Highlights of Ancient Greece

There are no included activities today so you are free to arrive in Athens at

any time. The group flight usually arrives in Athens in the early afternoon.

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.

The archaeological sites of major interest that we will visit include the

Acropolis and the Museum of Acropolis, also known as the city’s historical

centre. This walk is actually a journey through history itself, where you

will see classic ancient history, architectural evolution, and the city’s

development until the 21st century (Classic period, Romaic period, Byzantine,

Ottoman occupation, Neoclassic 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

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 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 flourishing 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.

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. 

This morning we visit Mystras, the ‘Wonder of the Morea’, the most famous

castle and medieval 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

Asclepeion. 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.

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 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).

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!

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 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.

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.