Current as of: September 26, 2019 - 15:22 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 Highlights of Ancient Greece Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Guided Group 9 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Greece Min age: 16 AGM Leisurely Programmes: Culture Trip Overview Starting in the capital city Athens, we’ll visit some of the most signicant archaeological sites in the country, including the Acropolis, Ancient Mycenae and Epidaurus. We’ll also visit the mediaeval castle town of Mystras, Ancient Olympia, where the rst Olympic Games took place, Delphi, where heaven and earth met in the ancient world, and the unique 'stone forest' of Meteora, one of the largest Orthodox communities in Greece and the Balkans. At the same time we’ll cover a large part of mainland Greece, including the Peloponnese Peninsula and Central Greece, enjoying both the beautiful coastline and lush forests and mountains! At a Glance 8 nights 3-star hotels with en suite facilities Travel by minibus Trip Highlights Explore the ancient sites of Mystras and Delphi Visit Olympia, the site of the rst Olympic Games Enjoy spectacular Meteora- 'columns in the sky' Is This Trip for You? This is a cultural trip of Greece’s major archaeological sites, combining coastal areas in the Peloponnese Peninsula with several mountainous areas and villages in Greece. Beautiful landscapes, incredible history and culture are the highlights of this tour. A fair amount of travelling (by minibus) is involved, ranging from 2 to 4 hours per day, well balanced though between sightseeing en route, visiting key sites, lunch breaks and some free time, usually upon arrival at each day’s destination. Most of the driving is on main roads, which are fast. In some places, we follow the provincial roads, which are also sealed. The tour is not physically demanding, however at several sites (such as in Mystras, Delphi and Meteora), some walking is necessary to explore the places. At some of these archaeological sites we will be walking between 1-2 hours over some uneven terrain, therefore trainers (not sandals) are highly recommended for this trip. Expect some early starts on departures November through March as many of the sites close at 3pm during these months and we want to insure there is sufcient time to visit them thoroughly. Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition. Adult min age: 16 Min group size: 4 Max group size: 16 Itinerary Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Start Athens. There are no included activities today so you are free to arrive in Athens at any time. The group meeting time is usually at Athens airport in the early afternoon. Accommodation: Arethusa Hotel or similar Comfortable Hotel Day 2 Morning walking tour of Athens, including the Acropolis, the Museum of Acropolis and Plaka; afternoon free to explore Athens. This morning there is a walking tour of Athens, the historical capital of Europe and the birthplace of democracy, dating back to the Neolithic Age, and the archaeological sites of major interest, including the Acropolis and the Museum of Acropolis, also known as the city’s historical centre will be visited. This walk is actually a journey through history itself, where you will see classic ancient history and all other periods, the architectural evolution and all phases of the city’s development until the 21st century (Classic period, Romaic period, Byzantine, Ottoman occupation, Neo classic times and 20th century). The afternoon is free for you to continue to explore Athens on your own, your leader will be able to suggest where to visit. Please note: During busy periods, the walking tour might take place in the afternoon when it is quieter and the morning will be free. Accommodation: Hermes Hotel or similar Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 To Nafplio, visiting Ancient Corinth and Mycenae en route. After breakfast, we will depart to Nafplio. On the way, we will stop at the impressive Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece and connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. We will then visit the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, which was one of the major cities in the antiquity and an important trade centre. Located at the northern foothills of the Acrocorinth hill, around the Archaic Temple of Apollo, the site was rst inhabited in the Neolithic period (6500-3250 B.C.). Extended excavations have revealed the Roman Forum, temples, fountains, porticoes, baths, latrines and various other monuments. We will also stop to admire the remarkable castle of Acrocorinth, one of the largest, if not the largest in Greece, located on the hill above Ancient Corinth, overlooking the ancient city. We will then continue on to the archaeological site of Mycenae, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon and the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. The archaeological site of Mycenae comprises the fortied acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites, which are located mainly to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments date to the centre's great ourish period from 1350 to 1200 BC. Huge impressive Cyclopean walls surround the acropolis, which is accessed through the famous Lion Gate, a symbol of the Mycenaean rulers' power. The palace, a symbol of the power of Mycenaean rulers, dominates the citadel's highest point. We will continue to the picturesque town of Nafplio where we will spend the night. Accommodation: Rex Hotel or similar Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Morning visit to the fortress of Palamidi; afternoon explore Ancient Epidavros. Today we will visit the impressive Venetian fortress of Palamidi, overlooking the town. This fortress was initially fortied by the Venetians during the second Venetian occupation of the area (1686-1715). In 1715 it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was liberated by the Greeks. The most important monuments of the site that we’ll visit are the castle, the church of St. Andrew and the prison of “Kolokotronis”, a hero of the Greek Revolution. Next, we will explore Ancient Epidavros (approx. 45min drive from Nafplio), where the Sanctuary of the god-physician Asclepius, the most famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world, is found. Besides the sanctuary of Asclepius, we’ll also visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the greatest monuments of Ancient Greece. It is the nest and most renowned of its kind, perfectly combining acoustics with elegance and symmetrical proportions. In the afternoon we will make our way to the town of Sparta, once a powerful city in ancient times, where we spend the night. Accommodation: Lakonia or Maniatis Hotel or similar Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Morning explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mystras; afternoon to Pylos, visiting Ancient Messene en route. This morning we visit Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, the most famous castle and mediaeval town in Greece and a UNESCO Worldwide Heritage Site. Mystras occupies a steep foothill on the northern slopes of Mt. Taygetos, dating back to the 13th century. It is a Frankish castle that after 1262 came under Byzantine control and in the middle of the 14th century became the seat of the Despotate of Moreas. In 1460 it was captured by the Turks, but it was liberated again in 1821. It was actually one of the rst castles to be liberated during the War of Independence. We will explore the site on foot, including several beautiful Byzantine churches with different architecture, most of them built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the palaces of the Mystras Despots and some urban buildings. Unfortunately the castle itself is closed for reconstruction so we are unable to visit it. In the afternoon, we will head towards Ancient Messene, one of the nest and best restored, yet still relatively unknown, archaeological sites in Greece. Lying in a fertile valley, below Mt Ithomi, in Central Messenia, the site was rst inhabited during the Late Neolithic or the early Bronze age. Amongst the site’s monuments, we will visit the ancient theatre, the agora and the asclepion. The stadium and the gymnasium are among the most impressive and well-preserved building complexes in Ancient Messene and are sure to captivate you! We will then drive to the seaside town of Pylos, where we will spend the night. Accommodation: Hotel Karalis or similar Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Morning explore the Castle of Pylos; afternoon visit seaside village of Methoni; to Olympia or Katakolo. After breakfast, we will visit the Castle of Pylos, which also hosts a ne exhibition and museum of underwater antiquities. Here you will nd out more about underwater archaeology in Greece, how research, excavations and preservation of the antiquities take place. You will also see some contents from shipwrecks found in the sea near Peloponnese and Ionian islands. After this, we will visit the beautiful village of Methoni, on the southwestern most point of the Peloponnese peninsula. Picturesque Methoni overlooks the Ionian Sea and the island complex of Oinousses, and boasts a ne example of Venetian architecture in its castle. After lunch, we’ll drive all the way along the west coastline of the Peloponnese towards Olympia where we spend the night (approx. 2 hrs drive). Accommodation: Olympic Village Hotel or similar Comfortable Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Explore Ancient Olympia, the site of the rst Olympic Games.