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Day 1: Arrival in Athens – Exploring the city

Accommodation: 3*  Hotel in Athens

Upon arrival in Athens International Airport, you are met and welcomed by our team. You transfer to your hotel and, since your fellow travel companions arrive in different times of the day, you have the day free to explore the city of Athens and its numerous cultural and historical places of interest, such as the Acropolis, the temple of Zeus, the unique Acropolis museum, the Ancient and Roman Agora. You can also walk around Filoppapou hill, visit the flea market in Monastiraki and enjoy a cup of coffee/tea in one of the beautiful cafes in Thisio.

*If you wish to enjoy a guided walking or bike tour of the city, please contact us.

Day 2: Athens – Lake Plastira – Elati

Meals: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch

Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Elati

Activity duration: approx. 1.5 hour, level of difficulty: easy

Early in the morning, we depart with direction the dreamy Lake Plastira, a destination that harmonically combines serenity with adventure (approx. 4 hours driving distance). Upon arrival at the lake, we will enjoy picnic lunch by the lakeside, before we set off on exploring the lake on a hydro-bike or canoe/kayak.

Later in the afternoon, we will depart for the beautiful mountainous traditional village of Elati. On our way there, we will make a stop at the beautiful arch stone bridge of Saint Vissarion, built in the 1527. You are free to enjoy a walk by the riverside, a refreshing tea/coffee by the bridge or buy herbs, honey and traditional drinks by local vendors. Once in Elati, you can explore the village, admire the traditional architecture of stone-made houses and enjoy the delicious local cuisine in one of the village’s family run tavernas.

Day 3: Elati – Pertouli – Vitsa

Meals: Breakfast, Snack lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse in Vitsa

Hike duration: 1 hour, level of difficulty: easy

After breakfast, we will drive to Pertouli meadows, a beautiful plateau, surrounded by mountains with dense forests, rivers and enormous fir trees, which we will explore while riding our horses! Coffee break, before we board our car with destination the stunning area of Zagori (approx. 2:30 hr driving).

In the afternoon, we will reach Monodendri village and we’ll first visit the Rizarios School of Handicrafts to find out how local women make traditional handmade carpets and textiles.  We will also visit the Rizarios Photo Exhibition, where temporary photography collections are exhibited, as well as the original stereoscopic cameras that British photographers used to capture the first modern Olympic Games in Greece in 1896! We will then take the short hiking path to Agia Paraskevi church and enjoy the impressive views over Vikos gorge! Visit to Oxya viewpoint and the stone forest come next.

In the evening, we will check in at our traditional guesthouse in Vitsa village and enjoy homemade dinner.

Day 4: Vradeto steps, Beloi viewpoint & Zagoria arch stone bridges

Meals: Breakfast, Snack lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse in Vitsa

After breakfast, we will drive towards Kapesovo village. From there, following the beautiful stone trail of Vradeto steps, we’ll reach the highest village of Zagori, Vradeto (1450m) and 2km later at Beloi viewpoint (1650m), where we can enjoy striking panoramic views over the gorge!

(Hike duration: 3-4 hrs, level of difficulty: moderate)

After snack lunch, we will explore hiking some of the most important and beautiful arch stone bridges of the area

(Hike duration: 1.5 – 3 hrs, level of difficulty: easy to moderate).

The tour of the arch stone bridges can be done in many different ways, we may hike to all of the bridges or do parts by car (it depends on the travelers’ fitness level, it is a quite flexible trail)

Dinner and overnight in Vitsa village         

Day 5: Crossing Vikos Gorge

Meals: Breakfast and Snack lunch

Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse in Papigko

(Total Hike duration: 5.5 – 6 hours / Level of difficulty: moderate to challenging)

This morning, we will take one of the best and most impressive hiking trails in all the Zagori area! Starting from the village of Monodendri, we’ll hike all the way down into Vikos ravine, one of the deepest canyons in the world. We hike parallel to the stream, and walk right into the heart of the National Park. The surrounding environment is a paradise for nature lovers that can observe the rich flora and fauna. The gorge is shelter for a lot of wild animals, such as pray birds, bears and wild boars. We will have a nice break for snacks at the river’s springs, before the small steep ascend to Vikos village. From Vikos village, we transfer to Papigo village, for dinner and overnight.

