8 Days Go Local – Highlights Of Greece

On your arrival at Athens airport you will be greeted by our English speaking assistant and you will be taken to your Athens hotel in the comfort of an air conditioned  car. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Athens .

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the day exploring the Capital of Greece: Athens. Our City Sightseeing, open top, double deck bus tour of Athens takes around 90 minutes and encompasses central Athens, commencing at Syntagma Square. Tracing the history and culture of Athens from ancient times to the present day and passing a plethora of various shopping opportunities that are along the route. You can easily visit the many things to do including World famous museums, with spectacular views of ancient temples, the Acropolis and Parthenon. Athens represents the juxtaposition of ancient history and modern life which is a very rare experience and one not to be missed.

Overnight in Athens

Breakfast in the hotel. Explore the remains of the ancient city of Mycenae a major centre of Greek civilisation from 1600BC to 1100BC. Depart from Athens via the coastal National highway for the Corinth Canala (short stop). Drive to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site, home to the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. Visit the Palace, the Lionesses Gate and the tomb of Agamemnon. After lunch (not included), proceed through Argos to Nauplia the first capital of modern Greece with its Venetian fortress of Palamidi and the fortified islet of Bourtzi (short stop). Continue to and visit the ancient theatre. The UNESCO’S world heritage listed monument is reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asclepius, the healer and was the most celebrated healing centre of the classical world. Epidaurus is probably most famous for its theatre, one of the best preserved classical Greek buildings and still used today due to its amazing acoustics. The tour returns to Athens in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Athens .

After breakfast, leave for Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, arrive in Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site. After the visit depart for Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and towns of Central Greece. Proceed to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight.

Overnight in Kalambaka.

Breakfast at your hotel. Visit Meteora and enjoy a unique and most impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road the Leonida’s Monument), arrive in Athens early in the evening.

Overnight in Athens.

Breakfast at your hotel. Today is at your own leisure. Enjoy your free day in Athens or book an optional tour to the three islands Poros, Hydra and Aegina. If you decide to book this fantastic day trip you will be transferred in the morning to the port for embarkation to the cruise ship. Around 08:00 a.m. the vessel will sail for the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. Visit the island of Poros with the enchanting view and famous lemon forest and Hydra island with the unique shape which once served as a safe shelter for the pirates. From the deck, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island. The old traditional stone houses and mansions of this place, silently stand witness to a long history. Your last stop will be at Aegina island, the largest of the three islands. Enjoy either a walk or horse-carriage ride around the town or relax in one of the harbour’s charming waterfront coffee shops. Don’t miss to buy the famous Aegina pistachios. In the evening, return to port and get transferred back to your hotel in Athens for overnight.

Overnight in Athens.

Breakfast in the hotel. Get ready to bite into a sweet, cream filled, crunchy filo layered pie called bougatsa, fork into perfectly fried doughnut balls drenched in honey called loukoumades, and savour a satisfying meld of flavours from warm pita bread filled with seasoned grilled meat, fresh veggies and traditional sauce called gyros. In between, you’ll taste Feta cheese, Greek olives, and sip Greek wines. This neighbourhood walk revolves around sampling Greece’s traditional food.

Athens Central Market and More: Our Tour guide will lead you through the bustling Athens Central Market, a historic food market unlike any other in Europe. Here, colourful and fragrant food stalls set the stage among animated food sellers, fishmongers and butchers whelping for sales as locals bargain them down.

Experience the Tastes of Greece: You’ll also walk the city’s quaint spice street, browse through mom-and-pop specialty shops selling local wine, olive oil, cheese or olives, and sample what’s behind the glass counters at family-run delicatessens. The aromas of fresh, out-of-the-oven savoury pies, the tempting displays of Greek pastries and sips of Greece’s strong and tasteful spirits round out the food tour.

Discover Athenian Food Culture: In between each bite, you’ll gain insight into Greece’s fascinating food culture, the evolution of the country’s cuisine and the healthy nature of locally produced, organic ingredients.

Overnight in Athens

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Athens airport to continue with your travelling arrangements.

Breakfast included.