Compare Greece Discovery Tour by Direct Traveller vs Glories of Greece - Reverse, Classic Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 10 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,474 | $ 2,750 |
| Price Per Day | $ 147 | $ 344 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts |
N/A |
| Description |
Athens city tour starts from the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Continue and pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch. Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games. Visit the archeological site of Ancient Olympia. Visit at Delphi, a place that was once characterized as the center of the ancient world. You can see the well preserved remains of Temple Apollo |
Explore the ancient Acropolis in Athens and indulge in an authentic cooking demonstration in Olympia, as a local chef prepares a feast from locally farmed produce. Replete with lashings of olive oil and Greek cheeses you’ll master moussaka and tzatziki, before experiencing Greece in all its glory. From the Temple of Athena and the Arch of Hadrian in Athens, the gargantuan pinnacles of Meteora near Kalambaka beckon. Guided by your Travel Director, you'll ascend the ancient rock formations of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit one of the historic monasteries at the top. Explore where the Olympic Games began in 776 B.C at the Temple of Zeus and in the city of Mycenae, take in the giant Cyclopean stones before discovering traditional Greek pottery methods at the Mycenae Pottery Studio. |
Day 1: Athens
Accommodation: Overnight Athens 4-star stay at the Titania Hotel.
Arrival in Athens. Our transfer will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel.
Day 2: Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Athens 4-star stay at the Titania Hotel
Athens city tour starts from the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Continue and pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). 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 the mind", the Parthenon.
Day 3: Athens – Argolis – Olympia
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Olympia 4-star stay at the Best Western Hotel Europa
You depart early in the morning and cross the Corinth Canal. Next stop will be a visit at the famous Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the home of Mythical Agamemnon, the Cyclopean walls, the Lions gate and royal tombs. Depart for Nafplion, the first capital of Greece in Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress, for a short stop. Your trip continues with a visit at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, most famous of its acoustics. Finally, in the evening you visit Olympia.
Day 4: Olympia – Delphi
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Delphi 4-star stay at the Amalia Hotel Delphi
Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games. Visit the archeological site of Ancient Olympia, the Temple of Zeus and Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the museum, with the impressive statue of Hermes of Praxiteles. In the afternoon the journey continues to the north, over the Rio-Antirio Bridge, and to Delphi.
Day 5: Delphi – Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Athens 4-star stay at the Titania Hotel
Visit at Delphi, a place that was once characterized as the center of the ancient world. You can see the well preserved remains of Temple Apollo, the Castalian Spring and Temple of Athena, the Oracle of Delphi. Then you can explore the on-site museums, visiting the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains masterpieces of ancient Greece, such as Eniochos the bronze Charioteer. In the afternoon you shall return back to Athens.
Day 6: Athens to Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Santorini 4-star stay at the Rose Bay Hotel / Theoxenia Hotel
Early morning departure today for the breathtaking Island of Santorini, where you can soak up the sun and relax on the beach or perhaps explore the picturesque capital, Fira.
Day 7: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Santorini 4-star stay at the Rose Bay Hotel / Theoxenia Hotel
Take an optional boat trip in the world's biggest volcanic crater above sea level. Visit the active volcano, swim in the warm thermal waters and take a therapeutic mud bath.
Day 8: Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Santorini 4-star stay at the Rose Bay Hotel / Theoxenia Hotel
Today you are free to explore Santorini at your own pace.
Day 9: Santorini to Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Athens 4-star stay at the Titania Hotel
Today you will return back to main land, you will drive to port for your onward ferry to Athens. Upon arrival, you will drive to your hotel and the remainder of your day is free to explore.
Day 10: Athens
Transfer to the airport and our tour concludes
Day 1: Welcome to Athens
An Insight host will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel, where there is time to settle in and relax. At 19:00, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception, and get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of dinner and wine.
Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: The Parthenon, Mycenae and on to Olympia
Your exploration reveals this ancient city as your Local Expert takes you to the Parthenon, built atop the Acropolis. See the Temple of Athena Nike, also known as the Temple of the Wingless Victory, and the six stone-carved caryatids that make up the Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheion. Your journey continues, following the shores of the Saronic Gulf to pass the Corinth Canal dividing the Peloponnese and mainland Greece. Arrive at the ruined city of Mycenae, featured in the epics of Homer. With your Local Expert, walk through the Lion Gate, visit the royal beehive-tombs and see the giant Cyclopean stones used to build the city walls. Meet the artisans and view beautiful works of art when you visit a family-run pottery studio. Travel on to the elegant town of Nafplio, known for it's beautiful architecture, colourful shops and cafes. You then continue to Olympia where dinner is served at your hotel.
Amalia Hotel Olympia., Olympion Asty
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Ancient Olympia
It's all in the name. Ancient Olympia is the site where the Ancient Olympic Games began in 776 B.C., in dedication to Zeus. See the ruined Temple of Zeus that was built to honour the ruler of the gods. Continue your exploration through time to the athletes gymnasium and the Ancient Stadium of Olympia with its characteristic arch. The start and finish points for the sprint track are still marked by stones and there is time to capture your own memory, with a photo at the starting line. In the evening, join a local chef for an entertaining cooking demonstration, showcasing classic Greek cuisine. Experience authentic Greek flavours, as you savour dishes prepared for your Highlight Dinner.
Amalia Hotel Olympia., Olympion Asty
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Delphi, Centre of the Ancient World
Travel north to Patras and cross the soaring Rio-Antirrio Bridge to the mainland. Follow the coastal road before stopping at the foothills of Mount Parnassus. Ascend the Sacred Way of Delphi with your Local Expert. Pass the Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians and Polygonal Wall with its interlocking stones still perfectly intact after thousands of years. You'll approach the Temple of Apollo, where for 14 centuries the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic ‘words,' rumoured to have successfully predicted events related to the Argonauts expedition and the Trojan War. Your journey continues to Kalambaka where dinner is served at your hotel.
Divani Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka., Grand Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: The Pinnacles of Meteora Relaxed Start
With your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, meaning 'in the air.' The massive pinnacles of smooth rock are ancient, yet could also be the setting for a science fiction tale. Visit one of the monasteries, that adds to the strange and beautiful landscape and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Why not explore with a relaxed walk on the nature trails? Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Natural History Museum.
Divani Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka., Grand Meteora Hotel, Kalambaka.
Breakfast
Day 6: Thermopylae and to Athens
Journey south to Thermopylae, famous as the mountain pass where King Leonidas led his Spartan army, along with fellow Greek soldiers, into battle against the Persians in 480 B.C. See the memorial dedicated to Leonidas and his courageous Spartans. Travel on to Athens, City of Gods, to see the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium, used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. In the evening, enjoy a hearty Celebration Dinner in true Greek style, complete with wine and good cheer.
Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens., Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Depart Athens Relaxed Start
This morning after breakfast, your Grecian odyssey comes to an end. Take a complimentary transfer to Athens Airport for your onward journey.
Breakfast