If you are on a family holiday with young children (less than 12 years old) or you are not keen in long hikes, we can do shorter hikes in Vikos gorge.

Day 6: Papigo (rafting) – Meteora

Meals: Breakfast, Picknick lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Meteora

Activity duration: approx. 2 hours in the water – 3.5 hrs total, level of difficulty: easy

Prepare yourselves for rafting in one of the clearest rivers in Europe! Starting from the beautiful stone bridge of Aristi, we will cross the National Park of Vikos – Aoos, while rafting across Voidomatis river. This is an easy route, ideal for everyone, yet very impressive because of the river’s crystal clear waters and the surrounding natural landscape.

In the afternoon, we will depart with destination the UNESCO Heritage Site of Meteora, also called the “stone forest”. ). Upon arrival in Meteora, we’ll enjoy a sunset tour for beautiful views and photo shooting, before we check in to our hotel.

Alternative activity: horse riding tour in Zagoria

Day 7: Meteora – Athen

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

(Total Hike duration: 2 – 3 hours / Level of difficulty: easy to moderate/ Total Distance: 6km / Altitude difference: 280m)

What a better way to wake up rather than admiring the spectacular sandstone rocks of Meteora, rising over 400 m above the ground! After breakfast, we will explore this unique landscape and the impressive top-cliff monasteries beyond the ordinary way!

We will follow the ancient paths that the monks used to follow, through the steep rocks, visit some of the monasteries and admire the breathtaking views.  In the afternoon, we depart for our way back to Athens. For those of you having a late evening flight from Athens International Airport, you can be transferred straight to the airport or you can enjoy your last night in beautiful Athens, if you continue your vacations in Greece!

Day 1 Athens

Welcome to Greece! Your journey begins in Athens, Greece's storied capital. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel where you will meet your tour leader and group for a 6pm welcome meeting. There is a lot to do and see here in one of the world's oldest cities, so you may wish to arrive a few days early to allow time for exploration. The Archaeological Museum of Athens is highly recommended. After your meeting, head out for an included dinner with the group at one of Athen’s marvellous restaurants. Your leader will introduce you to some traditional Greek fare that’s a real treat for the taste buds, and perhaps you’d like to toast the beginning of the adventure with a glass of raki or ouzo.

Day 2 Athens / Kalambaka

Today you’ll get to know ancient Athens during visits to two of the city’s most famous sites. Your tour leader will bring history to life as you visit Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple in all of Greece. Then it’s on to the famous Acropolis, one of the Western world’s most important historical structures. Meet with an expert local guide who will provide profound insight into the history and legacy of the civilisations who lived in this ancient citadel. Start with an ascent to the top via the towering entrance, the Propylaia. Once inside, encounter the Parthenon – the greatest Doric temple in the ancient world. Later in the afternoon, drive north to the town of Kalambaka, nestled at the base of the striking Meteora Mountains. This evening you can choose to have dinner at the hotel or perhaps take a short walk into town and dine at one of the local tavernas.

Day 3 Meteora / Kalambaka

After breakfast, travel into the hills for a walk through the incredible monasteries of Meteora. The ancient stone buildings, which sit precariously on soaring cliffs, make these mountains one of Greece's most extraordinary natural and cultural sites – there’s truly nowhere else in the world like it. Settlement of the area dates back to the 11th century, when hermit monks first settled in the hidden caverns of Meteora. Begin your hike at the nearby Kastraki village, see the ruins of the Pantokrator monastery, cross a lush forest and walk through the huge rocks of Meteora with your leader by your side to guide you and answer questions on the awe-inspiring landscape and the history behind it. You will have the opportunity to visit a number of the monasteries, one of which will be the Moni Varlaam (Varlaam Monastery) with its fine examples of late Byzantine frescoes. Return to Kalambaka in the afternoon.

