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.
TOUR 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: Birthday 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 on your own, with plenty of time for shopping.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ATHENS
On your arrival at Athens airport, you will be met and taken to your Athens hotel. 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.
Day 2: ATHENS
In the morning, have breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Athens.
Day 3: ATHENS – 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 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.
Day 4: OLYMPIA - DELPHI (330km – 8 hrs)
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.
Day 5: DELPHI - 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 and have dinner at the hotel before spending the night.
Overnight in Kalambaka.
Day 6: KALAMBAKA - 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.
Day 7: ATHENS 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.
Day 8: DEPARTURE 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.
