The Heart of Ancient Greece
Overview
Itinerary
Arrive in Athens and transfer your hotel and join your tour party for a welcome dinner. This evening, attend your welcome dinner.
Morning tour of Athens, including Syntagma Square, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium. Finish at the Acropolis to view the Parthenon and visit the museum. Leave Athens and visit the Corinth Canal. Continue to Nafplion, with a stop at a local winery for a tasting.
Drive to Mycenae, the seat of mythic King Agamemnon who led the Greek armies against Troy. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Depart for Nafplion, a picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff. Continue to Epidaurus to visit the fourth-century theatre. Return to Nafplion.
En route to Monemvasia, visit the Museum of the Olive to learn about the history, culture and cultivation of the olive in Greece; and Sparta, land of legendary King Leonidas and his army. Arrive in Monemvasia for a walking tour of its narrow lanes, visiting the castle, perimeter walls, old mansions and churches. Later, enjoy some time at leisure before dinner within this medieval fortified town.
This morning travel to Mystras and visit the remains of the castle and old town.
Depart for Olympia, a crucial religious site in ancient Greece. Visit an olive oil farm en route, and stay in Olympia overnight
Visit the archaeological sites of Olympia, including the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Continue to Arachova, near Delphi.
Take a full day to enjoy the archaeological site and museum at Delphi, famous throughout the classical world for its oracles. Visit the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo and the museum containing masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture.
Travel to Kalambaka and visit the Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum. Take part in a truffle hunting demonstration, with dogs, followed by a light snack of mushroom and truffle pasta.
Enjoy a full day's visit to the remarkable Meteora Eastern Orthodox monasteries, built high on rocky outcrops in the mountainous reaches of Thessaly.
Depart Kalambaka and transfer to Athens. On this long, scenic route back to the Greek capital, you can admire the Plain of Thessaly, with its bucolic panoramas, and the Vale of Tempe, a striking gorge formed by the Pineios river. Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Athens independently. Check into your hotel, then join the rest of your tour party for a farewell drink.
Tour ends in Athens.
Trip Inclusions
- See the birthplace of democracy, exploring Athens' most famous monuments
- Visit Monemvasia, one of the oldest, continually inhabited fortified towns in Europe
- See the spectacular cliff-top monasteries of Meteora
- Experience the flavours of northern Greece at a truffle-hunting demonstration with trained dogs, followed by a tasting
- Small group size - average 12 people (max 18)
- 4- & 5-star accommodation
- Flexible extensions & room upgrades available
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Experienced local tour manager
- 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 6 dinners
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- Welcome dinner & farewell drink
- Hotel porterage
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Operator
Cox & Kings groups rarely exceed 18 guests, and ninety percent of journeys have at least one guaranteed departure date, letting you plan with peace of mind.
Cox & Kings tours feature deep, authentic local experiences that reveal hidden truths and cultural secrets about each destination.
Cox & Kings partners with charming hotels that are comfortable and capture the essence of their surroundings, whether it’s a historic, characterful building, or an ideally placed location.
All Cox & Kings tours are guided and supported by experienced locals, who use their knowledge and on-the-ground relationships to improve and deepen the travel experience.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cox & Kings. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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