When: April 9-24, 2009          

Led by: Lee Otterholt

Featuring:

• CLASSICAL TOUR: Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Mycenae, and Epidaurus!
• GREEK ISLAND CRUISE: Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Patmos, Santorini, home of legendary Atlantis.
• In Turkey, visit Kusadasi and Ephesus!
• INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCING with Lee Otterholt!
• FOLK DANCING with local GREEK TEACHERS!
  

Land only: $3395
Land and air: $3895

About Lee Otterholt
Lee Otterholt, born in the USA of Norwegian-American parents, has lived and worked most of his life in Norway as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. He founded the Center for International Folk Dance in Oslo;he was also professor of dance folklore at the Norwegian National College of Ballet, and University College of Oslo.

Lee established folk dance and performing groups in Norway, taught at festivals and workshops throughout Europe, United States, and East Asia, and was the author of folk dance and instructional manuals used in Norwegian schools. A choreographer for folk ensembles, theater, and TV, Lee was one of the principal choreographers for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

Ochi Day Parade on the Island of Santorini

Day 1: Thursday, April 9: Departure on Olympic Airway from JFK airport in New York City. Day 2-3: Friday-Saturday, April 10-11: Arrive in Athens. Transfer to Herodion Hotel. Explore the ancient and modern city of Athens. Visit the Royal Palace, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Acropolis, and Omonia Square. Greek folk dancing.

Pontic Dancer

Day 5: Monday, April 13:
Drive through central Peloponnese passing Megalopolis and Tripolis. Tour of historic Olympia. Dinner, folk dancing, and overnight at the Amalia Hotel.

Day 6: Tuesday, April 14:
Morning drive through Nafpakto. Visit archeological sites at Delphi. Dinner, folk dancing, and overnight at Amalia Hotel.

Day 7: Wednesday, April 15:
Morning visit to Delphi museum. Drive through Arachova, Lamia, and Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka. Dinner, folk dancing, and overnight at Amalia Hotel.

Day 8: Thursday, April 16:
Visit breathtaking cliff monasteries of Meteora. Rising from gigantic rocks, they appear as nature's gift to the pious who chose solitude and a life of worship. Lunch and Greek folk dancing in a local Kastraki restaurant. Return to Athens, passing through historic Thermopyle. Overnight: Herodion Hotel.

FOUR DAY GREEK ISLAND CRUISE!
Day 9-12: Friday-Monday, April 17-20:
Three glorious days on Mykonos! After breakfast, transfer from hotel to Piraeus for your four-day Louis Cruise departing at 11:00 a.m. Arrive in Mykonos at 6:00 p.m. This island, known for its fabulous white sand beaches, turquoise blue sea, exciting nightlife, quaint winding streets, whiteness of the homes, and picturesque buildings, is one of the most famous in the world!

Sunday, April 19, is Greek Orthodox Easter! You will enjoy being part of the festivities on Saturday night and on Easter Sunday, a unique experience in Mykonos. Greek folk dancing on Mykonos with Lilian Vlandis, and local dancers. Join the Easter celebration and Festivities! Overnights at the K Hotels. Monday evening you will be transferred to the Mykonos pier to embark on your four day cruise. Sail at 11:00 p.m.

Day 13: Tuesday, April 21:
Visit Kusadasi in Turkey. Optional excursion to Ephesus, best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Bazaar shopping tour of Kusadasi led by Jim. Sail to the beautiful island of Patmos where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation.

Day 14: Wednesday, April 22:
Sail to Rhodes. Explore the medieval city. Optional excursion to Lindos with its ancient Acropolis and breath-taking views. Walking tour of Rhodes led by Jim. Greek folk dancing with Nelly Dimoglou Dancers.

Day 15: Thursday, April 23:
Visit Heraklion, capital of Crete. Optional excursion to the Palace of Knossos. Then onto Santorini, home of the legendary kingdom of Atlantis.

Day 16: Friday, April 24:
Stay on cruise to arrive in Piraeus. Transfer to airport for flight back home.