Cultural, historic & discovery tour of Greece featuring Athens, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora
Highlights
Acropolis & Parthenon in Athens, Mycenae, Mediterranean coast at Nafplion, Palamidi fortress, ancient theatre of Epidaurus, birth place of the Olympics at Olympia, Temple of Apollo at Delphi, clifftop monasteries at Meteora
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Athens, transfer to hotel
Upon arrival into Athens airport (ATH) you'll be met by one of our representatives who will then transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is then free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a look around the area independently before meeting the group and starting the first sightseeing tours tomorrow morning.
| OVERNIGHT: Athens hotel
| EXTRAS: Extra day in Athens - pre-tour, Single Room Supplement (GRSGCG)
Day 2: Athens, city tour
Our tour of Athens starts this morning at the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium where we'll learn about the first Olympic Games of the modern era which were held here in 1896. Continuing on we make several other stops to see more of ancient and modern Athens, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament building, memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square (Syntagma).
In the afternoon we head to one of the most important and famous ancient sites in the world, the Acropolis, which sits on top of a rocky hill overlooking the city, providing great views. You'll see the temple of Erechtheion, the Propylae, the Temple of Athena Nike, and of course the most famous of Greek relics, the Partheno where you'll see the original home of the marble sculptures removed by Lord Elgin that are now held in the British Museum in London.
We'll then return to our hotel and have a free evening to find one of the city's famous local tavernas or restaurants, perhaps sampling the bustling atmosphere and winding streets of the Plaka.
| OVERNIGHT: Athens hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 3: Mycenae, Palamidi fortress & Nafplion
We leave Athens early this morning and cross the Corinth Canal en-route to the UNESCO WOrld Heritage Site of Mycenae. Here we'll see the home of mythical Agamemnon, the Lions gate, royal tombs and the Cyclopean walls. After touring these sites with our guide we head on to Nafplion which was the first capital of Greece in the region of Argolis. The picturesque town here nestles at the foot of a cliff with the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress towering above. We'll end the day with a drive to Olympia where we'll spend the night.
| OVERNIGHT: Olympia hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Olympia, drive to Delphi
We leave Nafplion early this morning and head to Olympia. This is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, which are thought to have begun here in 776 BC as part of a religious festival in honour of the king of the gods, Zeus. We'll visit the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia and learn more about the games' history, taking in the Temple of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium, the altar of the Olympic flame, and the museum which hosts an impressive statue of Hermes of Praxiteles.
Later in the afternoon we leave Olympia and head north over the Rio-Antirio Bridge to Delphi.
| OVERNIGHT: Delphi hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Tour of Delphi, then through Central Greece to Kalambaka
Delphi was once considered the centre of the ancient world and we'll tour a range of sites here including the remains of the Temple of Apollo which are remarkably well preserved. We also take in the Temple of Athena, the Oracle of Delphi and the Castalian Spring before you can explore the Archaeological Museum of Delphi which hosts some of ancient Greece's best remaining masterpieces such as Eniochos the bronze Charioteer.
Later we head further inland through some beautiful villages and towns of Central Greece, seeing some of the traditional local architecture, before arriving at the small picturesque city of Kalambaka which nestles at the foot of the mountains of Meteora.
| OVERNIGHT: Kalambaka hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Clifftop monasteries of Meteora. Return to Athens
This morning's tour is truly spectacular, as we explore the unique landscape and rock formations of Meteora. There are towering cliffs here with ancient Christian monasteries built perched on the tops. We will visit some of the monasteries and also enjoy the amazing views to them across the valleys and marvel at how they must have been built.
Note: The monasteries at Meteora have a strict dress code. Women need to wear a long skirt, dress or sarong (trousers or shorts covering the knees are not enough). Men must wear long trousers. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Please ensure you have appropriate clothing ready for this day.
