Price: $690.00
Classical Greece Tour
Description
Discover the famous historical monuments of mainland Greece! With this eight-day tour you will get to visit some of the country’s most interesting sites, such as the Acropolis, the birthplace of the Ancient Olympics, the archaeological site of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo and the UNESCO-listed World Heritage rock-tower monasteries of Meteora.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Athens International Airport | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | As per flight arrival time. | ||||
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HIGHLIGHTS
• Epidaurus: Epidaurus is one of the world’s most important archaeological findings, reflecting the splendour of Greek culture through its imposing beauty. Visit the birthplace of Apollo’s son and an ancient place of healing.
• Mycenae: See ancient Greek remains and the tomb of Agamemnon.
• Olympia: Birthplace of the Olympic Games.
• Delphi: At the foot of Mount Parnassos lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which was the most famous Oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi is the second most important archaeological site in Greece (after the Acropolis in Athens) and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
• Meteora: In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these ‘columns of the sky’ from the 11th century onwards. Meteora is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Athens: Explore the capital of Greece at your own pace, with plenty of time for shopping.
Itinerary
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Day 1 | ARRIVAL ATHENS
On your arrival at Athens airport or port, you will be greeted by our English-speaking assistant and taken to your Athens hotel in the comfort of an air-conditioned luxury car or bus. Athens has an array of amazing hotels, and this package offers the cream of the crop. Once you’re settled, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure, either by heading out to explore the streets of Athens at your own rhythm, or by making the most of the services available at the hotel. Overnight in Athens. Accommodation options in 2020: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Electra, or similar. // Accommodation options in 2021: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Fresh, or similar.
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Day 2 | ATHENS ACROPOLIS
In the morning, have breakfast and then embark on a sightseeing tour of the ancient city. Along with your expert guide, go see the city centre, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. On your way to the Acropolis you will pass Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. Then, at the Acropolis, visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the famous Parthenon. Your first taste of Athens would not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis Museum, a modern architectural building where, at last, the statues have found their home. After the tour, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You can book an optional tour to Cape Sounion, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, to see the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon and the rocky promontory of Sounio. In the evening you can book another optional tour: Night out in Athens. Enjoy a short panoramic drive through the city centre and then take photos of the illuminated Acropolis. After that, enjoy a walk through the picturesque streets of the old city and wrap up the night in a typical Greek tavern with live music and Greek folk dances in traditional costumes. At the end of the visit, return to your hotel. Overnight in Athens. Accommodation options in 2020: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Electra, or similar. // Accommodation options in 2021: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Fresh, or similar.
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Day 3 | ATHENS – CORINTH CANAL – EPIDAURUS – NAUPLION – MYCENAE – OLYMPIA
After breakfast in the hotel, leave Athens by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, where you will make a short stop to contemplate the views. Then drive on and visit the splendid Theatre of Epidauros, famous for its remarkable acoustics. After that, proceed to the town of Nauplion, where you will enjoy a brief photo stop before continuing to Mycenae. Here you will visit the city’s fascinating Archaeological Site, as well as the Tomb of Agamemnon. Lastly, depart for Olympia by driving through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Once you arrive in Olympia, cradle of the Olympic Games, check in at the hotel to spend the night. Overnight in Olympia. Accommodation options in 2020: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Europa Hotel, Arty Grand, or similar. // Accommodation options in 2021: 3* Hotel: Olympic Village, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Europa Hotel, Arty Grand, or similar.
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Day 4 | OLYMPIA – DELPHI
Today breakfast in the hotel is followed by a visit to the Archaeological Site containing the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. After that morning of history, monuments and enlightenment, it’s time to drive through the plains of Eliad and Achaia to the magnificent bridge crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea before you finally arrive in Delphi, a city once regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, Zeus sent out two eagles from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world, and it was in this location that they met. The sanctuary of Delphi is set within a most spectacular landscape. Check in at the hotel and spend the night. Overnight in Delphi. Accommodation options (for both 2020 and 2021): 3* Hotel: Hotel Hermes, Olympic Hotel, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Amalia Hotel, or similar.
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Day 5 | DELPHI – KALAMBAKA
Wake up to breakfast in the hotel and then head out to explore the Archaeological Site and Museum of Delphi, where amongst other archaeological treasures you can contemplate the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos. After the visit, you will depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, an almost alien landscape filled with gigantic rock formations. Check in to the hotel and have dinner at the hotel before spending the night. Overnight in Kalambaka. Accommodation options in 2020: 3* Hotel: Hotel Orfeas, Antoniadis Hotel, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Divani, Amalia Hotel, or similar. // Accommodation options in 2021: 3* Hotel: Hotel Orfeas, Antoniadis Hotel, or similar. / 4+ Hotel: Grand Meteora, or similar.
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Day 6 | KALAMBAKA – ATHENS
After breakfast in the hotel, explore the striking scenery of Meteora. Perched on top of enormous pillars of rock that seem almost suspended in mid-air, stand a series of ancient monasteries showcasing a wonderful collection of Byzantine art. You will ascend to two of the monasteries to marvel at their beautiful contents before beginning the drive back to Athens via Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae, where you’ll make a short stop to see Leonida’s Monument. Arrive in Athens early in the evening and check in to the hotel. Overnight in Athens. Accommodation options in 2020: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Electra, or similar. // Accommodation options in 2021: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Fresh, or similar.
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Day 7 | ATHENS (OPTIONAL ONE-DAY CRUISE TO AEGINA, HYDRA AND POROS)
Recharge your batteries with breakfast in the hotel before enjoying the day to explore Athens at your leisure. For those who have chosen the tour in Spanish, will have the opportunity to join an optional one-day cruise to the islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina. After a morning transfer to the port, (around 7 am) you’ll be welcomed aboard a luxurious cruise ship and invited to relax on its spacious open decks offering great views of the Greek coast. The first stop is the island of Poros, the smallest of the three islands you’ll visit on the tour. It’s separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait. After having free time to explore the island, hop back aboard and feast on a delicious lunch as the ship sail towards Hydra. Take in the stunning views as you enter the port of Hydra and see the cove once used as a shelter for pirates. Wander around the narrow, stone-paved streets of the island on foot or why not ride a donkey. If you decide to go by foot, why not take a walk along the old promenade, and visit the local shops that line it. When you return to the ship, you’ll find the tables set once again. Along with your meal, enjoy charming Greek music as you sail towards Aegina, the largest of the three islands. Apart from its beautiful harbour, there are numerous interesting sites that you’ll have a chance to discover at your own pace. Enjoy a Greek folk show with singers and dancers in traditional costumes as you glide back to Athens. Overnight in Athens. Accommodation options in 2020: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Electra, or similar. // Accommodation options in 2021: 3* Hotel: Hotel Arion, or similar. / 4* Hotel: Hotel Fresh, or similar.
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Day 8 | DEPARTURE ATHENS
Wake up to one last breakfast in the hotel (included) before taking your transfer back to Athens Airport or the port of Athens, where you’ll catch your flight to your following destination. The time your transfer leaves depends on your flight/ ferry departure.
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