Take a week off to explore Greece - experience history and mythology with this grand tour! Visit the amazing archeological site of Greece with its spectacular
finds of many historic periods. Journey through 7000 years of Greek history and see parts of the country you will always remember. The wealth and diversity of the Greek seas, the high percentage of sunshine and its interesting and varying landscape make Greece the ideal destination for many people.
ATHENS to THESSALONIKI
Day: 1 Athens
Day: 2 Athens - Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Olympia
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 archaeological 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. Over night stay in Olympia.
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 archaeological 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. Over night stay in Olympia.
Day: 3 Olympia - Patra - Rhio - Arachova - Delphi
In the morning 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.
Over night stay in Delphi.
In the morning 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.
Over night stay in Delphi.
DAY 4: 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 Meteora. 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 of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Overnight stay in Kalambaka.
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 Meteora. 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 of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Overnight stay in Kalambaka.
DAY 5: Meteora – Dion Pieria –Katerini
Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the Byzantines monasteries. The Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria. 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. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the plain of Thessaly and the valley of Tempi. Arrive and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion. Dion is the site of a large temple dedicated to Zeus (Dion, "of Zeus"), as well as a series of temples to Demeter and to Isis (the Egyptian goddess was a favorite of Alexander). Alexander assembled his armies in Dion before beginning his eastward wars of conquest. Admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods of Mythology. Under the shadow of the mythical Olympos, on the waves of the Thermaikos Bay’s beach from the Pieria side we will come accross to modern hotel resorts. It is situated exactly by the sea. A popular tourist destination Pieria is an area, endowed by God and Nature that combines harmonically mountain and sea. Overnight stay in Katerini.
Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the Byzantines monasteries. The Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria. 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. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the plain of Thessaly and the valley of Tempi. Arrive and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion. Dion is the site of a large temple dedicated to Zeus (Dion, "of Zeus"), as well as a series of temples to Demeter and to Isis (the Egyptian goddess was a favorite of Alexander). Alexander assembled his armies in Dion before beginning his eastward wars of conquest. Admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods of Mythology. Under the shadow of the mythical Olympos, on the waves of the Thermaikos Bay’s beach from the Pieria side we will come accross to modern hotel resorts. It is situated exactly by the sea. A popular tourist destination Pieria is an area, endowed by God and Nature that combines harmonically mountain and sea. Overnight stay in Katerini.
Day: 6 Katerini - Vergina - Naoussa - Katerini
In the morning visit the archaeological site of Vergina. The museum has a dark, imposing atmosphere that surprises most visitors. Some of the most spectacular exhibits of the museum are the shield and armor of King Phillip the second and the famous Golden Larnax found in the sarcophagus of the King (the Royal tombs in “Aiges”). In the beautiful town of Vergina you will be able to find some nice cafe, restaurants and traditional taverns. Then proceed to Naoussa to Isvoria site of exceptional beauty and importance. A place of global interest, the ruins of the School of Aristotle. This is the place with the racing waters and the deeply-shaded caves which the ancient writers mention, where the greatest philosopher of antiquity taught the greatness of classical Greek thought and the ideals of Platonic philosophy to the son of the King of Macedonia Phillip II, Alexander, and the other youths of the Macedonian nobles. In the afternoon we return to our hotel in Katerini beach.
In the morning visit the archaeological site of Vergina. The museum has a dark, imposing atmosphere that surprises most visitors. Some of the most spectacular exhibits of the museum are the shield and armor of King Phillip the second and the famous Golden Larnax found in the sarcophagus of the King (the Royal tombs in “Aiges”). In the beautiful town of Vergina you will be able to find some nice cafe, restaurants and traditional taverns. Then proceed to Naoussa to Isvoria site of exceptional beauty and importance. A place of global interest, the ruins of the School of Aristotle. This is the place with the racing waters and the deeply-shaded caves which the ancient writers mention, where the greatest philosopher of antiquity taught the greatness of classical Greek thought and the ideals of Platonic philosophy to the son of the King of Macedonia Phillip II, Alexander, and the other youths of the Macedonian nobles. In the afternoon we return to our hotel in Katerini beach.
Day: 7 Katerini - Thessaloniki - Mount Athos Sea Cruise - Thessaloniki
Leave in the late morning for Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece and the capital of the geographic region of Greek Macedonia. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general and is considered to be Greece's cultural capital. Overnight in Thessaloniki. The city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire, was the "co-reigning" city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of Byzantine Culture. Enjoy the rest of the day free in the lively center of the city. Overnight in Thessaloniki. Depart from Thessaloniki for Ouranoupolis (the city of heaven), the Gate of Mount Athos. We are welcomed by the Tower of Andronikos, the “alert protector” of the city for centuries, built in 1344 by the monastery Vatopediou as a protection from the pirates. In front of the tower lies the port, the gate of Mount Athos, where either the ferry boats travel to the monasteries or cruise around the peninsula at a distance of 500m from the beach. Every cruise departs from Ouranoupolis and the monasteries' tour-guiding takes place in high proximity to the coast-line. It lasts about 3 hours and it is given in three languages, English, German and Greek. Return to our hotel in Thessaloniki.
Day: 8 Thessaloniki
Highlights
Corinth Canal
Epidaurus Ancient Theatre
Mycenae Archaeological Site
Olympia Archaeological Site and Museum
Delphi Site and Museum
Meteora Rocks
Archaeological Park of Dion
Vergina Archaeological Site and Museum
Isvoria site of Naousa
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Tower of Andronikos
Mount Athos Sea Cruise
Corinth Canal
Epidaurus Ancient Theatre
Mycenae Archaeological Site
Olympia Archaeological Site and Museum
Delphi Site and Museum
Meteora Rocks
Archaeological Park of Dion
Vergina Archaeological Site and Museum
Isvoria site of Naousa
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Tower of Andronikos
Mount Athos Sea Cruise
Duration: 8 days
ps: The tour can also be applied inversely: THESSALONIKI to ATHENS