ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Athens

Arrival in Athens International Airport. Transfer to the hotel, by metro or taxi. 2 overnights in Athens.

Day 2: Athens; the cradle of Western Civilization

Day at leisure for visiting Athens. We suggest to begin in the morning by visiting the Acropolis of Athens and then walk down to the Agora; the political and commercial center of the classical era, with the restored portico of Attalos and the very well preserved ancient temple of Hephaestus. Continue the city-tour to the Monastiraki and Plaka. Lunch break. In the afternoon you may visit the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum; its sculpture collection permits us to discover the evolution of Greek art during one millenary.

Day 3: Athens - Thermopylae - Meteors

In the morning, pick up the car from the hotel. Departure to Meteora. On the road you may do a short stop to the statue of Leonidas in Thermopylae, where the legendary battle of 480 BC between the 300 brave Spartans and the huge army of the Persian Empire, took place. Possibility of swimming between Arkitsa and Kamena Vourla. Arrival in Kastraki, a village situated on the feet of the Meteora Rocks. Approx. 360 km, 4h15. 1 overnight in Kastraki.

Day 4: Visiting the Meteora Monasteries - Delphi

Visiting the “Floating Monasteries” of Meteors. Possibility of a walking tour in a unique scenery, between the impressive rocks. Departure to Delphi, amphitheatrically built on the slopes of Mount-Parnassos, with magnificent view on the Corinthian Gulf. In your way to Delphi, you may visit the monastery of Hosios Loukas in Boeotia, with its beautiful mosaics. Approx. 230 km, 3h15. 1 overnight in Delphi.

Day 5: Visiting Delphi; the “navel of the world” - Naupactus - Olympia

Visiting Delphi, where Greeks and foreigners came seeking the will of gods and their destiny in the famous oracle of Apollo; where Pythia in trance-like state gave her prophecies; and where the navel of the world was thought to be. Via the Sacred Way, passing by the treasures of different city-states, you ascent to Apollo’s temple, the theatre and the stadium. The archaeological museum includes the famous Bronze Charioteer (Iniochos) of Delfi, sculptures from the treasure of Siphnos, two colossal “kouros” from Argos and the remains of three gold and ivory statues. Lunch break. Departure to Peloponnese. Stopover in Nafpaktos with its impressive venetian fortress; site of the the Battle of Lepanto which ended with the decisive victory against the Ottoman empire. Possibility of swimming between Itea and Nafpaktos. Arrival in Olympia. Approx. 240 km, 3h15. 1 overnight in Olympia.

Day 6: Olympia; the “Cradle of the Olympic Games” – Arcadia – Tolo

In Olympia since the earliest times sport competitions took place, recorded for the first time in 776 B.C.: that was the year of the first Olympiad. Since then and for over a millenary, every four years the Olympic Games took place; until the day when they had been banned by the Christian emperors of Byzantium. It took 1500 years, until 1896, when they were relaunched. You visit the sanctuary of Zeus with its temples, the stadium and the palestra. In the museum are housed sculptures from the temple of Zeus, the Nike (Victory) of Paionios and Hermes of Praxiteles. Departure to Argolis, via Arcadia (spectacular route via Lagadia, Vitina). Arrival in Tolo or Nafplio. Approx. 180 km, 3 h. 2 overnights in Tolo or Nafplio.

Day 7: Argolis; Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio

Visiting the highlights of Argolide: Mycenae was homeland of Agamemnon, military leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War; you visit the Citadel of Atrides with the “Lion Gate” and the Dome Tombs. The sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus was known in the entire “known world”, as Greeks and foreiners prayed to the god for a miraculous cure or even expecting to receive medical treatment. The Theatre of Epidaurus is worldwide famous for its acoustics. Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece; you visit the old picturesque city with its Venetian and neoclassical character and the Palamidi Fortress. Approx. 65 km total driving distance.

Day 8: Return to Athens and departure

Via the Corinth’s Isthmus you return to Athens and Athens International Airport (about 200 km, 2h40) where you drop off the car. Leaving Greece full of memories and beautiful images you return back home.