EASTERN CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES – AUGUST

Gathering and Flight to Boston. Much of the city has a European flavor, thanks in part to its rich colonial history. One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston was founded in 1630 by the English and was the site of many important events of the American Revolution. After independence from Great Britain, the city continued to be an important port, as well as a global center for education and culture. Like London with the Shard, Boston has the Copley Building and the Prudential Center overlooking the Charles River. Such is the monumental wealth of this historic city that even two days will seem too few! For Americans, it is the cradle of the revolution, the birthplace of the Kennedys, and the Red Sox. Art, music, colonial history, patriotic landmarks, shopping - Massachusetts has something for everyone! As one of the original 13 colonies, Massachusetts has preserved many historical monuments from the days of the first pilgrims. But it's not just history - at Boston's vibrant Faneuil Hall Marketplace you will find fashion items as modern as tomorrow. Arrival in the afternoon. First acquaintance with the historic city and capital of the state of Massachusetts and New England, whose residents are called Yankees and are proud of it. Overnight.

Today we will follow the famous "Freedom Trail", as the tour of 16 historical sights of the city is called, which cover about two and a half centuries of American history, from the colonial years. In the North of the East Coast, where the Charles River flows into the Atlantic, Boston was built. The first settlers (Puritans from England) settled there permanently in 1630. However, due to the "severe" tax measures of the British administration, protests against the London government began as early as 1764, which ultimately led to American independence. These events, as well as the early years of the United States' history, are followed by the Freedom Trail, the most famous scenic route, which winds like a red ribbon for two and a half miles through the heart of the city. You don't need a map to follow it, just follow the red line on the pavement, which starts at the beautiful Boston Common park and ends in Charlestown through the Financial District and the North End. We continue with Harvard Square, one of the world's leading academic centers, a place full of historic buildings and excellent museums. But the wider area is also worth visiting, as the shops, restaurants, cafes and bookstores around Harvard Square are bustling with life all year round. The Harvard Art Museums house three major collections and are considered one of the most important art museums in the United States. The Fogg Museum of Art specializes in Italian art of the early Renaissance. The Busch-Reisinger Museum focuses on German and Northern European expressionist art, with works by Kandinsky and Klee. The Chinese jade, bronzes, Japanese prints, Indian art, and Greco-Roman antiquities at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum include some of the finest collections in the world. Four other world-class museums are two blocks away—the Harvard Research Collections housed in the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Mineralogical Museum, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Botanical Museum. The outstanding museum dedicated to Native Americans displays artifacts from a culture that changed after European contact. The most famous exhibits here, however, are the more than 3,000 glass flowers and plants, so realistic that it's hard to believe they're not real. The secret of their making was lost with their creators, and the process is no longer known. You can take the Harvard Campus Walking Tour, which includes admission to these museums.

Departure by road to New York. We will cross 3 states, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. You will have the opportunity to see several interesting landscapes and sights. About halfway along the route we will reach New Haven and Yale University, one of the most recognizable and top universities in the world, with a rich history and tradition. After our stop, we continue to New York. Welcome to the "Big Apple"! Most avenues are numbered from east to west (so 1st Avenue is east of 2nd, etc.). The numbering of buildings on avenues starts from the south end of the avenue and increases towards the north, while the numbering of streets starts from 5th Avenue (Fifth Avenue) and increases both east and west. This means that you can find your way around very easily. The streets are numbered - except in the center of Manhattan - and the numbering increases as you go north. Check-in at our hotel, located in the "heart" of Manhattan. Those who wish (depending on the time) can go for a first walk in the city, accompanied by our tour guide.

