Classic Greece

Arrive in Athens at any time. As your fellow travellers are arriving at various times throughout the day, there are no planned activities except for an important Welcome Meeting in the evening, so check-in to our hotel and enjoy the city. Look out for a message from your Tour Leader at the hotel reception for more details on when and where to meet the group in the evening.

Athens is the capital of Greece, the city of the Olympic idea, and a city of culture, science and commerce. From the colourful markets, to the ancient monuments, to the hustle and bustle of Plateia Syntagmatos (Constitution Square), Athens is rich with history and an important influence on the development of Western civilization. Named after the goddess of wisdom Athena, Athens encircles eight hills within its borders. The most prominent of these, the Acropolis, stands as the ultimate architectural and artistic expression of the ancient Athenian spirit. Athens is a growing city, engulfing its neighbouring suburbs all the way to Piraeus, the city's port and gateway to the Greek isles.

Today we travel by public bus north to Kalambaka, our base for exploring the spectacular “hanging” monasteries of Meteora, perched atop pinnacles of rock. Day 3 will be a full day for us to discover the secrets of this mysterious and astonishing place. Learn about the monasteries’ history from the monks themselves as you discover their rich heritage. We will take a bus up to Moni Megalou Meterou, the largest of the monasteries in the area situated at 613m above sea level, on a precipitous rock pinnacle. We will visit this 14th Century monastery together, to discover the history of its wealth and power. Don’t miss the impressive frescoes depicting the persecution of Christians by the Romans. Afterwards the rest of the day is yours to choose which monasteries to visit or perhaps take a hike in the scenic local area.

Estimated travel time: 5 hours

An early departure by bus from Meteora with a few changes on route takes us through spectacular mountain scenery, through the region of Thessalia and south around the foot of the imposing and mythical Mount Parnassos, to arrive at Delphi, a small town perched at the edge of a cliff with fantastic views of the valley below. This afternoon, there may also be the chance to make an optional excursion to the beach at Galaxidi, or hike in the Parnassos. Spend the evening exploring the charming little town or relaxing in a small café enjoying the views of the nearby valley.

Estimated Travel Time: 5-6 hours

Ancient Delphi is a mere 500m away from town and enjoys the same fantastic scenery and location over the cliff into the valley. One of the most important structures in the site is the Sanctuary of Apollo, to which multitudes of pilgrims would flock to ask advice of the revered Delphi Oracle, who was said to speak on behalf of Apollo himself. The Delphi Oracle was a seer and prophesier, who would give advice on everything ranging from personal problems to politics. Enjoy a guided tour of the site to learn about the fascinating history and mythology of ancient Greece. After a day of exploration and learning you are free to enjoy modern Delphi in the evening, with its many bars and restaurants boasting spectacular views down the valley to the coast.

Morning departure by bus from Delphi to travel along the Gulf of Corinth, crossing the impressive bridge at Patras and into the Peloponnese, winding our way to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The Peloponnese has been of great importance to Greek history since ancient times, being home to such archaeological sites as Mystras, Mycena, Epidavros and Olympia. It is also a region of fantastic natural beauty, characterized by mountains, beaches, and citrus groves.

Time permitting you could take a tour of Ancient Olympia in the late afternoon, taking advantage of the cooler and quieter time of day to be able to enjoy this spectacular site and soak up its unique atmosphere. The evening is free to relax and wander the modern village of Olympia.

On Day 7 enjoy a free day in Olympia to take time to enjoy the fantastic archeological museum, historical and Olympics museums, wander the town, take some walks through the neighbouring olive groves, explore the near-by beaches.

In the evening why not sample some freshly caught fish and traditional local delicacies in a taverna overlooking the azure waters of the Ionian Sea.

Estimated Travel Time: 8-9 hours

We depart for Sparta in the morning, driving along the coast to Kalamata (look out for those famous olive groves!) and up and over the spectacular Taygetos pass, considered one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the country. It’s a bit windy though, so be prepared! Nestled in the fertile Evrotas Valley, laid-back Sparta is surrounded by orange and olive groves. Recover from the ride with an afternoon wander through the unspoilt site of Ancient Sparta – little remains today of what was once one of the most powerful cities in Ancient Greece. See the ancient stones left lying where they fell – use your imagination to recreate the homeland of Leonidas, as you soak up the fabulous views over the valley and up to the mighty Taygetos Pass to the west, and discover the ancient olive trees of this area.

Estimated Travel Time: 4-5 hours

Today we’ll head out to the nearby, spectacular Byzantine site of Mystras. We’ll enjoy a tour exploring the summit fortress and upper and lower towns, while taking in the fascinating history of this captivating place. Dating back to the 11th century, Mystras has experienced a turbulent history, passing through the hands of the Byzantines and Turks, before being burned by the Russians and Albanians in the 16th century. The site has undergone some renovation in recent decades and remains a truly fascinating remnant of the region's history.

Following our visit we will return to Sparta to catch a bus over to the lovely port town of Nafplio,where we will spend the next two evenings.

Estimated travel time: 3 hours

Nafplio is often described as one of the country’s prettiest towns. Lose yourself in the narrow pedestrian streets of the old town and explore the many sights, sounds and smells it has to offer. Don’t miss the climb up to the Acronafplia and Palamidi Fortresses, whose proud Venetian ramparts dominate Nafplio’s skyline. The views from the top of Acronafplia are phenomenal, looking back over the bay to Argos and out into the Saronic Gulf.

There is a wealth of ancient sites within easy reach of Nafplio if you’re looking for some more culture to round of your experience. Why not jump on a bus out to Epidavros, which is highly regarded as one of the most renowned of Greek ancient sites, housing a huge, well-preserved theatre famous for its incredible acoustics, as well as the remains of an important medical sanctuary. Also close by is the famous Mycenae with its spectacular treasury and ruins, and for another lesser-known Mycenean site, there is Tiryns, just in the suburbs of Nafplio itself.

Depart for Athens by bus this morning to arrive with plenty of time for further exploring the city and a final dinner together to celebrate the end of a wonderful journey.

Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours

You are free to depart at any time on Day 12.