Best of 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.

Meals: Dinner

Hotel: Divani Caravel / Radisson Blu Park / Crowne Plaza

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Day 2 | Explore Amazing Athens

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 and the Temple of Zeus. 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.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Divani Caravel / Radisson Blu Park / Crowne Plaza

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Cape Sounion - Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to see the fifth century BC Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the temple’s sixteen columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the ancient temple perched above a 197-foot drop down to the Aegean Sea below. Stand above the site of the world’s first lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below, thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea.

Adult: 60.00 EUR

Dinner Meze Style & Athens Illuminations - Enjoy a lovely dining experience at a wonderful restaurant located in the lively area of Psiri. Dining is “meze style”, giving you the opportunity to taste many Greek cuisine dishes, which are served in the centre of the table. Also enjoy the local freeflowing wine! Afterwards, see Athens illuminated as you return to your hotel.

Adult: 58.00 EUR

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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 snakeentwined 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Amalia Nafplio/Ippoliti/Nafplia Palace

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Day 4 | Continue to Ancient Olympia

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 Karabelas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Amalia Olympia

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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.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Amalia Delphi

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Greek Culinary Experience - This evening enjoy a fun interactive Greek cooking lesson; try your hand at preparing various famous local dishes under the expert direction of your warm and hospitable chef and hosts. Afterwards relax in the lovely surroundings and enjoy a scrumptious dinner including the dishes you have prepared!

Adult: 63.00 EUR

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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 4 -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, travelling north through the 'breadbasket of Greece' towards Kalambaka.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Amalia Kalambaka

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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.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Divani Caravel / Radisson Blu Park / Crowne Plaza

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Day 8 | Farewell Athens

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

Meals: Breakfast