Today we begin our tour at the United Nations (UN). The main purposes of this Organization are the maintenance of international peace and security, development, cooperation between nations to resolve international crises and the promotion of the protection of human rights. The large courtyard of the building is decorated with exhibits - donations from various countries. Next is the circular square with the statue of Christopher Columbus and Lincoln Center, a complex of buildings that house artistic organizations, such as the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera and the famous Julliard School of the Arts, where countless world-famous artists have appeared, including the Greek Maria Callas. Right next door is the Fordham University Law School, where the greatest names in modern history have studied. We continue towards Central Park, the most important green lung of the American metropolis, which will give you the opportunity to escape to a small natural paradise with artificial lakes, well-kept picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields and a zoo. On the west side of the park we see the imposing, Renaissance-style Victorian-style Dakota building, in whose expensive apartments artists, shipowners, etc. live - the late "Beetle", John Lennon, also lived here. Next is Columbia University - in short, the most magnificent "temple" of humanistic studies in the world. Everything that has been produced by human thought over the centuries on how a society should live, behave, be educated, govern and be governed, exists in this historic institution as science and research. All undergraduate departments, especially those of history, political science, psychology and sociology, are particularly noteworthy. Especially for the history of art, nowhere in the world can a more complete education be given. We continue with the monument to the Northern general Ulysses Grant, who in 1868 was elected President of the U.S. with a percentage of 52.7%, the Hudson River and Harlem with the famous Apollo Theatre. The physiognomy of the area that for decades constituted the largest black ghetto in New York, has undoubtedly begun to change. The dilapidated buildings in which large families were crammed together have in recent years begun to be replaced by modern constructions, while the burning garbage cans around which the needy gathered to keep warm have long since disappeared. Harlem is now a destination for many gourmet foodies in the American metropolis, as restaurants and cafes have begun to spring up everywhere. Next is the famous 5th Avenue with the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Trump Tower (of the multimillionaire and former US president Donald Trump), all the European fashion houses and many shiny jewelry stores, such as Cartier, Bulgari, etc. We move towards Rockefeller Center, a complex of 19 buildings. It is one of the largest private complexes of its kind in the world, with shops, restaurants and in the center, in one of the skyscrapers, the Observatory with the amazing view, called Top of the Rock. We complete our tour on Broadway, the "heart" of the theaters. Broadway is a large avenue that runs through Manhattan and has lent its name to many spectacular musical productions. In the evening, follow the suggestions of your tour guide.

Today begins with a Cruise, during which we will admire and photograph from the boat the restored piers, the historic Ellis Island - a place where immigrants were previously received - the Statue of Liberty, as well as Staten Island and New Jersey. From every point of the cruise we will enjoy unique views of Manhattan. Then we will pass by Governor's Island and Brooklyn. Next comes our visit to the wonderful Chelsea Market. Red bricks dominate and embrace the entire vast space of the covered market, industrial details, such as pipes, chimneys, etc., make their presence evident - in general, prepare for a labyrinthine space with dozens of different options, entrances, exits, etc. In very simple words, it is the "Mecca" of New York gourmands. Chelsea Market has established itself as the "Food Mall", in which there are, however, several additional options for shopping and artistic activities. Our next stop is The High Line, a long, narrow park established on abandoned elevated train lines. Continuing towards the southern tip of Manhattan (Lower Manhattan), we will see the well-known Wall Street, which functions as the heart of big business and is the headquarters of the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall. Even further south is Battery Park. At "Ground Zero" stands the skyscraper "One World Trade Center", the tallest building in New York. The "National September 11th Memorial and Museum" complex has also been erected on the site, which includes an underground museum and two memorial swimming pools. The underground museum houses exhibits of the victims of September 11, while two swimming pools have been built where the Twin Towers stood, engraved with the names of the 2,983 victims who died that day. Next, we will see the all-white Metro station at the World Trade Center, the imposing Oculus, a landmark of architecture and symbolism designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, with the aim of making the World Trade Center Transportation Hub look like a bird ready to fly. This impressive station is 111 meters long and 35 meters wide - it takes about a minute and a half to walk from one side to the other at a normal pace. Nearby is the famous Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in New York, which was destroyed by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 and after 21 years opens its gates again, after being rebuilt with marble from Penteli to designs by architect Santiago Calatrava and with a truly impressive iconography by the equally famous Mount Athos iconographer Fr. Loukas. Finally, we will see the new Hudson Yards neighborhood, the largest private real estate development in US history after Rockefeller Center. In the center dominates the impressive "Vessel". Spread over 14 acres, Hudson Yards includes gardens, groves, dozens of commercial and luxury stores, restaurants by famous chefs, etc.

