Wonders of Ancient Greece
Travel through the stunning landscape of mainland Greece, learning about the wonderful past of a civilization immortalized in myth. Look out over Athens from the Acropolis and marvel at amazing Meteora. Visit the Oracle at Delphi and explore the home of the Olympic games at Olympia.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Athens
Day 1 Athens
Welcome to Athens, the capital city of Greece. Upon arrival at the airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to discover the city, home to an exquisite architectural history and an equally thriving modern society.
Day 2 Athens City Tour
Day 2 Athens City Tour
Today we embark on a coach tour of Greece's vibrant capital city, named after the goddess Athena and thought to be over 3000 years old. Sights include the Panathenaic Stadium, the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which lies at the heart of modern Athens. The highlight of our day is the Acropolis, considered by some to be the most important ancient site in the western world. Here we find masterpieces of classical Greek architecture, including the iconic Parthenon. We also enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, recently voted one of the best museums in the world.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Plaka, a historical and picturesque part of the city. Take a stroll through the cobbled streets or relax with a drink at one of the many tavernas in the area. Don't forget to shop for souvenirs on Ermou Street.
Itinerary Alteration - please note:
Monday and Friday departures from April to October - this Athens city tour will operate on day 6 after the four-day excursion to Olympia, Delphi and Meteora, which will commence today.
For the departure 27 April 2025 the order of visits during the four-day excursion to Olympia, Delphi and Meteora will be reversed.
Day 3 The Peloponnese and Mycenae
Day 3 The Peloponnese and Mycenae
Athens - Epidaurus - Mycenae - Olympia. Today we depart Athens and head for the Peloponnese, a region which was the setting of many great myths and legends. Our first stop is the narrow Corinth Canal, a man-made waterway completed in 1893 after centuries of attempts. We then continue to the beautifully preserved theatre at Epidaurus, a sanctuary famed for medicine & healing in antiquity. Next we visit the World Heritage site of Mycenae, the early civilization excavated by Heinrich Schliemann. We'll see the Cyclopean walls, Tomb of Agamemnon, and Lion Gate. We continue across the Peloponnese mountains to Olympia for the evening.
Day 4 Olympia
Day 4 Olympia
Olympia - Delphi. Today we explore the home of the ancient Olympic Games. Situated along the longest river in the Peloponnese, the Alfios, Olympia is a fascinating step back in time to the birth of one of today's biggest sporting events. We visit the Temple of Zeus, the Palestra and Phidia's workshop.
Heading north this afternoon, we cross the impressive Rio-Antiro Bridge before heading for our final stop of Delphi.
Day 5 Delphi
Day 5 Delphi
Delphi - Kalambaka. The sanctuary at Delphi was revered in antiquity as a centre of pilgrimage, home to the Pythian Oracle in the Temple of Apollo. We'll walk up the Sacred Way, the path followed by ancient visitors through the sanctuary, to see the temple ruins, and visit the local museum, where we'll find the bronze Charioteer statue and mythical omphalos stone. Afterwards, we cross the mountains of central Greece back to the mainland, arriving in Kalambaka for the evening.
Day 6 Meteora
Day 6 Meteora
Kalambaka - Athens. This morning we visit Meteora, a stunning World Heritage site where a series of towering rock formations shelter several sacred Eastern Orthodox monasteries. We return to Athens for the night, briefly stopping at Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans made a famous last stand against the Persians in 480 BC.
Day 7 Athens
Day 7 Athens
Our tour of the wonders of Greece ends today after breakfast, with an included transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
In the heart of Athens, the Polis Grand is a contemporary hotel with excellent facilities. Guest rooms are well appointed with elegant furniture and all modern conveniences. Some rooms are equipped with a balcony with fantastic views over to the Acropolis. The hotel benefits from a number of eateries which serve up an array of Greek and international cuisine as well as tasty coffee and delicious pies. Definitely head for a cocktail in the evening at the roof garden bar for amazing views across the city.
The Golden Age Hotel of Athens is a 4 star hotel, located close to the Kolonaki District. A 5 minute walk from the Megaro Mousikis Metro Station, the urban chic property is 2 stops away from the centre of Athens. Each guest room is soundproofed, air conditioned and feature an ensuite bathroom and blackout drapes. Be sure to try the hotel's daily American buffet breakfast, that includes traditional Greek options. There are two restaurants onsite that serve gourmet Meditteranean cuisine.
