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Highlights of Mainland Greece

8 Days Athens Return
Highlights of Mainland Greece
Highlights of Mainland Greece
Highlights of Mainland Greece

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 8 Day Highlights of Mainland Greece. History and culture, vibrant sights and sounds, mouth-watering food – like seriously, what more could you ask for in a trip to Greece? On this eight-day odyssey, wander around the iconic Acropolis and gaze at the Parthenon dominating the skyline, follow ancient footsteps along the beautiful cobblestone streets of Nafplio, and marvel at the sanctuary of Apollo, surrounded by statues, where offerings and rituals took place in years gone by. Your senses will thank you as you explore this historic centre of civilization.
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US$1,699 per person
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Trip Length
Trip Length

8 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Athens

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Athens

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Operator
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Trip Style

Classic

Budget
Budget

Affordable

Age Range
Age Range

6-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

16

Pace
Pace

Moderate

Guide Style
Guide Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

EGAA

Itinerary

Arrive at any time. We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Accommodation: Parnon Hotel Athens
Included Experiences
  • Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Experiences
  • Syntagma (Constitution) Square Visit: Most of Athens important sights and interesting neighbourhoods border this central square. The square was built in the early 19th century in front of the Old Royal Palace of King Otto of Greece. Walk around to admire the architecture, stop at a café and people watch, or watch the ceremonial changing of the guards called Evzones.
  • National Archaeological Museum Visit: Take a tour of the National Archaeological Museum, home to some of the most important artifacts from ancient Greece. In the collection are various sculptures, vases, as well as metal works and is considered one of the most impressive museums in the world.
  • Ancient Agora Visit: Explore the ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, which were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times. It was the political, cultural, social and economic centre of the ancient world, where the likes of Socrates, Plato and affluent Athenians used to gather to discuss philosophy, political issues, exchange gossip and trade.

Explore the city on a guided walking tour to the Parthenon and Acropolis with a refreshment stop at a local non-profit cafe, Shedia Home, along the way. Enjoy a free afternoon to immerse yourself deeper into this historical city; opt to visit the new Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, or the National Archaeological Museum. Later in the evening attend a cooking class with a local chef and enjoy a dinner of your creations.
Accommodation: Parnon Hotel Athens
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Guided Visit of Acropolis and Parthenon: Discover the most famous of Athens’ eight hills: the Acropolis, the ultimate architectural and artistic expression of the ancient Athenian spirit. Visit the Parthenon, built for the Goddess Athena in 447 BC. This Greek temple, despite the gradual state of ruin and damage sustained over time, still symbolizes the key ideals of harmony and balance that defined the Classical style of Greek architecture.
  • Athens Walking Tour: Join this brief yet captivating walking tour that seamlessly connects your Acropolis exploration to the vibrant heart of Athens. As you walk through the historic streets, you'll pass by key landmarks and picturesque neighborhoods, offering a glimpse of both ancient and modern Athens. Along the way learn about the city's rich history, from its iconic monuments to its bustling squares, before continuing your journey toward Shedia.
  • Tour of Shedia Home and a Beverage: Take time to relax at Shedia Home, a non-profit cafe providing purpose and employment to over 150 individuals experiencing homelessness in Athens. You'll enjoy a drink while one of Shedia's guides recounts the recent history of Greece's financial crisis which has made initiatives like Shedia even more important for those who have found themselves without work and shelter. Your stop here supports their programs - including the cafe, art program, and magazine - all dedicated to supporting the community.
  • Cooking Class Athens: Go on a culinary journey in Athens with a local chef. Learn how to make authentic Greek mezze (sharing dishes) such as dolmades (rice-stuffed vine leaves), imam baildi (stuffed eggplants), and spanakopita (spinach pies). You'll also create a carrot tzatziki — a twist on the classic yoghurt dip — to accompany the dishes and finish off the class with the sweet treat of portokalopita (orange phyllo cake). Sit down with your fellow "chefs" to indulge in your delicious creations for dinner and toast with a shot of ouzo.
Optional Experiences
  • Ancient Agora Visit: Explore the ruins, located in the heart of modern Athens, which were once the site of the marketplace in ancient times. It was the political, cultural, social and economic centre of the ancient world, where the likes of Socrates, Plato and affluent Athenians used to gather to discuss philosophy, political issues, exchange gossip and trade.
  • Acropolis Museum Visit: Visit the Acropolis Museum to see some of the artifacts and artworks discovered during excavations of the Acropolis. With over 25, 000 square meters (82,020 ft) the museum is architecturally as interesting as the collection. The museum is built over an archaeological dig site and there is an impressive view of the Acropolis from the third floor.
  • Syntagma (Constitution) Square Visit: Most of Athens important sights and interesting neighbourhoods border this central square. The square was built in the early 19th century in front of the Old Royal Palace of King Otto of Greece. Walk around to admire the architecture, stop at a café and people watch, or watch the ceremonial changing of the guards called Evzones.
  • National Archaeological Museum Visit: Take a tour of the National Archaeological Museum, home to some of the most important artifacts from ancient Greece. In the collection are various sculptures, vases, as well as metal works and is considered one of the most impressive museums in the world.

