7-Day Classic Greece Private Tour

7-Day Classic Greece Private Tour

This private tour exclusive of your group journeys to 8 UNESCO world heritage sites, visiting some of the most impressive remains of Ancient, Classical, and Byzantine Greece spanning over 3500 years in the development of one of the worlds great civilizations.

From the Sanctuary of Asclepius & first healing center, to the first regional culture at Mycenae, breathtaking Olympia, and the center of the ancient world at Delphi. Equally impressive is the natural beauty of the accompanying locations as you sit back & relax along the way in full leather comfort in one of our new Black Mercedes E-Class, AudiA6 or Mercedes Minivans with WiFi. With minimum 4 star hotels at the end of each day & designed with over 15 years experience in Greece the program is also thoughtfully designed with details of flexibility, travel stops and guest experience. Perfect for couples, families & small groups our tour offers a thoroughly rewarding and memorable experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: ATHENS ACROPOLIS & HIGHLIGHTS & THE TEMPLE OF POSEIDON

Stop At: Acropolis, via Dionysiou Areopagitou str., Athens 105 58 Greece
Visit the Acropolis & its associated temples including the Parthenon, Temple of Nike and Temple of Erechtheion. Stop at Herodes Atticus Theatre.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Acropolis Museum, Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens 117 42 Greece
Explore the New Acropolis Museum situated adjacent to the Acropolis which houses the many masterpieces from the site.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Syntagma, Syntagma, Athens, Attica
Main square of Athens housing the Parliament building & focus of much of Athenian life & Politics. At the tomb of the unknown soldier you will see the impressive changing of the guard’s ceremony, with the iconic 'Evzone' guards in their traditional uniform.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: The Academy of Athens, 28 Panepistimiou Avenue, Athens 106 79 Greece
Stop at Panepistimiou str, for the Athenian Trilogy – the three elegant buildings: The University, The Academy and The Library.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Panathenaic Stadium, Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue, 999-20, Athens 999-20 Greece
Also called 'Kallimarmaro' stadium is one of the highlights of Athens where the classic Marathon ends & the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Leoforos Vasilissis Olgas Leoforos Amalias, Athens 105 57 Greece
Colossal temple at the center of Athens dedicated to the God Zeus and once home to one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Arch of Hadrian (Pili tou Adrianou), Leoforos Amalias, Athens Greece
Classic Triumphal Arch built by the Ancient Athenians for the Roman Emperor Hadrian & seen together with the Temple of Zeus in the same location
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounio, Sounio 195 00 Greece
Located 70 meters on a clifftop at the tip of the Athens Peninsula this amazing temple was dedicated to the God Poseidon. It was the last thing Ancient sailors saw on leaving port & the first site on return with many legends to tell. It is especially beautiful at sunset & a perfect final location for your tour
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 2: ANCIENT CORINTH - MYCENAE - NAFPLION

Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece
A brief stop to learn about the history of this impressive work of engineering
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth Greece
After leaving Athens our first main stop in the Peloponnese explores the beautifully preserved remains of Ancient Corinth, one of Greece’s most powerful and influential city states of Antiquity. Stroll through the streets, temples, markets, and fountains in the footsteps of the Classical Greeks, Ancient Romans & St. Paul before you. Refreshments & rest stops are also on hand at the local Cafes at its entrance if needed.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece
Next we come to the imposing remains of Ancient Mycenae, one of the most important sites in the development of Ancient Greece. Home to the citadel of the legendary Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. The ‘Mycenaean period,’ from 1600 to 1100 BC, references this ancient city, indicating its importance in Greek civilization. Pass through the 20-foot-wide city walls, enter the Lion’s Gate to Agamemnon’s throne room, and explore the very buildings of his palace. You will also have a short sopt nearby for the awe inspiring treasury of Atreus and ample time to visit the modern on-site museum housing the many precious artefacts uncovered from the site.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
After the many sites of the morning we enjoy lunch in the beautiful medieval & historical port city of Nafplio by the sea with views to the Venetian castle of Bourtzi in the bay. This city has a definite artistic feel so take time for a stroll and explore the many local craft shops & boutiques of the charming old city and dont miss out on dining at the sea front in the evening.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included

Day 3: EPIDAURUS - MYSTRAS - SPARTA

Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
Our next stop is at the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios, first healing centre of the Ancient World. You will also see the impressive Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece. The temple and theatre date from the 4th century and feature masterpieces of classical Greek architecture. Join the other visitors who test its world famous acoustics with a poem or a song !
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Archaeological Site of Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality Greece
Lying in the southeast Peloponnese we visit the 800 year old ruins of the Medieval city & UNESCO site of Mystras, once seat of Byzantine power in the region & replete with palaces, residences, mansions, churches and monasteries, water & drainage works, commercial workshops, extensive streets & fortifications.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Sparta, Sparta, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
We spend time for lunch and to explore this historic town with its ancient ruins, museum & olive oil museum before continuing to Olympia for the evening
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique Hotel with breakfast included (eg. Artty Grand Hotel or Europa Hotel) depending on availability.

