Athens, Greece Vacation Packages

Glorious Greece - 9 Days
Hosted

• Day 1 - Depart the U.S. for Greece.
• Day 2 - Athens: Arrive in Athens to begin your tour celebrating the glories of Greece: from its classic antiquities to its beautiful islands. With a history dating back more than 4,000 years, Greece is the birthplace of modern democracy. Athens's major landmarks reflect the ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods that have marked Greece's vital role as the cradle of civilization. Enjoy a short orientation tour by your Club ABC Tours representative as you transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own or relax. Make sure to try some authentic Greek cuisine at one of the many restaurants or tavernas in the area.
• Day 3 - Athens/Epidaurus/Mycenae/Olympia: After breakfast begin your classical tour of Greece. On the way to Olympia, drive through the Argolis region. Cross the interesting Corinth Canal, which cuts through the rock and connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian. Continue on to Epidaurus to visit the well-preserved 14,000 seat classical Greek amphitheater, one of Greece's many UNESCO World Heritage sites, renowned for its perfect acoustics and still in use today. Enjoy a short stop at the picturesque seaside town of Nauplia. Continue on to Mycenae, home of Agememnon; the ancient king who united and commanded the Greeks during the Trojan War. The UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites at Mycenae are impressive and feature the Lion's Gate, the Citadel, and the largest beehive-shaped tomb called the Tomb of Agamemnon and the Tomb of Clytemnestra. The famous Lion's Gate is the oldest monumental sculpture in Europe and is said to be the coat of arms of Atreus, mythical king of Mycenae. Depart for Olympia through the central Peloponnese area passing the cities of Magalopolis and Tripolis. Arrive in Olympia and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
• Day 4 - Olympia/Delphi: Today, visit the site of Olympia, the sanctuary of the Gods and center of worship of Zeus. This World Heritage site was also the birthplace of the Olympic Games, held here every four years beginning in 776B.C. While much was destroyed when the games were outlawed as a pagan festival in 393, you can see the archaeological site, which includes the Doric Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Palaestra (wrestling ring) and the museum, which houses some exquisite sculptures, including the famous Nike "Winged Victory". In the afternoon, drive via Patras to Rion and arrive in Delphi for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
• Day 5 - Delphi/Kalambaka: Spend the morning Delphi, one of the most important religious and political centers of ancient Greece, home to Apollo and to the famous Oracle of Antiquity. At the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, walk the "Sacred Way" to the Athenian treasury and the Temple of Apollo, where the famous Pythian Oracles were heard. Later depart for Kalambaka, driving through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Arrive at your hotel in Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
• Day 6 - Kalambaka/Meteora/Athens: Following breakfast, visit the truly remarkable monasteries in Meteora. Built as early as 1100A.D., this series of monasteries are perched on top of rocky formations, creating a unique landscape not to be missed. Here in the center of Greece, where the Pinios River emerges from the deep canyons of the Pindus range and runs into the Thessalian plain, these gigantic rocks have been etched by time into a variety of shapes. The monasteries, with their wooden galleries and corniced rooftops, crown the summits of these formidable pinnacles, precariously hanging over the sinister abysses. Ropes once were the only access to the remote monasteries. In the early afternoon, start the drive back to Athens by passing Thermopylae and Kamena Vourla. Arrive in Athens in the evening and transfer to the hotel. (Breakfast)
• Day 7 - Athens: This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour introducing you to this ancient city. Host to 2004 Summer Olympics, the city continues to shine. See the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, Parliament Building, President's Palace, Hadrian's Arch, Syntagma (Constitution) Square and the Temple of Zeus. The afternoon is at leisure to visit the celebrated Acropolis, the site of four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art: the Parthenon, the Propylae, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike. Shop at a Turkish bazaar or simply relax with a cup coffee or glass of ouzo at a local bar, writing postcards and watching the world go by. Greece, apart from giving birth to Dionysos, patron god of wine, is the birth land of the first VQPRD wines in history. For various historical and social reasons, as well as various natural disasters, the art of wine making was neglected from the middle of the 19th century until the early sixties. Then these ancient traditions of wine making were rediscovered and today one can find many excellent Greek wines produced all over the country. (Breakfast)
• Day 8 - Athens/Hydra/Poros/Aegina/Athens: Today discover the beauty of the Greek Isles. Transfer to the pier to embark for a day cruise to visit some of the famed Saronic Gulf Islands. Sail for the island of Hydra, favored by many artists for its beauty. Enjoy lunch onboard. Continue on to the islands of Poros for a short visit. Later sail through the narrow strait separating the Peloponnesian coast to the Islands of Aegina. Here you can either join an optional excursion to the Temple of Aphaia or walk around the lovely main town. In the evening, sail back to Athens and transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch)
• Day 9 - Athens/U.S.: After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (Breakfast)

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