One Country – Numerous Cities and Islands: 15 Days 14 Nights Including Accommodation

Upon arriving at Athens International Airport, a representative will be waiting to greet you and the transportation service will transfer you to your hotel at the scheduled time. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Athens. In the evening, you have the opportunity to book an optional night tour of the city. The evening begins with a panoramic drive around the centre, allowing you to witness this historical city after dark. Continue up the slopes of the sacred Acropolis Hill, where you will be able to admire and take photographs of the illuminated Acropolis. The tour continues with a pleasant walk through the narrow street of Plaka, the old city, arriving at a typical Greek tavern for dinner. Your dinner tonight will be accompanied by live music and dancers in traditional costumes who will entertain you with a selection of Greek folk dances.

Overnight in Athens.

After breakfast at the hotel you will be collected for a tour of Athens, a fascinating city of striking contrasts. Our expert guide will take you to the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. You will then continue past the Presidential Mansion, previously the Royal Palace, the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which are all guarded by the Evzones, famous for their colourful uniforms. Then, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Academy, the University, the National Library and Syntagma Square. Once you have finished with the sights of the city, move on to the Acropolis and visit the architectural masterpieces from the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally, one of the greatest architectural accomplishments of Ancient Greece, the Parthenon. The tour finishes with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, the new home of many classical era statues. In the evening, return to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

Overnight in Athens.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then depart Athens for Olympia. Today’s journey will take you along the scenic coastal road to the impressive Corinth Canal, where we will have a break so you can take photos of this man-made waterway with staggeringly steep sides. Continue the drive onto the Theatre of Epidaurus, considered the most perfect ancient Greek theatre in terms of acoustics and aesthetics. We will then make another stop at Nafplio, a little-known seaport town that was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Then we will visit the archaeological site and Tomb of Agamemnon at Mycenae, before passing through the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis on the final leg of the journey to Olympia. Home of the original Olympic Games, Olympia will be where we spend the night after enjoying a dinner of traditional Greek cuisine.

Overnight in Olympia area.

Wake up to breakfast at your hotel, then look forward to a morning discovering the site of Olympia. Located in a valley in the Peloponnesus, Olympia has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre for the worship of Zeus. We will visit the temple of Zeus, where you’ll find one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in 776 B.C. We will finish our tour of Olympia with a visit to the archaeological museum. In the afternoon, drive through the plains of Ilia and Achaia to the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. This route will pass through the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos and Itea before arriving in Delphi in time for dinner.

Overnight in Delphi area.

After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, a representative will collect you in the morning for a tour of the archaeological site and museum of Delphi, the centre of the earth and symbol of Apollo. The famous oracle of Apollo gave predictions and guidance on important decisions to city-states and individuals from throughout the ancient world. In the 6th century B.C., Delphi was the religious centre and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. Today, it is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, depart for the picturesque town of Kalambaka, situated at the foot of the impressive Meteora rock formation. These gigantic rocks rise steeply out of the plain of Thessaly and provide a stunning backdrop for the narrow, cobbled streets and traditional houses of the town. Here, you will find a number of workshops where artisanal wooden and religious figures are crafted; don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of them before returning to your hotel for dinner and the night.

Overnight in Kalambaka area.

Once you have had your breakfast at the hotel, visit the breathtaking Meteora Monasteries. The word Meteora literally means ‘hovering in the air’ and, perched on top of huge pinnacles of smooth rock, the monasteries really do seem to be suspended in mid-air. These ancient monasteries date back to the ninth century, when the hermit monks had to reach their secluded and safe retreats by scaling rocks of up to 500 metres using ropes and ladders. Marvel at the beauty of nature from the outside of the monasteries, and on the inside, soak up the spirituality of the place and appreciate exquisite examples of Byzantine art. After visiting Meteora, depart Kalambaka and drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi. Pass the imposing Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and home to the 12 Olympian Gods in Greek Mythology. In the evening, arrive in Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Today, breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning tour of the city of Thessaloniki. During the Byzantine Empire, Thessaloniki was a highly important city, second only to Constantinople in terms of population and prestige. Today it is a city of history and culture, a remarkable cuisine and wonderful, vast sea views. The tour will immerse you in the city’s glorious Byzantine past, encompassing unique historical monuments and some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world. At the end of the tour, visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize for the year 2005. After the tour, enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure in this vibrant city. Climb up to the old city walls and take in the whole of Thessaloniki at sunset, or visit the recently revamped waterfront area, where you can enjoy scenic walks by daylight and cocktail bars, music and a lively atmosphere after nightfall.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a tour of historical Macedonia. Our first stop of the day is the picturesque Edessa, where tributaries of the river Edesseos are responsible for the town’s most famous landmarks: its waterfalls. Then we will proceed to Naoussa and the ruins of the School of Aristotle. This is a site of exceptional beauty and importance where the great philosopher taught his doctrines of politics and morals to a young Alexander the Great and the people of Macedonia. Then visit the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site in Vergina, the archaeological site of Aigai. The most important remains here are the monumental palace and the burial ground with more than 300 tombs, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, Alexander the Great’s father. Just a few kilometres away, you will find Veria, known as Beroea in biblical times. Visit the Bema of Saint Paul, before strolling through the old Jewish neighbourhood and the colourful market area. Return to Thessaloniki in the evening for dinner.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then drive to Pella, best known as the historical capital of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and birthplace of Alexander the Great. On the site of the ancient city is the Archaeological Museum of Pella, as well as large, fourth century B.C. villas with mosaic floors portraying scenes such as a lion hunt and Dionysus riding a panther. After leaving Pella, proceed to the Archaeological Park of Dion, an open-air archaeological site at the foot of Mount Olympus, which houses almost as much wildlife as it does classical religious artefacts. In the afternoon, we will begin our drive south through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae – where we will stop to see the Leonidas Monument – and Thebes. We will arrive in Athens late in the afternoon. Enjoy an evening at your leisure in the Greek capital.

