Classical Greece

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1ARRIVAL ATHENS⌄

   On your arrival at Athens airport, you will be greeted 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.

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Jason Inn or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Ilisia or similar 4*

2. 2ATHENS ACROPOLIS (140km – 4 hrs)⌄

   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. Overnight in Athens.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Jason Inn or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Ilisia or similar 4*

3. 3ATHENS – CANAL OF CORINTH – EPIDAURUS –NAUPLION - MYCENAE – OLYMPIA (385km – 9 hrs)⌄

   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 Nafplion, 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, the cradle of the Olympic Games, check-in at the hotel to spend the night. Overnight in Olympia.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Neda or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Europa or similar 4*

4. 4OLYMPIA - DELPHI (330km – 8 hrs)⌄

   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 Nafplion, 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, the cradle of the Olympic Games, check-in at the hotel to spend the night. Overnight in Olympia.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Hermes or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Amalia Delphi or similar 4*

5. 5DELPHI - KALAMBAKA (310km – 8 hrs)⌄

   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 for the night. Overnight in Kalambaka.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Orfeas or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Grand Meteora or similar 4*

6. 6KALAMBAKA - ATHENS (355km –9 hrs)⌄

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Jason Inn or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Ilisia or similar 4*

7. 7ATHENS (OPTIONAL ONE DAY CRUISE TO AEGINA, HYDRA AND POROS)⌄

   Charge your batteries after returning to Athens with breakfast in the hotel. Then you're free to enjoy a full day at leisure. You have the chance to book an optional one-day cruise to the islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina. You’ll be welcomed on board a luxurious cruise ship and invited to a spacious open deck with great views of the coast. The first stop is the island of Poros, the smallest of the three islands. It’s separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait. After exploring the island, you’ll be served lunch as the ship sail towards Hydra. Enter the port of Hydra and see the cove once used as a shelter for pirates. Wander around the stone-paved streets of the island on foot or by donkey. Along with another meal onboard, enjoy Greek music on the way to Aegina. Alternatively, you can join an excursion to the Temple of Aphaia at an additional cost. Enjoy a Greek folk show with singers and dancers in traditional costumes on the sail back to Athens. Overnight in Athens.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Jason Inn or similar 3* Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Ilisia or similar 4*

8. 8DEPARTURE ATHENS⌄

   Wake up to one last breakfast in the hotel before taking your transfer back to Athens airport, where you’ll catch your flight to your following destination. The time your transfer leaves depends on your flight departure.

   Meals: Breakfast