ATHENS and GREECE CLASSICAL TOUR

6 Nights – 7 Days

Day 1 - ATHENS

Welcome to Athens, 'City of the Gods', and the cradle of European civilisation! You are met at the airport and transferred to your tour hotel. Free time to settle in and relax or start exploring this ancient and thriving city. Overnight in Athens

Day 2 - ATHENS SIGHTSEEING

After having breakfast, you will be picked-up from your hotel for a half day tour of Athens. We will depart for Temple of Olympian Zeus (visit). Proceed to Panathinaiko Stadium cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime's Ministers residence, Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall), National Garden, Hadrian's Arc, St.Paul's Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman's House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, Acropolis (visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion).After the tour we will take you back to your hotel .

Rest of the day is free in Athens to explore the charming old "Plaka" district on your own. Overnight stay in Athens. (B)

Optional :  This evening, why not join for a night of traditional Greek food in a lively atmosphere, accompanied by dancing and music?

Day 3 - ATHENS- MYCENAE - OLYMPIA

Leave Athens to follow the shores of the Saronic Gulf to the breathtaking Corinth Canal. This amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece was begun in the 1st century BC by the emperor Nero, but not completed until the 19th century. Now on to the ancient ruined city of Mycenae; featured in epics of Homer, its 3500 year old monuments were only discovered in 1876 by the controversial archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. Walk through the Lion Gate and see the giant Cyclopean stones which were used to build the city walls. Visit the royal 'beehive' tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure and hear tales of Agamemnon (hacked to death in his bath by his wife Klytemnestra!). Heading west, a delightful drive takes you through the mountains of Arkadia to arrive at Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Ovenight in Olympia (B,D)

Day 4 - OLYMPIA- DELPHI

In Olympia this morning , see the Olympic Stadium where the original games were first held in 776BC, plus the athletes' gymnasium and the city's ancient temples. Then head north to Patras on the tip of the Peloponnese and cross the soaring Rio-Antirio bridge to the mainland. Follow the coast road before climbing into the foothills of Mount Parnassus. Stay overnight in your hotel in the centre of Delphi. (B,D)

Day 5 - DELPHI- KALAMBAKA

With its elevated site on the slopes of a mountain terrace and dwarfed on either side by the ominous crags of Parnassus, it's easy to see why the ancients believed Delphi to be the centre of the universe. Ascend the Sacred Way, once lined with offertory temples and statues to the honour of Apollo. See the splendid Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians which has been recreated by modern archeologists, (though without the riches that once filled it!) Pass the superb Polygonal Wall, its stones so perfectly interlocked, that even thousands of years have not harmed it. Now you approach the legendary Temple of Apollo itself, where the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic 'words'. Now head north into the heart of Greece. Stop at the pass at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defence by Leonidas and his courageous Spartans. In 480BC, this was the main route from Thessaly into Southern Greece. Over several days, Leonidas and his 8,000 Greek soldiers held out to the very last man against a great invading army of Persians, believed to be some 30,000 strong. Continue through the market town of Trikala, renowned in ancient times for its sanctuary to Asklepios. Your destination is the town of Kalambaka. Overnight in Kalambaka (B,D)

Day 6 - KALAMBAKA- ATHENS

After breakfast, we will visit the amazing monasteries known as Metéora, which means 'in the air', incredibly perched on top of pinnacles of rock. Visit one of the monasteries and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley and Pindos Mountains. Afterwards, cross fertile Thessaly, once described as the 'bread basket of ancient Greece'. Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to return to Athens for your final night in this fascinating city. Overnight in Athens (B)

Day 7 - ATHENS

After breakfast in your hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. .(B)