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Five Day Tour of Classical Greece from Athens to Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora

Escape the confinements of the city and have the most enriching five days of Classical exploration

Let’s hit the road together and travel to the most significant cornerstones of ancient civilization, Hellenic culture and mythology. See it all in five days on a special tour combining everything from religious sites built atop sky-high sand-towers, temples of the Olympians, and historic strongholds to where the Olympic Flame was first lit in 776 BC!

  • Duration

    5 Days

  • Location

    Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Greece

  • Adults (T Class)

    599.00 €

  • Children (T Class)

    299.50 €

  • Single Supplement

    112 €

For A Class Tour Click Here!
From: 599.00 €

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English

It’s time to board our luxury air-conditioned bus and travel comfortably, leaving the capital behind on a mission of exploration of Classical Greece. Our trusty licensed guide will be at your side to walk you through all the details and background stories of the wonderful locations that await you.

As we reach the Corinth Canal, enjoy the astonishing view from up top. This canal was completed 25 centuries after its initial conception. The Sage of Antiquity, tyrant Periander of Corinth, was the first to aspire to this magnificent endeavor but was soon discouraged by the Delphic Oracle who warned against enraging Zeus. Many great men of history later shared the same vision, with the Roman Emperor Nero, himself, personally breaking the ground with a pickaxe and removing the first basket-load of soil.

We will make our way to Epidaurus, the sanctuary of the heroic god of medicine in ancient mythology, Asclepius. Considered to be the cradle of medicine, Epidaurus stands for the moment in time when man turned away from faith in divine healing alone and examined the science of medicine. In this World Heritage Site, you will also find the Theater of Epidaurus, known near and far as the best-preserved example of classical Greek theater. Its amazing acoustics and aesthetics are the reason why this venue continues to host unique performances to date, as you will find out for yourself.

Moving on, we will reach one of the most beautiful towns in the area as well as one of the most romantic cities in Greece, Nafplio (Nauplia). Founded by Nafplios, the son of god Poseidon, this town’s history traces back to the prehistoric era when its soldiers participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War. A stronghold of great historic significance, Nafplio served as state capital prior to 1834.

You will have the afternoon off to stroll around the picturesque “old town” and take in the sights, perhaps even make it to the Nafplio Gallery of Art if you wish. It houses a collection of works of art dedicated to the liberating cause of the Greeks against the Turks, highlighting their struggle and raising their ongoing dedication to the sphere of the idealistic.

When you find yourself at a traditional Greek restaurant after the appetite-building stroll, try some local “mezes” and perhaps some recommended seafood.

On the second day, back on our luxury bus, get ready to visit the land that inspired Homer, Argolis. Our destination, the Golden Mycenae, birthing city of the Mycenaean civilization, is described in the Iliad as a “wide-wayed” “well-founded citadel”. Spanning over 30,000 square meters, it commands the surrounding valleys, built atop a rocky hill. At this unique archeological site, explore the Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon, the large “tholos” tomb, a marvelous 14th century BC structure, and the Lion Gate with its bastion, still greeting guests of the citadel after all this time. Marvel at the Cyclopean Walls, built by none other than Cyclopes of course, tasked by Perseus, the mythical founder of this prominent citadel.

In the afternoon, following an optional stop for souvenirs and lunch, we will head to the cradle of the Olympic Games and World Heritage Site, Olympia. Feel free to roam the grounds where it all started, where the ideal of the Sacred Truce was first forged and sealed into eternity, before turning in for the night after a day full of exploration.

On the morning of the third day, the archeological site of Olympia, in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river, awaits us. Sitting on a lush, green landscape, at the confluence of the Alpheios and Cladeus rivers, it is the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. The world-wide prestigious festival dedicated to Zeus, taking place every four years, goes back a long time. Discover the remarkable sanctuary, known as “Altis”, and its wonderful monuments including the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the Pelopion and the altar, the Prytaneion and the Phillippeion, as well as the collection of treasuries, each representing a city-state. You will surely by awed by the Stadium where the High Priestess lights the Olympic torch, starting the relay of the flame which becomes the connecting bond among the peoples of the world, sending a message of hope and unity.

In the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, you will find on permanent display collections which cross 12 halls and over 3,500 years of history, from around the 3rd millennium BC when people first settled in Olympia to the twilight of Zeus’ sanctuary in the 7th century AD.

