Compare Best of Greece by G Adventures vs Ancient Wonders of Greece by Titan Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 15 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,799 | $ 2,332 |
| Price Per Day | $ 187 | $ 233 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | 13 breakfasts, 1 dinner | N/A |
| Description |
When you saddle a trip with a moniker as lofty as "Best of Greece," you’d better make sure it lives up to the hype. This one does. Compiling the top moments from our best-selling trips in the region, this comprehensive tour through the cradle of Western Civilization brings the distant past and vibrant present into sharp focus. Between the must-see historical sites of Athens and Delphi, the rugged plateaus of the fabled Samariá Gorge, personal encounters in isolated Cretan villages and the breezy sway of Santorini at sundown, you won’t have a moment to waste. Witness Greece — in all her timeless glory — with us. |
The influence of the Ancient Greeks on our modern-day world is immeasurable and the Classical Greek culture of the 5th-4th centuries BC in particular is considered by many as the ‘Cradle of Western Civilisation’. Light years ahead in their art, architecture and military presence their legacy remains to this day in several forms, including the outstanding Acropolis of Athens and its Parthenon; the Homeric city of Mycenae; Delphi - site of the Oracle; and the tomb of Philip II highlighting the great military might of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Those that occupied Greece in the following centuries also left their mark and many UNESCO-protected examples of the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian empires can be seen, including the fortress of Palamidi in Nafplio and the Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki. This superb itinerary takes in many ancient highlights, fine natural wonders - including the Meteora monasteries perched on high-rise sandstone formations - and time is also allowed to explore the modern cities of Athens and Thessaloniki at your leisure. |
Day 1 Athens
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2 Athens
Take an orientation walk in Athens with the rest of the day free to explore. Opt to visit the Acropolis site, the new Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the National Archaeological Museum. Afterwards, be enriched and refreshed with drinks and a tour of local non-profit cafe, Shedia Home. Later in the evening attend a cooking class with a local chef and enjoy a dinner of your creations.
Day 3 Athens/Meteora
Travel to Kalambaka, a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.
Day 4 Meteora
Spend a full free day in the area. Opt to take the public bus and visit the stunning mountaintop monasteries of Meteora.
Opt to take a bus up to see several monasteries in the area situated at 613m (2011 ft) above sea level, on a precipitous rock pinnacle. The day is yours to choose which monasteries to visit or perhaps take a hike in the scenic local area.
Day 5 Meteora/Delphi
Visit Ancient Delphi and the Temple of Apollo.
Travel through mountain scenery around Mt Parnassos to Delphi. Enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo, then spend the evening exploring the charming little town or relaxing in a small café enjoying the views of the nearby valley.
Day 6 Delphi/Náfplio
Travel to Nafplio and explore the beautiful cobblestoned streets. Opt to climb the Acronafplia to soak in the views.
Described as one of Greece's prettiest towns, the narrow pedestrian streets of old town are begging to be strolled upon. Opt to climb to the Acronafplia and Palamidi Fortresses. The views from the top are phenomenal.
Day 7 Náfplio/Chaniá
Spend a free day enjoying the area. Opt to visit Epidavros, as well as the nearby site of Mycenae before an overnight ferry to Crete.
There is a wealth of ancient sites within easy reach of Nafplio. Opt for a guided tour of Epidavros, which is highly regarded as one of the most renowned of Greek ancient sites. Opt to visit the famous Mycenae, also close by, with its spectacular treasury and ruins, or for another lesser-known Mycenean site, visit Tiryns, just in the suburbs of Nafplio itself.
Please note that accommodations on your overnight ferry will consist of 4-berth, mixed gender cabins with a private bathroom and air-conditioning.
Day 8 Chaniá
Arrive on Crete and enjoy the day relaxing at one of the many harbour-side cafés. Wander the streets of the old town with its fascinating blend of ancient and modern Turkish and Venetian architecture, reflecting the diverse history of the island.
Day 9 Chaniá/Agia Roumeli
Hike the famous and rugged Samariá Gorge.
Travel by private transfer and ferry to hike in the Samariá Gorge. Spend the night in Agia Roumeli, a remote fishing village. Connected with neighbouring towns by sea or footpaths, the town has retained its charm. Enjoy time for swimming or relaxing on the beach.
Please bring a day pack with any essentials needed during the hike, and ensure to wear proper hiking attire.
Day 10 Agia Roumeli/Loutro
Travel by ferry to Loutro. Enjoy a free day. Opt to rent a kayak and explore secluded beaches and coves.
The majestic scenery, crystal-clear Mediterranean water, friendly people and peaceful atmosphere all make Loutro an ideal place to relax after all the distance travelled.
Day 11 Loutro
Take advantage of a free day for exploring the area. Head out for a swim and savour tasty seafood meals at secluded restaurants, or choose to hike Aradine Gorge.
