Recognised as one of the most important places in ancient times, Greece holds a treasure trove of history waiting to be explored. Our journey starts in Athens, a hub of great thinkers, artists, writers, and democracy. At its heart lies the Acropolis, proudly displaying the Parthenon, a stunning temple. Ancient Greece is also where the Olympic Games began, inviting us to step into the arenas where athletes once competed. Then, there’s Delphi, thought to be the centre of the ancient world. The story of ancient Greece is not only fascinating but also influential in shaping our world today.
Today we arrive into Greece. We have the day at leisure to discover Athens! Bursting with history and mythology, Athens is a vibrant city, enlivened by bustling outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets that wind through the city’s ancient sites and its fair share of urban eccentrics, a city full of contrasts.
Later today, we gather for a welcome drink and dinner.
This morning we enjoy a city tour of Athens, combining a visit to the Acropolis & Acropolis Museum with the major landmarks of the city.
Our tour begins with a drive to the centre of Athens and the majestic sight of the Acropolis. Here, we will see the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike. The buildings on the Acropolis are considered by many as the most impressive architectural feats of the ancient times and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your guide will explain and give you insights about the sight, the history and the legends surrounding it.
We will then board the coach to continue to the next stop; the Panathenaic stadium, used to host the first modern Olympic Games in I986. A brief photo stop here (15 mins) and continue to the see the major landmark buildings of Athens.
From the coach enjoy the national gardens and the Greek parliament. See the traditionally dressed Evzones stand guard outside the building. We will enjoy views of the temple of Zeus and the Zappeion before turning into the city centre once again to see the National Library and the University of Athens, two most impressive neoclassical buildings.
We will then have the remainder of the day free.
This morning we start with a scenic drive via the coastal road from Athens towards the Corinth Canal. It will take about an hour to get to Corinth, we will cross the bridge that connects the mainland with the Peloponnese, over the narrow canal. After a brief stop we will continue towards Mycenae; one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. We will walk under the famous Lion gate up to the Mycenaean acropolis and the Palace. We will see the tomb of Agamemnon and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city.
After Mycenae we will set off to Epidaurus. The site of Epidaurus, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is vast. With ruins of temples and hospital buildings devoted to the healing gods – it is considered to be the birthplace of Asklepios. The monuments, particularly the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Theatre are considered some of the purest masterpieces of Greek architecture and date from the 4th Century BC. For most travellers, Epidaurus is known for the magnificent theatre that still stands there – and is still used for plays and other performances. The theatre is considered a marvel of engineering as the acoustics are unrivalled even by today’s standards.
We will end the day by heading to the port town of Nafplion, one of the most historic and beautiful towns of Greece.
Today we have a free day in the pretty coastal town of Nafplion. The town has a medieval atmosphere and walking around the old town’s narrow cobblestone streets will feel like a step back in time with its elegant squares and large mansions. For panoramic views of the town, head up to the hill top fortress which dates back to the Venetian ages. There are also many beautiful beaches in the region.
Today we set off from Nafplion to Olympia. We enjoy a spectacular drive through the mountains of Arcadia to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, first held in 776 B.C.
Olympia, one of the most important sites in antiquity and one of the most interesting today. The town itself is not remarkable but the surroundings are stunning. Not only is the amazing site of ancient Olympia lovely to walk though and admire but also the nature surrounding is of exquisite beauty.
In the morning we visit the ancient Olympic stadium and the Temples of Zeus king of the Gods and Hera’s temple – wife of Zeus, goddess of marriage and birth in Greek mythology.
We will then drive north to Patras, cross the Gulf of Corinth on the new and most impressive suspension bridge to mainland Greece. Then on to Delphi, situated on the slopes of Mount Parnassus to see the home of the legendary oracle the most revered site of ancient Greece and considered to be the navel of the world. The oracle was consulted by all the ancient Greeks to predict future events ie. the outcome of battles and the course of history.
This morning we enjoy the sightseeing of Ancient Delphi – probably the ancient world’s most famous oracle. The site is at the foot of the mountain – the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi. Here we start our walk. Passing by the Castalia Spring, we visit the archaeological site and view the monument of the Argive Kings – the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo. The site is very large with a lot to see, including the famous oracle where in ancient times people believed they would learn what their future held. The views from the site are incredible – the setting is so impressive that in ancient times it was considered the navel of the world.
After our walk around the site, we will visit the museum. The Delphi museum has spectacular exhibits including the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury and the famous bronze Charioteer. It is well worth visiting the museum as the exhibits complement what we saw at the site and allow us to get a better understanding of the role Delphi played in antiquity.
After seeing the memorial, we continue the drive to Athens where this evening we will gather for a farewell dinner.
This morning, we say goodbye to Greece as we make our way back to the airport for our flight home.
Hotels that we will use on this tour, or similar standard, are:
Athens: The Stanley Hotel four-star
Nafplion: Ippoliti Hotel four-star
Olympia: Amalia Hotel four-star
Delphi: Amalia Hotel four-star
Frequently Asked Questions
From Athens Airport to the hotel in Athens, the transfer time is approximately 1 hour.
The dress code for during the day is casual. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €20.00. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
Passport validity
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Visa
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If you are travelling to Greece and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
Euro
You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to take part in the included activities.
Accommodation tax is 7 Euro per room/per night, payable locally.
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