Day 4: ANCIENT OLYMPIA - NAFPAKTOS - GALAXITHI

Stop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archea Olympia, Olympia 27065 Greece
Our morning is dedicated to Ancient Olympia, and one of the most magical locations in Greece. Famous for its Olympic Games of antiquity you will see the places where the original athletes trained, learned and go through the tunnel to emerge in the stadium in which they competed. The site is still home to the Temple of Zeus and Hera where the Olympic Flame is lit, workshop of Phidias, and extensive Museum containing significant masterpieces from the site.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rio-Antirrio Bridge (Charilaos Trikoupis), Gefira Charilaos Trikoupis, Antirrio Greece
After Olympia we head to the west coast to find one of the longest suspension bridges in the world & a great fete of engineering as we travel over this impressive landmark connecting the Peloponnese back to the Greek mainland on your way to Delphi
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Nafpaktos Old Port, Naupactus 30300 Greece
Stunningly beautiful picture postcard Venetian port & perfect lunch stop. Nafpaktos is a little known village you will never forget.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Galaxidi, Greece
Lying by the sea near the ancient port of Delphi, this beautiful village is an ideal location to spend your evening wondering through the pretty streets, cafes & restaurants with sea views away from the more mass touristic feel of Delphi. A warm welcome awaits you as well as amazing local and authentic cuisine.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Either small boutique hotel in Galaxithi (eg. Ganimede Hotel) or Hotel in Delphi (eg. Amalia Hotel)

Day 5: DELPHI - HOSIOS LOUKAS - ARACHOVA

Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas - Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
Inset on wide terraces along the hillside we are fortunate that the landslides of previous centuries preserved much of the ancient remains for us to witness including the 4th century BC temple of Apollo from where the Oracle spoke her prophesies along with the Castilian spring of Mythology, theatre, treasury buildings, temples of Athena and Gymnasium where athletes gathered before the Pythian games to bath in the sacred waters. During your visit to Delphi, see the physical structures associated with this incredibly long history, and learn about their rich mythology. A beautiful addition to the site is the modern museum dedicated to the finds which stretch back in time to at least 1500 BC, as well as those notably which adorned the temples & streets of the ancient city at its peak around the 4th century BC with outstanding pieces such as the Naxos Sphynx, the twin Kouroi and famous Bronze Charioteer among others.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Distomo 32005 Greece
We next visit one of the most important and well preserved Byzantine Monasteries & which is UNESCO listed. Explore its 1100 year old Architecture along with its unique & impressive fresco's. An optional visit you can choose to omit this site if you wish.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Lunch Stop. Spend time enjoying the local craft shops and wonderful views over the olive filled Pleistos river valley over lunch before continuing to Kalambaka in the shadow of Meteora
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique style hotel in Kalambaka (eg. Iridanos or Amalia Hotel)

Day 6: METEORA - KALAMBAKA

Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
After breakfast we ascend towards the monasteries above. Built on a natural formation of sandstone rock pillars up to 1,312 feet high, the six remaining monasteries date from the 14th century and form a remarkable and awe-inspiring combination of nature and spiritual significance. We visit at least two of the most outstanding monasteries, normally the Grand Meteora Monastery, Varlaam or Agiou Stefanou, and learn about their long history and the hermits and monks that lived there alongside the majestic landscape views.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kalambaka, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Pause for a traditional lunch in one of the towns main squares to refresh yourself before continuing.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-Star or Boutique style hotel

Day 7: VIRGINA - THERMOPHYLAE - ATHENS

Stop At: Veria 591 32, Greece
We visit Virgina in the morning before turning back southward towards the site of Thermopylae
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central Greece
Stop to see the monument and enter the newly built Visitor’s Center which recreates the ancient battle where King Leonidas led the 300 Spartans in 480 BC.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kamena Vourla, Kamena Vourla, Phthiotis Region, Central Greece
For lunch or a break along the sea we can stop at one of the many local villages before finally returning to Athens.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.