Duration: 14 Days
Availability: 17 Apr -15 May -12 Jun -25 Sep -16 Oct '10
Greece has a long history spanning back thousands of years. It has long been credited for being the cradle of Western civilization, with democracy, culture, philosophy, medicine and art to name for. Greek myths and legends are known throughout the world as are many of the famous Greeks of the past, such as Homer, Plato and Socrates. Ancient sites such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens or the sacred oracle of Delphi are visited by huge numbers of travellers who come to Greece every year.
On this tour filled with samples of great historic interestour aim is to offer you an extensive scope of choices to discover and enjoy Greece in different ways, but nothing is a “must”. Feel free to join the different excursions offered or make your own plans. Whether you visit Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games or the Monasteries of Meteora, your holidays will be educational but at the same time very relaxing. Joining this tour there will always be something for you to see and/or to explore:You will get the opportunity to visit archaeological sites, famous monasteries, get to know the Greek life in mountain villages, hike through gorges and up mountains or relax at the beach. We will take you there having arranged your accommodation, but how you will pass your time is up to you!!!
This tour will also offer you the possibility of mingling with and getting to know people of different nationalities. They may become your best friends!!
Some of the highlights offered on this tour are:
The Archaeological site of
Delphi The monasteries of Meteora Walk through the Vikos gorge Get to know the charming
village of
Metsovo Olympia The theatre at
Epidaurus
In order to get a better impression of what our program involves, please read our daily program here below.
Upon arrival at
Athens airport private transfer to the hotel has been arranged for you. In the afternoon meet with the tour leader and the other members of the group. Welcome dinner in a taverna in Plaka.
Sunday - Athens
This day is dedicated to
Athens and its history. The various museums and sites are all within walking distance from your hotel or easily accessible by public transport. It is needless to say that visiting the Acropolis is the topic of today but while strolling through the Plaka area with its neoclassical houses, you will encounter many remains of Antiquity as well. And as the changing of the Guards on Sunday morning is always a special performance, we suggest not missing it!!
Monday - Delphi
In the morning leave Athens by coach for
Delphi.The journey will take about 3 and half hours, so arrival is expected to be around noon. We advise you to start with visiting the
museum of
Delphi, as it closes earlier than the archaeological site.
Tuesday - Meteora
Depart from
Delphi in the morning and, after a drive of approximately 5 hours, we arrive in Kalambaka early afternoon. After lunchtime you can visit some of the monasteries of Meteora which are open in the afternoon.
“The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air’. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there are many theories though they remain theories and none has been proven."
Wednesday - Meteora & Metsovo
This morning you will again have the opportunity of visiting other monasteries, such as The Great Meteoron (Monastery of the transfiguration). Founded in 1362, this is the largest of the Meteora monasteries.
Early afternoon after lunchtime the journey takes you over the notorious
Katara
Pass to Metsovo, a picturesque mountain village, famous for its smoked cheese, wood carvings and colorful weavings. You may spot some of the town’s older inhabitants wearing traditional costumes as they relax and meet each other in the main square.
Thursday - Ioannina
In the morning continue over the
Pindus
Mountain range to Ioannina at
Lake
Pamvotis.For hikers transfer is possible to Monodendri, a charming mountain village from where you can hike through the Vikos Gorge. Late afternoon we transfer you to the lovely fishing
village of
Amphilochia , located at the
bay of
Amvrakikos and known for its delicious fish.
Overnight in Amphilochia.
(Sometimes the hotel might be in Agrinio or Messolonghi; in such case you will be advised accordingly)
Friday - Olympia
Today the journey continues to
Olympia , one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity, dedicated to the father of the gods Olympian Zeus. It is the birthplace of the Olympic Games , where they were held every four years attracting athletes from all Greek city-states.
Saturday - Kalamata
In the morning we transfer you to Kalamata. We find that after a week of intensively exploring sites, museums and monasteries, you deserve a break!
The next two days you will be staying a few kilometres outside of the town of Kalamata, with the magnificent
Taÿgetos
Mountain in the back. The sea and the beach will be ‘at your feet’! Of course, your tour leader will give you suggestions of possible activities in the area, in case you prefer a more active program for these two days.
Sunday - Kalamata
Day of leisure.
Monday - Mystras
In the morning drive via a beautiful route over the
Taÿgetos
Mountain to Mystras, an old Byzantine city on the slopes of
Mount
Taÿgetos . It was once the capital of the
Peloponnesus and of the last Byzantine civilization. While wandering through narrow alleys and winding streets, you will pass by numerous small churches, with excellent restored frescoes.
After lunchtime the journey will continue to Monemvasia.
Tuesday - Monemvasia & Nafplion
Today you will get the opportunity to visit the magical town of
Monemvasia , also called the Gibraltar of Greece. You cannot see this medieval town until you emerge from a narrow tunnel in a massive fortifying wall, which makes the impact of the first encounter and the delights of exploring it extraordinary.
After lunch the journey will take you to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece.
