Best of Greece
Best of Greece
Best of Greece
8 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka, Meteora
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Foodie and Wine Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Greece" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of ancient and modern Greece. Begin in Athens, where you'll explore iconic sites like the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Travel through history as you visit the ancient ruins of Corinth, the majestic Lion Gate at Mycenae, and the stunning theater at Epidaurus. Experience the charm of Olympia with a traditional Greek dinner hosted by the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm. Discover the mystical rock monasteries of Meteora and the sacred site of Delphi, where you'll meet a local beekeeper and taste exquisite thyme honey. Enjoy luxury accommodations and travel in comfort with a professional guide, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and local hospitality, making it an unforgettable adventure in Greece.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals Included: Dinner
Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you will have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal.
Day 2: Explore Amazing Athens Dive Into Culture
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. Along our journey into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena,the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.
Day 3: Journey To Corinth, Mycenae And Nafplion
Location: Nafplion
Accommodation: Amalia Nafplio
Accommodation Name: Amalia Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. We continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where we'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist. Later, we'll travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.
Day 4: Continue To Ancient Olympia Connect With Locals
Location: Olympia
Accommodation: Amalia Olympia
Accommodation Name: Amalia Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the Karabelas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.
Day 5: Onwards To Patras And Delphi
Location: Delphi
Accommodation: Amalia Delphi
Accommodation Name: Amalia Delphi
Meals Included: Breakfast
We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. We'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, we skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.
Day 6: Off To Thermopylae And Kalambaka
Location: Kalambaka
Accommodation: Amalia Kalambaka
Accommodation Name: Amalia Kalambaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, who would descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult with the most important oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. View the statues immortalising the strength of the athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games, held in honor of Apollo and the Arts. Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close to the unique biodiversity of the area. A scenic afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defense by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly region, traveling north through the 'breadbasket of Greece' towards Kalambaka.
Day 7: Admire Meteora And Return To Athens
Location: Meteora
Accommodation: Divani Palace Acropolis
Accommodation Name: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are our first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to Athens, where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.
Day 8: Farewell Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
We say a fond farewell to our newfound friends and the treasures of Greece after an unforgettable journey.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are part of the tour.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are provided.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are included in the itinerary.
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International airfare to/from the start/end of your tour is not included.
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences and free time are not included in the base price.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
Dive Into Culture
- Athens: Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the Best of Greece tour?
The tour includes a visit to a honey farm in Delphi where you can taste thyme honey and learn about beekeeping, and a traditional Greek dinner with the Karabelas family in Olympia, featuring local cuisine and dancing.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi available in most countries, or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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What type of accommodation can I expect on the tour?
The tour includes stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted, ensuring comfort and quality throughout your journey.
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Are meals included in the Best of Greece tour?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals, along with a few special dining experiences.
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What is the 'Be My Guest' experience in Olympia?
In Olympia, the 'Be My Guest' experience involves joining the Karabelas family on their olive and wine farm for a traditional Greek dinner and dancing, while learning about their history on the land.
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What is the significance of the visit to the honey farm in Delphi?
The visit to the honey farm in Delphi is part of the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you meet a beekeeper, taste thyme honey, and learn about the role of bees in nature regeneration, contributing to Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Trafalgar allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform trafalgar, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.