Cultural Tour of Greece

ITINERARY

• DAY 1
  Greek guards, “Evzones,” are members of the Presidential Guard in the Hellenic Parliament.

  Welcome to Athens, Greece!

  Upon arrival, your driver will be awaiting you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. Private transfer to your hotel.
  
  Athens’ heyday was around 400 years BC; that’s when built most classical monuments. During the Byzantine and Turkish eras, the city decayed into just an insignificant little village, only to become the capital of newly-liberated Greece in 1833. Ahead of the 2004 Olympics, it transformed almost the entire infrastructure: the Metro, trams, new ring roads, and viaducts have eased the pressure of the heavy traffic.
  
  Athens is still a rather messy and chaotic place—it wouldn’t be Athens otherwise—and despite all the improvements, it still retains a great deal of its oriental charm. The whole coastal stretch from Piraeus to the old Hellenikon airport has been improved with new plantings, viaducts, and paths for walking. The Plaka district is becoming more and more popular, and it is on the way to catching up with Psyrri, Gazi, and Rouf regarding restaurants. Discover the beauties of the Anafiotika district at the feet of the Acropolis, and visit the ancient village still housed amid the city. In Exarchia, there is still a somewhat in-your-face anarchic atmosphere around the Technical University. Meanwhile, Kolonaki is becoming chicer and chicer.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2
  A woman taking photo of Parthenon in Athens

  Athens - A guided tour of the Acropolis and museum

  Your experience will start with a guided tour of the Acropolis. With your knowledgeable state-licensed “Insider” guide, you will explore the key monuments such as the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon, all located on the sacred rock of the Acropolis.
  
  After you’ve ticked off the Acropolis from your must-see list, you will visit the New Acropolis Museum, where you will extend your perspective of the achievements of the Ancient. You will then enjoy a lunch break before heading to the Ancient Agora for a short guided tour. The Ancient Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, social and religious activities, commerce, outdoor theatrical performances, and athletic contests.
  
  The next stop is the Thisseio area, where you will board your private vehicle to admire other important landmarks, such as the Panathenaic Stadium and the Unknown Soldier's monument.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3
  Dimitsana, Greece

  Olympia - Arcadia Mountain & traditional village of Dimitsana

  Today you will depart to reach the beautiful Arcadia mountain region. Enjoy a short coffee and a sweet stop at Vytina Village, a traditional mountain settlement famous for its unique architecture and rugged landscape.
  
  Another option could be Dimitsana, a ‘traditional settlement’ as well. A stroll will unveil its beautiful stone-built houses, while you will also admire the ruins of the ancient fortifications. It also offers marvelous views of the Lousios gorge, the Megalopolis plain, and Taygetus Mountain. At the same time, you may visit the Open-Air Water Power Museum of Dimitsana, highlighting the importance of water power in traditional society. Focusing on the main pre-industrial techniques that took advantage of the water power to produce a variety of goods links them to the history and daily life of the local society over the ages. Enjoy lunch and then depart to Olympia. Afternoon, you arrive in Olympia, where you will head to explore the site of one of the most celebrated sanctuaries of ancient Greece. With your guide, you will walk through and learn everything about the impressive ruins, and you will marvel at the numerous attractions of the site, such as the massive temple of Zeus, the Museum, and the ancient stadium where athletes used to train and run 3000 years ago.
  
  After your guided tour of Ancient Olympia, head back to your hotel, rest, and enjoy the day's rest.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4
  Nafplio Square, Greece

  Nafplio - Visit the beekeeper & honey tasting

  You will have a sweet and delicious visit to a family Honey Farm, enjoying a break in the beautiful garden and refreshments. Greek honey is considered to be among the finest honey in the world. Thanks to the unlimited summer sun, the biodiversity of the Greek countryside, and the wide variety of Greek flora (that includes over 850 species found nowhere else in the world), Greece has some top-quality honey to showcase. During your visit, you will learn from a 3rd generation beekeeper everything about the production of honey, and you will get to taste fresh homemade sweets topped with some truly delicious honey.
  
  You will visit a small local family winery and try their wines and tsipouro – the most cherished local spirit and some delicious homemade treats. On the way to Nafplio, stop at Ancient Messini for a Guided Tour. You will depart to the archaeological site of Ancient Messene. Although little known, it is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Greece. A complete city is possessing sanctuaries and public buildings and imposing fortifications, houses, and tombs. It enjoys, amongst other things, the advantage of never having been destroyed or covered by later settlements and is located on an unspoiled inland site.
  
