The Classical Sites of Greece tour goes to Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games, the Oracle of Delphi and Mycenae with the famous Lion’s gate in the kingdom of 
Agamemnon. Finally we visit Meteora where the monasteries hang in the sky.
4 Day Guided Visits to : Athens, Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Nauplia, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka, Thermopylae and Meteora
2019 Departures: Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until Oct 2019
Day 1: Athens – Corinth Canal – Epidaurus – Nafplio – Mycenae – Olympia
Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal for a short stop to enjoy its breathtaking views. The Corinth Canal is an international sea transport junction and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic. Continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to Epidaurus for a visit. The theatre of the ancient city is well preserved. Apart from a few rows of seats, it is made of limestone. The theater has exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect audibility of unamplified spoken word from the stage to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of their seating. Then depart for Nafplio the first capital of Greece in 1829 for a short stop before we drive to Mycenae. ‘Rich in Gold’, the kingdom of the mythical Agamemnon, in Homer’s epics, is the most important and richest palatial center of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization. In the afternoon we depart for Olympia. Dinner & Overnight.
Day 2: Olympia – Delphi
Olympia was dedicated to the father of all gods, Zeus. It sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronos, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest and highly prestigious festival, held every four years to honor Zeus. Visit the Archaeological Site & the Museum and then drive via Patras and Rion, across the channel to Antirion on the new suspension bridge considered. Arrive in Nafpaktos (drive through) then continue to Delphi. Dinner & Overnight.
Day 3: Delphi – Athens
Situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the center of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious center and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics. Visit the archaeological site and the Museum where one can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the ‘Charioteer’ dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478 B.C. after he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the Attic style. After the visits and some leisure time we start the drive to Kalambaka for a short visit of the village upon arrival. Dinner & Overnight.
Day 4:Kalambaka – Meteora
Today we will see one of the most amazing places in Greece – Meteora. Meaning ‘suspended in air’ the name Meteora soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos There were no steps and the main access to the monasteries was by means of a net that was hitched over a hook and hoisted up by rope and a hand cranked windlass to winch towers overhanging the chasm. Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladders up to 40m long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes. Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage. After visits start the drive back to Athens passing through Thermopylae for a short break. This visit sometimes can take place the third day.
Includes:
- Transportation by A/C deluxe coach
- Professional tour guide
- Entrance fees
- Hotel accommodation
- Breakfast and dinner at the hotel
Excludes:
- City tax of 3 Euro per night, per room, paid to the hotels
- Drinks and tips
Prices per Person in Euro:
- 3 Star: € 495 in double room
- 4 Star: € 595 per person in double
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