Day 1 

ATHENS AT LEISURE
Welcome to Athens, 'City of the Gods', and the cradle of European civilisation! There's so much in Greece to delight you, and this Insight tour makes sure you don't miss any of it. You are met at the airport and transferred to your tour hotel for a two night stay. Then there is time to settle in and relax or start exploring this ancient and thriving city. Later, get to know your fellow travellers and Insight Representative over a Welcome Drink.

 

Day 2 

ATHENS SIGHTSEEING
All the glories of Athens are on display on your sightseeing tour this morning. Highlight of the tour, of course, is a visit to the Acropolis, that mighty rock formation standing 230 feet above the city and still dominating the frantic bustle of modern Athens with its serene presence. Admire the Parthenon, built atop the Acropolis to house the long vanished statue of the goddess Athena Parthenos, and still amazing in its grace, despite the ravages of time and the loss of the Elgin Marbles. You also see the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of the Wingless Victory and Hadrian's Arch - a magnificent list of treasures from the Classical age. This evening, get together with your friends and choose from a fantastic selection of local restaurants for your dining pleasure. 

 

Day 3 

ATHENS – OLYMPIA (300km/4h)
Leave Athens to follow the shores of the Saronic Gulf to the breathtaking Corinth Canal, begun in the 1st century BC by the emperor Nero, but not completed until the 19th century - an amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Now on to the ancient ruined city of Mycenae; featured in epics of Homer, its 3500 year old monuments were only discovered in 1876 by the controversial archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. Walk through the Lion Gate and see the giant Cyclopean stones which were used to build the city walls. Visit the royal 'beehive' tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, and hear tales of Agamemnon who was hacked to death in his bath by his wife Klytemnestra!. Heading west, a delightful drive takes you through the mountains of Arkadia to arrive at Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.

 

Day 4 

OLYMPIA – DELPHI (250km/4h)
In Olympia this morning, see the Olympic Stadium where the original games were first held in 776BC, plus the athletes' gymnasium and the city's ancient temples. Then head north to Patras on the tip of the Peloponnese and cross the soaring Rio-Antirrio bridge to the mainland. Follow the coast road before climbing into the foothills of Mount Parnassus. With its elevated site on the slopes of a mountain terrace and dwarfed on either side by the ominous crags of Parnassus, it's easy to see why the ancients believed Delphi to be the centre of the universe. Ascend the Sacred Way, once lined with offertory temples and statues to the honour of Apollo. See the splendid Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians which has been recreated by modern archeologists, (though without the riches that once filled it!) Pass the superb Polygonal Wall, its stones so perfectly interlocked, that even thousands of years have not harmed it. Now approach the legendary Temple of Apollo itself, where the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic 'words'. Stay overnight in your hotel in the centre of Delphi.

 

Day 5 

DELPHI – KALAMBAKA (300km/4h30min)
Leave Delphi and head north into the heart of Greece. Stop at the pass at Thermopylae, famous for its heroic defence by Leonidas and his courageous Spartans. In 480 BC, this was the main route from Thessaly into Southern Greece. Over several days, Leonidas and his 8,000 Greek soldiers held out to the very last man against a great invading army of Persians, believed to be some 30,000 strong. Continue through the market town of Trikala, famous in ancient times for its sanctuary to Asklepios. Your destination is the town of Kalambaka.

 

Day 6

KALAMBAKA – ATHENS (450km/5h)
This morning after breakfast, visit the amazing monasteries known as Metéora, which means 'in the air', incredibly perched on top of pinnacles of rock. Visit one of the monasteries and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley and Pindos Mountains. Afterwards, cross fertile Thessaly, once described as the 'bread basket of ancient Greece'. Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to return to Athens for your final night in this fascinating city. Perhaps round off your tour with a celebration Greek style dinner at a local taverna?

 

Day 7 

ATHENS
Sadly, your tour comes to an end today. Perhaps time to buy those last minute souvenirs before transferring to Athens airport for your onward flight.