Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Athens!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
Marvels & Myths
Wake up in Athens for the start of your Greek Odyssey! Guided sightseeing is composed of an orientation drive to see Athens main landmarks, including Syntagma Square, the Temple of Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium, plus a visit to the iconic Acropolis. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOTS: Explore the heart of Ancient Greece, in the historic city-state where 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, never fail to amaze! See the Panathenaic Stadium, one of the venues of the first modern Olympic Games.
Greek History & Heroes
Leave Athens and drive to Corinth. Stop to take photos of the world's deepest canal, the famous Corinth Canal, before joining a guided walking tour of the ancient city. Continue to Mycenae, according to legend the city walls were built by Cyclopes! Enjoy some free time for lunch before entering the excavations for a guided tour, including a visit to the museum. Reach Epidaurus for a guided visit to see the 2,300-year-old open-air auditorium. This evening, arrive at the seaside town of Nauplia.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The outdoor auditorium of Epidaurus combines perfect mathematical proportion with excellent acoustics. This fascinating archaeological treasure was used for the healing of patients from all over Greece and was dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing.
Ruins & Recipes
Take a scenic drive across the Arkadian Mountains of the Peloponnese peninsula to reach Olympia, dedicated to Zeus, and birthplace of the Olympic Games. Join a guided walking tour of the archaeological site and visit the museum. This evening, attend a cooking demonstration to learn how to make traditional Greek tzatziki.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Dip into the delicious tradition of Greek tzatziki – a mix of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs such as dill, mint, parsley, and thyme. Learn how to make this quintessential recipe loved the world over.
Digs & Dances
Depart Olympia, drive by the busy seaport of Patras and cross the spectacular Rion-Antirion bridge. Journey along the coast to reach Delphi, considered by ancient Greeks to be the center of the world where the oracles of Apollo predicted the fate of many a man. Take a guided walking tour of the excavations and Archaeological Museum to discover more. This evening, step into the culture when you learn how to dance the sirtaki while sipping a glass of ouzo, the traditional Greek spirit closely associated with friendship and laughter.
LOCAL FAVORITE - Dance in the steps of Zorba the Greek to learn the sirtaki. This passionate and dramatic dance goes very well with a glass of ouzo, the anise-infused liqueur the locals are so fond of.
Monasteries in Magical Greece
Drive north past Lamia and Trikala to reach Meteora, which can be translated as “suspended in the air.” Prepare to be inspired by the breathtaking views afforded by this UNESCO-listed area. Enjoy a fascinating guided visit to the Monastery of St. Stephen and the Holy Monastery of Varlaam, perched atop the vertical rock formations.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SACRED SITES: Perched atop huge cliffs are the monasteries of Meteora, of which six are still active. Visit the beautiful Holy Monastery of Varlaam and the Monastery of St. Stephen to marvel at this serenely mystical landscape with breathtaking views from above. Long revered for the perfect monastic retreat from the world outside, Meteora's spectacular array of massive sandstone cliffs create a surreal setting unlike any other.
Grecian Battles & Beauty
This morning, sit back and relax for a scenic drive. Stop at Thermopylae, learn about the famous battle, and see the statue of the Spartan King, Leonidas. Continue to Athens and enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening exploring.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The story of the Battle of Thermopylae is hard to beat for drama. You may recognize this tale of the heroic, yet doomed Spartans of 480 BC fighting against the Persian army, which is dramatized in the film “300.” Their brave battle endures as a valiant symbol of bravery and sacrifice for a patriotic cause.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Trip Inclusions
- Guided sightseeing in Athens includes an orientation drive to see the main landmarks, plus a visit to the Acropolis
- Visit to the ancient town of Corinth, plus a stop at the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal
- Guided visit to the excavations and Archaeological Museum in Mycenae, exploring one of Greece's most important ancient sites
- Guided visit to the open-air auditorium in Epidaurus, celebrated for its remarkable ancient architecture
- Guided visit to Olympia's archaeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games
- [LF] Tzatziki cooking demonstration, discovering one of Greece's most beloved traditional dishes
- Visit to the excavations and Archaeological Museum of Delphi, exploring one of ancient Greece's most significant archaeological sites
- [LF] Sirtaki dance lesson with complimentary glass of ouzo, experiencing traditional Greek music, dance, and hospitality
- Guided visit to the monasteries of Varlaam and St Stephen's in Meteora, showcasing two of Greece's most spectacular clifftop monasteries
- Visit to the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, one of ancient Greece's most famous battlefields
- Welcome drink in Athens; full buffet breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners
- Athens: Zafolia (First-Class):
Attractive 7-story Hotel situated near museums, 1 km from Larisis train station & 35 km from El. Venizelos Airport. - Nauplia: Amalia Nauplia (First-Class):
Neoclassical-style Hotel situated on tree-lined grounds with landscaped courtyards, 1 mile from city center. - Olympia: Europa (First-Class):
Hotels Europa is built on the top of Drouvas Hill in Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage Site), at the foot of which is sited the Sacred Alti with brilliant monuments and the stadium of the Ancient Olympic Games. - Olympia: Amalia Olympia (First-Class):
This 147 room hotel is set in a beautiful Mediterranean landscape filled with olive trees. The spacious white marbled lobby affords endless views of the surrounding green scenery along with the open air terrace of the lounge café. Amenities include a restaurant, large outdoor seasonal swimming pool, spacious lounges and a lobby bar with fireplace. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property. - Delphi: Amalia Delphi (First-Class):
At the foot of Mount Parnassus overlooking olive groves and the Ionian Sea, and just minutes away from the archaeological site and museum, the temple of Apollo, and Castalia spring. The modern guest rooms are air-conditioned and have Wi-Fi and minifridges. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and an inviting lounge bar with a fireplace, where guests can relax and take in the breath taking Delphian scenery. - Meteora Area: Amalia Kalambaka (First-Class):
Amalia Hotel is a beautiful setting just minutes away from the town of Kalambaka. The hotel is embedded on 14 acres of greenery and has been built with traditional materials to match its surroundings.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- This tour requires walking on uneven terrain, especially at archaeological sites, which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or those reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Don't waste your precious time qeuing up, skip the lines with special VIP access at the must-see sites. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of the destination. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the flavours of Europe through its regional cuisine. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Globus' coaches offer one of the most comfortable, stress-free and eco-friendly ways to travel. Read more
Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Trip Reviews (8)
I highly recommend this trip if you are wanting to see the highlights of Greece, as there was nothing to fault, from each stop, to quality of hotels, food, excursions and pace. Hannah from Global Journeys made our booking easy and nothing was a problem in helping us. Thanks so much Hannah.
There was also a lot of time on the bus, (and the guide talked continuously about Greek history while the bus was in motion ) more so than other tours I have done. I would enjoy doing this tour again with a different guide and not in the heat of Summer.
Dates & Pricing
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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 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 Globus. 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.
