|
Classical Greece - Mythology and History |
|
|
Day 1
Arrival to Athens airport where the local guide and tour leader will meet the group. Transfer to the central located hotel, check-in and a short welcome meeting. The afternoon for leisure. Dinner in the evening at Greek restaurant in Psirri.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel and check out before the city sightseeing of Athens begins. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. The guide takes you to see the centre of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian’s Arch, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and we will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in mind”, the Parthenon. Short time for leisure/lunch in the old part of town, Plaka. The tour outside Athens begins… Drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus – Levadia and Arachova. Arrive at Delphi, the centre of the ancient world – the “Omphalos” (Navel of Earth) – whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. Dinner and overnight at hotel in the centre of Delphi.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. We will visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. The tour continues downhill towards Itea, through Galaxidi and Nafpaktos. We will make a stop for lunch on the way, before we reach the magnificent bridge crossing the Corinthian Bay from Antirion to Rio. Further on to the village of Ancient Olympia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit the archaeological site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the archaeological museum. The spirit of the Olympic Games seems still to exist in this place… The tour carries on through the mountains of Ilia and Arcadia. Stop for lunch on the way before reaching Sparti, the beautiful Greek city a few kilometres from Mystras. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Sparti.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit the unique Byzantine state of Mystras. Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mount Taygetos, 5 km. from Sparti. The castle on the top of the hill was founded in 1249 by the Frankish leader William II de Villeharduin. The whole area of Mystras is an open-air museum. A reminder of a glorious era of power and culture. Many of the small churches are still in function today. Lunch at a local restaurant in Mystras, before we drive to Nafplion, which is reached in the afternoon. The city was the former capital of Greece, and is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Small, but with a tremendous charm, the old part of town is leaning up against the Akronafplio-hill with the impressive Venetian castle Palamidi on the top. Life here can be enjoyed in full. Either by walking in the small and narrow streets between the neoclassical houses with the finest architectonic details, or sitting at one of the many cafes or restaurants along the harbour, enjoying the sea and the landmark of the city: the Burtzi, the little island with the famous fortress. Dinner at local restaurant, overnight in Nafplion.
Day 6
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides – the city “rich in gold” of the ancient poets. Visit the Lions’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Royal Tombs and more. Time for lunch at local restaurant in Mycenae. Leave for Epidaurus to visit the Theatre (4th century B.C.) famous for its astonishing acoustics and with the cult of Asklepios with the holly snake, which symbolizes the art and practice of medicine. Afternoon for leisure. At the evening dinner at local restaurant in Nafplion.
Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through Argos, the most beautiful and fertile part of Peloponnese, through valleys full of fruit orchards and the known and acknowledged wine district Nemea. Reaching the Corinth-canal, after just one and a half hours drive. We make a stop at the river bank – at Istmia – and study the old bridge, which sinks into the bottom of the canal, every time a ship is crossing… The 6 km. long canal, which was consecrated in 1893, makes the journey between Patras and Athens 200 nautical miles shorter and the seafarers save a daytrip round Peloponnese, going through the canal. Time for lunch at the canal, before the tour ends in Athens at the early afternoon. Check-in at central located hotel. In the evening we have arranged a fantastic Greek dinner at a local restaurant, right under Acropolis.
Day 8
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning hours for leisure before the transfer to the airport for the return flight.
Acropolis... Delphi... Olympia... Mystras... Mycenae and King Agamemnon... Epidaurus and Asklepios...
Do you remember these places from the history lessons at school?
Relive the past for a better understanding of the present, our existence and language.
We offer you a wonderful classical tour in Greece where our experienced English speaking professional guides will make sure, that you will enjoy this tour to the outmost. You will pass through landscapes that vary from beauty to rough and dramatic nature. You will meet the local and friendly people and enjoy the wonderful climate.
The tour starts and ends in Athens, the Greek metropolitan. If you haven’t been here before, you will be surprised. The city has gone through a tremendous renovation and has changed drastically during the last years. Do not miss the new and trendy area of Psirri with the many local taverns, cafes and bars. This is the place where the Athenians eat, and we will of course spend the first evening here… In the old part of town, Plaka, you can shop all day and night and our last dinner will be enjoyed here, right in the shadow of Acropolis.
Before you leave the city, you must have a walk around the hill of Acropolis. This walk will lead you along the old market place “Agora”, the area of Monastiraki with the local fleet market and you will pass by the ancient theatres of Dionyssos and Herodion.
Outside Athens, great adventures wait for you… Delphi, the centre of the ancient world, the “Navel of Earth”, Olympia with the ancient stadium, Mystras the Byzantine state and an open-air museum, Mycenae the “City rich in Gold” and the Theatre of Epidaurus with the cult of Asklepios.
Lean back and listen to the histories told by our guides and enjoy the taste of delicious Greek food and wine during the whole tour…
|
|
|
Individual travelling |
| Peloponnese
|
| Saronic islands
|
|
|
Excursions and individuals |
| Argolis
|
| Athens
|
| Corinth
|
| Delphi
|
| Meteora
|
| Saronic Islands
|
| Sounion
|
| Tours
|
|
|
|
Contact us |
|
Almos Travel Ltd.
99, 3rd September Street, 104 34
Athens, Greece
Tel-1. +30 210 88 125 87
Tel-2. +30 210 88 18 434
Fax. +30 210 88 19 187
e-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
Join us in Facebook! |
 |
|
Follow us on Tewitter! |
 |
|
Athens Getaway |
 |
|
