Greece: Corfu, the Meteora Monasteries & Athens

Land in Corfu, find your way to the hostel, and drop your bags. If you get in early, you've got a free afternoon to explore before meeting the rest of the crew in the evening. The trip kicks off properly tomorrow, so today is just about settling in.

It's an early start to leave the island behind. A morning ferry takes you back to the mainland, followed by a public bus ride inland to Kalambaka, the town sitting in the shadow of Meteora's rock pillars. You'll arrive with time to check in before heading out for a sunset tour of the monasteries.

These structures are built on immense natural pillars, seemingly suspended in the air. You'll get to go inside at least one of the six active monasteries. The views from the top are worth the climb. Back at the hostel, the evening is free to sort through photos and hang out with the group.

The morning involves a few hours on the road, crossing central Greece by private bus to reach the mountainside town of Delphi. After dropping your bags and grabbing some lunch, the afternoon is spent at the Delphi Archaeological Site. This is where the ancient world's most famous oracle held court. You'll walk through the ruins of treasuries, a stadium, and the legendary Temple of Apollo. The rest of the afternoon is free to check out the archaeological museum or just find a good viewpoint over the valley.

A final travel day brings you from the mountains of Delphi into the urban sprawl of Athens. After checking into the hostel, you'll head out for an orientation walk to get your bearings and see some of the city's major landmarks from the outside. The walk includes a stop at Shedia Home, a non-profit café that supports Athens' homeless community, for a drink. The rest of the evening is your last one with the crew, so plan for a group dinner or a final night out in the city.

The trip officially ends after breakfast this morning. Say your goodbyes to the group and pack up. You can depart at any time, or stick around Athens to keep exploring on your own terms. There's no checkout time pressure.