| Day 1 |
|---|
| Arrival in Athens |
Welcome to Athens!
You will be met, on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Athens.
Time at leisure to discover Athens! Redolent 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.
Overnight in Athens.
|
|
| Day 2 |
|---|
| Sigthseeing Mycenae and Epidaurus and then on to Olympia |
The tour will begin 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 sites 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 travelers Epidaurus is known for the magnificent theater that still stands there – and is still used for plays and other performances. The theater is considered a marvel of engineering as the acoustics are unrivaled even by today’s standards. After our visit to Epidaurus Theater we will walk down the pine filled site towards the exit where our driver will be waiting for us.
Heading west, a delightful drive takes you through the mountains of Arcadia to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Overnight in Olympia.
|
|
| Day 3 |
|---|
| Sigthseeing Olympia and then on to Delphi |
In the morning 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.
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.
Overnight in Delphi.
|
|
| Day 4 |
|---|
| Sigthseeing Delphi and then on to Kalambaka |
Today, in the morning enjoy the sightseeing of Ancient Delphi, probably the ancient worlds 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 will 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 and there is a lot to see including the famous oracle where in ancient times people believed they would learn what their future held.
Enjoy the views from the site, they 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.
A picturesque early afternoon drive brings you to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defence by Leonidas and his three hundred courageous Spartans against the invading Persians.
After seeing the memorial, continue the drive cross the fertile Thessaly region to Kalambaka.
Overnight in Kalambaka.
|
|
| Day 5 |
|---|
| Sigthseeing Kalambaka and then on to Athens |
Visit the Meteora that encompasses an entire community of magnificent cliff top monasteries which perch precariously on top of the huge sheer sandstone rocks that rise vertically to over three hundred meters. See how nature‘s poetry and man’s creation are in harmony, how the giant rock formations do not overshadow but accentuate the uniqueness and simplicity of the monasteries!
Later, enjoy a relaxing scenic drive as you return to Athens.
Overnight in Athens.
|
|
| Day 6 |
|---|
| Athens Sightseeing and Cape Sounio |
This morning enjoy a city tour of Athens, visiting the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the New Acropolis Museum.
Your guide will reveal to you the secrets of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium, built of marble for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Another highlight of this tour is the afternoon excurstion to the temple of Apollo at Cape Sounio.
A lovely drive along the Attica riviera takes us to Cape Sounion where the Temple of Poseidon is situated.
You will certainly be impressed by the spectacular view of the Aegean Sea, against the backdrop of the rocky cliffs om which the temple stands.
On most days several of the Aegean islands are visible in the distance!
Overnight in Athens.
|
|
| Day 7 |
|---|
| Departure |
Your Marvels of Greece tour draws to an end.
Time at leisure till your transfer to Athens International Airport.
|
|