Travel north from Athens by bus and train to Kalampaka, the perfect base for visiting the monasteries and the area of Meteora. Perched on high cliffs there are monasteries built on immense natural pillars and make for a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
Accommodation: Hotel Kosta Famissi
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Local Bus: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Optional Experiences
  • Meteora Sunset Tour: Listen to the stories and legends of Meteora from a local guide, visit one of the 6 active monasteries, the Byzantine church of Virgin Mary and enjoy great views from the most panoramic spots. The tour ends with the an awe-inspiring sunset which you will watch from a magical spot high up on the rocks of Meteora.

Spend a full free day in the area. Head out and visit the mountain top monasteries on your own by bus or pre-book the Meteora Monasteries Hiking Tour to do it on foot with a local guide.
Accommodation: Hotel Kosta Famissi
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Free Time: Explore the Meteora area with free time today and if you're feeling adventurous, lace up your hiking boots and explore the local trails and monasteries on foot.
Optional Experiences
  • Guided Meteora Monasteries Hiking Tour: Set off on foot with a local guide along the paths of the first monks, to visit the striking mountaintop monasteries of Meteora. Walk in the footsteps of monks and enjoy incredible views of the Meteora Valley. Along the way, admire Meteora’s awe-inspiring rock formations, observe all six monasteries from the outside, and step inside two of them to explore their rich heritage. Discover the beauty of Meteora and experience a journey through time in this UNESCO World Heritage site!
  • Natural History Museum of Meteora: Located along the highway and a short distance from the city centre, the Natural History Museum of Meteora houses over 300 exhibits featuring mammals, birds and local flora and fauna.

After breakfast, transfer to the site of Thermopylae and Information Centre to learn of the famous battle that helped create the Greece we know today. Continue on to Delphi for an orientation walk before touring Ancient Delphi with a local guide. Spend the evening as you wish with free time. Travel through mountain scenery around Mt Parnassos to Delphi. Enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Delphi, then spend the evening exploring the charming little town or relaxing in a small café enjoying the views of the nearby valley.
Accommodation: Hotel Acropole Delphi
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Thermopylae and Information Center Visit: Explore the Thermopylae site and Information Center, dedicated to commemorating the historic Battle of Thermopylae, a pivotal event in ancient Greek history. Learn about how Spartan warriors defended against a Persian invasion at this site in 480 BC through exhibits featuring multimedia presentations and artifacts.
  • Delphi Orientation Walk: Enjoy a brief orientation walk with your CEO, then enjoy a free evening in the ancient city of Delphi.
  • Ancient Delphi Tour: Visit the ancient city of Delphi, at the base of Mount Parnassos. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes ancient buildings like treasuries, a stadium, a gymnasium, an altar, hippodrome and the Temple of Apollo.

