b'OPERATION MARITAScan here THE GERMAN INVASION OF GREECE 1941 for the full itinerary1017 May 2027 Historical Background8 days The Metaxas Line was constructed only a few years before the outbreak of Expert Historian: WW2, its purpose being to prevent or delay any attack from Bulgaria. But Col Bob Kershaw like the Maginot Line, it was compromised when the Germans outflanked it by invading Greece though Yugoslavia: after a determined defence, its Activity Level: 2 forts were compelled to surrender following the capitulation of Thessaloniki. To delay German southwards exploitation, the newly and hastily arrived Commonwealth soldiers, known as W Force, had to quickly form a During this eight-day tour of Greece, asdefensive line anchored upon the River Haliacmon which offered a few days we journey south from the mountainousresistance before it was itself outflanked following the Greek surrender in Bulgarian borderlands, we marvel atthe northwest. Thereafter, W force commenced a desperate but effective the dramatic scenery where every turnfighting withdrawal through central Greece towards the port of Piraeus from seemingly reveals a captivating aspectwhere they expected to be evacuated. All the time they were harassed by an of that countrys momentous history andimaginative and aggressive German pursuit, culminating in the twin pronged well-loved mythology: the imposing fortsairborne and motorcycle assaults on the Corinth Isthmus.of the Metaxas Line in Northern Greece that still dominate the surrounding countryside; Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods, and the magical Vale of Tempe both of which formed the backbone of the Allied first line of defence; the pass at Thermopylae held by the Spartan 300 in 480BC and New Zealand warriors some 2,400 years later; Athens, home to democracy and headquarters of the German occupying forces; and the Corinth isthmus which has witnessed the march of armies throughout time. Whilst our main focus is on the campaign of April 1941, we take a considerable interest in the Persian invasions of 480 and 490 BC.Day 1Thessaloniki: Fly from London Heathrow via Athens and/or assemble at Thessaloniki (2 nights) (D)Day 2 The Metaxas Line: Forts Roupel and Istabei (B,L,D)Day 3 The Haliacmon Line:the Varia pass, Servia, Platamon Ridge and Castle, Tempe Gorge Larissa (1 night) (B,L,D)Day 4 Withdrawal: Thermopylae (480BC & 1941), Bralos Loutraki (2 nights) (B,L,D)Day 5 Airborne assault: Corinth Canal, Acro-Corinth (B,D)Day 6Piraeus and Athens: Salamis (480BC), Hellenic Maritime Heritage Park,Greek War Museum Athens (2 nights) (B,D)ESSENTIALS Day 7Athens: civil war, occupation, Acropolis Rooftop farewell dinner at Hotel 3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Grand Bretagne (B,D)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 8Evacuation: Marathon (490BC), Porto Rafti, return flights to London tour manager and expert historianHeathrow/leave the tour (B)throughout, all internal travel,optional travel from UK.www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 675926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 67 22/08/2025 13:35'