Magical Greece

Upon arrival in Athens, transfer to your Hotel by driver only. Later our representative will contact you to meet you at the Hotel at your convenience to give you an orientation and deliver your ferry tickets.

After breakfast, pickup from the hotel for your half day Athens morning City Tour. We will begin with a panoramic driving tour of Athens passing by the most important monuments and landmarks of the city. We will marvel the Panathenaic Stadium, pass by the ex-Royal Palace and today the Prime Minister's residence, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Tomb of the unknown soldier, the National Library, the Old Parliament, and Constitution (Syntagma) square to arrive at the Acropolis. Next, we head for our guided visit to the Acropolis, including the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion. The remainder of the day at leisure to explore Plaka, the picturesque old part of the city, and why not, some shopping at Ermou street. Overnight in Athens.

After our breakfast, we depart towards the Peloponnese. First stop will be at the impressive Corinth Canal and continue to Epidaurus with its theater, famous for its acoustics. Our day continues as we will be arriving in Nafplion for a short stop. Our next visit will be to Mycenae (rich in gold) as Homer mentions, with the Cyclopean walls, and the tomb of Agamemnon with the famous Lion's Gate. In the afternoon, we will be crossing the mountains of the Peloponnese to arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at your Hotel. Built on the banks of the River Alfios, Olympia is beautiful, green, and placid. We will enjoy a tour through the remains of the Ancient Olympia Complex (home of the original Olympic Games), including the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, and Phidias's Workshop. We continue to the local museum, one of the richest in Greece, with the impressive statue of Hermes of Praxiteles. In the afternoon, we will start heading north, driving around Patras, over the impressive Rio-Antirio bridge. Continue through Nafpaktos and Itea, arriving in Delphi for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, join your Guide for a tour of Delphi. Delphi used to be the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage centre for many centuries in the antiquity. You will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred way, and visit the temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle). We continue to the local museum with the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer. In the afternoon we will be crossing the mountains of central Greece; arrive in Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at your Hotel. This morning we will be visiting Meteora. Amazing rock formations, like towers of sandstone, stand ageless and have provided a sacred retreat for monks over the centuries. Some monasteries are hidden on top of Meteora. The view over the plain is breathtaking. Meteora is considered among the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece and belongs to Unesco's list of world heritage monuments. After our visit, we will take the road back to Athens. On the way, we will make a short stop at Thermopylae, to admire the statue of Leonidas king of Sparta. Overnight in Athens.

Early breakfast at your Hotel. Transfer to Athens Port for a day cruise to the islands of the Saronic Gulf. Our first port of call will be Hydra. A picturesque little "vehicle free" island, well-known to the international jet-set. Take a donkey ride, and explore the charming town's cobble-stoned streets. Next, we will be visiting the island of Poros with it clock tower facing the Peloponnese. Last will be a visit to Aegina, a weekend retreat island for many Athenians. Before leaving make sure to buy some pistachios, as Aegina is world-famous for its production. During cruising, you will enjoy a buffet lunch on board, and on the way back you will have to opportunity to see and participate in some traditional Greek dances! Return transfer to your hotel.