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21 Nov Four Days Classical Greece Tour & Meteora (breakfast & dinner)
Free pick up / drop off hotel service!!
First Day: Athens / Argolis / Olympia
Meet your English speaking guide and drive southwest. Head to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city «rich in gold» of the ancient poets. Mycenae is an archaeological site, located about 90 km southwest of Athens, in the north-eastern Peloponnese. From the hill on which the palace was located, one can see across the Argolis to the Saronic Gulf.
In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centers of the Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of Greek history from 1600 BC to 1100 BC is called Mycenaean, in reference to Mycenae.
At its height, in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares. Visit the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs, including the Tomb of Agamemnon, the famous Greek king who marched against Troy.
Continue to Epidavros, to visit the ancient Theatre (4th century B.C.), famous for its astonishing acoustics. Further, drive to Nauplion, a picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff, trademarked by the Bourtzi fortress and crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi fortress. Head to Olympia; “check-in”, dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Second Day: Olympia / Delphi
Breakfast in the hotel, “check-out”. Visit the archaeological site of Olympia, known for having been the cradle of the Olympic Games (in honour of Zeus), the most famous games in history. Among others, admire the sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus, the Stadium, the Temple of Hera, (Heraion / Heraeum), the Pelopeion, and the area of the altar, where the animal sacrifices were made.
Conclude the tour on the site, by visiting the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the greatest museums of Greece, hosting artefacts found in the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia; among the exhibits, admire the famous Hermes and the Infant Dionysos, also known as the Hermes of Praxiteles or the Hermes of Olympia.
Depart towards Central Greece; drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel on its “state of the art” new, suspended bridge (short stop). In the afternoon, arrival in Delphi; “check-in” at the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Third Day: Delphi / Kalambaka
Breakfast in the hotel, “check-out”. Visit Delphi, the centre of the Ancient World, the “Navel (Omphalos) of the Earth”, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World.
Being in the heart of the Greek mainland, Delphi constitute a crossroad between the eastern and the western Greece, as well as from Thessaly to Attica. Yet, for the Greeks, this territory means a lot more. According to the legend, Zeus released two eagles, in order to find which is the central part of the earth; the two eagles, met each other in Delphi. According to other, earlier legends, the Oracle of Delphi was important even in the pre-classical Hellenic World (1400 B.C.)
The Homeric hymn of Apollo, indicates that the initial name of the site was “Krisa”; other legends, though, indicate the name “Pytho” as an initial one, from which derives the name “Pythia” for the priestess. Apart from the prophecies, Delphi was also a sanctuary where the Greeks were gathering once every four year, to participate in the so called Pythian Games, to honor god Apollo. These Games, where the second most important ones, right after the Olympic Games.
Visit the Temple of the Apollo Pythios, built on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Moreover, visit the Treasure of the Athenians (built to commemorate the Athenian glory against the Persians, in the battle of Marathon in 490 BC), the sanctuary of Athina Pronaia, the Stadium, the Theatre etc. Finally, visit the Delphi Museum, containing masterpieces of the ancient Greek sculpture, as the bronze Charioteer and the athlete Aghias. In the afternoon, head to Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora gigantic rocks. “Check-in”, dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Fourth Day: Kalambaka / Athens
Breakfast in the hotel and “check-out”. The nearby Meteora (“suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above”, etymologically related to “Meteorite”, is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the plain of Thessaly, near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. The Meteora is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
Visit Meteora, built within the area’s particularly impressive scenery, enriched by ageless Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, stand suspended between earth and sky, on top of granite rocks. Drive to Athens, passing by Thermopyles and the monument of Leonidas, the heroic king of Sparta. Arrival in Athens, “check-in” at the hotel and overnight.
§§ Tour price (01 Nov. 2022 – 31 Mar. 2023) §§
‘A class: 610 € per adult in double room / 274,50 € per child (up to 12 years old), including hotel breakfast & dinner.
-Single supplement: 112 €
‘B class: 530 € per adult in double room / 238,50 € per child (up to 12 years old), including hotel breakfast & dinner.
-Single supplement: 84 €
§§ Tour price (01 Apr. – 31 Oct. 2023) §§
‘A class: 628 € per adult in double room / 282,60 € per child (up to 12 years old), including hotel breakfast & dinner.
-Single supplement: 112 €
‘B class: 554 € per adult in double room / 249,30 € per child (up to 12 years old), including hotel breakfast & dinner.
-Single supplement: 84 €
## Operating time: Departure at 08:45 (first day) – Return at 18:30 (fourth day).
## Operating schedule:
01 Nov. 2022 – 31 Mar 2023: Mondays only
01 Apr. – 31 Oct. 2023: Mon/Tue/Sat
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