Athens & Classical Greece

After making the most of your included airport lounge access, depart the UK on a day flight to Athens. On arrival your private transfer will meet you and make the drive to your hotel in Athens, with its long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments. Rest of the day at leisure.

Stay: Museum Hotel (Standard) / Polis Grand Hotel, Athens (Superior)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel in Athens. Today, your guide will reveal the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 before continuing to the Prime Minister's residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). At the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.

In the afternoon, pick up for your tour to Sounion. Depart for a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, exporing Attica beyond Athens. Cape Sounion is only 45 miles from Athens. The Cape’s Temple of Poseidon is perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea. The view across the Aegean is magnificent with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world, extending all the way to Keal and the Peloponesse on a clear day.

Stay: Museum Hotel (Standard) / Polis Grand Hotel, Athens (Superior)

Set off from Athens and drive to the Corinth Canal and see this incredible feat of engineering connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea dividing mainland Greece from the Peloponnese peninsula. Cross the plain of Argos to arrive In Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of ancient Greece, see the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace. In the afternoon depart for Olympia and overnight. 

Stay: Antonios Hotel, Olympia (Standard) / Arty Grand Hotel, Olympia (Superior)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel in Olympia before visiting the archaeological site of Olympia with the Temple of Zeus, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the Museum. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel on the new suspension bridge. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova before continuing to Delphi. 

Stay: Hermes Hotel, Delphi (Standard) / Amalia Hotel, Delphi (Superior)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel in Delphi. Explore the town situated on Mount Parnassus, visit the Temple of Apollo set in an extensive mountainside complex before continuing to the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. In the afternoon depart for Kalambaka via Central Greece

Stay: Antoniades Hotel, Kalambaka (Standard) / Divani Hotel, Kalambaka (Superior)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel in Kalambaka. Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit Monasteries built on top of rock towers and providing fantastic views over the plain. Meteora is considered one of the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece, and one of the country’s most unique attractions. Return to Athens with time to stop at the monument of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae. Overnight in Athens (B

Stay:  Museum Hotel, Athens (Standard) / Polis Grand Hotel, Athens (Superior)

Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK