Highlights of Ancient Greece

The group flight usually arrives into Athens in the early afternoon and you
will be met and transferred to the start hotel. There are no included
activities today so the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore
Athens.

Accommodation: Hermes Hotel or similar

*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 2

This morning there is a walking tour of Athens, the historical capital of
Europe and the birthplace of democracy, dating back to the Neolithic Age, and
the archaeological sites of major interest, including the Acropolis and the
Museum of Acropolis, also known as the city’s historical centre will be
visited. This walk is actually a journey through history itself, where you
will see classic ancient history and all other periods, the architectural
evolution and all phases of the city’s development until the 21st century
(Classic period, Romaic period, Byzantine, Ottoman occupation, Neo classic
times and 20th century).

The afternoon is free for you to continue to explore Athens on your own, your
leader will be able to suggest where to visit. 

/Please note: During busy periods, the walking tour might take place in the
afternoon when it is quieter and the morning will be free. /

Accommodation: Hermes Hotel or similar

*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 3

After breakfast, we will depart to Nafplio. On the way, we will stop at the
impressive Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from mainland
Greece and connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. We will then
visit the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, which was one of the major
cities in the antiquity and an important trade centre. Located at the
northern foothills of the Acrocorinth hill, around the Archaic Temple of
Apollo, the site was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (6500-3250
B.C.). Extended excavations have revealed the Roman Forum, temples,
fountains, porticoes, baths, latrines and various other monuments. We will
also stop to admire the remarkable castle of Acrocorinth, one of the largest,
if not the largest in Greece, located on the hill above Ancient Corinth,
overlooking the ancient city.
We will then continue on to the archaeological site of Mycenae, the kingdom
of mythical Agamemnon and the most important and richest palatial centre of
the Late Bronze Age in Greece. The archaeological site of Mycenae comprises
the fortified acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites, which
are located mainly to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments
date to the centre's great flourish period from 1350 to 1200 BC. Huge
impressive Cyclopean walls surround the acropolis, which is accessed through
the famous Lion Gate, a symbol of the Mycenaean rulers' power. The palace, a
symbol of the power of Mycenaean rulers, dominates the citadel's highest
point.
We will continue to the picturesque town of Nafplio where we will spend the
night.
Accommodation: Rex Hotel or similar
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 4

Today we will visit the impressive Venetian fortress of Palamidi, overlooking
the town. This fortress was initially fortified by the Venetians during the
second Venetian occupation of the area (1686-1715). In 1715 it was captured
by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was
liberated by the Greeks. The most important monuments of the site that
we’ll visit are the castle, the church of St. Andrew and the prison of
“Kolokotronis”, a hero of the Greek Revolution.

Next, we will explore Ancient Epidavros (approx. 45min drive from Nafplio),
where the Sanctuary of the god-physician Asclepius, the most famous healing
centre of the Greek and Roman world, is found. Besides the sanctuary of
Asclepius, we’ll also visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the
greatest monuments of Ancient Greece. It is the finest and most renowned of
its kind, perfectly combining acoustics with elegance and symmetrical
proportions. 

In the afternoon we will make our way to the town of Sparta, once a powerful
city in ancient times, where we spend the night. 

Accommodation: Lakonia or Maniatis Hotel or similar
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 5

This morning we visit Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, the most famous
castle and mediaeval town in Greece and a UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site.
Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos,
dating back to the 13th century. It is a Frankish castle that after 1262 came
under Byzantine control and in the middle of the 14th century became the seat
of the Despotate of Moreas. In 1460 it was captured by the Turks, but it was
liberated again in 1821. It was actually one of the first castles to be
liberated during the War of Independence. We will explore the site on foot,
including several beautiful Byzantine churches with different architecture,
most of them built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the palaces of the
Mystras Despots and some urban buildings. Unfortunately the castle itself is
closed for reconstruction so we are unable to visit it.
In the afternoon, we will head towards Ancient Messene, one of the finest and
best restored, yet still relatively unknown, archaeological sites in Greece.
Lying in a fertile valley, below Mt Ithomi, in Central Messenia, the site was
first inhabited during the Late Neolithic or the early Bronze age. Amongst
the site’s monuments, we will visit the ancient theatre, the agora and the
asclepion. The stadium and the gymnasium are among the most impressive and
well-preserved building complexes in Ancient Messene and are sure to
captivate you!
We will then drive to the seaside town of Pylos, where we will spend the
night.
Accommodation: Hotel Karalis or similar
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 6

After breakfast, we will visit the Castle of Pylos, which also hosts a fine
exhibition and museum of underwater antiquities. Here you will find out more
about underwater archaeology in Greece, how research, excavations and
preservation of the antiquities take place. You will also see some contents
from shipwrecks found in the sea near Peloponnese and Ionian islands.

