Group coordinator Susan Wilson said the travelers were thrilled when they stepped onto their hotel’s balcony and had a stunning view of the Acropolis.

“What a way to begin a stay in Greece,” said Wilson.

Athens is a bustling metropolis of nearly 4 million people — home to one out of every three Greeks.

The group was treated to a tour, which wove through the rich tapestry of Athen’s 2,500-year story — from the grandiose ruins of the ancient world, to mysteriously medieval Orthodox churches, to the lively places where today’s Athenians go about their timeless existence.

Corinth Canal

A favorite place was the fascinating old Plaka district near the Ancient Agora, markets and restaurants. “Souvenir shopping and lots of Greek cuisine was sampled there,” she said. “Greek salad, bread with tzatziki sauce, moussaka, souvlaki (gyros), spanakopita (spinach pie), and baklava were among the many tasty dishes tried and liked.”

The food is so good because it is so fresh and locally grown, Wilson noted. “The tomatoes are as sweet as candy,” she said. “It’s nearly impossible to get a true taste of Greek culture without sampling its flavorful isles.”

The tour included cruises to the islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.

Mykonos is a tangle of white alleys and cube-shaped houses, built in a maze of narrow lanes to defy both wind and pirate raids; the old port is one of the most photographed in Greece. It’s here that the group saw the iconic 16th century windmills, which were used to grind grain.

The group had dinner in Little Venice — a charming neighborhood along the Aegean Sea. “Santorini was a surprise,” Wilson said.

Departing from the ferry, they were greeted by volcanic black sand beaches, cliff-lined shores and stunning whitewashed architecture.

The terraced land was packed with hotels, stores, and restaurants in good positions, along the lip of the caldera to enjoy magnificent views — especially at sunset.

Santorini is home to the famous town of Oia — the picture-perfect village with the blue-roofed structures.

On the Road will never forget their “amazing and scary” bus ride to the top of Mount Profitas Ilias — the highest peak of the island at 1,853 feet above the Aegean Sea, and home to a monastery.

Crete was the final stop on the tour. It’s the largest of the Greek islands and home to the ruins of Knossos, Europe’s oldest city.

The On the Road Travel Group — in front are Monica Erickson and Anne Pucci; in back are Cierra Gibson, Susan Wilson, Paige Gibson and Suzanne Cattelan.

Knossos has been restored and maintained for visitation, and they were treated to views of the excavated ancient Royal Road, Minoan pottery, frescoes and the centerpiece, the Throne Room.

Another highlight of Crete was a day in historic Chania. Chania is known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman influences.

The group’s last day was a trip through the countryside of Athens to see the Corinth Canal. Everyone from Julius Caesar to Emperor Nero dreamed of building this canal to connect the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and cut down on the time it took to transport goods by boat. The present-day canal was completed in 1893 and separates the Peloponnese peninsula from mainland Greece. Then it was on to the ancient Theater of Epidaurus , one of the world’s best-preserved Greek amphitheaters, and Mycenae, a UNESCO listed archaeological site. Mycenae was an important city, linked to Homer’s famous Greek epics “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.”

On the Road will travel to Scandinavia in June and Oberammergau, Germany, for the Passion Play in September.