Day 4 Delphi / Itea

Enjoy breakfast before travelling to Delphi. On arrival visit the fascinating Sanctuary of Apollo in Ancient Delphi, home to the Delphi Oracle. Your leader will tell you that legend has it that Zeus released two eagles from different ends of the world, and Delphi was where they came together. Zeus then threw a Sacred Stone at this same point, making Delphi the centre of the world. Walk through the complex and explore the Temple of Apollo, the most important building of the site. This is where statues and offerings to the gods were housed, and where cult rituals took place. You will also see the Sanctuary of Athena, the 4th-century BC theatre and the well-preserved stadium during your visit. There will also be time to visit the Delphi Museum if you wish. Continue to your overnight stop in the small coastal town of Itea.

Day 5 Itea / Olympia / Dimitsana

This morning, visit a family of local beekeepers to learn about honey production, see the beehives and of course taste some of the delicious local honey. Next, drive on to the archaeological site of ancient Olympia. Stop en-route at the village of Galaxidi or Nafpaktos for a visit to a traditional family-owned bakery offering stuffed pastries and famous sesame round bread. Chat to the owner and get a glimpse at local life. Olympia is a complex that once comprised temples and public buildings, and was the site of the first Olympic Games. Your leader will show you the main stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, priest houses, Temple of Hera, Temple of Zeus and the hippodrome. Continue to the enchanting medieval village of Dimitsana, home to your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. Sitting pretty at the base of the Arcadian mountains is the gloriously romantic stone guesthouse of En Dimitsani. Traditionally decorated rooms delight with modern comforts, cosy fireplaces and panoramic balconies. Settle in for an evening in lodgings just as gorgeous as their idyllic surroundings.

Day 6 Central Arcadia / Dimitsana

Today join your leader for an exploration of the central part of the Peloponnese peninsula and the spectacular Lousios Valley. Walk deep into the valley to the incredible working monastery of Prodromos. This wood and clay structure, which has stellar views over the valley below, was built precariously into a rock face. Gain a special look into the lives of the local monks as they show you around on a tour of their home and offer you a coffee or the local specialty, the Greek delight. See the splendid 14th-century frescoes decorating the rock walls inside the chapel. Further along on the hike, visit the tenth-century Byzantine monastery of Philosophou. Learn how this monastery was the base for a secret school known as 'Kryfo Scholio', which was run by monks during Ottoman rule to teach Greek children their own language and religion. Later on, visit the medieval villages of Stemnitsa, Karitena or Andritsena. Return to Dimitsana.

Day 7 Nafplion / Epidaurus / Athens

This morning drive to the delightful seaside town of Nafplion (Nafplio), the original Greek capital. Stop in for a tasting of Greece’s most celebrated drink – Ouzo. A taste of this anise-infused alcohol will take you straight to the heart of Greek culture. Chat to the experts and learn how Greece’s national drink is made. Enjoy some time to take in Nafplion’s charms. Perhaps explore one of the town's three fortresses, or head to the seaside promenade – lined with lively cafes and restaurants, this is a great place to watch local life unfold. Of course, your friendly leader will be on hand to offer suggestions. Later, continue to ancient Epidaurus (Epidavros), the most famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world. The highlight of Epidaurus is the third-century theatre, one of Greece's best-preserved classical structures. The theatre has incredible acoustics and is still used today for major performances. Return to Athens in the afternoon.

Day 8 Athens

Your journey comes to an end in Athens after breakfast. We are happy to book additional accommodation for those wishing to see more of the city, subject to availability. Please enquire at the time of booking.