After this, we will visit the beautiful village of Methoni, on the
southwestern most point of the Peloponnese peninsula. Picturesque Methoni
overlooks the Ionian Sea and the island complex of Oinousses, and boasts a
fine example of Venetian architecture in its castle.

After lunch, we’ll drive all the way along the west coastline of the
Peloponnese towards Olympia where we spend the night (approx. 2 hrs drive).

Accommodation: Olympic Village Hotel or similar
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 7

After breakfast, we visit Ancient Olympia, the site that hosted the first
Olympic Games. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, at the confluence
of two rivers, in a lush, green landscape, near the west coast of the
Peloponnese, Olympia is the most important religious and athletic centre in
Ancient Greece. We will explore this major archaeological site, which
includes the sanctuary of Zeus and the many buildings erected around it, such
as an athletic premises used for the preparation and celebration of the
Olympic Games, administrative buildings and other lay buildings and monuments
(the Temple of Hera, the Council House, the Ancient Stadium and Gymnasium,
the Altar of Zeus).
After lunch, we will drive (approx. 3.5 hrs) to Delphi where we will spend
the night. En route we will cross from the Peloponnese peninsula to mainland
Greece and will have the chance to admire the cable-stayed bridge of
“Rio–Antirrio”, a masterpiece of architecture!
Accommodation: Nidimos Hotel or similar
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 8

In the morning, we will head to the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site of Delphi.
We will explore this magnificent archaeological site on foot, the place that
in ancient times was considered the centre of the world, the place where
heaven and earth met. The history of Delphi dates back to prehistoric times
when the myths of the ancient Greeks took place. According to mythology, it
is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to
find the navel of the world, met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a
spectacular landscape, on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, was for many
centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the
Hellenic world. Once at the archaeological site, we’ll have the chance to
visit the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and of the
Siphnians, the ancient theatre, stadium and the ancient gymnasium as well as
the Castalian spring that was considered the sacred source of Delphi.
We’ll have lunch in the mountainous town of Arachova, on the slopes of
Mount Parnassus, one of the most picturesque and well-known winter
destinations in Greece. We will have the chance to taste some of the local
products, such as “formaella” cheese, produced only in Arachova. Please
note, sometimes lunch might need to be taken en route to Meteora depending on
the time of year. 
After lunch, we head northeast to the UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site of
Meteora (approx. 4 hrs drive). Meteora is one of the largest Greek Orthodox
communities in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Situated over the town of
Kalampaka, on the north-western edge of the Plain of Thessaly (in Central
Greece), Meteora is one of the most imposing sights in Greece and a must-see
for everyone visiting the country. Sandstone steep rocks, rising over 400
metres above the ground, were formed about 60 million years ago, as a result
of a fluvial erosion, earthquakes and geological changes that followed over
the centuries, and created this rare natural phenomenon and landscape.
Besides being a marvel of nature, what makes Meteora even more astonishing
are the monasteries spectacularly perched atop the rocky pinnacles. We aim to
arrive in Meteora late afternoon, going to several viewpoints where we can
enjoy panoramic views over Kalampaka plain and the stone forest of Meteora.
Accommodation: Hotel Meteoritis or similar
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 9

After breakfast, we will visit one of the cliff–top monasteries of Meteora
and learn more about their history and monastic life. The area of Meteora was
initially inhabited by monks who lived in caves within the rocks during the
11th century. In the late 12th century, a small church called the Panaghia
Doupiani was built at the foot of one of the rocks, but during the Turkish
occupation it became less secure so the monks climbed higher and higher up
the rocks to protect themselves from different conquerors. Numerous
monasteries were systematically built on top of the rocks so by the end of
the 15th century there were 24 constructed in total; today only 6 of them are
still active. The monks had to climb up ladders or use baskets and ropes to
transfer the material for the construction of these monasteries and until
1920 this was the only means for getting supplies.
After lunch, we’ll return to Athens (approx. 4 or 4.5 hrs drive) where our
adventure will end. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the
airport in time for their flight to London.