).

Day 5 - We had signed up for a 2-day bus tour. It started with the expansive ruins of Delphi. We then continued driving north, spending the night in a charming hotel outside of Kalambaka.

Day 6 - We headed up into the hills to explore two monasteries of Meteora including Monastery of St. Stephen and Monastery of Varlaam. We then made the 6-hour drive back to Athens.

Day 7 - We began the day with a visit to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Then came Hadrian's Arch, the magnificen Agia Aikaterini (or Ekaterini) Church, and the Ancient Agora (or public square). There were more ruins and buildings at the Roman Agora. We walked to the Kerameikos (ancietnt workshops and cemetery) with its museum. We then hiked up to the Acropolis.... past the Theater of Dionysus, Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Herodeon. Up on top, we saw the Parthenon, Erechtheion and the museum of artifacts. It was a long walk back into town where we visited the Byzantine and Christian Museum. Afterwards, we made it in time to watch the changing of the guard.

Day 8 - We spent the morning visiting a couple churches as well as the National Archaeological Museum. Then it was time to fly home.

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