Your Small-Group Discovery Begins!

At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Marvels & Myths

Discover the highlights of "the Classic City" during your included Guided Sightseeing. Stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, one of the venues of the first modern Olympics games, before visiting the Acropolis, located on a hill overlooking Athens. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - WHAT'S IN A NAME?: Legend says that both Athena and Poseidon competed to have this city named after them. The god who gave its inhabitants the best gift would be the patron. Athena came out the victor when she planted an olive tree on the site where the acropolis now stands; a sign of peace and prosperity, so the city became known as Athens. Your Local Guide shares many stories and brings ancient Athens to life during your visit to the Acropolis.

Heroes, Gods & Men

Leave Athens and head for the Peloponnese peninsula, where heroic myths and legends of Hercules, the Argonauts, and Helen of Troy were born. Enjoy time en-route for a photo stop at the world's deepest (and one of the most famous) canals, the Corinth Canal. Continue to Diakopto to board the Odontotis rack railway for a dramatic journey along the Vairaikos Canyon to the mountain town of Kalavryta. Later today, arrive in Olympia. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EPIC RIDE: All aboard for an unforgettable historic train ride on the highest mountain railway in Greece. Built over 120 years ago, this short local railway is an engineering feat that follows the Vairaikos Canyon, with some of its open sided tunnels being carved into it, providing impressive views as it climbs. On arrival, spend some time in Kalavryta, a lovely little-known town with a big place in history.

Ancient Wonders

Start the day with a guided walking tour of the archaeological site of Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympic games and the site of the Temple of Hera, from where the Olympic torch is lit. After this captivating visit, discover the sweeter side of Olympia with a visit to a honey farm. (B)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - BEE HAPPY: Since the times of ancient Greece, honey is a core ingredient of Greek gastronomy. According to myth, the bees were the messengers of the gods, and honey brought with it special powers and healing properties. Being on a Small Group Discovery allows you to visit a local honey farm that has been passed down through the generations to learn about bees, honey, and local rural life directly from the family beekeepers. Then tantalise your tastebuds with the local produce.

Liquid Gold

This morning, enjoy a visit to Pylos a typical Greek seaside town. Stroll around the charming streets, see the castle perched above the town or relax in a local cafe and watch the world go by. Later this morning, join your small group for a special visit to a local family-owned olive mill and enjoy a lunch of local produce. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Getting closer to local experiences is a big advantage for a small group! Enjoy a visit to Androusa Castle overlooking the olive groves; learn about the world famous kalamata olive, the traditions of olive oil production; then enjoy tasting it, together with a lunch of local produce and home-made dishes.

Land of Legends

Enjoy an orientation tour of Sparta, one of the most important cities in Ancient Greece, famous for its military prowess and a beautiful lady called Helen. Later head to Mystras for a guided sightseeing tour of the UNESCO nominated archeological site; a fortified town on the side of Mount Taygetus that was at its prime during the Byzantine era. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CHARMING HOSPITALITY: After a busy day of sightseeing, you deserve nothing less than the 5-star hospitality the Kyniska Palace Hotel affords to its guests. Located in the foothills of Mount Taygetos this boutique hotel combines luxury and charm. This evening why not relax by the pool and soak up the stunning views of this idyllic location.

Yamas!

En-route back to Athens, travel through the fertile plains to discover one of Greece's most prestigious wine producing districts. Stop off at one of the wineries in the Nemea area to enjoy a wine-tasting. Continue your journey to Athens, with much more to explore. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ANCIENT TRADITIONS: According to myth the god Dionysis introduced wine to Greece, and it is an art that has been practised there for thousands of years. The Nemea winemaking region is renowned for the Agiorgitko grape, which has been cultivated there for over 3000 years. During the wine-tasting experience, gain insight into this and other local winemaking traditions.

Island hopping!

Take a short ferry ride to the idyllic Aegina, a small island that has so much to offer. A sightseeing tour of the island includes the monastery of Aghios Nektarios and the town of Aegina; a visit to a Fistiki farm and a mouth-watering farewell lunch at a local restaurant. Later today return to Athens by ferry. (B/L)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - IN A NUTSHELL: One of Aegina's most famous, and appreciated products is the pistachio nut. Being on a Small Group Discovery gives you the advantage of being able to visit a local Fistiki farm to see the pistachio orchard and sample some of the delicious pistachio specialities. Your day in Aegina gives you the real taste of Greek island life; a sweet conclusion to an unforgettable Greek holiday.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Your Small-Group Discovery Begins!

