ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Athens
Welcome to Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. Athens is a vibrant city that’s at once ancient and modern, classic, and constantly evolving. From its rich historical heritage along with the landmark Acropolis to hip and trendy bars to high-end boutiques and multicultural cuisine, Athens has it all. You will be picked up from Athens International Airport by your private driver and transferred to your luxury hotel. Enjoy your afternoon and evening exploring the historic neighborhood of Plaka or enjoying a stroll along Dionysiou Aeropagitou, a pedestrianized street that is the longest walkway in Athens and is akin to walking along a living open-air museum. Ask your Leisure Travel Consultant for recommendations of their favorite restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
DAY 2
Private Tour of the Acropolis & Acropolis Museum
Meet your licensed English-speaking guide at the lobby of your hotel to begin your tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Head to the top of the Acropolis via the gates of Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis and an iconic example of classical antiquity, and admire one of the world’s most important architectural structures, the Parthenon along with the ancient temples of Parthenon, Erechteion and Athena Nike which are considered the most important monuments in Western civilization. Your guide will help you discover more about the site’s significance, as well as the bountiful heritage and cultural achievements of the Greek civilization during the Golden Age. From there, you will continue your tour by heading to the world-renowned Acropolis Museum, where nearly 4,000 artifacts are on display providing a detailed insight into the everyday life of Ancient Greece.
DAY 3
Athens to Nafplio with a Tour of Mycenae and Epidaurus along the way
After breakfast, your private driver will pick you up from your hotel to begin your 4-day tour of the Peloponnese and Mainland Greece. Enjoy a scenic drive along the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf towards your first stop, the Corinth Canal. The Corinth Canal is a famous narrow waterway that separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese and will provide you with the first of many perfect photo opportunities of the day. Crossing into the Peloponnese you enter Argolida, the land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae and home to King Agamemnon. Your tour of this stunning UNESCO Site commences by entering through the Lion's Gate, erected during the 13th century BC and the only remaining monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture. Explore the awe-inspiring examples of Cyclopean masonry found in the walls of Mycenae and continue with a visit to the Royal Tombs of King Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra along with the Treasury of Areus. From there, visit the Great Theater of Epidaurus, known for its perfect acoustics. Built in 340 BC, this Theater is so well-preserved that it is still used today for dramatic theatrical performances and concerts. Finally, head to Nafplio for your overnight stay. Nafplio is a charming seaside town that was Greece’s first capital, and which has a very scenic old town and the impressive island fort of Bourtzi off the coast of Nafplio as well as the imposing fortress of Palamidi overlooking Nafplio.
DAY 4
Nafplio to Arachova with a Tour of Olympia along the way
Head from Nafplio to Arachova with a stop along the way to discover Ancient Olympia, which was home to the first Olympic Games. Many impressive buildings and monuments stand on the site of this ancient sanctuary, including the Temples of Hera and Zeus, the Echo Stoa, (a covered walkway), the Philippeion, (one of the numerous memorials), and the ancient stadium, where games were held between 776 BC and 393 AD, and from where the Olympic torch is still lit before it leaves for the country hosting today's modern Olympic Games. You will also visit the Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums in Greece and home to relics from excavations dating from prehistoric times. The impressive building boasts 12 exhibition rooms displaying priceless exhibits, including the marble statues of the temples of Zeus and Hermes, carved by the ancient Greek sculpture Praxiteles, ancient helmets, such as the one worn by Miltiades in the battle of Marathon, and the bronze battering-ram, the only surviving one of its kind in antiquity. After your tour, continue onwards to Arachova for your overnight stay.
DAY 5
Delphi to Meteora with a Tour of Delphi along the way
Immerse yourself in the myths and monuments of the Center of the Ancient world as you explore Dephi. This UNESCO site was one of the most important religious and political sites in the times of Ancient Greece. Explore the Temple of Apollo, the site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle, and the ancient theater on the slopes of the mountain. Continue into the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, home to impressive votive offerings to Apollo, such as the magnificent bronze statue of the Charioteer of Delphi and the sculpture of Agias, an Ancient Greek Athlete. After your tour, you will continue onwards to Meteora for your overnight stay.
DAY 6
The Majestic Monasteries of Meteora
Discover Meteora, a monument characterized as one of the “Treasures of the World” by UNESCO, and a breathtaking ongoing geological phenomenon, whose majestic rocks date back 60 million years ago. A visit to this vast complex of giant rock pillars with the monasteries offers one a truly unique experience, where nature’s grandeur in tandem with history and architecture has resulted in a truly surreal landscape like no other. You will visit two important and well-preserved monasteries and learn about the history of the first monks who inhabited them and see exquisite frescoes, icons, and religious treasures dating back to Byzantine times. After your tour, you will head back to Athens.
DAY 7
Day of Departure
Your private driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to Athens International Airport for your flight back home.
