Valid from: all year
Program Schedule: Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Places visited: Athens, Epidauros, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka and Meteora
Πρόγραμμα Εκδρομής
After your arrival in Athens our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to your Hotel in Athens. Enjoy the rest of the day free to have a first impression of the City.
Athens Sightseeing – In the morning we begin our visit of Athens showing the highlights of the city with a panoramic tour in the center. We will see the Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus and after to the Constitution square called “Syntagma” where the presidential guard, called “Evzonos”, is in front of the Greek parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then we will pass by the Presidential Residence and the Panathinaikos stadium that was originally built in 329aC, where the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896 were held. After the drive through the center, we will visit the Acropolis and Parthenon, this magnificent monument built during the Golden age of Pericles at the time of 447BC dedicated to the Goddess Athena. Finally, we will visit the new Acropolis Museum, a building of a modern architecture, with the unique antiquities from the Acropolis.
After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the center of Athens which lies around Acropolis, passing through Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio with a pleasant atmosphere of the ancient city.
In the morning we leave Athens to Corinth Canal. After a brief stop in the Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, we continue to Epidauros. Here we enter into the culture of the 4th century BC and admire the Theatre of Epidauros, which is famous for having an exceptional acoustics that allows almost perfect hearing of the unamplified voice stage for any of the 15,000 places in which each viewer can be seated. The city of Epidauros was one of the most important pilgrimage centers of antiquity for having the famous shrine of the God Asclepius doctor. The theater for his see is now the best-preserved theater of antiquity. Depart for Nauplion, this picturesque town which was the first capital of Greece after the Turkish rule, in 1821. This beautiful town, nestles at the foot of the cliff were the Palamidi Fortress lies on the top. After passing by the old town we continue and visit the Acropolis of Mycenae, the Homeric city of King Atreides, the city “rich in gold” of the ancient poets, where we will see the tomb of Agamemnon, the “lions gate” and Cyclopic walls among other interests of antiquity. Late in the afternoon, depart to the birthplace city of the Olympic games called Olympia, through Tripolis and Megapolis in the center of Peloponnese.
After breakfast we will visit the archaeological site of Olympia, the site of the Olympic games of the Classic Era, which were held every four years during antiquity, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. We will see the temple of Olympian Zeus with the famous statue of Zeus, which was about 13 meters and was made out of gold and ivory, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that the sculptor Phidias took about twelve years to build. We will go by the old stadium, that hosted the various sports of the Olympic games, and the archaeological museum. Leaving Olympia northward and through the plain of Ilias and Achaia, we arrive at the magnificent bridge which unites the Rio with Antirio and passes over the bay of Corinth. Continuing our path and passing through the picturesque towns of Itea and Nafpactos we reach the “center of the ancient world” Delphi.
In the morning we will visit the archaeological site and museum of Delphi, where we see the Omphalos which was the “navel / center of the universe” and whose fame extended far beyond the borders of Greece, kept in the temple of the wrath Apollo. Inside the museum enjoy some masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the famous athlete Aghias and the Brass Charioteer. The Oracle of Delphi acquired great influence in the world. The predictions of the priestess of Apollo called Pythia, influenced the decisions and had a great impact on the history of the cities of ancient times. Walk the Via Sacra which arrives at the temple of Apollo. After visiting and getting to know this legendary location, we will continue our journey to the town of Kalambaka, an inspiring and impressive destination.
Kalambaka is at the foot of this astonishing complex of Meteora, an impressive backdrop of gigantic rocks that appear to be suspended in the air, formed over 60 million years ago. On top of these rocks, the monks who settled after the 12th century, despite being almost inaccessible, built 24 monasteries in the hermit ideal time of the 15th century. Today six of these are kept which enjoy excellent specimens of Byzantine art. Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depart in the afternoon from Kalambaka passing through the plains of Thessaly, Lamia and Thermopylae, where the monument of King Leonidas of Sparta is, and Thiva. Arrival at our final destination Athens late afternoon.
Free day in Athens. Start the morning experiencing a typical Greek coffee and explore the ancient and modern city. Walk the streets of the traditional neighborhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio, where modern buildings blend with the old. Experience the spectacular Greek cuisine that is the basis of the Mediterranean diet and follow with a typical greek drink “ouzo” or a good Greek wine and discover the real nightlife that Athens offers.
Enjoy the various optional tours that Athens.
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight.
Included:
- 4 nights in Athens at your chosen Hotel category
- 1 night in Olympia at your chosen Hotel category
- 1 night in Delphi at your chosen Hotel category
- 1 night in Kalambaka at your chosen Hotel category
- Daily breakfast
- 3 dinners during the Classical tour
- Arrival and departure private transfers in Athens
- Orientation meeting with representative on arrival in Athens for a local guidance and assistance in the transfer.
- City tour in Athens, Acropolis and the museum with official English speaking guide, including entrances.
- Services of professional English-speaking guide and modern air-conditioned motor coach (Days 2-6)
- Entrances as per itinerary
- Hotel taxes
Excluded:
-Porterage fees
-Tips
-Optional tours
-Everything that is not specifically stated on the itinerary and inclusions