Travel Nafplio with a stop at the Corinth Canal on the way. Take part in a brief orientation walk then spend the evening exploring the cobblestone streets with free time. Opt to climb the Acronafplia to take in the views. Described as one of Greece's prettiest towns, the narrow pedestrian streets of old town are begging to be strolled upon.
Accommodation: Park Hotel Nafplio
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Corinth Canal Visit: Take a quick break at the Corinth Canal, a marvel of engineering, connecting the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf in Greece.
  • Orientation Walk Nafplio: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
  • Free Time: Lose yourself in the narrow pedestrian streets of the old town and explore the many sights, sounds, and smells it has to offer.
Optional Experiences
  • Bourtzi Castle : Take a short ferry ride to this Venetian landmark - a medieval castle off the coast of Nafpilo. A visit here offers visitors the chance to explore the castle's rooms, and a great views of the city on shore.
  • Archaeology Museum: Located in one of Nafplio's best preserved Venetian buildings near Syntagma Square, the Archaeological Museum exhibits a wide range of artifacts from the Argolis region, including a full set of armour cast in bronze from the Mycenean era. It's certainly worth a visit!
  • War Museum: Explore the history of Nafplio through the Greek Revolution, Macedonian Struggle, the Balkan Wars and succeeding conflicts at the War Museum, housed in the building of the First Academy.
  • Acronafplia Fortress Visit: Climb to the top of the Akronofplia fortress tower to enjoy the phenomenal view from the top that looks back over the bay to Argos and out into the Saronic Gulf.
  • Palamidi Fortress Visit: Explore the Palamidi Fortress, built by the Venetians in the late 1600s when they occupied the area for the second time. Climb the 999 stairs from the town to the fortress, or 913 depending on who you ask—either way expect to feel the burn tomorrow. The view over the Argolic Gulf and the city are worth the work to reach the top.

Enjoy free time to explore Napflio and the surrounding areas. Choose to visit Epidavros, as well as the nearby site of Mycenae then transfer in the late afternoon to Athens for the night. There is a wealth of ancient sites to explore within easy reach of Nafplio on a free day such as Epidavros, which is highly regarded as one of the most renowned of Greek ancient sites. Or choose to visit the famous Mycenae, also close by, with its spectacular treasury and ruins, or for another lesser-known Mycenean site visit Tiryns, just in the suburbs of Nafplio itself.
Accommodation: Parnon Hotel Athens
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Free Time: Head out and explore the city or nearby landmarks.
Optional Experiences
  • Epidavros Visit: Visit Epidavros, highly regarded as one of the most renowned of Greek ancient sites. The site houses a huge, well-preserved theatre famous for its incredible acoustics, as well as the remains of an important medical sanctuary. Please note to partake in this optional you will need to take a taxi. The pricing listed does not include the cost of roundtrip transportation needed.
  • Mycenae Site Visit: Visit the famous Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and archaeological site with spectacular ruins and a treasury. Once a major settlement of Greek civilization, Mycenae was occupied during the Neolithic period around 4000 BC, and is linked to the mythology in Homer’s epics the Iliad and the Odyssey. Please note to partake in this optional you will need to take a taxi. The pricing listed does not include the cost of roundtrip transportation needed.
  • Tiryns Site Visit: Explore the lesser-known Mycenean site, hidden in the suburbs of Nafplio. Along with Mycenae, Tiryns is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site first excavated in 1831 by German archaeologists.

Depart at any time.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Experience traditional cuisine with a cooking class in Athens.
  • Admire the ancient Acropolis and the Parthenon.
  • Wander through the historic streets of Nafplio and visit Ancient Delphi.

  • Your G for Good Moment: Tour of Shedia Home and a Beverage, Athens
  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class Athens, Athens
  • Athens orientation walk
  • Guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon
  • Acropolis and Parthenon entrance fees
  • Visit the site of Thermopylae Information Center
  • Guided tour of Ancient Delphi
  • Visit the Corinth Canal
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Taxi, private bus, train, walking
  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

  • Hotels (7 Nights)
  • On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
  • Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.

  • 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.

Operator

G Adventures
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.

On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Trip Style: Classic

Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.

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Dates & Pricing USD USD

Sunday 19 Apr 2026 19 Apr 26 Athens
Sunday 26 Apr 2026 26 Apr 26 Athens
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$2,219
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Thursday 23 Apr 2026 23 Apr 26 Athens
Thursday 30 Apr 2026 30 Apr 26 Athens
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$2,219
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Sunday 26 Apr 2026 26 Apr 26 Athens
Sunday 03 May 2026 03 May 26 Athens
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$2,219
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Thursday 30 Apr 2026 30 Apr 26 Athens
Thursday 07 May 2026 07 May 26 Athens
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$2,219
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
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 G Adventures. 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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