GREEK ODYSSEY

Tour Code - 6500

8 days Athens to Athens 
Athens, Kalambaka, Delphi, Olympia, Nauplia

Explore the major sights of this fascinating country with a long history and many traditions. Start and end in Athens, with a visit to the Acropolis and the lively Plaka quarter dotted with cafés and archaeological findings. Discover Meteora with its extraordinary monasteries built on rock formations; ancient Delphi, site of the Delphic Oracle; and Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games. Your tour in Olympia features the ancient stadium where the games were first held and the temples of Zeus and his wife, Hera. Test the acoustics at the Epidauros Theater, and wander around Mycenae, where Agamemnon’s golden mask was found. Cross the Corinth Canal and return to Athens for the conclusion of your Greek adventure.

Meals
Breakfast - 7
Lunch - 0
Dinner - 2

Standard Features
Headsets throughout the tour

Sightseeing: Visits to Epidaurus, Meteora, Kalambaka

Scenic Highlights: Peloponnese, Mount Parnassus, Arcadian Mountains, Corinth Canal, Rion-Antirion Bridge

Guides: Local Guide for city sightseeing in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae. Professional Tour Director while touring

Transportation: Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach

Hotels: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

Meals: Buffet breakfasts (B); 2 dinners (D)

01

ATHENS, GREECE. 
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the Greek capital. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers and maybe join them in an optional evening out.

02

ATHENS-KALAMBAKA. 
This morning's included sightseeing features the highlights of Athens with a visit to the Acropolis. In the afternoon, after bypassing Lamia into Thessaly and by way of Trikala to Kalambaka, spend the night in the vicinity of Meteora, which will be visited tomorrow. (B,D)

03

KALAMBAKA-METEORA-DELPHI
A short drive to Meteora, which is a cluster of monastic buildings perched in an unforgettable manner on a set of rising rock formations. Your included visit is certainly the day's highlight. Later, retrace your steps southwards to reach Delphi for an overnight. (B)

04

DELPHI-OLYMPIA. 
Included morning sightseeing in Delphi, in ancient times known as the "Navel of the Earth." Located five minutes from the village, the ancient site, backed by imposing Mount Parnassus, is in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country. Sightseeing will guide you along the Sacred Way to see the Temple of Apollo, some of the treasures, and the theatre. This afternoon, follow the Gulf of Corinth through Nakpaktos to Antirion over the new spectacular bridge towards Olympia for an overnight. (B,D)

05

OLYMPIA-EPIDAURUS-NAUPLIA.
The original home of the Olympic Games first held in 776 BC, Olympia was a sacred precinct to the god Zeus, whose temple once housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This morning's included sightseeing takes in the ancient stadium where the games were held and the temples of Zeus and his wife, Hera. Later, travel across the mountains of Arcadia, passing through Tripolis before entering the Argolis, land of Greek myths and legends. Stop awhile to visit the Epidaurus theatre, which can still seat 14,000 spectators. Overnight in Nauplia on the Argolic Gulf. (B)

06

NAUPLIA-MYCENAE-CORINTH CANAL-ATHENS
This morning, visit the imposing ruins of the site of Mycenae with a Local Guide (entrance fees included), the ancient city Homer called a "city rich in gold." It was here that the Golden Mask of Agamemnon was unearthed, along with many other treasures that matched exactly Homer's descriptions in the Iliad. Enter the city by the magnificent Lion's Gate and stroll up to Agamemnon's Royal Palace. Then to the Corinth Canal for a brief stop before continuing to Athens for two overnights. (B)

07

ATHENS. 
An opportunity to see island life from the cruise ship on the optional three-island cruise, visiting Aegina, Poros, and Hydra. Poros is a lush island with a maze of narrow streets. Aegina is the main producer of pistachio nuts in Greece, while Hydra, where beautiful boutiques line the scenic harbour, is home to a large artist's community. (B)

08

ATHENS. 
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Dates and Prices. Rates are per head in US$:

 Optional Gratuity :  US62

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