Today's first visit is to Grand Central Station in New York, which began operating in 1913. Since then, it has become a trademark of the city and is notable for the ingenious way in which car, pedestrian and train traffic are separated. The building has a steel frame, covered with granite and marble. A little further down we see the Flatiron Building or Fuller Building, as it was originally called. It is a pioneering skyscraper built on a triangular block between 5th Avenue and Broadway, which after its completion in 1902, was one of the tallest buildings in the city. The Flatiron is another landmark of New York and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. Next is New York University (NYU), founded in 1831 and has attracted writers, musicians, artists and intellectuals to study. It is a private institution with 27,444 total undergraduate enrollments. The main campus is located in Washington Square, near Greenwich Village. Our tour continues to well-known Manhattan neighborhoods that have their own color and culture, such as Greenwich Village - between Houston Street and Broadway - and Soho, the 19th-century neighborhood full of galleries, boutiques and restaurants. We arrive in "Little Italy", with many Italian restaurants and shops, which will remind you of scenes from the movie "The Godfather". We move towards Chinatown, one of the largest areas of Asians living outside Asia, famous for its affordable restaurants, grocery stores and ethnic gift shops. We continue with the magical Brooklyn Bridge. It is the first steel cable-stayed bridge in the world and has connected Manhattan with Brooklyn since 1883 (the walk takes about 20 minutes). An emblematic element of the image, but also of everyday life in New York. While walking, we admire the view and countless images from films and television series with skyscrapers in the background come to our minds. Finally, today we will see Hudson Yards up close, the largest private investment in reconstruction ($25 billion) in US history after Rockefeller Center, which intends to form an "other city" within New York. When this brand new neighborhood officially opened its gates to welcome citizens and visitors, more than 1,000 people rushed in. Hudson Yards extends over 14 acres and includes vast sidewalks, gardens, groves, dozens of commercial stores and restaurants, ultra-luxury apartments, while at its center is the Vessel, the impressive sculptural building, which resembles a huge beehive and consists of 154 stairs with a total of 2,500 steps, offering unique views. Among these… beasts is the building "The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards", which brings together in its well-polished corridors some of the biggest retail and catering brands in the world: the first Neiman Marcus store in New York, a concept store of the Zara chain, but also the first physical stores of several online retailers, celebrity chef restaurants, such as the multi-collective "Mercado Little Spain" by José Andrés and brothers Albert and Ferran Adrià in the basement or "Wild Ink", the first restaurant of the London catering company Rhurhab. There is also the new "Estiatorio Milos", which occupies exclusively the top shared floor of the building. Costas Spiliadis, a leading representative of Greek gastronomy in America, but also one of its most important ambassadors around the world, the chef, restaurateur and founder of a restaurant empire, is at the heart of this new project.

Morning departure via New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Philadelphia, which for Americans is a precious city of their country. In fact, the most ardent "patriots" feel that they must visit, at least once in their lives, the first historical capital of the USA, the heart of American existence. The official history of the USA began to be written in Philadelphia about 240 years ago. Here the Declaration of Independence of the country was signed (1776), the first Constitution was read to the people (1776) and the design of the US flag was decided (1777). Here, too, Congress met for ten consecutive years (1790-1800), after the city was declared the capital of the newly formed American state in 1790. It is the second largest city on the East Coast. Arrival and panoramic tour, during which we will see the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Elsert Alley (the oldest inhabited street in America) and much more. Arriving in the heart of the historic center, you can visit the famous Liberty Bell and Constitution Square, symbols of freedom in America. In addition to being the "spiritual pride" of Philadelphia, the Museum of Art is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and idyllic places in the city. Outside the Museum there is a statue of Sylvester Stallone (as Rocky Balboa). After the end of our tour we continue to Washington. It is not the skyscrapers, but the pillars of American history, that dominate Washington. The capital of the United States reflects the culture and processes the country's politics from the buildings surrounding the National Mall. The American empire has its own Rome, and it is called Washington DC - it was the first city in the world that was designed and built with the sole purpose of becoming a permanent national capital. The best place for your evening entertainment is the Georgetown area. There are many bars with jazz music and restaurants with excellent food. In general, the atmosphere of the buildings and shops will remind you of scenes from movies showing American cities of the 19th century. There are a lot of people in the area and the shops are usually full, as the famous Georgetown University is located nearby.

During our tour of the city today, we will see the Union Railway Station, in front of which stands the statue of Christopher Columbus and next to it the replica of the Liberty Bell, which rang when America was liberated from the British on July 4, 1783. Trains depart from this station for destinations throughout America. We will admire its decoration and its unique roof. Next is the Capitol. The building is completely white, built in the Greek style. It consists of a large dome, colonnades and magnificent staircases. We continue with the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Mall, the 170-meter-high Obelisk, the Holocaust Museum, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, which marks the end of The Mall. On the banks of the artificial Tidal Basin are the Monuments of Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson. Crossing the imposing Memorial Bridge, we reach Arlington Cemetery. High on the hill is also the monument to General Lee, who was defeated by Grant in the Civil War at the Battle of Gettysburg. We ascend towards the Kennedy graves. Our next stop, the White House - the strong police presence in the wider area will remind you of the global political importance of this spot. For the evening, there may be a performance at the Kennedy Center that interests you.

Free breakfast for a stroll and last minute shopping or to visit at least one world-class museum. The Smithsonian Institution building is a historic landmark and is home to two museums, the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Transfer to the airport and board the return flight to Athens. Arrival the next day.