Classical Greece – Athens, Mycenae, Olympia & Zakynthos

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.

After breakfast settle back into your seat as we travel south through France and Switzerland to our overnight hotel in northern Italy.

We continue our journey across Italy to the port of Ancona, where we board the overnight ferry to Igoumenitsa in Greece. Please note: your driver will be required to collect your passport in order for you to be checked-in before boarding the ferry. Please ensure you have your passport to hand. It is advisable to pack an overnight bag for this evening (en suite cabins included).

Morning arrival at Igoumenitsa, then we follow the scenic road to the beautiful town of Ioannina, set against Lake Pavmotis. There is time to explore during a short stop, perhaps taking a boat to the little island of Nisi on the lake (not included) or enjoying lunch in one of the local tavernas (not included). Continue to Kalambaka, where we stay overnight. This evening, we take a short drive to Meteora, possibly one of the most impressive sites in Greece. Weather permitting, we will take in the spectacular views over the plain and watch the breathtaking sunset.

Return to Meteora this morning, where we will meet our local guide and visit at least two of the monasteries. Meteora (literally meaning ‘hanging from the sky’) are gigantic rock formations, like towers of sandstone, which have provided a sacred retreat for monks over the centuries. Considered one of the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece, Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. There is time for lunch in Kalambaka (not included), which sits in the showers of these towering rocks before we head south through the mountains to Delphi, where we stay overnight.

Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassos in a spectacular natural setting, Delphi is a trove of archaeological treasures dedicated to Apollo. We explore the site with a local guide including a visit to the museum, which houses the famous bronze statue of the ‘Charioteer’. Later we continue to Athens for a two-night stay. This evening, join an optional excursion to the famous Plaka area, followed by dinner at a Greek restaurant with live music and folk-dance show.

The day will be at leisure for you to explore more of Athens on your own. Alternatively, you can join an optional day cruise to the islands of the Saronic gulf, Aegina, Poros and Hydra. First stop will be Hydra. A picturesque vehicle-free island, well-known to the international jet-set. Take a donkey ride, explore the little cobblestoned streets and visit the Mitropolis at your own pace. Next is the island of Poros with its clock tower facing the Peloponnese. Last comes Aegina, a weekend retreat for many Athenians. Make sure to buy some pistachios, as Aegina is world-famous for its production. A buffet lunch will be served on board, and on the way back you will have the opportunity to see and participate to some traditional Greek dances!

Included panoramic guided tour of Athens, seeing the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Constitution Square and the Presidential Palace. We will also visit the Acropolis. Enjoy a short walk in the famous Plaka area, where you may wish to have lunch at a typical Greek tavern (not included). Early in the afternoon, we begin our trip towards the Peloponnese. Our first stop will be to admire the impressive Corinth canal. Our drive continues through the Argolic plain and soon we will arrive at Nafplion, dominated by Palamidi castle. We will have free time to explore the narrow cobblestoned streets of the old town, with the beautiful mansions and neo-classical buildings. Take a walk along the seafront promenade and enjoy a coffee or tea while watching Bourtzi, the tiny fortified islet guarding the entrance of Nafplion’s port. Early in the evening we will take a short drive to arrive in Tolo, which will be our base for the following four nights.

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Tolo.

A free day for you to relax and enjoy the sun and sea. Alternatively, you can join our suggested optional excursion. At first we will be heading to Epidaurus, one of the most important healing centres in antiquity, and today famous for its ancient theatre with the unique acoustics. We will enjoy a guided visit and then continue to a small local ouzo distillery. This is one of the few traditional distilleries still in operation, where we will have the opportunity to learn all about the production of ouzo and other local liquors, and of course enjoy a tasting. Return to our hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Another free day to relax in Tolo.

We will depart Tolo this morning and first drive to Mycenae, 'rich in gold' as Homer mentions, with the Cyclopean walls, the Tomb of Agamemnon and the famous Lion’s Gate. After our guided visit, we will head to a local restaurant for our included lunch. Then sit back and relax as we will be driving along the northern shore of the Peloponnese, around Patras and to the small port of Killini. From here, we will board the local ferry for a short crossing (about 1 hour and 15 minutes) to Zante, otherwise known as the island of Zakynthos. We will settle into our hotel, and have the rest of the evening at leisure to take a walk in the old town and choose one of the many local taverns for your dinner (not included).

An exciting day and one of the highlights of this tour awaits. After our breakfast, we journey towards the north of the island where we board a privately chartered boat. Your skipper will take you along the shores of the island on the crystal-clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea. Our first stop will be the Blue Caves. If the weather allows, those who dare may take a swim! Our next stop will be the Shipwreck Cove, probably one of the most photographed beaches in the world and only accessible by the sea. After our boat tour adventure, you will board your coach again and drive towards the west to visit Anafonitria. This is the location of the famous monastery of St. Dennis, the patron saint of the island. Here St. Dennis served as an Abbott for the majority of his life until his death on the 17th December 1622. (The church may be closed and not accessible inside but you may walk around the courtyard of the monastery). Continue through the mountains of Zakynthos to the village of Kampi, where you can appreciate the spectacular views over the cliffs and the Ionian Sea. Enjoy lunch at a local tavern. Continue our drive to Bochali, the last stop of today. This small village is situated on high grounds above the town of Zakynthos, offering great views of the town, port and mainland Greece.

After a leisurely morning we will check out of our hotel and have free time to explore more of Zakynthos town, until the time to board the local ferry which will take us back to Killini. From here, we will take a drive to the village of Olympia. Built on the banks of the River Alfios, the area is beautiful, green and placid. The afternoon is free to walk around and explore the little town which housed the first Olympic Games.

After breakfast we will take a guided tour of the remains of the Ancient Olympia Complex, including the Temple of Zeus, the Palestra, and Phidias’s Workshop. Continue to the local museum, one of the richest in Greece, with the impressive statue of Hermes of Praxitelis. After some free time for lunch (not included), you will depart and drive to Patras, to board the overnight ferry to Ancona.

After disembarking our overnight ferry we will continue through Italy to our overnight hotel in the Lake Garda area.

We continue our journey into Germany and our overnight hotel in the Stuttgart area.

We continue to our final overnight stay in Belgium.

After breakfast we continue our journey home.