8 DAYS CLASSICAL TOUR OF GREECE
ARGOLIS, SPARTA, MANI, KALAMATA, OLYMPIA, DELFI, METEORA VERGINA, THESSALONIKI & ATHENS
1st day Airport – Corinth Canal – Argolis - Sparta:
Depart from Athens for the Corinth canal 6 km length and 80m height (short stop). Soon we reach at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best Ancient Theatres worldwide with amazing acoustic. We will make a coffee break, at one of the most romantic towns of Greece, the seaside town of Nafplio, first capital city of Modern Greece. Then proceed to Mycenae. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) we will depart for Sparta through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Arrive at Sparta, known for its military strength, discipline and heroism. We will visit the monument of King Leonidas, and then the unique Museum of Olive Oil of Sparta, a great Museum showing the unique history of olive production in Greece. Dinner and overnight
2nd day Sparta (Mystras) – Diros – Mani – Kalamata:
After breakfast we will visit the Vyzantine castle – city of Mystras. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was despot at Mystras before he came to the throne. We will wander around the castle city the Upper and the Lower Town, and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots (Anaktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos. Then we will drive to Diros Caves, perhaps the most important natural site in Greece and 99% the most beautiful caves in the world, because no other caves have been discovered yet. Then we will drive to Kalamata admiring the amazing landscape of Mani passing through villages like Areopoli, Limeni, Oitilo Agios Nikolaos and Kardamyli. Dinner and overnight at Kalamata
3rd day Kalamata – Ancient Messina – Ancient Olympia – Delfi:
After breakfast we will visit the Ancient Messina, the most well-preserved city of ancient Greece and the Hellenistic period, one of the largest in area and dimensions. During the visit of the old city you will see the main monuments and its main attractions , recovered to date , for example , the building of the ancient parliament of Lakonia and Arcadian gate and an unusually large area Agora . One of the latest and interesting finds of ancient Messene a round temple with a stunning mosaic that was discovered last summer. Antiquity continues to amaze us! Then we will drive to Olympia one of the most pleasant walks in the archaeological ancient Greece. We will visit the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place that first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C., lies in the lush valley formed by the Alfios river and the shade of eucalyptus and pine trees, near the new town of Olympia. Its landscape enchants and fascinates with its beauty and uniqueness. You will visit the Altis, will see the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Statue of Zeus made of ivory and gold. Familiar with the ruins of the Temple of Hera, the ancient stadium and visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Depart via PATRAS to RION, cross the Corinthian bay by the bridge to ANTIRION. Pass by the city of Nafpakros and from there on, along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Dinner and overnight in Delphi.
4th day Delfi – Kalambaka:
After breakfast, we will visit the Ancient Oracle, the Stadium, the Ancient Theatre where could seat more than 5000 spectators and of course the Museum of Delphi, where you can admire the ‘’Charioteer’’, one of the best bronze statues ever! Delphi is perhaps best known for the oracle at the sanctuary that was dedicated to Apollo during the classical period. Then we will depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, those gigantic rocks that rise steep from the plain of Thessaly. Dinner and overnight at Kalambaka
5th day Kalambaka – Meteora – Vergina - Thessaloniki:
Visit to Meteora name comes from: "middle of the sky" or "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" , one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodoxmonasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The Meteora is included on the UNESCOWorld Heritage List. Then we will go Vergina, a unique experience visiting the the Site and the local Museum, displaying finds from the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, so you will see the greatest discovery of 20th century ever. After visiting Vergina we will depart for Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight at Thessaloniki.
6th day Thessaloniki - Athens:
After breakfast we will make a city tour, where we will visit the Cathedral Church of St. Dimitrios, The Kamara and the upper city. Then we will go to Athens passing the heroic monument of Leonidas of Sparta at Thermopylae. Dinner and overnight at Athens. If you want we will make a tour Athens by night.
7th day Athens City tour and coastal (Cape Sounio):
After breakfast, we will start Athens City Tour from Panathinaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. We will stop there shortly for a few pictures and then continue towards the heart of the city, where we will see the Residence of the President of the Democracy (ex Royal house), guarded by the Euzones. We will soon reach Syntagma Square, passing by the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hadrian’s Arch. At Syntagma we will see the House of the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We will head towards Panepistimiou Avenue where we can see the Academy of Athens, the University of Athens, and the National Library, which are modern buildings of the 19th and 20th century, perfect examples of the neo-classic architecture Of Athens. We will then visit the Acropolis, which is the crown of the city. It is the most important archaeological site in Greece and definitely the trademark of the city. Entering the site you will pass by the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erectheion, and the Parthenon of Athens, which is the imposing temple on the Sacred Rock. No visit to the Acropolis would be complete without a visit to the New Acropolis Museum, the newly built museum of Athens that houses all the statues and artefacts of the Acropolis.
Then we will visit the Cape Sounion definitely one of the most spectacular places to visit. Its crowning feature is the Temple of Poseidon, one of the best preserved most famous temples in the Mediterranean. What is most interesting about the Temple is its location, since it stands above the Aegean Sea. It was here that King Aegeas stood waiting to see the ship bringing his son back. And it was here from where he jumped to the waters that took his name, becoming the most beloved sea in Greece, the Aegean Sea. The rocks of Cape Sounion meet the waters of the Aegean Sea in truly dramatic scenery, where you can take lots of pictures.We will have the chance to see some of the most renowned parts of the city, such as Alimos and Glyfada and you will soon reach Vouliagmeni, one of the most beautiful suburbs of Athens. After Vouliagmeni, you will see Varkiza and Palaia Fokaia, while approaching Cape Sounion. Dinner and overnight at Athens.
8th day Athens – Athens airport:
After breakfast we will transfer you to the airport of Athens for your flight back
