Athens, Olympia and the Corinth Coast
Highlights:
- Explore the Greek capital, Athens
- Visit Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio
- Explore Olympia, site of the original Olympic Games
- Visit the sacred site of Delphi & the village of Arachova
- A Greek Taverna dinner in the Plaka district of Athens
Begin your discoveries of the history of Ancient Greece in capital city Athens. A tour here includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the iconic Acropolis, which looms overhead. After crossing the famous Corinth Canal you'll journey back in time in the ancient city of Epidaurus and as you explore the fascinating ruins of Mycenae. Then it's on to Olympia, to set foot on the site of the original Olympic Games, held in 776 BC. Finally, a visit to Delphi, one of the most sacred sites in the whole of Greece, gives you the chance to admire the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Treasury of the Athenians.
Price Includes:
- Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide
- Return flights from Edinburgh
- 7 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels
- A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
- 10 included meals: 7 breakfasts and 3 dinners including a welcome drink & farewell dinner
- Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage
Itinerary
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Day 1 UK - Athens
Today you will fly to Athens, and on arrival we'll transfer you to your hotel. After time to settle in, get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and dinner this evening.
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Day 2 Athens
Athens is a city full of unforgettable sights. Today, we’ll visit key landmarks including the Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympics, and the Old Parliament, now home to the National Historical Museum. We’ll also see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before exploring the iconic Acropolis, with its ancient monuments like the Parthenon, and visit the Acropolis Museum. This afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, or join an optional excursion to Cape Sounion to see the stunning Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea.
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Day 3 Epidaurus, Nafplio & Mycenae
This morning, we head to the Peloponnese, crossing the Corinth Canal before visiting ancient Epidaurus, home to the remarkable 14,000-seat theatre. Next, we explore the charming seaport of Nafplio, with free time to stroll the Old Town or enjoy lunch. We then visit the ruins of Mycenae, including the Lion Gate, Royal Palace, and the Treasury of Atreus. Our journey ends with a scenic drive across the Rio-Antirio Bridge, one of the world’s longest cable-stayed bridges, as we make our way to our next base in Nafpaktos.
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Day 4 Nafpaktos - at leisure
You can spend today at leisure, or join an optional excursion which takes you on a journey on the Diakofto-Kalavryta Railway. As we ride on a traditional cog train, we'll take in stunning views of towering mountains, flowing water and the surrounding countryside as we pass through a gorge and several natural tunnels. We'll have time to explore Kalavryta, a lovely town on the bank of the river Vouraikos, before we drive to the monastery of Mega Spileo. Built on the steep slopes of a rocky hill, we'll step inside to admire wonderful frescoes and mosaic floors.
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Day 5 Olympia
There's a great morning ahead as an included tour takes us to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games in 776 BC. Set on the banks of the River Alfios, this ancient city is ours to explore as we take in the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, where Greek athletes practised wrestling, and the workshop of Phidias, a Greek sculptor, painter and architect. The Olympia Archaeological Museum is also well worth a visit, and we'll do just that before we head back to the hotel.
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Day 6 Nafpaktos - at leisure
You can spend today at leisure in Nafpaktos. Maybe go for a wander along the beachfront and visit a bar or restaurant on the picturesque harbour.
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Day 7 Delphi
This morning, we'll leave Nafpaktos behind and journey by road to Delphi. One of the most sacred sites in Greece, this was an important religious sanctuary and said to be the place where heaven and earth meet. We will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, where pilgrims would come to leave offerings to the gods, and the Treasury of the Athenians, where the offerings were stored. We'll also visit the museum of Delphi.
This evening, after we've checked into our hotel in Athens, we'll gather together and take the coach to Plaka, the city's Old Town, for a farewell dinner in a restaurant here.
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Day 8 Athens - UK
Today we'll transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK.