Explore the glory of ancient Greece with this four day classical tour from Athens. With overnight accommodation included and an expert guide
to accompany you, the tour highlights the country’s most intriguing archaeological sites – five of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Day 1: Athens - Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Nauplia
Depart from Athens for the Corinth canal. Linking the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf, the canal is narrow, and the ancient ships that once passed through have been replaced with bungee jumpers. Drive to Epidaurus and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Among all the ancient theatres, Epidaurus theatre is the most beautiful and best preserved. Destined for the fun of the patients of Asklipieio, it had a capacity of 13,000 spectators. Proceed to Nauplia and through the plain of Argos arrive to Myceane, for a walking tour. Learn about the development of Classical Greek culture as you walk through this fascinating archeological place. The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. These two cities are indissolubly linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which have influenced European art and literature for more than three millennia. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. (Optional stop for lunch) In the afternoon depart for Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games. Overnight stay in Olympia.
DAY 2: Olympia - Patra - Rhio - Arachova - Delphi
Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via Patra (short stop) to Rhio (generally meaning "jutting part"), cross the Corinthian bay by the bridge to Antirhion. Pass by the city of Nafpaktos and from there on, along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as 'the navel of the world'.
The ancient Greeks chose this unique spot for their most sacred and famous Oracle, dedicated to Apollo, which influenced the fate of states and individuals for about 1000 years. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Overnight stay in Delphi.
DAY 3: Delphi – Kalambaka - Meteora
Visit the archaeological site, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the most important digs in Europe, also famous for its oracle and Delphi museum, with it's spectacular exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the famous bronze Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games and many other artifacts. Depart for Kalambaka via Central Greece (short stop by Lamia). Overnight stay in Kalambaka. A small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks and crowned by the Meteora Monasteries. The Meteora (meaning "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" - etymologically related to "Meteorite") is one of the largest and most important complexes ofEastern Orthodoxmonasteriesin Greece, second only toMount Athos.
DAY 4: Meteora – Thermopylae - Athens
Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the Byzantines monasteries. The Meteora is included on theUNESCOWorld Heritage Listundercriteria. Are one of the most powerful examples of the architectural transformation of a site into a place of retreat, meditation and prayer. The Meteora provide an outstanding example of the types of monastic construction which illustrate a significant stage in history, that of the 14th and 15th centuries when the eremitic ideals of early Christianity were restored to a place of honour by monastic communities, both in the Western world (in Tuscany, for example) and in the Orthodox Church. Return to Athens passing the heroic monument of Leonidas of Sparta at Thermopylae. Is a mountain pass near the sea in northern Greece which was the site of several battles in antiquity, the most famous being that between Persians and Greeks in August 480 BCE. Despite being greatly inferior in numbers, the Greeks held the narrow pass for three days with Spartan King Leonidas fighting a last-ditch defence with a small force of Spartans and other Greek hoplites.
Highlights
Corinth Canal
Epidaurus Ancient Theatre
Mycenae Archaeological Site
Olympia Archaeological Site and Museum
Delphi Site and Museum
Meteora Rocks
Thermopylae
Duration: 4 days