CLASSICAL TOUR OF GREECE 8 DAYS

Day 1. Arrival / Athens.
Arrival at the Athens airport. Welcome assistance and private transfer to your hotel. Short briefing about your tour and rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2. Athens / Athens. CITY TOUR
The day is dedicated to exploring the city of Athens. We will begin with a panoramic tour passing by the most important monuments and landmarks of the city. We will marvel the Panathinaikon stadium (the marble stadium where the first modern Olympics – 1896 – took place), pass by the ex Royal Palace and today the Prime Minister’s residence, the Zappion (ex Royal gardens and today conference and exhibition hall), the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the tomb of the unknown soldier guarded by the colorful Evzones, Schliemann’s’ house, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the old Parliament, and Constitution (Syntagma) square to arrive at the Acropolis. Our guided visit to the Acropolis will include the Propylae, the temple of Athena Niki, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion. Later, we will walk through Herodion and Dionysos theater to the nearby (new)museum of Acropolis for a guided visit.

Day 3. Corinth canal, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion
This morning we will be leaving Athens behind for our tour. We will take the road towards the Peloponnese. First stop will be at the impressive Corinth Canal We continue our drive to arrive at Epidaurus for a guided visit to the site and the theater famous for its acoustics.Epidaurus is listed in UNESCO’s world heritage monuments, and its theater is one of the best preserved classical theaters in Greece, still used in summer evenings for classical performances. It is the birthplace of Asklepios the healer, (Apollo’s son), and was the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. Later, we continue our drive to Nafplion. This picturesque little town, is dominated by the impressive Venetian Palamidi castle,and was the first capital of modern Greece. We will take a short stop to admire the narrow little streets with the picturesque and well preserved classical buildings, and we will also admire the famous Bourtzi island or you may have sometime for lunch. Our day continues as we drive to Mycenae for your guided visit.Mycenae was the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. Today, we can visit the ruins of the ancient Palace and Agamemnon’s tomb with its famous Lion’s gate. After our visit, we will arrive at our hotel for overnight.

Day 4. Olympia / Delphi.
After our breakfast we will cross the Peloponnese through Tripolis and Megalopolis to arrive at the little village of Olympia The visiting is dedicated to the birth place of the Olympic Games. During our guided visit, we will explore the site ofOlympia with the temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the Stadium and the altar of theOlympic flame. We continue with a visit to themuseum of Olympia. Later we start heading North via Patras, crossing the impressive Rio-Antirio new bridge, via Nafpaktos and Itea to Delphi. In the afternoon, we will be visiting the nearby picturesque mountain village ofArachova with its beautiful mountain houses and the little shops with local products. Overnight in Delphi.

Day 5. Delphi / Kalambaka.
After breakfast we will be visit the ancient site of Delphi.The site lies under the shadow of mount Parnassos, it is naturally amphitheatrically positioned and faces the gulf of Corinth. It used to be the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage center for many centuries in the antiquity. You will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, we will walk the Sacred way, and visit the doric temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle). We will also visit the local museum. After some free time for lunch, we will depart and crossing the mountains of central Greece we will arrive in Kalambaka, a little town underneath the shadow of the fascinating rock formations of Meteora. Overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 6. Meteora / Athens.
This morning we will be visiting Meteora. Amazing rock formations, like towers of sandstone, stand ageless, and have provided sacred retreat for monks over the centuries. A number of monasteries are hidden on top of Meteora. The view over the plain is breathtaking and Meteora is considered among the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece and belongs to Unesco’s list of world heritage monuments. After our visit to some of the monasteries, we will take the road back to Athens. On the way, we will make a short stop atThermopylae, to admire the statue of Leonidas king of Sparta. Overnight in Athens.

Day 7. Day Cruise Aegina, Poros, Hydra / Athens.
This day is at leisure.Optionally, you can follow our suggested day cruise to the islands of Aegina Poros and Hydra. You will cruise the Saronic gulf waters with live shows and seated lunch on board. Return to Athens early in the evening.

Day 8. Departure.
Take advantage of your morning for your shopping at famous Ermou street or for a nice stroll in Plaka area until your private transfer to the airport for your departure flight

IF YOU WANT A GROUP   BOOKING   or  BOOKING FOR MORE THAN 8 PERSONS  PLEASE CONTUCT   bookings@ctsholidays.gr