  After arriving in Nafplio, check in to your hotel and explore the beautiful town at your leisure.
  Nafplio has long been one of the first choices for Athenian escapades. Nafplio is the first capital of modern Greece and one of the most beautiful towns. Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek architecture masterpiece lies underneath the imposing Palamidi castle. It features the fort of Bourgi on a small island right in the middle of the harbor. The maze of red and burnt-orange rooftops will lure you on a trip across centuries, while the refined beauty of the town, which oozes elegance, will turn you into a Nafplio regular once you walk those cobblestone streets. Every corner has a different story to tell.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 5
  Mycenae, Greece

  Nafplio - Visit ancient cities of Mycenae and Epidaurus

  You will depart in the morning to reach Mycenae. There, you will enjoy a guided tour of the site and museum and admire the monumental remains that beautifully blend with the surrounding landscape. You learn interesting information about the history of one of the most influential civilizations and insights into the way of life of the Myceneans at the location where everything took place.
  
  After a scenic drive, you will reach the world heritage-listed archeological site of Epidaurus and the stunningly preserved ancient theatre of Epidaurus constructed in the 4th century BC and still prized today for its fantastic acoustics.
  
  Believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios, you will not miss visiting and admiring the sanctuary of Asklepios, a remarkable testament to the healing cults of the Ancient World and witness to the emergence of scientific medicine.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 6
  Chania is the capital of the Chania regional unit in Crete, Greece

  Welcome to Chania, Crete

  Your driver will deliver you to Athens Airport. Domestic flight from Athens to Chania. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name. Private transfer to your hotel, and the drive will be around two hours. Free time at leisure in Chania Old Town.
  
  Walkthrough the stone paths and the narrow streets of the Old Town and discover the hidden spots of the Venetian Harbor. You will enjoy a leisure stroll in the puzzled alleys where the Venetians, the Ottomans, and the old Cretans lived and occupied. Enjoy this tremendous flower-decorated neighborhood, meet the locals, and eat like locals! The unique Cretan Gastronomy is something you would not want to miss!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
  • Flight
• DAY 7
  One of many cats in Chania

  Chania - Explore the seven villages of Apokoronas

  This is a tour of the unique area of Apokoronas, the eastern province of the Chania Region, which is one of the first villages in Armenoi. Following a route through the nature and traditional Cretan towns like Stylos, Tsivaras, and Kalives, you will arrive in Gavalochori village and visit the folklore museum of Apokoronas. The seven rooms of it will reveal everything about history, handcrafts, and the everyday life of the people. You will enjoy a cup of Greek coffee next to the nature and water springs of the village.
  
  Leaving Gavalochori, driving towards Vrises village, you will enjoy the view of the river and the square. The village of Emprosneros is following to see the theatre “Mikis Theodorakis and the hidden church of St. Antony, built on the rock. You visit a cheese factory and taste the local “Graviera,” “Mizithra,” or “Anthotiros” cheese varieties. You will also taste some olive oil on warm bread, cookies, and Cretan biscuits in the local bakery. The experience of the Cretan cheese-making process follows.
  
  After that you will enjoy lunch in a traditional “kafeneio” in Fres village, speaking with the locals and learning about the countryside way of life. You will have the chance to see pure beauty and feel the real Crete around you. A whole place is ready to be explored by you! Apokoronas is one of the most historical places in Crete because of its people. Apokoronas is waiting to reveal his secrets.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8
  Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete

  Chania - Tour to Knossos with Archaeological Museum

  Knossos, the largest and most famous of the Minoan palaces, was the residence of the mythical King Minos and the monster Minotaur.
  It has a multi-acre complex of royal apartments, elaborate staircases, storage, craft areas, the first European theater, and a throne room with the original Bronze Age throne. Replicas of many frescoes grace the palace.
  
  Discover the cradle of the Minoan civilization; this evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe's oldest city. Learn about its history and mythology, including the story about the labyrinth, the mythical Minotaur, and the trick Theseus pulled to kill the beast with the help of Ariadne; however, he could not avoid a tragedy, the one that gave the name to the Aegean sea.
  
  A walking tour of Heraklion, Crete's largest city, is a must on this tour. Crete's largest city abounds with buildings, monuments, and churches that bear witness to its centuries-old history: the Morosini Fountain, the Venetian Loggia, St. Titus Church, etc.
  After you take in the breathtaking views over the Old Port, you can discover the city's historical center, the most remarkable attractions of Heraklion, or visit some of the most important museums. After free time for lunch, you will see the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the greatest museums in the world. It hosts unique Minoan art. Heraklion has the liveliest shopping, dining, and nightlife venues; and the freshest and most creative Cretan cuisine! Everything is within your reach!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Goodbye to Beautiful Greece

  Today, you will have to say goodbye to beautiful Greece. Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Heraklion Airport, taking the domestic flight back to Athens. Once arriving at Athens airport, check in to your international flight and depart Greece.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer