TOURS & EXCURSIONS

HALF-DAY TOURS

Athens sightseeing tour with visits to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum A panoramic tour will take you along the most important sites of the city of Athens: Constitution square with the Greek parliament and the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier, The Temple of Zeus, the Evzones in National costume, the Presidential Palace and the marble Panathenean Stadium where the first New Olympic Games in Athens were held in 1896. Then on to the Acropolis for a guided visit – see the Propylea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion and the world famous Parthenon Temple – dedicated to the Goddess Athina . The last visit of the tour will be to the Acropolis Museum – the new Jewel of Athens (opened in 2009) and considered to be one of the best museums of the World.

Athens by night

This evening-tour will take you through lighted Athens with the many beautifully lit monuments. Then a short drive will take us to Piraeus – the port-town of Athens. Drive along the main-port where the ferries depart to the Greek islands, the cruise-port, the yachting port Marina Zeas and last but not least the graphical small fishing-port of Mikrolimano, full of night life and small fish-taverns by the sea. You can make your choice to have either a nice fish-dinner in this small port or return to Athens for an authentic Greek meal in Plaka, the old part of Athens on the foot of the Acropolis. Enjoy delicious Greek specialties in a typical ‘Plaka taverna’ while enjoying traditional Greek dances and music.

Cape Sounion (afternoon)
Leaving the center of Athens, we drive southwards along the ‘Apollo-coast’ of Athens. While enjoy watching the many beaches of the Saronic Gulf you will pass famous sea-side resorts like Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. Reaching Cape Sounion the majestic Temple of Poseidon immediately catches your eye. After exploring the Temple, sit down to relax and enjoy the famous sunset while nipping from an iced-coffee or a sunset-cocktail.

Ancient Corinth
A well known destination – especially related to the “Steps of St. Paul” in Greece. A drive along the Saronic Gulf, passing along historical places like Salamis and Eleusis we reach Ancient Corinth - the ruins of which are spread out at the foot of the huge rock of Acrocorinth. St. Paul stayed in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla, worked at the tent-making trade and taught the gospel for 18 months. Visit the Doric Temple of Apollo and the Bema (= judgment seat) before which Paul testified and also have a look in the small museum. On the way back to Athens a stop will be made at the famous Corinth Canal.

FULL-DAY TOURS

Delphi Enjoying a wonderful driving experience through typical country landscape, passing the village of Thebes and Levadia we reach the “Navel of the Earth” as Delphi is called. A real diamond of Greek history spreads itself between the Parnassus Mountains. Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and see the place where the famous Oracle did her predictions. Masterpieces of ancient Greek art are housed in its famous Delphi Museum. After lunch on the way back we will make a short stop in the mountain-village of Arachova – a trendy ski-resort in winter. If time allows we can also visit the Ossios Loukas ancient Monastery, close to Arachova.

Argolis: Corinth Canal – Mycenae – Nauplion - Epidaurus
Driving along the scenic coast of the Saronic Gulf we reach the famous Corinth Canal - built in the late 19th century. Then continue to Mycenae – the so-called ‘City of Gold’, known from King Agamemnon and the Troyan War. See the famous Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. After lunch we continue to the picturesque small town of Nauplion, dominated by the Palamidi Fortress. Our last stop will be at Epidaurus, worldwide famous for its Ancient Theatre (4th century BC.) with its unique acoustics.

TWO-DAY TOURS
Olympia
The birth place of the Olympic Games (776 B.C.) where the Olympic Flame is lit every 4 years and travels around the world, spreading the Ancient Spirit of Peace and Friendship.
We leave Athens and drive along the coastal line of the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal where a first stop is made. Then continue along the Corinthian Gulf towards Patras – the 2nd largest port of the Mediterranean where the ferry-boats leave for Italy. While approaching Patras, one can see the beautiful and impressive, world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge, linking the town of Rio on the Peloponnese to Antirrion on the Greek mainland. A short drive leads us to Olympia. We have plenty of time during the afternoon and the next morning to visit all important places there: the archaeological site with the Palestra, the Ancient Stadium, the Temples of Zeus and Hera and of course the place where the Olympic Flame is being lit every 4 year. A must is a visit to the Museum – with important findings from the site as well as well-known sculptures from the Golden Age of Greece – such as the beautiful marble statue of Hermes, made by Praxiteles. Overnight will be in Olympia.

Delphi and Meteora Monasteries

Enjoying a wonderful driving experience through typical country landscape, passing from the village of Thebes and Levadia we reach the “Navel of the Earth” as Delphi is called. A real diamond of Greek history spreads itself between the Parnassus Mountains. Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and see the place where the famous Oracle did her predictions. Masterpieces of ancient Greek art are housed in its famous Delphi Museum. After this interesting visit the drive goes to the North – to the prefecture of Thessaly. Overnight in the village of Kalambaka, on the foot of the Meteora rocks.