Nestled in the historic centre of Athens, the Titiana offers beautiful accommodation all classically designed. The ensuite guest rooms are furnished to a high standard with neutral tones and wooden flooring. Breakfast is served in the impressive rooftop Olive Garden restaurant which affords amazing views across the city including the Acropolis. The hote offers complimentary Wi-Fi and a fitness centre.
Set at the top of Drouvas Hill, Hotel Europa offers views of the Arcadian Mountains and Alfios Valley from your own private balcony. The spacious guestrooms also feature marble floors and modern amenities, with free WiFi and breakfast included. Relax on the comfortable sunbeds by the outdoor pool that is surrounded by luscious greenery. Within the garden there is a Greek tavern where you can enjoy a delicious feast of Mediterranean cuisine prepared with natural and organic ingredients.
Located on top of a hill overlooking Olympia, the Arty Grand Hotel is all about the guest experience. From the welcoming reception hall, up to the spacious rooms and beautiful verandas, the Arty Grand provides world-class treatment. Arranged over three floors, there is an outdoor swimming pool and spa centre, where you can relax with a rejuvenating massage after a day of exploring. The hotel serves a daily breakfast buffet and you can order from the lunch and dinner menu. Then take your pick between the hotel or poolside bar to enjoy an evening drink.
Located at the foot of Mount Parnassus, Hotel Amalia overlooks a picturesque green valley and the Ionian Sea. Guestrooms are spread over four levels, offering plenty of natural light and all the essential amenities. Relax in the main lounge where you can enjoy the magnificent vistas by a rustic fireplace. Next to the beautiful gardens you will find the main restaurant, serving up a rich American breakfast buffet and a la carte lunch and dinner featuring Greek cuisine. You can also enjoy coffee, fresh juice and cocktails as you unwind at the poolside bar.
Situated in an ideal location within the modern town, Hotel Apollonia provides the perfect base for exploring ancient Delphi. Offering a majestic view of the Corinthian Gulf, the hotel combines wood and stone in a traditional-style build. The spacious guestrooms and modern facilities offer a very comfortable stay, with a delicious breakfast and dinner served in the hotel restaurant. You can also relax by a cosy fire with a drink or two from the bar.
Offering the chance to enjoy traditional Greek hospitality within a contemporary setting is the Hotel Divani Meteora. Surrounded by natural beauty, the hotel is set in front of the World Heritage-listed Meteora sandstone monasteries. The fully renovated hotel has a welcoming decor, with warm shades and a luxury wooden floor. A tranquil restaurant offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine and there is an outdoor and indoor pool. You can also unwind after a day of exploring in the sauna steam bath or bubbling Jacuzzi.
Hotel Amalia is embedded on 14 acres of beautiful greenery. Built from traditional materials to match its surrounds, the hotel features extensive gardens, a large swimming pool and distant views of the Meteora Rocks. Guestrooms are spacious and fully equipped with the latest facilities. In the dining area, a rich American buffet breakfast is served with both local and international cuisine available for lunch and dinner. Relax by the fireplace in the hotel’s cosy lounge bar and listen to piano music as you sip a cocktail.
Tour Reviews
Our guide was very good. Very informative and friendly. The beginning of the tour was a bit disjointed as the rep had to meet us at our initial hotel. We were the only tour members book at the Grand Polis. The hotel was fine but not in a nice area.
Guide was excellent
Vicky was the Guide, she was great, shared a lot of history with us. Checked if we where together always. Hotels were neat, food was great. Would have liked longer time at the archeoligical sites. But enjoyed it still.
The sites were amazing. The driver was excellent. The hotels were great.
We really enjoyed our tour of Greece. Our guide Militza was incredible. She was organised, knowledgeable and funny. We all loved the way she told us about the social and historical context of each place we visited. She went well beyond what we expected. Our hotels were wonderful and the meals were great. There was a lot of walking but that was to be expected, when you look at the places we were visiting. Oh and Socrates our driver was suburb. His skill and calm attitude when dealing with frighteningly difficult roads and bends, left us quite reassured.
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