Day 1 |
| Arrival in Athens |
Welcome to Athens!
Our staff will be waiting for you at the airport. You will be transferred to your hotel to check in.
Athens is a city that offers an incredible variety of things to do and sites to explore. Our expert staff will brief you on the possibilities and any new venues in town.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Athens
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Day 2 |
| Athens city tour - Private guided tour |
Enjoy a morning wonderful morning learning all about ancient Athens.
Starting from your hotel, the first photo stop is at the exquisite Panathenian stadium. Built on the site of the ancient Athenian stadium, entirely from marble, for the first modern Olympic Games of 1896. It is very impressive and well worth a stop.
After the brief stop you will set off towards the Temple of Zeus, a colossal ruined temple that was dedicated to Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. The remains of this once great temple still inspire awe to the visitors of the site.
Continuing onwards via the national gardens for a brief stop outside the Greek parliament. The traditionally dressed Evzones stand guard outside the building; the changing of the guards is fun to see and get a feeling for Greek modern history. Your driver will be waiting for you to take you to the majestic Acropolis.
Next is the sight that’s sure to be a highlight on any visitor’s list: the Acropolis of Athens. You will be dropped off at the foot of the pedestrian road leading to the site. It is a gentle uphill stroll to the city’s famous ancient citadel. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the acropolis is home to several incredible buildings that date back to the days of Ancient Greece. See the Parthenon, Propylaea gateway, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike, a monument built to represent Athens’ ambition as the most powerful Greek city. The buildings on the Acropolis are considered by many as the most impressive architectural feats of the ancient times.
Concluding your visit to the Acropolis it is a short walk (5-10 minutes, downhill) to the Acropolis Museum. Opened in 2009, the new museum looks on to the Acropolis and features amazing displays. The artifacts are situated in such a way so as that the guests can actually understand and envision what the Parthenon actually looked like in antiquity. It is considered one of the most beautifully situated museums in the world. This dazzling modernist museum at the foot of the Acropolis' southern slope showcases its surviving treasures still in Greek possession.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Athens
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Day 3 |
| Excusrion to Delphi - Private guided tour |
Your personal driver will pick you up from the hotel in order to start this wonderful tour to the Unesco world heritage site of Delphi.
Delphi is approximately two and a half hours from Athens. The route follows the national road north through the plains of Beotia and passes outside the town of Thebes. As you get closer to Delphi, you will start the ascent to the imposing mountain of Parnassus. The ancient site is at the foot of the mountain; the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi.
Passing by the Castalia Spring you will visit the archaeological site and view the monument of the Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo. The site is very large and there is a lot to see including the famous oracle where in ancient times people believed they would learn what their future held. Enjoy the views from the site, they are incredible – the setting is so impressive that in ancient times it was considered the navel of the world.
After your walk through the site the next stop is museum. The Delphi museum has spectacular exhibits including the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury and the famous bronze Charioteer. It is well worth visiting the museum as the exhibits complement what you saw at the site and will allow you to get a better understanding of the role Delphi played in antiquity.
Your personal guide will explain and give you insights about the sight, the history and the legends surrounding it. Take advantage of being on a private tour and the one to one personal attention your guide will provide. Our guides are not only fully certified and accredited, but also are handpicked to be the best in Greece; their depth of knowledge and ability to pass this on, in an interesting and captivating way, are unparalleled.
After your visit to the Delphi museum walk down to the site exit where your driver will be waiting. Next stop is lunch! A short drive to a traditional restaurant – selected for you is a lovely menu of local tastes. Enjoy your lunch; take the opportunity to taste regional products and experience original Greek cuisine. The restaurant has amazing views of the olive grove plains below. A Greek coffee at the end of our meal will conclude this fantastic tour of Delphi.
After lunch depart for Athens to return to your hotel. The drive back is an opportunity to discuss with your guide aspects of ancient Greece that intrigued you from this visit to Delphi.
Lunch in Delphi at a local restaurant is included, before returning to Athens.
Overnight in Athens
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Day 4 |
| Cruise for the day. Visit the Saronic Islands |
The one day cruise is one of the favorite day trips from Athens. Combining three Greek islands in one day including lunch on board it is good value for money and truly a full day of fun and exploration.
The pickup service will collect you from your hotel. It’s just a short 30 minute drive to the harbour where you will board your ship for a memorable full day cruise to the three Saronic Gulf Islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros.
Island of Aegina
During the one day cruise from Athens you will visit the island of Aegina, home to an impressive Doric temple and ruined Byzantine village.
The island has the beautiful, and easy going character of a typical Greek island. Aegina boasts a stunning waterfront with coffee shops, restaurants and a lively market place.
Enjoy exploring the small port and the souvenir shops - the local produce of Aegina is the pistachio nut which you will find at many little shops on the quay.
Island of Poros
Further south, Poros, with its impressive old town and forested hinterland, curves only a few hundred metres from the Peloponnese – separated by the Poros straights.
The island of Poros is quite different from Hydra and Aegina; also a very beautiful port town with a highlight being the proximity of the island to the Peloponnese and the endless boats crossing the straights.
Island of Hydra
You will also visit the, considered by many as the Saronic islands highlight, island of Hydra.
Considered one of the prettiest port towns of the Aegean with large stone mansions of exquisite architecture overlooking the harbour. Hydra is one of the only Greek islands that no wheeled vehicles are allowed on. There are no cars and no scooters. Just tiny marble-cobbled lanes, donkeys, rocks, and sea.
Stroll the waterfront and explore the beauty of the island; see why Hydra has been attracting world renowned artists since the early 60’s up to today.Hydra, against the tide, has managed to retain its style and character unspoilt by modern development and tourism. It is a hidden gem amongst the Greek islands.
The cruise ship is fully equipped with bars, dance floor, inside/outside seating, money exchange, gift shop, restaurant, air conditioning/heating etc.
Enjoy lunch on board (icnluded in the price). In the afternoon relax on deck while cruising back to Athens.
Upon return there is a transfer service (included) to drop you off at your hotel.
Overnight in Athens
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Day 5 |
| Farewell |
| Today your memorable holiday ends. Time at leisure till you transfer to the airport.
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