Tour in Ancient & Byzantine Greece

Tour in Ancient & Byzantine Greece 10Days - 9 Nights (03 nts Athens + 01 nt Ancient Olympia + 1 nt Meteora + 4 nts Thessaloniki)

A few words about the destination… Greece means light, sun, culture. It is a magical place, full of history, wonderful landscapes and amazing people. Experience the ultimate travel experience by combining a tour program, entertainment, fun and relaxation. High quality accommodation, rich gastronomy, amazing beaches and Greek hospitality are waiting for you for a life experience.

Useful information…

Best Time to visit: The entire year Language: Greek , English Currency: Euro (EUR) / (1 EUR) (86 INR) Time Difference : Greece is 2 hours and 30 mins behind from India from April to October and 3 hours and 30 mins behind India from November to March .

Excursion schedule…

Day 1 Arrive – Athens – Hotel – Athens by night (optional) On arrival at Athens International Airport you will be transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (optional)Get to experience the city when the day goes and lights turn on with this athens night tour! Picking you up just before dusk, on this Athens photography tour you will have the opportunity to see the sunset on top of the Lycabettus hill and Athens lighting up beneath you.

Highlights

 Proceed to Acropolis to admire the Parthenon lit up in all its glory, from as close as possible, a quite different sight than one gets when visiting the Acropolis hill under the bright Greek sun!  Don’t miss a drive to the entrance of Roman Agora, right beneath the Acropolis hill to admire the gate of Athena Archegetis!  View the Arch of Hadrian and Panathenaic Stadium and head to the beautiful neoclassical building of the Academy.

Day 2 Athens – City tour – Museum of Acropolis – Sounio (optional) 80klm x 2 Breakfast at our hotel and we start for a visit and tour of the capital of Greece, Athens, the birthplace of Western culture, philosophy and democracy. First stop, in one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, The Acropolis, Greece’s most famous UNESCO site, has always been the fortress of Athens and the absolute symbol of the grandeur of the Greek civilization.

Highlights

 Admire the Parthenon, the Erechthion, the Odeon of Herodes (Herodion), the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylea, the Theatre of Dionysus.  Visit Acropolis Museum. The most impressive museum in Greece and one of the top museums in the world, the Acropolis Museum houses the classical masterpieces from the nearby fortress combining an archaeological site that is open and visible right under your feet.  Walk for our tour of the Historic Center of Athens. Roam, among other things, on the pedestrian street of Apostolou Pavlou Street where the Ancient Agora is located, known as the 'birthplace of Democracy'.  Observe the parliament of the Athenian Democracy, the best-preserved temple in Greece and the place where Socrates taught and was executed in the 5th century BC, the Tower of the Winds & Roman Market, considered the world's first meteorological station, this simple- looking building was a marvel of Ancient Greek engineering, now surrounded by remains of various conquerors, including the Romans and the Turks.  Wander in Thiseio, Monastiraki square, Plaka, Anafiotika and the pedestrian street of Ermou street. You can’t say that you’ve seen Athens without walking in this beautiful meandering streets of the old town, which are scattered with wonderful ancient and neoclassical buildings, shops, cafés and restaurants.

Free time for coffee, food and shopping. In the afternoon we suggest an excursion to Sounio. Sounio is the southernmost edge of the area surrounding Athens and is famous for its 5th century BC Temple of Poseidon, god of the sea. The temple, which still retains its original white color, is perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea and offers breathtaking views as well as one of the most popular sunsets in the world!

Day 3 Athens – Mycenae - Epidaurus – Nafplio – Ancient Olympia 350klm Breakfast at our hotel and we start our trip to get to know important parts of the ancient and modern history of Greece. Our first stop is the impressive Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and the Ionian Sea. Bungee jumping is also available here! One of the biggest rivals of Athens, Corinth was once completely destroyed by the Romans. When it was re-inhabited, it became Greece's largest city, which St. Paul visited and wrote some of his most famous epistles to. It houses one of the oldest Greek temples, as well as a beautiful museum. Second stop is Mycenae.

Highlights

 Admire the massive walls 'built by giants'.

 Mycenae is an important UNESCO Site: the 'golden city', as Homer described it. This is where legendary King Agamemnon ruled during the Trojan War. For 1,500 years, one of its vaulted tombs held the record for the biggest dome in the world!

Nest stop Epidaurus, another UNESCO Site.

 Discover the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece and hosts the country's most prestigious festival, where the audience can watch 2,500-year-old tragedies and comedies that shaped theatre!

Later we will reach Nafplio, the capital of Greece before Athens, is a picturesque town with imposing fortresses that Turks and Italians fought over for centuries. Now it's an ideal place for relaxed strolls and a lunch during the tour. In the afternoon transfer to the area of Ancient Olympia and overnight. Day 4 Ancient Olympia – Delphi – Meteora 475klm Breakfast at our hotel and we start our excursion to the most important spiritual and religious center and the symbol of the unity of ancient Hellenism. Delphi, a UNESCO site, was the sanctuary of the God of light and music Apollo. Built on a mountain slope with a view to a valley, the most important oracle of ancient times was believed to be the very centre of the world!

