Best of Greece

Visit Greece

Day 1

Welcome to Athens

Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends.

Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you will have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal.

Day 2

Explore Amazing Athens Dive Into Culture

Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation'.

Along our journey into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus and the Agora, once the haunt of Socrates and Plato. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.

Day 3

Journey to Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplion

We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Arriving in Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. We continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where we'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist. Later, we'll travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theatre and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.

Day 4

Continue to Ancient Olympia Connect with Locals

We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC.

This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the Karambellas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.

Day 5

Onwards to Patras and Delphi

We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history.

We'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, we skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.

Day 6

Off to Thermopylae and Kalambaka

Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, who would descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult with the most important oracle in the classical world.

Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. View the statues immortalising the strength of the athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games, held in honour of Apollo and the Arts. Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close to the unique biodiversity of the area. A scenic afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defence by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly region, the 'breadbasket of Greece', then travel over the Pourmaraki Pass towards Kalambaka.

Day 7

Admire Meteora and Return to Athens

The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are our first stop today.

Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to Athens, where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.

Day 8

Farewell Athens

We say a fond farewell to our newfound friends and the treasures of Greece after an unforgettable journey.

Dining Summary

5 Dinner (D)

7 Breakfast (B)

Be My Guest

Olympia: Say opa! to an Olympic Be My Guest experience with the Karambellas family on their olive and wine farm, followed by a traditional dinner and dancing.

Dive Into Culture

Athens: Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.

Iconic Experience

Athens: Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.

Corinth: Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Join a Local Specialist and gain insight into Corinth's eventful past.

Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Specialist.

Archaeological Site of Olympia: Join a Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.

Delphi: With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.

Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.

Meteora: With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Delphi: Meet passionate beekeeper Nikiforos at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey, known to be one of the most nutritious in the world. See the bees thriving in their natural habitat and learn about their role in nature regeneration. This experience advances Global Goal 15: Life on Land. Traditionally a beekeeping area, Delphi has lost most of its beekeeping activity. The decline in bee populations has seen a significant loss of biodiversity. Thanks to their effort, Nikiforos and his family and rebuilding a local activity and directly contributing to regenerating the land.

Must-see Highlights

: Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Corinth with a Local Specialist

: Visit the Acropolis and Museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient theatre at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the home of the Oracle at Delphi, and the incredible rock monasteries in Meteora

: View the Parthenon, Agora, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae

: See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae

: Explore: Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth, ancient Ephesus with a Local Specialist

Whats Included

: An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

: Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

: All porterage and restaurant gratuities

: All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

: Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

: Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

: Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

: Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

: Optional Experiences and free time

: On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

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