This 12-day itinerary will take you across mainland Greece on a city hopping tour. This is a trip you can do all year-round to get a deeper knowledge of Greece’s culture, art, incredible museums, and great food! The tour includes two world-class European cities – Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as several smaller towns, such as Nafplio, Laconia, Olympia, Delphi, and Kalambaka. Enjoy in-depth city tours, and well-appointed accommodation along the way.

Welcome to Greece!

Upon arrival in Athens you will be met as you deplane by your English-speaking ‘meet & greet’ assistant. You will be escorted with priority through customs/passport control and receive luggage porterage, all the way to your vehicle. Your English-speaking driver will transfer you to your hotel in Athens to rest and relax.

Today you will embark on a Athens Walking Discovery Tour. Your tour will begin at the new Acropolis Museum, where nearly 4,000 artifacts are on display providing a remarkable insight into the everyday life of the ancient Greeks. The museum is home to impressive collections of decorated pottery, sculptures and relics of a bygone age. There is also a magnificent view of the Acropolis from the museum’s terrace. You will then head up to the top of the Acropolis hill via the gates of Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis and an iconic example of classical antiquity, where you will discover the magnificence of the Parthenon and learn about the effect it has had on modern history.

Finally, you will take a pleasant stroll through the narrow streets of Plaka, the city’s historical neighborhood and visit to the Parliament Building in Syntagma Square, where you can watch the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Enjoy a day at leisure exploring the city’s possibilities. There is a wide range of activities we can offer: a walk to the food market and cooking class, a treasure hunt in the city or a wine tasting experience!

Enjoy a leisurely drive along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal for a perfect photo opportunity of this narrow waterway, before visiting the site of Ancient Corinth located at the northern base of the hill of Acrocorinth. The well-preserved archeological site has a number of interesting ruins, including the temples of Apollo and Octavia, the ruined theatre once used for gladiatorial contests and the Glauke Fountain. From here, you will proceed to the great Theater of Epidaurus. Built in 340 BC, the theatre is memorable for its beauty and its exceptional acoustics, and is still used today for dramatic theatrical performances and concerts.

Next, travel through the fertile plain of Argolis to the picturesque seaport city of Nafplio, where you will enjoy an overnight stay. The historical first capital of Greece maintains a charming traditional architectural style with a number of notable statues and impressive monuments around the main square. The ancient Venetian Palamadi fortress, nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill overlooking the Argolic Gulf and the surrounding countryside, provides a perfect photo opportunity.

Tonight you will stay at Eumelia Organic Agrotourism Farm. This progressive, biodynamic farm is pioneering zero carbon dining at its five-room sprawling farm in the Laconia region of Greece, where it supports local producers and even lends land to bee farmers to increase their sustainability.

You will then continue your cross-country journey through Messiniaki Mani, notable for its ancient stone towers, stunning beaches and breathtaking mountainous scenery along the coast of the Messinian Gulf, before proceeding to the sanctuary of Olympia on the Peloponnese peninsula, renowned for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times and the former site of the colossal statue of Zeus. Set amid idyllic countryside, Olympia is a perfect destination for your overnight stay in a local hotel.

Start your day exploring Ancient Olympia also known as the Altis. Many impressive buildings and monuments stand on the site of this ancient sanctuary, including the Temples of Hera and Zeus, the Echo Stoa, (a covered walkway), the Philippeion, (one of the numerous memorials) and the ancient stadium, where games were held between 776 BC and 393 AD, and from where the Olympic torch is still lit before it leaves for the country hosting today’s modern Olympic Games.

You will also visit the Archaeological museum, one of the most important museums in Greece and home to relics from excavations dating from prehistoric times. The impressive building boasts 12 exhibition rooms displaying priceless exhibits, including the marble statues of the temples of Zeus and Hermes, carved by the ancient Greek sculpture Praxiteles, ancient helmets, such as the one worn by Miltiades in the battle of Marathon and the bronze battering-ram, the only surviving one of its kind in antiquity.

Next, continue through the sweeping plains of Ilia and Achaia to reach the magnificent Rio–Antirrio Bridge. From here, you will pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos and Itea, before arriving for your overnight stay in Delphi, which according to Greek mythology, was once regarded by Zeus as the center of the world.

Set off for Delphi which according to Greek mythology was once regarded by Zeus as the center of the world and visit the incredible archaeological site. Enjoy exploring some of the most prominent sites, including the ancient ruins of the Temple of Apollo, on the southern slopes of Parnassos mountain, and the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle and home to one of the finest examples of ancient bronze statues, the Charioteer of Delphi and the sculpture of Agias, an Ancient Greek Athlete. Other interesting sites are the shrine of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians and the Castalian Spring, the most ancient sacred site at Delphi.

Then, move on for a brief visit to the mountain town of Arachova in the western part of Boeotia, enjoying the spectacular landscapes and views of the mountain ranges along the way. Arachova is renowned for its peculiar architecture, cobbled uphill streets and colorful rugs and carpets.

Continue through the towns of Itea, Amphissa, Trikala nestled on the slopes of Ziria’s plateau and the Thessalian plains before reaching Kalambaka, a town situated at the foot of the Meteora peaks where you will stay overnight.

What better way to start your day, than to visit the majestic monasteries perched high on the rock pillars of Meteora. Formed over 60 million years ago, only six of the twenty or more monasteries remain on these amazing rock formations, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. They include the mid-14th century Monastery of Great Meteoron, the largest of the 6 and serving as the main museum, the Antonite Varlaam Monastery built approximately in 1541, and the Monasteries of Rousanou, St. Nicholas Anapausas and St. Stephan, all built in the 16th century.

Finally, make your way to Thessaloniki, the country’s second largest town.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Thessaloniki. Explore the beautiful town; Thessaloniki is a vivid town with a great choice of restaurants, shops and nightlife!