Classical Greece

2012 Season
Departs From: Athens

From 974EUR

Length:  8 days from Athens to Athens, or 9 days incl. travel

Overview

This vacation from picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic ruins is a classic. Spectacular ancient history will unfold in Athens, where you will visit the Acropolis; ancient Corinth; Mycenae, with 19th-century excavations; Epidaurus; Olympia, where athletes of antiquity competed; and Delphi, with a special visit to the Archaeological Museum. Enjoy a whole afternoon in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit Varlaam Monastery, famous for its frescoes, and St. Stephen’s, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. Next is Thermopylae, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. Drive past Thebes and Marathon before returning to Athens.

Duration:  8 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
08 June, 2012	15 June, 2012
15 June, 2012	22 June, 2012
22 June, 2012	29 June, 2012
29 June, 2012	06 July, 2012
02 July, 2012	09 July, 2012
13 July, 2012	20 July, 2012
20 July, 2012	27 July, 2012
10 August, 2012	17 August, 2012
20 August, 2012	27 August, 2012
07 September, 2012	14 September, 2012
10 September, 2012	17 September, 2012
14 September, 2012	21 September, 2012
17 September, 2012	24 September, 2012
21 September, 2012	28 September, 2012
28 September, 2012	05 October, 2012
05 October, 2012	12 October, 2012
08 October, 2012	15 October, 2012
12 October, 2012	19 October, 2012

City Highlights

Athens
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis

Ancient Corinth
Guided visit of the excavations

Mycenae
Guided visit of the excavations

Epidaurus
Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater

Olympia
Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum

Delphi
Guided visit of the excavations, visit the Archaeological Museum

Meteora Area
Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries

Thermopylae
Guided visit

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Day 1   Athens, Greece. Time to rest or to start exploring the Hellenic capital. At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Day 2   Athens. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the Parthenon’s crowning beauty atop the ACROPOLIS, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, the beautifully preserved Theseum, Roman temple dedicated to Zeus, theater of Dionysus, and the Agora where Socrates taught. Vistas of the government buildings and elegant homes in the modern city provide a striking contrast to the remains of the glorious past. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, why not try out local fare and entertainment reminiscent of Zorba the Greek. (B)

Day 3   Athens–Corinth–Mycenae–Epidaurus–Nauplia. Motor along the coast to the bridge crossing the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two more major features today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Then, a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia. (B,D)

Day 4   Nauplia–Olympia. Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then, an afternoon in OLYMPIA, where the athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the king of deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. (B,D)

Day 5   Olympia–Delphi. Drive to the busy seaport of Patras and proceed through the picturesque fishing villages along the south coast of the mainland to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. (B,D)

Day 6   Delphi–Meteora Area. North via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries. Visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view (ladies are suggested to pack one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting the monasteries). (B,D)

Day 7   Meteora Area–Thermopylae–Athens. Today’s highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders in 490 BC. Enjoy an optional dinner in a romantic restaurant. (B)

Day 8   Athens. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Welcome drink in Athens; full buffet breakfast daily (B); 4 three-course dinners (D)

Hotel Information:  ATHENS Zafolia (F), NAUPLIA Amalia (F), OLYMPIA Amalia (F), DELPHI Amalia (F), METEORA AREA Amalia (F) at Kalambaka


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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