At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Marvels & Myths

Discover the highlights of "the Classic City" during your included Guided Sightseeing. Stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, one of the venues of the first modern Olympics games, before visiting the Acropolis, located on a hill overlooking Athens. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - WHAT'S IN A NAME?: Legend says that both Athena and Poseidon competed to have this city named after them. The god who gave its inhabitants the best gift would be the patron. Athena came out the victor when she planted an olive tree on the site where the acropolis now stands; a sign of peace and prosperity, so the city became known as Athens. Your Local Guide shares many stories and brings ancient Athens to life during your visit to the Acropolis.

Heroes, Gods & Men

Leave Athens and head for the Peloponnese peninsula, where heroic myths and legends of Hercules, the Argonauts, and Helen of Troy were born. Enjoy time en-route for a photo stop at the world's deepest (and one of the most famous) canals, the Corinth Canal. Continue to Diakopto to board the Odontotis rack railway for a dramatic journey along the Vairaikos Canyon to the mountain town of Kalavryta. Later today, arrive in Olympia. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EPIC RIDE: All aboard for an unforgettable historic train ride on the highest mountain railway in Greece. Built over 120 years ago, this short local railway is an engineering feat that follows the Vairaikos Canyon, with some of its open sided tunnels being carved into it, providing impressive views as it climbs. On arrival, spend some time in Kalavryta, a lovely little-known town with a big place in history.

Ancient Wonders

Start the day with a guided walking tour of the archaeological site of Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympic games and the site of the Temple of Hera, from where the Olympic torch is lit. After this captivating visit, discover the sweeter side of Olympia with a visit to a honey farm. (B)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - BEE HAPPY: Since the times of ancient Greece, honey is a core ingredient of Greek gastronomy. According to myth, the bees were the messengers of the gods, and honey brought with it special powers and healing properties. Being on a Small Group Discovery allows you to visit a local honey farm that has been passed down through the generations to learn about bees, honey, and local rural life directly from the family beekeepers. Then tantalise your tastebuds with the local produce.

Liquid Gold

This morning, enjoy a visit to Pylos a typical Greek seaside town. Stroll around the charming streets, see the castle perched above the town or relax in a local cafe and watch the world go by. Later this morning, join your small group for a special visit to a local family-owned olive mill and enjoy a lunch of local produce. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Getting closer to local experiences is a big advantage for a small group! Enjoy a visit to Androusa Castle overlooking the olive groves; learn about the world famous kalamata olive, the traditions of olive oil production; then enjoy tasting it, together with a lunch of local produce and home-made dishes.

Land of Legends

Enjoy an orientation tour of Sparta, one of the most important cities in Ancient Greece, famous for its military prowess and a beautiful lady called Helen. Later head to Mystras for a guided sightseeing tour of the UNESCO nominated archeological site; a fortified town on the side of Mount Taygetus that was at its prime during the Byzantine era. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CHARMING HOSPITALITY: After a busy day of sightseeing, you deserve nothing less than the 5-star hospitality the Kyniska Palace Hotel affords to its guests. Located in the foothills of Mount Taygetos this boutique hotel combines luxury and charm. This evening why not relax by the pool and soak up the stunning views of this idyllic location.

Yamas!

En-route back to Athens, travel through the fertile plains to discover one of Greece's most prestigious wine producing districts. Stop off at one of the wineries in the Nemea area to enjoy a wine-tasting. Continue your journey to Athens, with much more to explore. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ANCIENT TRADITIONS: According to myth the god Dionysis introduced wine to Greece, and it is an art that has been practised there for thousands of years. The Nemea winemaking region is renowned for the Agiorgitko grape, which has been cultivated there for over 3000 years. During the wine-tasting experience, gain insight into this and other local winemaking traditions.

Island hopping!

Take a short ferry ride to the idyllic Aegina, a small island that has so much to offer. A sightseeing tour of the island includes the monastery of Aghios Nektarios and the town of Aegina; a visit to a Fistiki farm and a mouth-watering farewell lunch at a local restaurant. Later today return to Athens by ferry. (B/L)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - IN A NUTSHELL: One of Aegina's most famous, and appreciated products is the pistachio nut. Being on a Small Group Discovery gives you the advantage of being able to visit a local Fistiki farm to see the pistachio orchard and sample some of the delicious pistachio specialities. Your day in Aegina gives you the real taste of Greek island life; a sweet conclusion to an unforgettable Greek holiday.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)