CLASSICAL GREECE 8 DAYS FROM $1,449 US
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From picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic ruins, this vacation is a classic. Spectacular ancient history unfolds in Athens, where you will visit the Acropolis, as well as in ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, and Delphi with a special visit to the Archaeological Museum. Enjoy a whole afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit Varlaam Monastery, famous for its frescoes, and St. Stephen’s, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. Next up: Thermopylae, site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. Drive past Thebes and Marathon before returning to Athens.
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Day 1 Athens, Greece 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 2 Athens 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. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia
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. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Nauplia–Olympia
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. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 Olympia–Delphi
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. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 Delphi–Meteora Area
North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view (Ladies are suggested to pack one long skirt as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting the monasteries.) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens
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. You can enjoy an optional dinner in a restaurant overlooking Microlimano in Piraeus. (Breakfast)
Day 8 Athens
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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
December 23 departure - Christmas Eve in Athens
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 4 three-course dinners; 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
OPTIONALS
Important Note:
the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.
CITY: Athens
Romantic Greek Dinner in Microlimano
Admire the illuminated harbor of Microlimano before enjoying your four-course dinner with drinks included at one of the city's finest restaurants. You'll have spectacular views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill.
Approximate value: EUR €66 per person
Plaka with Dinner
Sample a glass of ouzo and enjoy a Greek-style four-course dinner with drinks included at a taverna in the festive Plaka district. Folk dances put you in that special mood reminiscent of Zorba the Greek.
Approximate value: EUR €62 per person
Acropolis Museum
Meet your Local Guide for a short drive to the new ACROPOLIS MUSEUM, which houses sculptures and artifacts from Athens' Golden Age. See the most important marble sculptures from the Pantheon and other archaeological treasures never before exhibited.
Approximate value: EUR €43 per person
CITY: Shore Excursion
Shore Excursions
Please refer to the complete listing provided in the Important Travel Documents.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Departures: January - November
PRICES: From approx
$1,449 US per
person double occupancy
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From picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic ruins, this vacation is a classic. Spectacular ancient history unfolds in Athens, where you will visit the Acropolis, as well as in ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, and Delphi with a special visit to the Archaeological Museum. Enjoy a whole afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit Varlaam Monastery, famous for its frescoes, and St. Stephen’s, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. Next up: Thermopylae, site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. Drive past Thebes and Marathon before returning to Athens.
