Best of Greece

Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival this morning, make your way to the hotel for the start of the tour and meet with the tour leader for an overview of the upcoming itinerary. Then, head into the city for an orientation tour of Athens! Get acquainted with this ancient city and its many iconic sites. You’ll even get to see a traditional changing of the guard ceremony! During free time this afternoon, why not sample some delicious Greek food on an Athens food tour? This evening, enjoy an included dinner of authentic Greek cuisine. Get to know your tour leader and fellow travellers before the tour continues tomorrow.

Orientation tour of Athens: Get to know Greece’s bustling capital city on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See top attractions like the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, and the temple of Olympian Zeus. Witness the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Welcome dinner in Athens: Greek cuisine is one of the world’s most delicious cuisines, renowned for fresh flavours and ingredients. Get your first taste of Greek food in Athens as you get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.

Depart from Athens this morning as the tour makes its way to Kalabaka, an excellent base town from which to visit the famous Meteora landscapes and monasteries. On the way, stop at Thermopylae to admire the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta. Upon arrival in Kalabaka, visit a Byzantine art workshop to see how locals create exquisite works of Christian Greek art. Then, check into tonight’s accommodation. Finish the day with a mesmerising sunset drive of the Meteora hills and catch panoramic views of the monolithic pillars and hills with its celebrated cliff-top monasteries. It’s truly any photographer’s dream! Enjoy traditional Greek food for dinner this evening at the hotel.

Visit Thermopylae and see the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta: Enjoy a photo stop and admire the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae. This location is famous around the world as the scene of the battle of Thermopylae between the Greek and Persian forces in 480 BC.

Visit a Byzantine art workshop: Visit a Byzantine art workshop under the hills of Meteora. Byzantine art was inherited from the empire of Istanbul and later brought to the Mediterranean world. See how Greek artists handcraft hagiographic art based on the traditional methods of old craftsmen of Meteora.

Take a sunset drive of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Take a sunset drive through the Meteora hills at day’s end to see amazing rock formations that have provided sacred retreats for monks over the centuries. The views are breathtaking and you’ll soon understand why Meteora is considered among the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend free time in Kalabaka this morning, exploring as you wish. Or, enjoy a guided tour to conquer the hills of Meteora. This excursion will drive through the hills and giant cliffs of Meteora, with scheduled visits and free time to explore the beautiful cliff-top monasteries. Later, cross the mountains for central Greece, arrive in Delphi (also known as Delfí) and embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Dinner is prepared in the traditional style and served at a local restaurant near the hotel this evening. The rest of the evening is free to spend at your leisure.

Delphi orientation tour: Take a short driving and walking tour of Delphi. Your tour leader will show the group where the ancient sanctuary of Delphi is located and will then guide the group through the main street to point out local amenities, restaurants and main attractions.

Enjoy some free time this morning. Or, join the optional excursion to discover Delphi with a local guide. Admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and visit the famous museum of Delphi. Then, drive along the Coast of Corinth and take a short ferry to the colourful Greek island of Trizonia. Soak up the culture and experience how life here has remained the same for centuries. Why not enjoy an optional lunch at a local eatery? Later, drive to Olympia, the home of the original Olympic Games. Tonight offers the opportunity to join an optional Greek evening of traditional food and dance. The perfect way to end an eventful day!

Visit Trizonia: Take a ferry to the hidden island of Trizonia, just off the coast of Glyfada. The small island is 2.5 square kilometres in size and is the only inhabited island on the Gulf of Corinth. It's nothing less than a haven, with an idyllic fishing port, local seafood tavernas and magical views of the mountainous coastline. There are only a handful of people living on the island, and almost no cars!

This morning’s activities include a locally guided tour of the Archeological Museum and ancient site of Olympia. Next, cross the mountains of Peloponnese to arrive at Mycenae for a visit to the tomb of Agamemnon and the famous Lion’s Gate. It’s not only one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece but also the place where many ancient Greek myths originated. Tour the grounds with an expert guide and have an included lunch before travelling to the picturesque town of Nafplion. Nafplion is the first capital of modern Greece, the skyline of which is dominated by Palamidi Castle. This evening offers the opportunity to join an optional evening tour to Epidaurus and see the ancient theatre.

Olympia Museum and ancient site: Learn more about the history of Olympia, the Temple of Zeus and the Olympic games with a locally guided tour of the Olympia Museum. Discover ancient Greek art and explore significant exhibitions about ancient Greece. Visit the ancient Olympia complex and see the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, Phidias' workshop and more.

