9 Days Athens to Athens.
Highlights Include: Athens, Acropolis, Parthenon, National Archaeological Museum, Plaka, Delphi, Archaeological Museum, Olympia, Nafplion, Bassae, Kyllini
This itinerary is ideal for the first time visitors to Greece, taking in all the major highlights of the country.
Exploring Mainland Greece
DAY 1 ARRIVE ATHENS, GREECE: Upon arrival at Athens airport you will be met by your Tour Director and shortly afterwards will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey.
DAY 2 ATHENS: Today you will be met by your English-speaking guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens (4 hours). See the complex of monuments that most symbolize Athens – the Acropolis. The highlight of your tour to the Acropolis will be the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world, which was dedicated to the Goddess Athena and conceived in 447BC. Visit the Acropolis Museum, which exhibits sculptures and reliefs that have been recovered from the site. This afternoon is at leisure. (B)
DAY 3 ATHENS: This morning you will be met by your English-speaking guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of Athens (4 hours). Spend time exploring the renowned National Archaeological Museum, one of the richest and most important museums in the world with its formidable collection of unique exhibits such as sculpture, pottery and jewelry. Afterwards you will enjoy a walk through the ancient district of Plaka, one of the most picturesque and interesting parts of the city. This afternoon is at leisure. (B)
DAY 4 ATHENS – DELPHI – KYLLINI: Leave Athens this morning and drive through rugged mountain scenery along the shores of the Gulf of Corinth, arriving at the sacred religious center of Delphi, dramatically positioned on terraces against the backdrop of Mount Parnassos. Explore this extensive and fascinating archaeological site, visiting such masterpieces as the great Temple of Apollo, home of the famous oracle, the sturdy Temple of the Athenians and the extensive Ancient Theater. Visit also the archaeological museum, a treasure trove of artefacts and boasting the Charioteer of Delphi, one of the most beautiful Greek statues from the 5th century BC. After time at leisure for lunch, you will be driven over the sweeping new bridge that connects the Peloponnese to the mainland, and, passing olive groves and citrus plantations, arrive in the early evening. (B)
DAY 5 OLYMPIA EXCURSION: The beautiful setting of Olympia, in a grove of trees below the wooded slopes of Mount Kronion, adds a timeless quality to the remains of this most famous of ancient sites. Started in the 8th century BC and held every four years at the late-summer full moon, the Games reached the height of popularity in the 5th century BC when competitors from the farthest colonies came to take part, hostilities amongst warring factions ceased for the duration, and the athletics were complemented by great fairs and festivities. Today your guide brings back to life the excitement and atmosphere of the Games as you visit the remains of the enormous Temples of Zeus, the Palaestra training center, and the stadium itself with its 630-ft running course and surviving vaulted entrance. (B)
DAY 6 KYLLINI – BASSAE – NAFPLION: Today a full day of driving takes you through lovely countryside, rich in agricultural produce to the delightful town of Nafplion, situated on a rocky peninsula projecting into the calm waters of the Argloic Gulf. You will stop at Bassae where you will visit the Temple of Apollo, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival into Nafplion, check into your modern, comfortable hotel set in the heart of the Old Town. (B)
DAY 7 NAFPLION & EPIDAURUS EXCURSION: This morning is at leisure to enjoy the fine facilities of the hotel or perhaps a walk through the charming old town of Nafplion, with its mixture of ancient Greek and Venetian influences. Visit the Folklore Museum, displaying costumes, housewares, and art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. This afternoon drive to the nearby archaeological site of Epidaurus to admire the magnificent 4th century theater whose elegance, perfection of design and harmonious proportions made it the most famous in the Ancient World. Today the Theater is beautifully preserved and retains the astonishing acoustics that enabled actors to be heard without difficulty by all of the 14,000 spectators. The Theater was the showpiece of a fine Sanctuary dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of medicine. There will be time to enjoy the delightful setting of the site before returning to your hotel. (B)
DAY 8 NAFPLION – MYCENAE – CORINTH – ATHENS: Drive to Mycenae, the city “rich in gold” as described by Homer, dating from the second millennium BC and which, under the tyrannical rule of its warrior kings, gave birth to the important Mycenaen civilization. Visit the site hewn from a rocky hill and ringed by barren mountains, with its proud Lion Gate and Royal Tombs whose majestic “beehive” funerary chambers were filled with treasures. You may like to take lunch beside the extraordinary Corinth Canal, spectacularly hewn out of the rock and just wide enough for ships to pass, and afterwards enjoy a visit of the impressive remains of the acropolis of “wealthy Corinth”, testimony to the importance of the town as a trading center in ancient times. (B)
DAY 9 DEPART ATHENS – USA: This morning you will be transferred with English-speaking assistance from your hotel to Athens airport for your departure flight. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 9
- Twin-bedded rooms in 4- or 5-Star hotels; hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling
- 8 breakfasts
- Services of English-speaking local travel experts
- Transfers by luxury, air-conditioned mini-coach
- Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
- Portfolio of travel documents
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in Greece
Private Departures
Please Call 1-800-818-8455 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
Contact Journeys Connect
Journeys Connect group and specialty services are available exclusively on a Business-to-Business basis, to travel industry professionals. If you are an individual interested in a Group Journey for 8 or more passengers, please do browse our collection and then contact your preferred Travel Agent and ask them to book through Journeys Connect.
Travel professionals, please call and speak with one of our Group Specialty Professionals:
1-800-818-8455