ATHENS - SOUNIO CAPE

Acropolis - The Parthenon, perched atop Acropolis Hill, is Athens’ most iconic landmark and a source of pride for its residents. This ancient temple is dedicated to Athena, the city’s namesake goddess. Visible from much of central Athens, it is surrounded by the city’s charming and picturesque historic center.

Arch of Hadrian - Known as Hadrian’s Arch, this distinctive Roman monument is dedicated to Theseus and Hadrian, the founders of Athens.

Temple of Olympian Zeus - The Temple of Olympian Zeus follows, with only a few of its original 104 columns still standing.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - We witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament. These guards, called Evzones, are an elite force of the Greek Army, renowned for their bravery and honor until World War II. Their uniform, introduced by King Otto of Greece, is inspired by the traditional attire of the mountain warriors and bandits who resisted the Ottoman Empire.

Panathenaic Stadium - We will also visit the stadium that hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896.

Temple of Poseidon - Traveling along the coast, we reach Cape Sounion at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. This getaway near Athens is famous for its beaches, seafood restaurants, and the striking ruins of the Temple of Poseidon. Perched high on a cliff above the Aegean Sea, the temple is part of a trio of ancient sites, including the Acropolis and the Temple of Aphaea on the island of Aegina. On a clear day, you might see all three monuments from each other. Sounio is also where Aegeus tragically fell from the cliffs, believing his son had died when he saw the black sails that had not been changed. The Aegean Sea is named after him. It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset, with the white marble columns framed by the sky and the blue sea.

Ancient Corinth, Corinth Canal, Epidavros, Nafplio, Mycenae.

Corinth Canal - Our first stop is the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow land bridge connecting mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Here, we see the man-made canal that links the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs. Completed in 1893, its history dates back to 602 BC. The canal is over 6km long, with sides reaching 78m at their highest point. Bridges across the canal allow cars and people to pass and can submerge up to 12m underwater to let boats through. Learn about the history of the Corinth Canal.

Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos) - The ancient city-state of Corinth was located on the narrow strip of land connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, known as the Isthmus of Corinth. This site has a rich history, first inhabited during the Neolithic Period. In ancient times, the city grew wealthy due to its strategic location and control over the transportation of ships between the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs. It became one of ancient Greece’s most important trade powers, rivaling Athens and Thebes, with an extensive network of colonies. By 400 BC, it had a population of 90,000. The city was also the setting for many ancient myths, such as the story of Sisyphus. Destroyed by the Romans, a new city was built in its place. With a professional guide, we explore the extensive ruins of the Temple of Apollo, a testament to Corinth’s prosperity. It is also one of the places Saint Paul visited and wrote letters to.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus - Epidaurus is famous for its theater, built in the 4th century BC. Renowned for its acoustics, words spoken on stage can be heard perfectly from any seat in the audience.

Archaeological Site Mycenae - The kingdom of Mycenae was one of the first great centers of Greek culture, with settlement dating back to the second millennium BC. According to Homer, Mycenae was the seat of Agamemnon, who led the Greeks against the Trojans to reclaim Helen, the wife of his brother Menelaus. The ruins are famous for the “Cyclopean walls,” so named because later Greeks believed only a Cyclops could move such massive rocks. You will see the Lion Gate, the entrance to the royal court and palace, and nearby tombs of legendary figures like Aegisthus and Clytemnestra.

Karamitsos Winery - We visit Nemea, an ancient wine-making region of Greece, for a wine tour. Nemea is home to the “Agiorgitiko” grape variety, which is at least 3,000 years old. The region’s different microclimates produce a variety of wines, from fruity and light to mature and full-bodied. At the winery, we learn about the wine-making process and sample three different types of wine, accompanied by a selection of delicious local “mezes,” similar to tapas, and enjoy a full meal (lunch or dinner).

Palamidi Castle - Moving forward in history, we visit Palamidi Castle in Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece. Built by the Venetians, it is famous for its 999 steps. According to legend, there were once 1,000 steps, but one was crushed by Theodoros Kolokotronis, a leader of the Greek War of Independence, during celebrations for a victory against the Ottomans.

Ancient Olympia, Arachova, Delphi.

Archaeological Site of Olympia - We head to the valley of the river Alfios, where a professional guide shows us the ruins of ancient Olympia, the historic site of the Olympic Games. This was the greatest of the Panhellenic Games, where Greeks from different city-states would set aside their disputes every four years to compete.

The importance of Olympia is evident from its ruins, including the Temple of Zeus, which once housed a 13-meter statue of the god made of gold and ivory, the Temple of Hera, the stadium, and the Shrine of Pelops. Even today, the Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia and carried in a relay across the world to the host city of the Olympic Games.

Arachova - We stop in the picturesque mountain resort of Arachova, a popular winter skiing destination near Athens. Here, we can relax, enjoy the beautiful views, or have a coffee at one of the many cafés.

DELPHI, THERMOPOLIS, METEORA (Kalambaka).

Delphi Archaeological Museum - With a professional guide, we visit Delphi, considered the religious center of the ancient Greek world and the seat of Pythia, the greatest oracle. Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo overlook the timeless beauty of the ancient landscape. People from all over Greece would come to seek advice from Pythia, the oracle of Apollo. Her words had a significant impact on historical events, and Delphi is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Temple of Apollo is the centerpiece of an extensive archaeological site that includes the Treasuries of the Siphnians and the Athenians, a theater, and a stadium. We also visit the museum, which houses the famous Delphic Charioteer and the statue of Antinous, the lover of Hadrian.

Thermopylae Museum - We then visit the site and museum of the Battle of Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans made their stand against Xerxes’ Persian army. The Spartans and their allies lured the Persians into this narrow pass between the cliffs and the sea. Although they were defeated, their bravery allowed the other Greek city-states to mobilize and eventually defeat the Persians at the Battle of Salamis.

Kalambaka - Finally, we reach the village of Meteora (Kalambaka), where we stay. We will have dinner and enjoy the view of the monasteries, which we will visit the next day, from the village.

METEORA, return to Athens.

Meteora - In the stunning, fairy-tale landscape of Meteora, we visit at least three monasteries (or more, time permitting), with two guided by a professional guide, before having a meal and returning to Athens late in the afternoon.

Great Meteoron Monastery - You will see at least three monasteries (if time permits, even more), with two guided by a professional guide.

Varlaam Monastery - You will see at least three monasteries (if time permits, even more), with two guided by a professional guide.

Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada) - You will see at least three monasteries (if time permits, even more), with two guided by a professional guide.

Holy Monastery of Rousanos - Saint Barbara - You will see at least three monasteries (if time permits, even more), with two guided by a professional guide.

• Private tour exclusive to your group with dedicated vehicle featuring air conditioning and Wi-Fi
• Professional English-speaking driver providing insights and tips, exclusive to your group
• Inclusive of accommodation with daily breakfast and one main meal (lunch or dinner)
• Expert guided tours at Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, and 2 monasteries in Meteora
• All transportation provided from central Athens, Piraeus, ports, and Athens International Airport
• Admission fees to all sites included in the tour package

• Coffee, drinks & snacks, alcoholic drinks with the meals
• Extra Professional guide in the other sites (if wanted, with a small extra charge)
• Gratuity is not included and is left to individual discretion