Grand Tour of Greece

Day 1 Athens - Mycenae - Olympia
Depart Athens along the coastal road to the Corinth Canal. After a short stop, continue to the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, built in 300 B.C. and renowned for its incredible acoustics. Then, arrive at Mycenae, one of the earliest Greek civilisations, where you will visit an impressive archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Drive through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Magalopolis to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, where you will have dinner and overnight.

Stay at: Europa Hotel (4 star), Amalia Hotel (4 star), Olympic Village (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 Olympia - Delphi
Join a morning tour of Olympia during which you will visit the first Olympic stadium, Temple of Zeus and Olympia Museum. In the afternoon, drive through the plains of Iliad and Achaia and cross the magnificent bridge over the Corinthian Bay. Passing the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive at Delphi for dinner and overnight.

Stay at: Amalia Hotel (4 star), Hotel Apollonia (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 3 Delphi - Kalambaka
Delphi hosted the most important oracle in the classical world and was the major site for the worship of Apollo. Explore the archaelogical site which has the Temple of Apollo, Amphitheatre, stadium and Museum of Delphi. Then set forth to Kalambaka, a small town situated close to the astonishing gigantic rocks of Meteora.

Stay at: Grand Meteora Hotel (4 star), Amalia Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 4 Kalambaka - Thessaloniki
Today, tour the monasteries of Meteora, perched atop sandstone rock pillars and representing fine examples of Byzantine art. As you leave Kalambaka, drive through the Thessaly Plains and the Valley of Tempi. Resume your tour pass Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and home to the 12 gods of Greek mythology, and further to vibrant Thessaloniki. Enjoy dinner and a three-night stay at Greece’s second largest city.

Stay at: Grand Hotel Palace (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 5 Thessaloniki
This morning, discover Thessaloniki, second only to Constantinople (Istanbul) during the days of the Byzantine Empire. Experience the city’s glorious past in some of the world’s oldest churches and at the Museum of Byzantine Culture. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the lively city centre, followed by an evening dinner.

Stay at: Grand Hotel Palace (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6 Thessaloniki - Macedonia - Thessaloniki
After breakfast, discover the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. First, visit the picturesque town of Edessa with its famous Waterfalls, before proceeding to Naoussa, a site of exceptional beauty and importance where Aristotle taught his doctrines of morals and politics to Alexander the Great. Then make your way to Vergina to see the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, followed by a short drive to Veria to visit the memorial to St. Paul. Take a stroll through the old Jewish district and visit its colourful market, then return to Thessaloniki.

Stay at: Grand Hotel Palace (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 7 Thessaloniki - Athens
Head to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great, and see the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas. Then visit the Archaeological Park of Dion after which journey south through several Greek towns, including Thessaly, Lamia and Thermopylae where you will see Leonidas' Monument, before arriving in Athens in the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Please note: For the monasteries, ladies are kindly requested to wear skirt and gentlemen long trousers.