7 Days Grand Greek Mainland Tour

7 Days Grand Greek Mainland Tour

Day 01 – Via Mycenea & Nafplio ( D )

Dinner
Depart from Athens by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). After a short drive we visit the Theatre of Epidauros famous for its astonishing acoustics. Continue to the town of Nafplio (short stop) then drive on to Mycenae and visit the Archaeological Site and the Agamemnon’s tomb. Drive on to Olympia the ancient site which hosted the original Olympic Games, founded in the 8th century B.C. and then through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis.

Day 02 – Olympia Site & Museum ( B / D )

Breakfast & Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel, In the morning we visit the Archaeological Site of Olympia with the sanctuary of Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum.  The Archaeological Museum of Olympia exhibits finds from the site, including a statue of Hermes attributed to the sculptor Praxiteles. Then we carry on driving through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the remarkable bridge crossing from Rion to Antirion.  Pass by the charming towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea. Arrive in Delphi and overnight in Delphi.

Day 03 – Delphi, navel of the ancient world ( B /D )

Breakfast & Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel, In the morning we will visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi,  the center of the Ancient world – the “Omphalos” (Navel) of the Earth – whose fame stretched way beyond the frontiers of the Hellenic world. Then we leave for Kalambaka, a pictureque town situated at the foot of Meteora, an astonishing group of gigantic rock towers with age-old monasteries nestled on top.

Day 04 – Meteora Monasteries to Thessaloniki ( B / D )

Breakfast & Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel , Today you have the opportunity to visit Meteora, these magical Monasteries perched upon the huge rock formations which also hold exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. We leave Kalambaka and drive through the fertile Thessalian plain and the Valley of Tempi, and admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrive in Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most hedonistic city in Greece.

Day 05 – Sightseeing in Thessaloniki ( B / D )

Breakfast & Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel , In the morning we will visit the city of Thessaloniki, considered the cultural capital of Greece, renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general. More importantly, it is also a city with a continuous 3,000 year old history; preserving relics of its Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman past and of its formerly dominant Jewish population. Many of its Byzantine churches, and a whole district of the city in particular, are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the vibrant city centre.

Day 06 – Explore Macedonia (Edessa/Naoussa/Vergina) ( B / D )

Breakfast & Dinner
Breakfast then depart for an exploraiton of Macedonia. Our first stop is at picturesque Edessa where we see the town’s famous waterfalls. We continue  to Naoussa, to a site of remarkable beauty and importance: Aristotle’s School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics’ to Alexander the Great and the youth of Macedonia. Then we drive on to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to visit the exceptional Museum, created in the Great Tumulus which covers the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander’s father. After a short drive we arrive at Veria (known in the Bible as Beroea) where the Apostle Paul, after leaving Thessaloniki, and his companion Silas preached to the Jewish and Greek communities of the city in AD 50/51 or 54/55, and then stroll through the old Jewish quarter and the vibrant market area. Return to Thessaloniki.

Day 07 – Pella & Dion ( B  )

Breakfast 
Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the astonishing floor mosaics of the 4th century BC villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympos). After the visit we begin our drive south through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae (see Leonidas’ Monument) and Thebes, arriving in Athens late afternoon / early evening.