Located in the Thessaly region of central Greece, the towering rocks of Meteora (meaning 'rocks in the air') create a breathtaking landscape, sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there are many theories though they remain as such since none has been proven. Perched high atop these sandstone rocks, the monasteries of Meteora are one of the world’s most spectacular sacred sites and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The arrival of Christianity began in the 8th century, organized monastic communities had developed by the 12th century and by the mid 1500's 24 Greek Orthodox monasteries had been constructed upon the spires of stone. The monasteries, 200-600 meters high (and some accessible only by baskets or nets lowered by ropes and winches) became a centre of scholarship and art until the mid 18th century.
During the Turkish occupation the monasteries kept alive the Hellenic culture and traditions. They were not only religious centers but academic and artistic as well. It is believed that, were it not for the monasteries, Hellenic culture would have disappeared and modern Greece would be a reflection of the Ottoman Empire with little knowledge of its roots and history. The monasteries attracted not only the deeply religious, but also the philosophers, poets, painters and the deep thinkers of Greece.
Most of the 24 monasteries were abandoned and today only 6 are inhabited. They can be visited by way of bridges and rock-cut steps. The construction of a highway in the early 1960's made the monasteries accessible to pilgrims and tourists.
During the afternoon drive back to Athens – arrival there will be late afternoon, early evening.

Meteora Monasteries and Plastira Lake
Located in the Thessaly region of north central the towering rocks of Meteora (meaning 'rocks in the air') create a breathtaking landscape, sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there are many theories though they remain theories since none have been proven. Perched high atop these sandstone rocks, the monasteries of Meteora are one of the world’s most spectacular sacred sites and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The arrival of Christianity began in the 8th century, organized monastic communities had developed by the 12th century and by the mid 1500's 24 Greek Orthodox monasteries had been constructed upon the spires of stone. The monasteries, 200-600 meters high (and some accessible only by baskets or nets lowered by ropes and winches) became a centre of scholarship and art until the mid 18th century.
During the Turkish occupation the monasteries kept alive the Hellenic culture and traditions. They were not only religious centers but academic and artistic as well. It is believed that were it not for the monasteries, Hellenic culture would have disappeared and modern Greece would be a reflection of the Ottoman Empire with little knowledge of its roots and history. The monasteries attracted not only the deeply religious, but also the philosophers, poets, painters and the deep thinkers of Greece.
Most of the 24 monasteries were abandoned and today only 6 survive which can be visited by way of bridges and rock-cut steps. The construction of a highway in the early 1960's made the monasteries accessible to pilgrims and tourists.
Overnight will be in the small town of Kalambaka, situated on the foot of the Meteora rocks.
For nature-lovers we can suggest to pass on day 2 from the prefecture of Karditsa and stop at the beautiful Plastira Lake, located on a height of 900m between the Agrafa Mountains. Surrounded by oak, plane and chestnut trees and many small still authentic villages, here one can get a taste of real Greek village life.
During the afternoon drive back to Athens – arrival there will be late afternoon, early evening.

Many of the private tours can also be arranged on organized basis.
In general these tours include a pick-up/drop-off service from all Athens hotels and include (often bi-lingual) guiding and entrance-fees to the visited sites and museum.
Some examples of organized tours:

ONE DAY CRUISE TO HYDRA-POROS-AEGINA
This highly recommended full day excursion cruise travels between the 3 Saronic islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina, letting you explore and experience in this way different sights and styles of architecture during one single day.

Poros island is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow sea-way. It is a green island with many olive- and lemon-trees. It has also many nice beaches and little bays and the quay of the harbor if full of live.

Hydra is a very popular destination. The graphical port and amphitheatrically built stone housed village attract many artists. It is also well-known for its history during the War of Independence in the 19th century. No cars are allowed on this small island so take either a walk or a donkey-ride through its traditional stone housed village center and stroll along the boulevard with its numerous shops, cafes and restaurants.

Aegina is the biggest island of the Saronic Gulf, close to Athens and Piraeus and for this reason also a very popular week-end destination for the Athenians. The island is also well-known for the Temple of Aphea Athena, the beautiful sandy beaches, pottery and pistachio-nuts!

Included are transfers from Athens hotels to the ship and back, lunch and a folklore-show with live music on board.

BASIC CLASSICAL TOUR (3 days/2 nights)
1st day: Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the town of Nauplion for a short photo stop before we drive on to Mycenae to visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games. (Dinner)

2nd day: After breakfast visit the Archaeological site of Olympia with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia over the magnificent bridge crossing the Corinthian Gulf from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and Itea to arrive late afternoon in Delphi. Overnight. (Dinner)

3rd day: Breakfast and leave for the visits of the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Then you will have time to explore the picturesque village of Delphi on your own. On the way back a stop will be made in the village of Arachova, well known for the colorful rugs and carpets and the many traditional products. Then continue via Levadia and Thebes to arrive back in Athens early in the evening.

CLASSICAL TOUR WITH METEORA (4 days/3 nights) 1st day: Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the town of Nauplion for a short photo stop before we drive on to Mycenae to visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games. (Dinner)

2nd day: After breakfast visit the Archaeological site of Olympia with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Eliad and Achaia over the magnificent bridge crossing the Corinthian Gulf from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and Itea to arrive late afternoon in Delphi. Overnight. (Dinner)

3rd day: Breakfast and leave to visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Then depart for Kalambaka, a small town located on the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, gigantic rocks. Overnight. (Dinner)
4th day: After breakfast by coach drive up the astonishing Meteora. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, agelessly stand the Meteora Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Visit 2 of the 6 which are still inhabited by monks and nuns. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road the Leonida's Monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.