4 Days Classical Tour with Meteora Monasteries

Panoramic view of the Meteroa valley

The Theater of Epidaurus as seen from the top seats

Lions Gate in Mycenae

Statue of the Spartan King Leonidas in Thermopylae

Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games

Ancient Olympia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The charming town of Nafplion in Peloponnese

Treasury of Atreus, also known as the tomb of Agamemnon in Mycenae

Panoramic view of Kalambaka

Traditional kitchen inside one of the Meteora monasteries

The town of Kalambaka will be your base to explore Meteora

The Lions Gate in Mycenae

Holy Monastery of Varlaam in Meteora

Sanctuary of Asklepius in Epidaurus

Magnificent view of the monasteries of Meteora

Temple of Apollo in Delphi

The Treasury of Athenians in the Delphi archaeological site

Delphi's Ancient Theater

Crossing into Peloponnese via the Corinth Canal

Ancient Greek script in Delphi

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History comes to life in this four day tour of the Greek mainland. After a quick stop at the Corinth Canal, you will find yourselves at the Theater of Epidaurus, where the works of Socrates, Aristophanes and Euripides came to life. The true spirit of Peloponnesus can be found in the picturesque town of Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece. Moving on, you will have the chance to visit the Tomb of Agamemnon in Mycenae before proceeding to Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games, and home to Zeus' sanctuary. Your next destination will be Delphi, known around ancient Greece as 'the navel of the world'. A town with strong ties to antiquity due to the presence of the famous Oracle, whose ruins still stand proudly. Last but not least, you will visit Meteora, a geological marvel of vast, rock pillars rising up from the valley to create a unique spectacle that is a testament to wonders of nature. On top of the pillars, stand Byzantine Monasteries, of immeasurable historical and religious importance.

Sightseeing: Corinth Canal, Theater of Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thermopylae.

Itinerary

• Day 1 -  Athens to Olympia via Nafplion
  We will pick you up from select spots in Athens (departure at approx 8:45) and start heading south via the coastal road which leads to the Corinth Canal, an artificial channel that separates Peloponnese from Central Greece. After a short stop for pictures we will hit the road once more to reach the Theater of Epidaurus, one of the most recognizable theaters the world over. Epidaurus is famous for its exceptional acoustics, which reportedly allowed almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified words to 14,000 around spectators. On the way to our next destination we will pass through the town of Nafplion where we will take another short stop for a glimpse of what is for many the most romantic town in all of Greece! back on the road once more and we will find ourselves in Mycenae, where the remains of a once great civilization stand today. On the archaeological site we will find important monuments such as Tomb of Agamemnon, the Lion Gate and the Cyclopean Walls among many others. We will then drive west through the scenic routes of Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis to reach Olympia, where we will stop for some well-earned rest. 
  Overnight: Olympia
  Meals: Dinner
  
  
• Day 2 - Olympia to Delphi
  After a fulfilling breakfast you are sure to be ready for another day of exploration! Being in Olympia, it will come as no surprise that our next site to explore is the modern town's ancient counterpart. In Ancient Olympia, we will visit the Stadium, Hippodrome and Palaestra, all of which housed different events of the original Olympic Games. The complex also includes Treasuries of different city-states and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. After we have toured the site, we will visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which features an impressive selection of terracottas, bronzes and sculptures. Afterwards, we will take a drive through the plains of Ilia and Achaia, cross the impressive Rio-Antirio bridge, which connects the two sides of the Corinthian Bay and find ourselves in the region of Central Greece. Passing by the picturesque town of Nafpaktos we will arrive in Delphi. You will have the evening at your disposal to explore the quaint town on your own pace.
  Overnight: Delphi
  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  
  
• Day 3 - Delphi to Kalambaka
  Delphi was a site of great importance for the ancient Greek world. The archaeological site's crowning jewel is of course the Temple of Apollo, in the center of which the famous Oracle of Delphi stands. The Pythian priestesses were among the most powerful women of the Hellenic world and they were consulted by Kings from the 7^th century BCE and until the late 4^th century BCE. The significance of the Oracle is evident by the number of treasuries found on the site -with the Athenians' and Sifnians' being two of the surviving ones- as well as by the apt nickname Delphi received, being dubbed 'the navel of the world'. Once we leave the site, we will proceed to the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which is home to thousands of exhibits from antiquity, the most important of which is arguably the bronze statue of the Charioteer, dedicated to the victory of Polyzalus of Gela in the Pythian Games. Afterwards, we will depart for Kalambaka, a quaint town in Thessaly, resting at the foot of Meteora.
  Overnight: Kalambaka
  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  
  
• Day 4 - Visit Meteora and Return to Athens
  A place that is sure to be etched in your memory, Meteora encapsulates the meaning of the word numinous. There are two sides to Meteora. On the one hand it is a geological marvel as huge rock pillars rise up from the valley below to create a surreal picture the is simultaneously both rugged and serene. On the other, you can sense spirituality in the air, as on top of these pillars, almost suspended in the air, stand Byzantine Monasteries, of immeasurable architectural beauty and religious importance. Needless to say that the juxtaposition of these two worlds gives way to a spectacle unlike anything you've seen before. We will visit two monasteries and catch a glimpse of the ascetic life their occupants experience before departing for Athens. The route we'll take will lead us via the towns of Trikala and Lamia, past Thermopylae, the site of the famous battle against Xerxes' Persians, where a short stop to see Leonidas' Monument across the road is in order. We'll reach Athens early in the evening (approx. 19:00).
  Overnight: -
  Meals: Breakfast

Important notes

• This tour includes a complimentary pick-up / drop-off service from / to your hotel or other predefined spots in Athens and surrounding areas. Maximum duration of this service to gather / distribute tour participants is approximately 1 hour. Thus, pick-up time may vary for each guest and will be provided during the booking process.
• Clients staying at the coast will depart for their hotels, from G.O. terminal around 19:30 hrs.
• Appropriate clothing is required to visit the Monasteries. Long skirts below the knees for the ladies and long trousers for the gentlemen. The monasteries, also, provide long skirts before every entrance. The ladies can choose and wear a long skirt over their clothing, during the tour, and return it, prior to their departure.
• The tour is usually bilingual, implemented in English and one additional language (French or Italian). For more information prior to booking, please contact us. Our agents will also inform you on the languages of the tour after booking.
• First Class includes 4-star hotels, whereas Tourist Class includes 3-star hotels.

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