Greece

1st DAY : ATHENS AIRPORT – ATHENS
Arrive at Athens airport, transfer at hotel and overnight.

2nd DAY : ATHENS WALKING CITY TOUR WITH ACROPOLIS.
Breakfast at hotel.
The tour begins in front of the Parliament in Syntagma Square where you will see the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the change of the famous Guards. A pleasant walk will follow through the National Garden and on to the Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hadrian's Arch. From here you will enter the Plaka area heading to the Acropolis and visit with your guide the Propylaea, the Temple of Nike, and the Parthenon, the monuments that remind us of Glory of Ancient Athens and the Golden Age of Pericles. See also in the surrounding the Athenian Agora, the Observatory, the Hill of Democracy (Pnyx), Mars and Philoppapos Hill, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus. At the end of the tour, and since you are so close, do not miss the opportunity to visit on your own the New Acropolis Museum.
N.B : The Entrance Fee (20,00 €) to the Acropolis it is not included in the price

3rd DAY : ONE DAY CRUISE AT 3 SARONIC GOLF ISLANDS (time 08.00 – 19.00)
Breakfast at hotel.
Pick you up from your hotel early in the morning in order to take you by coach to the port for embarkation on the cruise ship. At 08:00 the cruise ship departs and sails for the first stopover on the island of Hydra. You will spend approximately 1 hour, thus you have free time to explore the unique island. Embarkation and sail to the island of Poros, separated from Peloponnese by a narrow strait and offering a most enchanting view of Poros town. Leisure time in Poros will be approximately 60 minutes. After 2 hours trip we shall arrive to the last port, the island of Aegina, where you have time either to make an optional tour visiting the Athena Afea Temple or to swim to the nearest beaches of the island. Total time to be spent 1,5. Lunch is served on board during the voyage. Re-embarkation & sailing back to the port. Arrive late afternoon & transfer by coach back to your hotel.

4th DAY : EXCURSION TO ARGOLIS
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, one of the most important infrastructures which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, (short stop). Drive to Mycenae, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece. The fortified citadel is nested over the fertile plain of Argolis near the seashore in the northeast Peloponnese, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs e.t.c. Depart for Nauplion. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Greece, which at the same time brings together unique memories of the country from different times such as Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, Ottoman, and early years of liberation. The city, even today, carries all the traits of the capital of the Prefecture of Romania as "Napoli di Romania" at the time of Morozini (1687), as well as the capital of Viléeti in the Peloponnese until 1770 as "Anapli" The first capital of the free, newly-established Greek state - since it was considered the safest city to become the capital because of its good fortified position. We pass through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress (short photo stop), leave for Epidauros, where we’ll visit the marvelous Ancient Theatre (4th century B.C.), famous for its perfect design and acoustics. Finally, we’ll return to Athens following the National Road from Epidaurus to Corinth. Lunch in Mycenae.

5th DAY : ATHENS – THEBES – LEVADIA – ARACHOVA – DELPHI - KALAMBAKA
Breakfast at hotel. Leave for Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and Arachova, which is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mount Parnassus in Viotia, Southern Greece. It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favorite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Arrive in Delphi which Sitting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Delphi boasts an amazing natural landscape that highlights the historical significance of the place. Delphi is famous for one thing in particular: it is home to the world-famous oracle of Delphi. This oracle was renowned in Ancient Greece, as pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean would visit it to receive the prophecies of the ancient Greek god Apollo. The prophecies were delivered by Apollo through the words of Pythia, the high-priestess of his temple. According to the myth, which the scientists have also confirmed, Delphi is the navel of the Earth, meaning it is the central point(!) of planet Earth. As time went on, apart from a religious sanctuary, Delphi Greece also became the base of a political and military association. Today, many travelers flock to Delphi to explore the glorious Oracle of Delphi and be transported back to ancient times! Visit the Archaeological Site. After the visit depart for Kalambaka, passing through picturesque villages and towns of Central Greece. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kalambaka.

6th DAY : METEORA – TRIKALA – LAMIA – THERMOPYLAE – ATHENS

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Meteora is hands down one of the most impressive regions in Greece! Located on the northern side of Greece, Meteora is included in the World Heritage List. Dotted with towering rocks, it boasts a breathtaking landscape, creating otherworldly beautiful scenery! According to studies, these rocks were formed 60 million years ago, when weathering and earthquakes gave them their current shape. On the top of the rocks sit the infamous Meteora monasteries, most of them constructed during the Byzantine times. They are the gems of Meteora! Although only 6 of the monasteries operate, they form the second biggest monastic community in Greece, after that of Mount Athos in Halkidiki. Being one of the most-visited places in the country, Meteora Greece receives millions of visitors every year. Unsurprisingly, one of the best things to do in Meteora is hiking in nature and climbing the towering pinnacles. Enjoy a unique and most impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae. The Battle of Thermopylae war conducted in 480BC among the Greeks & Persians the same time the Naval Battle of Artemision took place. In the beginning of September the Persian Army led my Xerxis reaches the passageways of Thermopylae. The Greeks have chosen this strategic spot to face the Persian attack. Xerxis has commanded Leonidas, the leader of the Greek Army to surrender his armory but he replied 'Come and Get them'. Two consecutive days the Greeks fought heroically. The 3rd day Efialtes betrays the Greeks, showing the Persians the passageway so as to get to the back side of the Greeks. So, the Persian Army surrounds the Greeks. Leonidas remains in the site of the battle along with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespieis and 400 Thivaious, loyal to his homeland laws. He fall dead from Persian arrows. The Greek fleet the minute they were informed for Leonida’s death, get away from Artemision & retreat in Salamina where later on a great victory was succeeded. The Battle in Thermopylae is considered one of the most important battles of the Greek and World History, showing virtues like bravery, self-sacrifice and obedience to our homeland, (short stop to see Leonida's Monument), arrive in Athens early evening.

N.B. Visit of the Museum in Delphi is not included. Please ladies for the visit of the Monastery you need a skirt and the gentlemen long trousers.

7th DAY : ATHENS
Breakfast at hotel and overnight.
Free day for walking – shopping in Athens.

8th DAY : ATHENS - ATHENS AIRPORT
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Athens airport for fly back home

*** CITY TOUR OF ATHENS CAN BE ALSO BE BY BUS WITH FOLLOWING DETAILS***

ATHENS CITY TOUR (time 09.00 – 13.00)
Breakfast at hotel, then city tour of Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the 1st Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop).
Then we pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma).
On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Return to hotel, free time and overnight.