9 DAYS FROM $1,289 US
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
From picturesque
fishing villages to ancient ruins, this vacation is a classic. Begin in
Athens, then head west via ancient Corinth, Mycenae, and Epidaurus for
overnights in Nauplia, Olympia, and Delphi. Enjoy special visits to the
archaeological sites and museums, where history unfolds before you.
Spend a day among the rock-top monasteries of Meteora, with included
visits to Varlaam Monastery, famous for its frescoes, and St. Stephen’s
with its unique icons. Next up: Thermopylae, site of the battle between
Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans and Xerxes’ huge Persian army. Drive past
Thebes and Marathon on your way back to Athens, where guided
sightseeing shows you the Acropolis, the Roman Temple of Zeus, and the
Theater of Dionysus.Special Departure:
Dec 17 Departure - Christmas Eve in Athens.
Day 1 (Fri.)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrive in Athens, Greece (Sat.)
Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Day 3 Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia (Sun.)
Motor along the coast to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two more major features today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (B,D)
Day 4 Nauplia–Olympia (Mon.)
Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then an afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the King of Deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. (B,D)
Day 5 Olympia–Delphi (Tue.)
Drive to the busy seaport of Patras and proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. (B,D)
Day 6 Delphi–Meteora Area (Wed.)
North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka for an afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. We have selected two of them for you to visit: VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. (B,D)
Day 7 Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens (Thu.)
Today’s highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where in 490 BC 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders. (B)
Day 8 Athens (Fri.)
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not try out local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek for a fitting farewell to this fascinating country? (B)
Day 9 (Sat.)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrive in Athens, Greece (Sat.)
Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Day 3 Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia (Sun.)
Motor along the coast to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two more major features today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (B,D)
Day 4 Nauplia–Olympia (Mon.)
Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then an afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the King of Deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. (B,D)
Day 5 Olympia–Delphi (Tue.)
Drive to the busy seaport of Patras and proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. (B,D)
Day 6 Delphi–Meteora Area (Wed.)
North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka for an afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. We have selected two of them for you to visit: VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. (B,D)
Day 7 Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens (Thu.)
Today’s highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where in 490 BC 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders. (B)
Day 8 Athens (Fri.)
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman Temple of Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not try out local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek for a fitting farewell to this fascinating country? (B)
Day 9 (Sat.)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
INCLUDED
FEATURES
Headsets throughout the tour
Athens:
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
Ancient Corinth:
Guided visit of the excavations
Mycenae:
Guided visit of the excavations
Epidaurus:
Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater
Olympia:
Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum
Delphi:
Guided visit of the excavations, visit the archaeological museum
Meteora Area:
Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries
Thermopylae:
Guided visit
Notes:
We suggest ladies pack at least one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting Meteora monasteries. All arrangements in Greece are under the management of Kentavros Tours.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Hotels, and other standard included features offered.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D); a welcome drink in Athens.
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Athens Zafolia (F), Nauplia Amalia (F), Olympia Amalia (F), Delphi Amalia (F), Meteora Area Amalia (F) at Kalambaka
Headsets throughout the tour
Athens:
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
Ancient Corinth:
Guided visit of the excavations
Mycenae:
Guided visit of the excavations
Epidaurus:
Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater
Olympia:
Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum
Delphi:
Guided visit of the excavations, visit the archaeological museum
Meteora Area:
Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries
Thermopylae:
Guided visit
Notes:
We suggest ladies pack at least one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting Meteora monasteries. All arrangements in Greece are under the management of Kentavros Tours.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Hotels, and other standard included features offered.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D); a welcome drink in Athens.
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Athens Zafolia (F), Nauplia Amalia (F), Olympia Amalia (F), Delphi Amalia (F), Meteora Area Amalia (F) at Kalambaka
February - December
PRICES:
From approx
$1,289 US per
person double occupancy
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Phone: 1-888-682-6449/1-303-670-5640
Fax: (425) 984-7676
tours@a-ztravel.com