Highlights

 Admire the Treasury of the Atheneans, the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre and the Stadium (a 15' uphill climb and sometimes closed to the public).  Discover one of the most popular Greek museums, the DAM houses 6th cent BC marble statues, offerings made of gold as well as the first bronze statue to be found in modern Greece.

Our last stop is the area of Kalampaka and Meteora, where we will spend the night.

Day 5 Meteora – Vergina – Pella - Thessaloniki 280klm Breakfast at our hotel and we start our tour in Meteora, this fascinating complex of huge steep rocks of pennant, arising close to the first elevations of the longest sierra in Greece, Pindos (the “spine” of Greece).

Highlights

 Discover the monasteries which are built οn the peak of the huge rocks, and form the second most important complex of monasteries after Mt. Athos. In the past, there were twenty four monasteries but today only the six of them operate properly. In 1988, Meteora joined the list of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO.For your convenience, the bus stops in front of the entrance of the Holy Monasteries.  During our visits to the monasteries we make a short stop to admire the stunning panoramic view of the Holy Monasteries from up high and capture the mystique of the landscape. The wild unapproachable area with the sandstones of more than 65 million years old is majestic and at the same time unearthly and divine as until today their origin cannot be explained. The monasteries have strict dress rules prohibiting entry to male visitors wearing shorts and women visitors with sleeveless sweatshirts.

Next stop Ancient Aigai. We reach Vergina where we visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, situated in the borders of the village.

 Admire the characteristic Golden Larnax (funerary casket), an urn with the cremated remains of Phillip II is marked with a 16-rayed sun, the symbol of Macedonia. The Sun of Vergina (or Star of Vergina), which is characteristic symbol of the Argead Dynasty (of the King Phillip II and Alexander the Great) was found together with the excavations that brought back to light his father’s Royal Tomb. 4 of the sun rays represent of the 4 classical elements and the other 12 sun rays represent the 12 Olympian Gods.  Observe the golden oak wreath that Phillip II had during his funeral pyre, military armors, various grave goods, the other tombs that were brought back to light and a small sanctuary, the Heroon.

Next stop Pella. Get to know the imperial capital, the ancient city where Alexander the Great was born and raised and where the great philosopher and tutor Aristoteles was invited to educate him. The archaeological treasures of the glorious Macedonian Kingdom of Alexander the Great and his father Phillip II, as detailed by Herodotus, invite you to a unique roadtrip to history. Transfer to Thessaloniki, where we will spend the night.

Day 6 Thessaloniki – City Tour Today we discover the Byzantine aspect of Thessaloniki and learn about the Byzantine art and history of the «co-reigning» capital during the Byzantine Empire in a tour full of images, aromas and flavors of tradition. We start our tour at the Upper Town (Ano Poli).

Highlights

 Visit the Old Monastery of Vlatadon. The unique Byzantine Monastery that remains in operation in Thessaloniki and offers a wonderful panoramic view of “The Bride of Thermaikos Gulf”.  Discover the church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos, a particular graphic church with exceptional mural paintings of the 14th century. The church is located at a beautiful spot surrounded by structures of distinct architecture that denote the city’s rich history.  Admire the glorious Rotunda, one of the most ancient and most impressive monuments of the city. According to the latest consensus it was erected in 300a.C by Galerius and forms one of the most significant monuments of Thessaloniki, known for its exceptional mosaics as they are among the most ancient in the Middle-East.  Visit the church of St. Sofia, the «Big Church», as it used to be the metropolitan church of the city with the famous mural painting on its dome of the 9th century and the Early-Christian chapiters of the 5th century. Saint Sofia, as well as all the previous monuments we visit, are part of the World Heritage sites of UNESCO.

Free time to drink your coffee in the countless cafes of the city, to walk by the sea and to taste the rich gastronomy of the city. In the evening we suggest you have fun at “Ladadika” district, a beautiful walkable area which is one of the favorite destinations for both local and tourist visitors and the city’s college community. Ladadika is one of the hot spots of Thessaloniki when it comes to entertainment. It is located in a central area right opposite to the port’s central gate and within a five-minute walk from Aristotle’s Square. The colorful buildings are two-story with wide, rectangular windows and, along with the paved alleys, they exhale the spirit of old Thessaloniki. Here the old merges with the new.

Day 7 Thessaloniki – Cruise to Mount Athos 140klm x 2 Day trip to the heart of the Orthodox monastic life which beats for more than 10 centuries .Live a unique experience with the summer breeze that travels you while being on board to Mount Athos.

