CLASSICAL GREECE

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DAY 1: Athens (D)

Arrive at the airport of Athens, where our representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for overnight.

DAY 2: Athens (B/D)

In the morning, follow your guide to world famous Acropolis to see the architectural miracles of the Golden Age of Pericles; the Propylea, the Erechtheum, and, above all, the Parthenon (temple of Athena, goddess of wisdom). Have a panoramic view of the city and observe the Agora (market-place) where many ancient philosophers gathered and conversed. Continue with a bus-tour in the center of Athens and admire the Old Marble Olympic Stadium, the University of Athens, the Academy, the Temple of Olympian God Zeus, the Square of Constitution with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and much more. The afternoon will be at your leisure and overnight will be at the hotel.

DAY 3: Athens / Corinth / Mycenae / Nafplion / Kalavryta (B/D)

Today you begin your four-day classical tour of southern Greece. You will start with a scenic drive to the legendary canal of Corinth, where you will have a short stop for pictures. You then drive on to the Homeric city of Mycenae to see the remains of the prehistoric acropolis, the Palace, the Grave Circles and the famous bee-hive Tombs. This was the kingdom of Atreus and his son Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks during the campaign against Troy. Continue to Epidaurus which was known in antiquity as a healing center, the place where the god of medicine Asclepius was worshipped. Nowadays, thousands of people visit the area to admire its fantastic acoustics of the theatre that is located close to the sanctuary of Asclepius. Stop at the first Capital of Greece, Nafplion. Explore the city with the unique architecture before you board your bus and arrive at Kalavryta for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: Kalavryta / Olympia (B/D)

After breakfast we borad the coach and enjoy a scenic ride to Olympia. Upon our arrival we will visit the site admiring the splendors of this unique place, where the ancient Greek ideas of unity, truce and fair play flourished. See the impressive ruins of the temples of Hera and Zeus, the Leonidaion, the Workshop of the sculptor Phidias and of course, the famous Stadium where the running events of the Olympic Games were held. Also visit the Museum with its new display of amazing pieces of sculpture and pottery and the architectural remains of the ancient edifices. Don’t miss the pride of this museum, the “Hermes” of Praxiteles, one of the most wonderful ancient statues ever made. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Olympia / Delphi (B/D)

After breakfast, we head north to Patras and drive over the new suspension bridge which connects the Peloponnese with the region of Continental Greece, in order to reach Delphi early in the evening, dinner and overnight will be in Delphi. In antiquity Delphi was known for the very popular and important oracle, the oracle of Apollo (the god of light and harmony), who spoke to the mortals through his priestess Pythia and was known for the oblique nature of his prophecies. Walk up the Sacred Way to see the Treasuries, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo, next to which was the exact spot that was believed to be the “navel” (omphalos) of the earth. Visit the museum of Delphi and marvel at the splendid collection of artifacts from the excavation, including the bronze “Charioteer” one of the best, preserved ancient works of metallurgy. We then continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: Delphi / Kalambaka (B/D)

In the morning we visit one of the amazing Byzantine monasteries of Meteora, perched on top of gigantic natural sandstone rock pillars of weird shapes. The whole area of Meteora is a unique phenomenon and it is considered by UNESCO part of our world’s heritage. Visit the two of the Monasteries and then proceed your hotel for dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

DAY 7: Kalambaka / Vergina / Dion/ Thessaloniki (B/D)

After breakfast, we will head to Vergina, the legendary burial site of the Macedonian kings. This place is considered as a World Heritage Site, also known as the Royal Tombs and houses the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. After Vergina we will visit the site of Dion, taken its name by a temple dedicated to Zeus. Then will drive further north to reach Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: Thessaloniki (B/D)

After breakfast the trip continues with exploring the city of Thessaloniki. We will visit the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, the Patron Saint of the city, the Agora, the Church of Saint Sofia, the White Tower and the Byzantine fortress of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Then we will visit two of the most important museums of the city: The Archaeological Museum and The Museum of Byzantine Culture. You will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9: Thessaloniki Airport (B/D)

After breakfast and according to your flight schedule you will be transferred to the Airport for flying back home full of wonderful memories from your journey.