Classical Greece and Meteora, 7 nights / 8 days

Arrival at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, the main airport in Greece, named after the famous statesman who contributed to the birth of modern Greece. Private transfer to the hotel in the capital. Considered the cradle of democracy and Western philosophy, Athens fascinates with its extraordinary historical and cultural heritage, evidenced by iconic monuments such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon. A city of timeless charm, it offers a perfect blend of ancient archaeological remains, vibrant traditional neighborhoods, modern shopping areas, and a renowned culinary tradition. Check-in at the hotel and a welcome meeting with our local assistant for a brief orientation. Afterwards, free time for an initial personal exploration of the city. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. The day will be dedicated to discovering the main treasures of the Greek capital. We will start with a panoramic city tour starting from Syntagma Square, the political and social heart of Athens, home to the Hellenic Parliament, where you can watch the impressive Changing of the Guard ceremony of the Evzones at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We will continue along Panepistimiou Avenue to admire the famous Neoclassical Trilogy — consisting of the National Library, the University of Athens, and the Academy — before passing in front of the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro), the only stadium in the world built entirely of white marble and venue of the first modern Olympic Games of 1896, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Next, we reach the Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage site and symbol of Greek civilization. During the guided tour, you will admire extraordinary monuments such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea, absolute masterpieces of classical architecture. The next stop will be the modern Acropolis Museum, one of the most important archaeological museums in the world, which exclusively houses artifacts from the Acropolis and offers an extraordinary overview of the history of ancient Athens.

After free time for lunch, in the afternoon we will head towards Cape Sounion along the scenic southern coast of Athens for a guided visit to the majestic Temple of Poseidon, an imposing complex overlooking the sea. This will be followed by free time to take photos before returning to the hotel in central Athens. Evening at leisure with dinner on your own, or the option to participate in a typical Greek dinner with live music, traditional dancing, and classic plate smashing for a truly authentic experience. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for independent exploration or the option to participate in an excursion (optional and payable on-site): “Cruise to the Saronic Gulf Islands: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina”. Departing from the vibrant port of Piraeus, the cruise allows you to discover the charm of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina — three islands characterized by picturesque landscapes, authentic traditions, and a rich history. Buffet lunch on board and return to Athens in the evening. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Athens to the Corinth Canal, with a short photo stop planned. We depart towards the Peloponnese, a peninsula rich in history and evidence of ancient Greece. Along the way, you can admire scenic landscapes alternating between urban areas and glimpses of the Greek countryside.

Arrival at Epidaurus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its magnificent 4th-century BC theater, considered one of the best preserved in the world and renowned for its extraordinary acoustics. The site also hosted the Sanctuary of Asclepius, god of medicine, an important ancient center of worship and healing. We continue to Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece, an elegant town characterized by Venetian and Ottoman influences, where we will make a brief photo stop.

Afterward, lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the archaeological site of Mycenae, one of the most important Bronze Age strongholds and ancient capital of Agamemnon’s kingdom, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The guided tour will begin at the majestic Tomb of Agamemnon (or Treasury of Atreus), an extraordinary example of 13th-century BC tholos architecture, before entering the acropolis through the famous Lion Gate and visiting the remains of the Royal Palace that dominated the Argolid plain.

Depending on the actual time available during the day, before or after visiting Mycenae, an optional stop will be made at a local ceramic workshop to watch a live demonstration by master artisans illustrating wheel throwing and geometric decoration dating back to the Bronze Age. This short experience blending history and art will conclude with time to relax and purchase certified replicas or unique handmade souvenirs. Afterward, departure for Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games and a site of great historical and cultural value. Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the archaeological site of Olympia, sacred site of the Peloponnese and birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. During the visit with a professional tour guide, you will admire the ancient stadium, the ruins of the majestic Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame is still lit today. This is followed by a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we move towards mainland Greece crossing the impressive Rio-Antirrio Bridge (Patras Bridge), a masterpiece of modern engineering over the sea. From here, the journey continues along a splendid panoramic road ascending between the shores of the Gulf of Corinth and the mountainous landscapes of Parnassus, offering truly breathtaking views. Along the route, a stop is planned in the picturesque seaside town of Nafpaktos, famous for its charming Venetian port and medieval fortress, before reaching the characteristic mountain center of Arachova for another brief photo stop. The journey then continues to nearby Delphi. Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Delphi to visit the famous archaeological site and its museum. Considered one of the most important religious centers of ancient Greece, pilgrims traveled here for centuries to consult the famous Oracle. You will see the Sanctuary of Apollo (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and, walking along the Sacred Way, admire the remains of votive treasuries and monuments. The visit continues to the ancient theater and the stadium, home of the Pythian Games dedicated to Apollo.

After a lunch stop at a local restaurant, we proceed toward Thermopylae for a brief photo stop at the famous monument dedicated to King Leonidas I, the heroic Spartan leader who led his 300 warriors in 480 BC against Xerxes’ Persian army. The journey resumes toward Kalambaka, a quaint village situated at the foot of the imposing Meteora rocks. Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Before ascending to Meteora, we will stop at a renowned workshop for Byzantine icons. Here, a master artisan will demonstrate live the ancient technique of “icon writing” handed down over centuries by monks of Mount Athos and the Cretan School, followed by free time to explore the showroom filled with certified replicas and unique hand-painted pieces.

Afterward, the journey resumes towards the spectacular rock formations of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site where nature meets ancient spirituality. Here, towering pillars of gray sandstone rise vertically from the Thessalian plain, hosting atop their summits historic Byzantine monasteries that seem suspended between earth and sky. Guided tour of 2 of the most impressive active monasteries to closely admire precious frescoes, ancient architecture, and breathtaking panoramic views from the summits. After lunch at a local restaurant, we depart for Athens. Hotel check-in, dinner at leisure, and overnight stay.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Entrance to the monasteries is only permitted with appropriate and modest attire: men must wear long trousers and sleeved shirts, while women are required to wear long skirts. Shoulders must be covered in all cases.

Breakfast at the hotel or packed breakfast depending on the return flight schedule. At the indicated time, transfer to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” in time for departure. For those wishing to extend their stay with a beach extension on the Athens Riviera or in the Greek islands, transfer to the port of Piraeus.