As we move on, aboard our comfy bus and always under the guidance of our expert escort, we will drive through Patras, a veritable melting pot of culture, history and entertainment, to reach the crossing of the Corinthian Bay. This is where we will have a look at the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, officially the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, which is one of the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges and the longest of the fully suspended type. It belongs in the pantheon of modern engineering marvels, as its construction meant overcoming many difficult obstacles, such as seismic activity.

We will continue on our way, passing by Nafpaktos, a city of intense medieval character, as we take the coastal road to Delphi, offering the opportunity for lovely photos. Delphi, the omphalos or “navel of the earth”, according to Ancient Greeks, will be where we kick off our shoes after another day of our Classical Greece adventure.

The morning of the fourth day of our tour will find us on the grounds once tread by Apollo’s mysterious oracle, Pythia, as we visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Experience the unique atmosphere of this prophetic sanctuary where people traveled from all corners to seek advice and insight into their future. Visitors today can enjoy a feast of notable ancient monuments as they gaze upon the monument of the Argive Kings, the Athenian Treasury, the Stoa of the Athenians, the Polygonal Wall, the Platea and the Temple of Apollo. The museum reflects the religious, political and artistic activities from the sanctuary’s early years in the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

We will then make our way through Central Greece to Kalambaka, a picturesque town nestled at the foot of the majestic Meteora grey rock pillars, crowned by the world renowned Meteora monasteries. Explore this quaint town at your leisure, before turning in for the night.

We will kick off our fifth day with the exploration of an incredible feat, achieved by hermitic monks who, in the 11th century, set out to demonstrate that their unwavering faith could overcome the immense difficulty of settling on these highly inaccessible precipitous cliffs. With a little help from above, according to lore, they succeeded in building this unique phenomenon of cultural heritage, one the most important groups of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world. Enjoy the breathtaking view and become engulfed in the spirituality emitted by these reclusive Byzantine monasteries.

Whether visitors are on a first-time journey or returning to relive the glory of man’s unyielding determination, this suspended gateway to the heavens stays etched in their memories forever.

As we head back to Athens, we will make sure to pass by the monument of the Great Leonidas, the warrior king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, who led the allied Greek forces in the famous military last stand of the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC).

Highlights

  • Corinth canal with its amazing views
  • Overnight stay in Nafplion, the nation’s first capital
  • Mycenae Archaeological Site
  • Epidaurus Archeological Site – Asklepios Sanctuary
  • Ancient theater of Epidaurus with its incomparable acoustics
  • Olympia Archaeological Site- birth place of the Olympic Games
  • Olympia Archeological Museum
  • Rion-Antirrion bridge, a feat of engineering
  • Castalia Spring – regarded by Roman poets as a source of poetic inspiration
  • Delphi Archeological Site – Navel of the World
  • Delphi Archeological Museum
  • Huge Meteora rock pillars – a mystery studied for many years by geologists and their awe-inspiring views
  • Meteora Byzantine monasteries, an achievement of unyielding faith
  • Monument of Leonidas, the brave warrior-king of Sparta
  • 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites combined

Inclusions

  • Pick up and Drop off Service from centrally located hotel in Athens
  • Transport by luxury air-conditioned bus with free wifi connection
  • Services of Professional licensed guide
  • Admission / Entrance fees
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • Hotel accommodation based on your choice (A class / T class)

Not included

  • Hotel accommodation tax
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Drinks and beverages
  • Lunch

Good to know

  • All the mentioned prices are per person on twin sharing basis. In case of one traveler the single supplement option has to be chosen.
  • If you do not require the hotel pick-up service, please check in 15 minutes prior to the tour starting time

Tips by a local

When entering the Meteora monasteries, appropriate attire is required as per the monastic and humble way of life atop these grounds of religious faith. It is required for ladies not to sport short skirts nor sleeveless tops as it is also required by the gentlemen not to wear shorts. Although the option for borrowing cover-up garments is foreseen at the monastery entrances, we recommend that you take the above into consideration.

The usual itinerary includes visits to the Great Meteoro Monastey and the St. Stefanos one, although on Tuesdays we visit the Varlaam monastery instead of the Great Meteoro one. Of course, let’s not leave our accommodations without sunscreen as it is better to be safe than sorry when you are vacationing in or visiting our warm and sunny country.

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