We'll then return to Athens, passing Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae, taking a short stop on the way to see Leonida's Monument. Finally we back to Athens in the early evening for your final night in the city.
| OVERNIGHT: Athens hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 7: Athens, transfer to airport
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning and your time is free for some final exploring of Athens, or souvenir shopping at your leisure before we transfer you back to the airport for your departure. Extra nights in the Athens hotel are available on request.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
| EXTRAS: Extra day in Athens - post-tour
included with
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary in approx. 4-star level hotels
- All transport and transfers in AC non-smoking vehicles
- 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service
- Services of a professsional local tour guide for all sightseeing tours
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (6 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
- Tipping kitty (except driver and guide)
excluded by
- International flights (available on request)
- Visa fees (if applied)
- Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
- Single room supplements (chargeable if a same-sex room share is not available)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to sites visited (allow approx. EUR 79 (Apr-Oct) or EUR 45 (Nov-Mar)
- Hotel residence tax (allow EUR 12 p/p for shared rooms, EUR 24 for single rooms, see Tour Notes)
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Optional tours
- Any other items not mentioned above
Detailed Description
Day 1: Arrive in Athens, transfer to hotel
Upon arrival into Athens airport (ATH) you'll be met by one of our representatives who will then transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is then free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a look around the area independently before meeting the group and starting the first sightseeing tours tomorrow morning.
| OVERNIGHT: Athens hotel
| EXTRAS: Extra day in Athens - pre-tour, Single Room Supplement (GRSGCG)
Day 2: Athens, city tour
Our tour of Athens starts this morning at the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium where we'll learn about the first Olympic Games of the modern era which were held here in 1896. Continuing on we make several other stops to see more of ancient and modern Athens, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament building, memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square (Syntagma).
In the afternoon we head to one of the most important and famous ancient sites in the world, the Acropolis, which sits on top of a rocky hill overlooking the city, providing great views. You'll see the temple of Erechtheion, the Propylae, the Temple of Athena Nike, and of course the most famous of Greek relics, the Partheno where you'll see the original home of the marble sculptures removed by Lord Elgin that are now held in the British Museum in London.
We'll then return to our hotel and have a free evening to find one of the city's famous local tavernas or restaurants, perhaps sampling the bustling atmosphere and winding streets of the Plaka.
| OVERNIGHT: Athens hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 3: Mycenae, Palamidi fortress & Nafplion
We leave Athens early this morning and cross the Corinth Canal en-route to the UNESCO WOrld Heritage Site of Mycenae. Here we'll see the home of mythical Agamemnon, the Lions gate, royal tombs and the Cyclopean walls. After touring these sites with our guide we head on to Nafplion which was the first capital of Greece in the region of Argolis. The picturesque town here nestles at the foot of a cliff with the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress towering above. We'll end the day with a drive to Olympia where we'll spend the night.
| OVERNIGHT: Olympia hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Olympia, drive to Delphi
We leave Nafplion early this morning and head to Olympia. This is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, which are thought to have begun here in 776 BC as part of a religious festival in honour of the king of the gods, Zeus. We'll visit the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia and learn more about the games' history, taking in the Temple of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium, the altar of the Olympic flame, and the museum which hosts an impressive statue of Hermes of Praxiteles.
Later in the afternoon we leave Olympia and head north over the Rio-Antirio Bridge to Delphi.
| OVERNIGHT: Delphi hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Tour of Delphi, then through Central Greece to Kalambaka
Delphi was once considered the centre of the ancient world and we'll tour a range of sites here including the remains of the Temple of Apollo which are remarkably well preserved. We also take in the Temple of Athena, the Oracle of Delphi and the Castalian Spring before you can explore the Archaeological Museum of Delphi which hosts some of ancient Greece's best remaining masterpieces such as Eniochos the bronze Charioteer.
Later we head further inland through some beautiful villages and towns of Central Greece, seeing some of the traditional local architecture, before arriving at the small picturesque city of Kalambaka which nestles at the foot of the mountains of Meteora.
| OVERNIGHT: Kalambaka hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Clifftop monasteries of Meteora. Return to Athens
This morning's tour is truly spectacular, as we explore the unique landscape and rock formations of Meteora. There are towering cliffs here with ancient Christian monasteries built perched on the tops. We will visit some of the monasteries and also enjoy the amazing views to them across the valleys and marvel at how they must have been built.
Note: The monasteries at Meteora have a strict dress code. Women need to wear a long skirt, dress or sarong (trousers or shorts covering the knees are not enough). Men must wear long trousers. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Please ensure you have appropriate clothing ready for this day.
We'll then return to Athens, passing Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae, taking a short stop on the way to see Leonida's Monument. Finally we back to Athens in the early evening for your final night in the city.
| OVERNIGHT: Athens hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 7: Athens, transfer to airport
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning and your time is free for some final exploring of Athens, or souvenir shopping at your leisure before we transfer you back to the airport for your departure. Extra nights in the Athens hotel are available on request.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
| EXTRAS: Extra day in Athens - post-tour