Day 12 Loutro/Heraklion
Travel to Heraklion. Enjoy a visit to Knossos, site of a Minoan palace and residence of King Minos. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own with free time.
Day 13 Heraklion/Santorini
Hop a ferry to beautiful Santorini. Enjoy two nights on the island.
Fira, the main town, sits perched on the edge of the caldera with breathtaking views of multi-coloured cliffs, sugar-cube architecture, and great shopping.
Day 14 Santorini
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt for a half-day volcano tour, shopping, relaxing on the beach, or make your way to the crater's rim to savour the breathtaking view.
Opt to pre-book the "Santorini Sunset Cruise" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 15 Santorini
Depart at any time.
Day 1 London - Athens
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Athens. On arrival we transfer to the Hotel Divani Palace (5T), where we stay for four nights. Dinner is included this evening.
Day 2 Athens
Our exploration of Greece’s capital city begins with a tour of its many highlights, including the National Library of Greece, Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - a monument that is guarded around the clock by the Evzones Presidential Guard, easily recognisable by their distinctive uniform. The Panathenaic Stadium, site of the very first Olympic Games, will follow before concluding at the ancient Acropolis - the striking citadel that overlooks the city from on high. After a visit to the museum here, the afternoon is free to make your own discoveries of this ancient city.
Day 3 Argolis Region
Separating the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, the narrow Corinth Canal connects the Aegean and Ionian seas - for those vessels small enough to pass its narrow length. We cross by road to explore the Argolis region, stopping in the city of Mycenae once one of the major centres of Greek civilisation and the home of Homer’s House of Atreus. We will see the city’s Lion Gate entrance, its walls of Cyclopean stonework and royal tombs. We continue to Nafplio, a pretty port town of narrow streets and Venetian houses, watched over by the early 18th century Venetian fortress of Palamidi. Our last stop today will be the ancient Greek city of Epidaurus, famed for its theatre of spectacular acoustics. We return to our hotel for an included dinner.
Day 4 Athens
Today is free to explore this historical city at your own pace and there are many more fine examples of ancient Greece to see, including the Theatre of Dionysus or at the National Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, perhaps join an optional cruise around the Saronic Gulf islands, stopping at Hydra - a favourite of Leonard Cohen; picturesque Poros; and the island of Aegina - home to a splendid Doric temple.
Day 5 Athens - Delphi - Kalambaka
Leaving Athens behind we depart for the archaeological site of Delphi, once considered the centre of the known world and the site of the ancient Oracle - visitors would come from far and wide to communicate with the God Apollo, through the High Priestess (Pythia). Set amongst terraces on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the myth-shrouded Sanctuary of Apollo is protected by UNESCO. We continue to Kalambaka and our hotel for the night, the Divani Meteora Hotel (4T).
Day 6 Kalambaka - Meteora - Thessaloniki
Perched above the town of Kalambaka atop vertical rock formations of up to 400m high, are the breathtaking Meteora monasteries. Constructed from the 11th century onwards by monks who had settled these ‘columns of the sky’, the sandstone peaks are not only a wonder of nature but also home to spiritual places of serenity. After exploring two of the biggest monasteries in this area, we continue to Thessaloniki and the Mediterranean Palace Hotel (5T), where dinner is included this evening.
Day 7 Thessaloniki
This morning a city tour will introduce us to Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, founded in 315 BC with a colourful history that ensued. Effortlessly mixing with the modern city, are many UNESCO-listed Byzantine monuments, plus Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures dotted throughout the city and our exploration will take in the Church of Saint Demetrius, castle walls, and Acropolis. After a walk amongst the Roman ruins we conclude at the symbol of the city - the White Tower - and then having explored Thessaloniki’s land aspect, we turn our attention to the ocean and join a short cruise in the Thermaic Gulf.
Day 8 Vergina - Veria
We journey west to the small town of Vergina and the burial site of Philip II - father of Alexander the Great. The remarkable museum here displays many exquisite artefacts from the tombs, including the golden larnax and golden grave crown of Philip, jewels, paintings and the King’s armoury - highlighting the great significance of ancient Macedonia’s power. We continue to the city of Veria, the second city of the Argead Dynasty and where St Paul often preached to inhabitants, some of whom became amongst the first Christians in the Roman Empire. The altar where he preached to Jewish and Greek communities and examples of early Christian churches can be seen, alongside Jewish, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments.
Day 9 Thessaloniki
A final day in Thessaloniki provides time at leisure to spend as you wish. An optional cruise to view the monasteries of Mount Athos will take you from Ouranoupolis by boat, around the peninsula to view its magnificent UNESCO-listed monasteries which date back to at least AD 800. Women are not allowed to enter the monasteries, so the cruise is the only way to get this close to them.
Day 10 Thessaloniki - London
Today we travel to the airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.