Overnight in Athens.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the port to embark the cruise ship. At 8:00 you will set sail for the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. First, visit the island of Poros, with its enchanting views and famous lemon forest. Second, visit Hydra, an island with a unique shape that once served as a safe shelter for pirates. From the deck, you will be able to admire the singular architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island. The old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand as a testament to the island’s long history. The last stop will be at Aegina island, the largest of the three islands. Here you may choose to enjoy a walk or horse-drawn carriage ride around the town or to relax in one of the harbour’s charming waterfront coffee shops. Make sure you purchase yourself a packet of famous Aegina pistachios. In the evening, return to the port for your transfer to your hotel in Athens for the night.

Overnight in Athens.

Wake up early for breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to the port of Piraeus to take the ferry to Mykonos. Mykonos is a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades and it’s Greece’s most famous cosmopolitan island. In Greek mythology, Mykonos was named after its first ruler, Mykonos, who was thought to be the son or grandson of the god Apollo. The island is said to have been the location of a great battle between Zeus and the Titans, and where Hercules killed the invincible giants, having lured them from the protection of Mount Olympus. Upon arrival in Mykonos, you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the island or enjoying the hotel facilities.

Overnight in Mykonos.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Today has been left free for you to experience the island of Mykonos in your own way. The glamour island of Greece, Mykonos is the meeting place of the international jet set. It is a sizzling mix of traditional whitewashed streets, boutique shops, hip new hotels, beach bars and restaurants. Discover its beaches and spend the night revelling in Mykonos’ famous nightlife or opt for an optional half-day tour of the nearby island of Delos. The whole territory of the deserted island of Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean. You may visit, among other sites, the remains of the Temples of Apollo, the sanctuary of Artemis, the old city and the theatre before taking a stroll down the celebrated Avenue of the Lions. Visit the Museum of Delos, where you can admire Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Sculptures, ancient pottery dating from the 25th to the first century B.C., clay figurines, jewellery, mosaics and items used in everyday life in ancient Greece.

Overnight in Mykonos

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the port of Mykonos to catch the hydro ferry to the island of Santorini. Crescent-shaped Santorini, the gem of the Aegean Sea, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni in the southernmost part of Cyclades. The Santorini island complex is volcanic and, in fact, the islands that make up Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity. Don’t worry though, the last major eruption of the volcano was around 3,600 years ago! Today, the islands are considered one of Greece’s most romantic destinations. Upon arrival in Santorini, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Overnight in Santorini

After breakfast at your hotel, choose to either spend the day exploring the island at your leisure or sign up for the optional Aphrodite Boat Sunset tour. The excursion will depart from the meeting point in your village. You will be transferred to Athinios port to embark the boat. The first stop of the tour is at the active volcano on Nea Kameni Island. Climb to the top and walk around the rim of the crater, it’s an unmissable experience! The next destination is Palia Kameni, where you may dive and swim in hot springs created by the thermal powers of the volcano. Sail over the underwater craters from Palia Kameni to Thirasia Island. The boat will anchor close to the island, allowing you time to soak up the views as you enjoy a glass of wine. A dinner buffet is served on board the boat, before sailing around the Santorini caldera and the magical village of Oia with its famous white houses. The excursion comes to an end as the sun sets over the sea, a magical view to round off a perfect day.

Overnight in Santorini.

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel, then one of our representatives will assist you with your check-out and transfer to the airport or on to your next destination. Although this is the last day of your tour around Greece, we are sure that the beauty, history, culture and gastronomy of this diverse country will remain in your memory for a lifetime.

Breakfast included