Athens (2 nights), plus City Tour - 4-Day Classical Tour of Mainland Greece (3 nights) - Athens (2 nights)
Classical Greece in a week! For any lover of history, this tour offers one of the best in-depth looks at the oldest European civilization.
Combining the most impressive and awesome sites of Athens with the richness of Mycenae, Olympia, and Delphi; and passing through historic and beautiful landscape on the mainland and in the Peloponnese, this adventure does more than merely satisfy your historical interest. It is truly “a feast for the spirit and for the soul!”
Day 1: Athens International Airport, Athens
Arrival at Athens International Airport. Meet our representative and transfer to your Hotel. The remainder of the day at leisure. We suggest you visit the Old Part of town, Plaka, and eat at the traditional tavernas. If you arrive before noon, you have the chance of visiting the National Archaeological Museum with its unique Pre-historic Collection. Overnight Athens.
Day 2: Athens
After breakfast, depart for your sightseeing tour of Athens. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square, the Royal Palace, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, The Thesseum, The Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Flea Market of Monastiraki, The Academy and, last but not least, the Acropolis and the magnificent New Acropolis Museum. Return to your hotel. Overnight Athens.
Day 3: Athens, Corinth, Nafplion, Tripoli, Olympia
After breakfast, begin your Classical Tour of Greece. We'll travel by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, where we'll make a short stop. We continue the drive and will next visit the Theater of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then we proceed to the Town of Nauplion, where we'll have a short stop, before continuing on to Mycenae to visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Afterwards, we depart for Olympia, travelling through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. We'll have dinner at Olympia, the Cradle of the Olympic Games, and spend an overnight here.
Day 4: Olympia, Ahaia, Rio, Antirion, Nafpaktos, Itea, Delphi, Kalambaka
In the morning, we begin with a visit of the Archaeological Site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium, and the Archaeological Museum. We will then continue our drive, traveling through the plains of Elia (Ilia) and Achaia until we reach the magnificent new bridge crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Passing by the picturesque Towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, we arrive in Delphi. Here we'll have dinner and an overnight.
Day 5: Delphi, Kalambaka
In the morning, we'll visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Later, we depart for the town of Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, not far from its gigantic rocks. We'll have dinner here and an overnight.
Day 6: Kalambaka, Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae, Athens
Today we have our long-awaited visit of the Meteora Monasteries, situated amid striking scenery, with the ageless monasteries perched on top of the huge rocks. Seemingly suspended between heaven and earth, and between time and space, the monsteries are the keepers of exquisite specimens of Byzantine Art. We return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, and Thermopylae, where we'll stop to visit the Leonidas Monument. Our arrival in Athens will be early in the evening. Overnight Athens.
Day 7: Athens
Today is your day at leisure. If you haven't visited the National Archaeological Museum, you'll have the full day to explore its magnificent collections. Or, if you prefer a day of shopping, we suggest that you visit the modern market of Athens on Ermou Street, or wander through Monastiraki or Kolonaki Squares, and have an outdoor coffee at the numerous coffee shops situated throughout Central Athens. Overnight Athens.
Day 8: Athens, Athens International Airport
After breakfast, meet our representative and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.