You will have the rest of the afternoon to stroll through the narrow streets of the old Venetian centre or relax at one of the coffee shops at the quay while enjoying the view of the bay.
Wednesday - Mycenae & Epidaurus
Ancient
Mycenae with its imposing Lion’s Gate and Tomb of Agamemnon will be on today’s program as well as a visit to the theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics. Epidaurus was a Sanctuary of Asklepios, the God of medicine. On a hillside, within the Sanctuary of Asklepios, lies the theatre of Epidaurus. It is the best preserved of all ancient theatres in
and because of its acoustics the most famous: a coin dropped in the centre can be heard from the highest seat. Built of limestone, it can seat 12.000 spectators and even nowadays every summer it is still used for various performances.
Thursday - Nafplion
This last day of your tour
gives you the possibility to pass as you like. Make a day of leisure out of it or talk to your tour leader, who will be able to give you different options for a more active day.
We certainly hope that you return to your country with a nice impression of all the interesting things you have seen and done, but also with very good memories of the people you did get to know during this tour. Therefore we find that a good-bye dinner is the right thing to do at the end of this tour.
Friday - Athens
Today we will transfer you back to
Athens, where arrival is expected to be around noon. There will be two drop off points in
Athens : Omonia Square and Syntagma Square
Rates: The Magic of Greece on a Shoestring - 14 Days
Above rates include all taxes. Rates may change without notice!
All rates are per person and include:
- Accommodation on B/B basis in singles, twins or doubles, triples
- 2 x dinner (Welcome dinner & Good-bye dinner)
- Transfer by a/c coach according to the program
- Private transfer upon arrival at the airport to the hotel
- Excursions as mentioned in the program
- Tour leader
Departure dates
All tours start on Saturday and end on Friday.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Athens
Day 2: Athens
Day 3: Athens - Delphi
Day 4: Delphi - Kalambaka
Day 5: Kalambaka – Metsovo
Day 6: Metsovo – Ioannina – Amphilochia
Day 7: Amphilochia – Olympia
Day 8: Olympia – Kalamata
Day 9: Kalamata – Day of leisure
Day 10: Kalamata – Mystras – Monemvasia
Day 11: Monemvasia – Nafplio
Day 12: Mycenae – Epidaurus
Day 13: Tolo or Nafplio – Day of leisure
Day 14: Return to Athens
FAQ
Can I book my flight with you?
Our agency handles bookings for flights; we will always try to find the best possible offer available. However, if you book a flight through our agency before the tour has been confirmed, our agency does not hold any responsibility for any possible cancellation fees, in case you wish to cancel your flight.
Upon making a booking, always check possible cancellation fees.
In some cases flights can be booked provisionally.
As a single person, can I only book a single room or share with someone else?
You can share a twin room with someone of the same gender.
Will there be an opportunity for walking?
Except for the possibilities offered in the program, which is walking through the Viros Gorge and to the monasteries of Meteora, you will have the opportunity to do so at other places as well, such as i.e. in the area around Kalamata.
Our tour leader will provide you with all necessary information.
Can I only pay by credit card?
If you are not in the possession of a credit card, a bank deposit can be accepted as well, for which you will receive details upon request.
Any extra expenses, that may occur, will be paid by you.
For residents of the Netherlands a bank deposit can be made to a Giro account in the Netherlands, for which you can obtain details upon request.
Can I already book for 2007?
Although no rates are known as yet, you certainly can book for 2007.
The sooner one books, the better!
As rates as this moment are not known yet, the normal booking procedure will not apply.
You can register currently without any fee.
General Info
General information:
Rates:
All rates are per person and include:
- Accommodation on B/B basis in singles, twins or doubles, triples
- 2 x dinner (Welcome dinner & Good-bye dinner)
- Transfer by a/c coach according to the program
- Private transfer upon arrival at the airport to the hotel
- Excursions as mentioned in the program
- Tour leader
Not included are:
- Travel insurance
- All other meals
- Entrance fees
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses etc.
Participants:
Minimum participants: 17
Maximum participants: 28
If the required minimum of participants has not been reached, our agency holds the right to cancel the tour latest until 28 days before the tour starts and in such case, the full amount paid by you will be reimbursed immediately.
For this reason our agency strongly advises you to make an early booking.
In case of cancellation, our agency will not be responsible for any other possible expenses you may have made.
Hotels: The hotels offered are Tourist class hotels; all rooms have private facilities (toilet & shower or bath) and air-conditioning and many offer extra facilities such as a telephone, hairdryer, music and/or TV.
Meals: In most hotels a Continental breakfast is served and breakfast is served on buffet basis.
Usually a Continental breakfast in Greece consists of white bread, cheese, ham, marmalade, honey, yogurt, coffee, tea, juice and milk.
Availability of facilities:
Facilities offered by some of the hotels, such as a swimming pool, may not be available at the beginning or at the end of the season.
The Magic of Greece on a Shoestring
This day is dedicated to
Depart from
Early afternoon after lunchtime the journey takes you over the notorious
In the morning continue over the
In the morning drive via a beautiful route over the
This last day of your tour
