Welcome in Athens! Transfer from the Athens International Airport to your booked hotel. Hotel accommodation for 2 nights.
Day 2: Athens tour with Acropolis Museum
The striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of a glorious past and modern elegant structures is what you will enjoy during your tour in Athens. Visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House at Syntagma Square (“Syntagma” means “constitution”).
Admire views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, the University and the National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the New Acropolis Museum, a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens.
Day 3: Corinth Canal–Epidaurus–Nafplion
Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (Short Stop). The Corinth Canal is a junction of international sea transport and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea ports and vice-versa. Continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf toEpidaurus. On the headland called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. Apart from a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with poros staircases.
The theater is marveled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of their seating. Then you will depart for Nafplion, the 1st capital of Greece in 1829, where you can take a walk through the streets of the old city or visit the Gallery of Art with paintings of famous Greek artists dedicated to the Greek revolution. Dinner at a traditional restaurant and overnight stay in Nafplion or the surroundings.
Day 4: Mycenae & the Tomb of Agamemnon
Morning drive to Mycenae. “Mycenae 'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization.” In the afternoon depart for Olympia (before departing, you can optionally make a stop for some souvenirs). Dinner and overnight stay in Olympia.
Day 5: Patras-Rion-Antirrion-Nafpaktos
Olympia was the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one worldwide, which was held every four years to honor Zeus.
Visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum and then drive via Patras to Rion, across the channel to Antirrion on the “State of the Art” new suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos(drive through) and then continue along the coastal road to Delphi. Dinner and overnight stay in Delphi.
Day 6: Delphi, the “Navel of the Earth”
Situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic oracle of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met.
The oracle of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years. Visit the archaeological site and the Museum, where you can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478 BC, when he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the “severe” Attic style, certainly the work of a major artist. After your visit depart for Kalambaka via Central Greece. Short visit of the village upon arrival. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalambaka.
Day 7: The Hanging Monasteries of Meteora & Return to Athens
Today we will see one of the most amazing places in Greece: Meteora. Meaning “suspended in air”, the name “Meteora” soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos There were no steps and the main access to the monasteries was by means of a net that was hitched over a hook and hoisted up by rope and a hand cranked windlass to winch towers overhanging the chasm. Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladders up to 40m long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes.
Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage. After your visit, you will drive back to Athenspassing through Thermopylae, where the legendary Leonidas fell against the Persians. Hotel accommodation in Athens for 2 nights.
Day 8: Free morning in Athens & Cape Sounion
What is better than a walking tour in Athens, in the heart of Greek daily life? The walking tour will get better and better as you enter the famous Plaka and Monastiraki with the numerous cafés and souvenir shops. By walking through the narrow streets and near their neoclassical buildings, it will be like travelling back in time. During your walk you can also visit the city part of Kolonaki, whose streets host some of the most famous and expensive brands, such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren.
Afternoon excursion at Cape Sounion which is only 45 miles (70 km) away from Athens and thus the perfect destination for a sunny, lazy afternoon. The Temple of Poseidon, whose half of the Doric columns are still standing, is perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea and offers an absolutely breathtaking, panoramic view of the Aegean sea.
Day 9: Departure – “Geia sas”
Transfer to Athens International Airport. Departure.
