Greece History & Sun 10Days - 9 Nights (04 nts Athens + 03 nts Santorini + 2 nts Mykonos) 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 – Nafplio150klm x 2 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! Last stop in 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 return to Athens. Later we suggest you to enjoy an evening of Greek dancing and fine local food in the heart of historic Plaka. Feast on top notch Mediterranean fare in one of Athens' oldest taverna’s and marvel at the acrobatic dancers on show. Day 4 Athens – Delphi – Arachova 200klm x 2 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. Later we will proceed to a major winter resort. Arachova is a quaint village with lots of restaurants overlooking the valley. It is ideal for a short stroll and lunch before we head back to Athens. Day 5 Athens – Santorini – Sunset in Oia Breakfast at our hotel and you will be picked up and transferred at Piraeus port for your ferry embarkation to Santorini Island, the most beautiful island in the world. The imposing landscape and the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the special beaches and the high level services rank it among the top destinations in the world and not unjustly. Upon our arrival on the island we will be transferred from the port to our hotel. Free time for your first walk on the island. In the evening we will take you to the traditional village of Oia, where you will have the opportunity to walk in its white alleys and admire the most beautiful sunset in the world. Return to the hotel and overnight. Day 6 Santorini – Cruise at Caldera – Wine tasting (optional) Today, after breakfast you will be picked up for a cruise at the caldera and its hot springs. Highlights Grab the opportunity to visit the active volcano of Santorini, walk on dried lava up to its peak, feel the heat underneath your feet and see the steam of sulphuric gases emerging from the earth bowels. After that, sail to the thermal springs where you can dive or step down into the blue waters in order to swim towards the springs (35-36 C). Later visit the traditional sister island of Santorini, Thirassia, where you can either swim, go up to the village or simply relax and have something to eat. Return at your hotel. We will have the opportunity (optional) in the afternoon to discover the most legendary wineries and traditional cellars of Santorini through a unique wine-tasting journey. Day 7 Santorini – Free Day Today, after breakfast the day will be free in order explore the magic beaches of Santorini. Santorini has many beautiful beaches with unique landscapes and colors due to the volcano of the island. Black and red sand and rocks, huge white pebbles and crystal clear waters compose the enchanting scenery. Some of the most beautiful beaches of Santorini are: Kokkini Paralia, Perivolos, Vlychada, Aspri Paralia Kamari, Monolithos, Baxedes - Paradisos, Gialos. Day 8 Santorini – Mykonos Today after breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Santorini and transferred to the port for your ferry embarkation to famous Mykonos Island, an island made by gods for humans. Who hasn’t have something to say about Mykonos, who hasn’t swim in its vast boundless blue waters, who hasn’t lived unforgettable moments. Mykonos is: the sea, the sky, the sun, the hospitality, the fun, the harmony, the charm. A never-ending real myth surrounding us, every part of it a reality, something special, challenging you to live it, taste it, relish it. A barren island, arid, scorched by the sun, full of golden beaches and crystal waters. The white color, the stone and the scattered mountains are indelible memories in the mind. The natural elements are vivid and strong, filling you, guiding you in new sensations; the air, the sun, the moon are the eternal guides.