Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Bring your students to explore all the can’t-miss highlights of Athens, including the Acropolis and Parthenon. You’ll also visit the ruins at Delphi before setting sail for a four-day cruise through the Aegean! Your group will wander the picturesque streets of Mykonos, discover the remote monastery of St. John on Patmos, explore the markets of Crete, and visit the colourful village of Oia on Santorini.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Greece (Athens)
Day 2
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
Greek dinner in Plaka
Day 4
Delphi guided excursion
Prophet from the past. Explore the impressive ruins at Delphi, which the Greeks considered the centre of the world. Within the depths of the Temple of Apollo, a priestess would inhale intoxicating vapors that used to rise from the earth and, thus inspired, deliver the prophecies of Apollo. Modern visitors might find more inspiration in the view from Mount Parnassus, over 8000 feet high.
Day 5
Depart Athens on four-day Aegean cruise
Island hop Aegean style on a four-day cruise to six unique destinations. Explore Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini, plus Turkey’s Kusadasi. Highlights include Byzantine frescoes at the Monastery of St. John, Venetian Crete, and Santorini’s volcanic cliffs and black-sand beaches. Four shore excursions are included. Note: tour must depart North America on Thursdays for the Aegean Cruise.
Shore excursions
Your cruise includes three guided shore excursions: explore Santorini’s spectacular Oia Village on the caldera rim, walk through the ancient ruins of Ephesus from the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and discover the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Heraklion, the cradle of Europe’s first civilization.
Mykonos visit
One of the Cyclades’ smallest islands, Mykonos charms with whitewashed streets, thatched windmills, and a colourful harbor in Hora. Stroll Matoyanni Street for shops, cafés, and views of fishing boats alongside luxury yachts.
Cruise overnight to Kusadasi
Day 6
Kusadasi visit
Step off your cruise in Kusadasi, Turkey, and journey inland to the awe-inspiring ruins of Ancient Ephesus. Stroll marble streets to the grand Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, and imagine the bustling agora and sacred temples that once defined this thriving Roman city.
Patmos visit
Cruise on to Patmos, where Saint John the Evangelist, exiled for a year, was inspired to write the Book of Revelation amid the island’s barren, haunting landscape. Visit the hilltop monastery built in his honour, admire Byzantine icons and art inside, and take in sweeping views of the sparkling Aegean.
Cruise overnight to Rhodes
Day 7
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 8
Cruise on and visit Santorini
Santorini rises from the Aegean as the rim of a volcanic crater that erupted in 1625 B.C., shattering a larger island. The sea filled the caldera, leaving whitewashed towns perched on cliffs streaked with vivid colours. Some even believe this breathtaking isle may be the legendary Atlantis.
Cruise overnight to Athens
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
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre 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 Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Greece
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
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.