Explore the ancient ruins of Mycenae: Visit Mycenae and take a walking tour with an expert guide to explore the ruins of this once powerful settlement. Learn all about how it came to exist and, according to Greek myth, was ruled by King Agamemnon. See highlights such as the Palace, Tomb of Agamemnon and Lion’s Gate. Lunch is included this afternoon with a three-course meal at a local restaurant.

Visit the hillside seaport of Nafplion: Dominated by Palamidi Castle, Nafplion is one of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis. Be sure to take time to explore the picturesque narrow streets and admire the neo-classical architecture. Take a stroll along the seafront promenade and enjoy the amazing views of the fortified Bourtzi islet, which once guarded the entrance to the port of Nafplion.

Depart Nafplion this morning and enjoy a photo stop at the Corinth Canal en route. Arrive in Athens and embark on a locally guided city tour. See top attractions like the National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch and more. After, there is an option to join a guided tour of the Acropolis site. During this optional excursion, walk to the sacred rock of the Acropolis and visit the Propylaea, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike and Parthenon. This tour includes lunch in the Plaka neighbourhood at a local restaurant. Later, transfer to the port to catch the local ferry to Mykonos. Upon arrival in Mykonos, settle in at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

See the Corinth Canal: Constructed between 1880 and 1893, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece’s most important engineering achievements. The four-mile-long canal was designed to link the Corinth and Saronic Gulfs, and in the past used to be an important navigational route for ships coming in from the Aegean Sea. Today it’s mainly used for small ships and tourist boats.

Athens city tour: This exciting tour of the city includes stops at the Academy, the National Library, the Greek parliament and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Panathinaikos marble stadium (where the first modern Olympics took place), Hadrian's Arch and the temple of Olympian Zeus.

Enjoy a full free day to explore the magnificent island of Mykonos and its unique sandy beaches. Today also offers a fantastic opportunity to take an optional cruise to the majestic and untouched islands of Rhenia and Delos. In the morning, visit Rhenia and swim in its crystal clear waters. Enjoy lunch on board and later, explore Delos island and its many archaeological treasures! Alternatively, relax at one of Mykonos’ beaches and be sure to snap a pic of the iconic Mykonos windmills!

Mykonos Island: Enjoy two full free days to explore and relax on one of Greece’s most famous islands. Renowned for its pristine beaches, iconic windmills and vibrant nightlife, Mykonos is a must-visit Greek travel destination! Spend these two days as you wish or join one of our exciting optional excursions.

Today offers another day at leisure to soak up some sun, explore the bustling town of Mykonos or enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Alternatively, join the South Coast Boat Trip optional excursion. This day at sea begins with a cruise in a traditional Greek Kaiki boat as well as swimming, snorkelling and a picnic at Frangias beach. Then, visit Kalafatis. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant by the sea and explore the town. Later, end the trip with visits to Paradise beach, Plati Yialos beach and Orlos beach.

After breakfast this morning, transfer to the port to catch the local ferry to Santorini. Arrive in Santorini in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel for the next three nights. The rest of the day is free to explore Santorini at your own pace or simply settle in and relax at the hotel. Santorini is famous for its exceptional views, world-class winemaking and whitewashed houses perched on caldera cliffs!

Santorini Island: Take the local ferry from Mykonos to Santorini where you will enjoy the next three nights. Experience two full free days on this picturesque island. Take these two days to relax, explore at your leisure or join one of the unforgettable optional excursions on offer.

Wake up on the gorgeous island of Santorini and look forward to a full free day to relax and wander around this picture-perfect island. Today also offers the opportunity to join the Santorini Highlights optional excursion to learn more about what makes this island so special. This full-day tour begins with a visit to the island’s unique black and red sand beaches followed by a visit to the prehistoric city of Akrotiri. Later, sample Santorini’s famous wines at a local winery! The optional excursion ends with a tour of the stunning village of Oia. Watch the sunset before heading back to the hotel for the evening.

Enjoy another free day to explore this magical island at your own pace. Alternatively, join the optional boat excursion to the caldera islands. This tour will visit the volcano, the hot springs, little Thirassia island and will end at Amoudi Bay, the little port of Oia. Climb up to Oia village and admire one of the best sunsets of the Aegean Sea islands! Later, head back to the hotel and make the most of the last night in Santorini.

Early this morning, transfer to the airport of Santorini to catch a local flight back to Athens. This flight is included in the cost of the tour package. Arrive at Athens airport where this memorable 12-day Greece tour will come to an end. Don’t forget to swap details with your new travel buddies before travelling onwards!