Athens and Classical Greece

 

 

Itinerary ( B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner )

 

 

 

DAY 1 SATURDAY: ATHENS (D)

Arrive at Athens International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Athens city center. Check in to your room. Free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 2 SUNDAY: Athens (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our guide at the lobby of the hotel and start the Sightseeing Tour of Athens. This tour allows you to see the most important monuments and sites of the city. Visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon Temple and the National Archaeological Museum, rich and famous for their treasures. The tour ends before lunchtime and you are transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure. For those who wish to visit Cape Sounio, an optional excursion is available. The excursion starts after lunch. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 3 MONDAY: Athens - Corinth - Epidaurus - Nafplion - Mycenae - Olympia (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on the coach and drive by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short photo stop). Continue the drive and visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and its exceptional acoustics, which permit the 14,000 spectators to perfectly hear the conversations at the center stage. Then proceed to the town of Nafplion (short photo stop), after Nafplion drive on to Mycenae, one of the major centers of Greek civilization in the second millennium BC with its Acropolis, the Palace, and the famous Lion Gate. You will also visit the Tomb of Agamemnon which is one of the many 'beehive' tombs in the vicinity of the ancient site of Mycenae. It is by far the best preserved of these tholos tombs. Lunch at Mycenae and then depart to Olympia for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 4 TUESDAY: Olympia - Arachova (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit the Archaeological Site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium, and the Archaeological Museum. There is probably no ancient archaeological site anywhere in the world that has more relevance in today's world than Olympia, the place where the ancient Olympic Games were held. Then drive through the stunning bridge connecting Peloponissos and the Mainland at Rio, pass by the picturesque seafront town of Nafpaktos (Lepanto), and continue on the coastal road to the town of Arachova. On the way, you will make a stop for lunch. After approximately an hour's drive, you will arrive at Arachova, a village on the mountain well renowned for its colorful rugs and carpets. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY: Arachova - Delphi - Kalambaka (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit the pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke and was the site of the omphalos, the 'naval of the world. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and changes with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century BC was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. While at the site, visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the Museum. Afterward, lunch will be served at a nearby restaurant. Departure for Kalambaka, a small town stated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora gigantic rocks. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 6 THURSDAY: Kalambaka - Meteora – Athens (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Meteora, famous for its impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries*, that contain priceless historical and religious treasures as well as exquisite specimens of Byzantine art, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Once you finish visiting the monasteries proceed to the town of Kalambaka for lunch and then return to Athens passing by the heroic monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae (short photo stop) where 300 strong Spartans battled the army of the Persian Empire. Arrive in Athens early in the evening for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

*In order to visit the Monasteries, skirts for the ladies and long trousers for the gentlemen are required.

 

DAY 7 FRIDAY: Athens (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day at leisure. Optionally you may participate in a 1-day cruise excursion to three beautiful Greek islands in the Saronic Gulf, Poros, Hydra, and Aegina. Get on board and experience the harmonious combination of Greek hospitality with traditional entertainment and a wonderful meal on board. Return to Athens early in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 8 SATURDAY: Athens (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart to the Athens International Airport. End of services and departure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DON'T FORGET:

Please allow three hours for check-in to your international flights and two hours for domestic.

 

OUR TIPS:

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal?
Please contact us for additional pricing options from any departure airport not listed.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal?
Yes, you can arrange for that by contacting us either by phone or email.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available?
Check the dates listed above to see if there is availability for the specific date you are interested in. If there are multiple dates listed feel free to contact us for the most up-to-date availability.