Day 1: Arrival to Athens
Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Athens. Possibility to join an optional Athens by night tour with dinner & folklore show, depending on your arrival time.
Day 2: Athens
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel for an Athens city tour. Depart for Panathinaiko Stadium, cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime Minister’s Residence, ex Royal Palace (guarded by colorful Evzones), Zappeion (Conference & Exhibition Hall). Proceed, passing by Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church and finally Acropolis (visit Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Continue with a pleasant short walk, passing by Herodion and Dionysus Theater, in order to visit the Acropolis Museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of everyday life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids and of course the Parthenon Hall with the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Stop for lunch on the slopes of Acropolis. Continue for a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road, which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza) to Cape Sounion. The Cape’s Temple of Poseidon is perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea. The view across the Aegean is magnificent, with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world, extending all the way to Kea Island and the Peloponnese on a clear day. The Temple of Poseidon was built in 5th century B.C. and many of its original Doric columns are still standing. One of the columns has a graffiti left by none other than Lord Byron in the early 1800s. The precipice is a sheer 197 foot drop to the sea. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Athens.
Day 3: Full day Delphi
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel for a full day tour to Delphi. Depart through Thebes, Levadia (short stop at Iniohos) and Arachova for Delphi, known in ancient times as the na[1]vel of the world. Pass by Castalia Spring, visit the archaeological site, the Temple of Apollo, famous for its oracle and the Museum of Delphi, with its spectacular finds, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinoos. After lunch, return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand‐woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese (short stop). Overnight in Athens.
Day 4: Full day Argolis
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel for a full day tour to Argolis. Depart for the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the tomb of Agamemnon. After lunch, through Argos, proceed to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece with its Venetian fortress of Palamidi and the fortified islet of Bourtzi (short stop). Continue to Epidaurus and visit the ancient theater, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Finally, drive along the coastal road of Saronic Gulf to Athens for overnight.
Day 5: One day cruise
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and transfer to Piraeus port, to embark the cruise ship for an unforgettable cruise to Saronic Islands. Within 2 hours, you will arrive to the island of Poros, the smallest of the 3 islands, separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait and offering a most enchanting view of Poros town. Your time at leisure in Poros will be about 50 minutes. Immediately upon the ship’s sailing from Poros, lunch will be served. An hour and 15 minutes later, you arrive at the port of Hydra, whose amphitheater shape once served as a safe shelter for Saronic pirates. From the decks, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history. You will have about one hour and 30 minutes at leisure to enjoy the unique charms of Hydra. Aegina is the largest of the three islands. Apart from its harbor, there are numerous interesting sites to discover on the island. In the afternoon arrival at Piraeus port and transfer to your Athens
Hotel for overnight.
Day 6: Athens
Breakfast at your hotel and day at leisure. Don’t forget to visit Kolonaki (Athens commercial district) or Ermou Street for your last minute shopping. Overnight in Athens.
Day 7: Departure from Athens
After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and transfer to Athens Airport, for your departure flight.
From 01 January till 31 October 2024