Highlights

 During the cruise, you can admire eight of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mt. Athos, situated in the west coast of the peninsula of Athos, in Sithonia bay.  During the cruise through the west coast of Mt. Athos, we have the chance to see from a short distance and in turn, the ports (tarsanades) of the Holy Monasteries of Hilandar and Konstamonitou, the colorful Monastery of Docheiariou, the nearby Monastery of Xenophontos, the renovated Holy Monastery of Saint Panteleimon’s – the Russian monastery – the Holy Monastery of Xeropotamou, the main harbor of Mount Athos called Daphne, the impressive Holy Monastery of Simonos Petras (or Simonopetra) and the Holy Monasteries of Hosios (Saint) Grigorios, Dionysios and Agios (Saint) Pavlos (Saint Paul’s), scattered along the verdant western coastline of the Mount Athos peninsula.  Lastly, we can see the skete of Agia Anna (Saint Anne’s skete), just below the imposing Mount Athos, which stands magnificent at 2.000m above sea level.

Return to Thessaloniki and free time to enjoy the city.

Day 8 Thessaloniki – Amfipoli – Filippi - Kavala 185klm x 2 Breakfast at our hotel and we start for a complex trip which gives you the opportunity to follow into St. Paul’s footsteps, which will introduce to you the Ancient town of Filippi and the modern city of Kavala. But firstly we will visit Amfipoli and see the famous Lion of Amfipolis! Then we set off for the Ancient town of Filippi, a settlement founded by Alexander the Great’s father, where we shall visit the basilica, the theatre, the Roman forum, the cell where Apostle Paul was imprisoned but also the Octagon Church-the first Christian church of Europe. Later we will arrive in Kavala, the amphitheatric town, where we will have a couple of free hours to go shopping, go on a walk or for a visit to the old fortress, the aqueduct or to see Muhammad Ali's house. Return to Thessaloniki and free time to enjoy the city.

Day 9 Thessaloniki – Dion – Mount Olympos – Thermopylae - Athens 520klm Breakfast at our hotel and we start an excursion to the mythical mountain of the 12 Gods of Olympus, the history and the culture! The cultural heritage of the ancient city of Dion is combined with the incomparable beauty of the foothills of the mythical Mount Olympus. The residence of the 12 Gods couldn’t be something less than majestic, with the charming nature and its unique biodiversity, forms the first national park in Greece. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, interwoven with the greek mythology, is a challenging invitation to discover its greatness and capture amazing photos!

Highlights

 Feel the enchanting aura walking through Enipeas Gorge!  Discover the archaeological site of Dion, walk back in history and admire the various findings around the ancient park. The unique statues, the mosaics and the various artifacts that were brought to light are left in their original place and that so, we pass through the same paths as the ancient Greeks used to do.

 Don’t miss the chance to visit the ancient theater with the perfect acoustic balance since antiquity. Until nowadays many ancient tragedies are revitalized by modern actors and various festivals every year.  Visit the modern museum and view the statues and findings of the ancient city with more characteristic the Hydravlis (an ancient wind instrument) and the unique mosaic that represents the “Villa of Dionysos” lying in the building next to it.

Next stop in the picturesque village of Litochoro where we enjoy our lunch in a beautiful traditional restaurant. Litochoro is located right on the foothills of Olympus and forms the main starting point for the various trekking paths of the mountain that reach until Mytikas, the highest top of Olympus. Later we take our way to Athens with a stop at the glorious Thermopylae, which was the battlefield of the 300 and Leonidas against the Persians in 480BC and is considered one of the most important sites in Greece, due to the significance of the battle for Greece and the entire European continent of the time. In Thermopylae you will see a memorial statue to King Leonidas of Sparta, featuring the phrase “Molon Lave” which means “Come and get it”. This was the famous response given to the Persians by Leonidas, when their army demanded the Spartans to give their weapons and surrender. Arrival in the afternoon in Athens and check-in at the hotel.

Day 10 Athens – Departure Today, after breakfast you will be transferred at Athens airport for your departure flight

Important note: You can extend your trip to Greece by adding some days of relaxation to one of the dozens of beautiful Aegean islands such as Santorini and Mykonos.

Package inclusions:

 Accommodation in hotels in Greece as follows:

- 03 nights in Athens - 01 nights in Ancient Olympia - 01 night in Meteora - 04 nights in Thessaloniki

 Daily breakfast at the hotel  Transfer from and to the Athens International airports  Guided tours by luxury bus according to the schedule  Guide – group leader of our office throughout the trip (if u want to)  Official guides in archeological sites  Lunch in a Greek tavern in Litochoro  Tour operator insurance

Not included:

 Air tickets  Visa  tickets for archeological sites and sights  Anything mentioned at the program as optional or suggested  Tips  Any item of personal nature such as laundry, shopping, telephone bills etc.

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