Day 1: Athens

Arrival in Athens. Our assistant will be waiting you for the transfer from the airport to the Hotel. Take advantage of your assistant local tips and start a stroll through the center of Athens for a first taste of the city.

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Day 2: Athens – City tour

The Athens city tour will be passing through the main highlights of the city. We start from Hadrian's Arch and continue visiting the Panathinaiko Stadium (also known as Kalimarmaro), which was originally built in 329 BC, and where the first Olympics of the modern era were held in 1896. We continue to the main square of the city named "Syntagma " square (Constitution), where the presidential guard is located. With its typical costumes, the so called" Evzonos " make the change of guard in front of the Greek parliament and the Tomb of the unknown soldier. After we continue the panoramic tour visiting the Neoclassical buildings of Athens such as the College, the library and the Academy, and finally we will visit Acropolis and Parthenon, this magnificent monument built in 447 BC during the golden age of Pericles dedicated to Goddess Athena. We will appreciate the Propylaea, temple of Athens Nike, Erechtheum and all its magnificent constructions. After Acropolis we will visit the Acropolis Museum, a building of a modern architecture, hosting the unique antiquities from the Acropolis. Enjoy the free afternoon to discover the center of Athens around Acropolis, strolling through Monastiraki, Plaka and Thissio, enjoying the pleasant sites of the ancient city.

Day 3: Epidauros, Mycenae and Olympia

In the morning we leave Athens to Corinth Canal. After a brief stop in the Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, we continue to Epidauros. Here we enter into the culture of the 4 th century BC and admire the Theatre of Epidauros, which is famous for having an exceptional acoustics that allows almost perfect hearing of the unamplified voice stage for any of the 15,000 places in which each viewer can be seated. The city of Epidauros was one of the most important pilgrimage centers of antiquity for having the famous shrine of the God Asclepius doctor. The theater for his see is now the best-preserved theater of antiquity. Depart for Nauplion, this picturesque town which was the first capital of Greece after the Turkish rule, in 1821. This beautiful town, nestles at the foot of the cliff were the Palamidi Fortress lies on the top. After passing by the old town we continue and visit the Acropolis of Mycenae, the Homeric city of King Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets, where we will see the tomb of Agamemnon, the "lions gate" and Cyclopic walls among other interests of antiquity. Late in the afternoon, depart to the birthplace city of the Olympic games called Olympia, through Tripolis and Megapolis in the center of Peloponnese.

        

Day 4: Olympia

After breakfast we will visit the archaeological site of Olympia, the site of the Olympic games of the Classic Era, which were held every four years during antiquity, from the 8 th century BC to the 4 th century AD. We will see the temple of Olympian Zeus with the famous statue of Zeus, which was about 13 meters and was made out of gold and ivory, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that the sculptor Phidias took about twelve years to build. We will go by the old stadium, that hosted the various sports of the Olympic games, and the archaeological museum. Leaving Olympia northward and through the plain of Ilias and Achaia, we arrive at the magnificent bridge which unites ATHENS AND CONTINENTAL TOUR Page 2 D. Gounari, 145 – Glyfada | Athens – GREECE | Tel: + 30 210 9602686 info@interalphatravel.gr | www.interalphatravel.gr the Rio with Antirio and passes over the bay of Corinth. Continuing our path and passing through the picturesque towns of Itea and Nafpactos we reach the "center of the ancient world" Delphi.

                                                                     
Day 5: Delphi

In the morning we will visit the archaeological site and museum of Delphi, where we see the Omphalos which was the "navel / center of the universe" and whose fame extended far beyond the borders of Greece, kept in the temple of the wrath Apollo. Inside the museum enjoy some masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the famous athlete Aghias and the Brass Charioteer. The Oracle of Delphi acquired great influence in the world. The predictions of the priestess of Apollo called Pythia, influenced the decisions and had a great impact on the history of the cities of ancient times. Walk the Via Sacra which arrives at the temple of Apollo. After visiting and getting to know this legendary location, we will continue our journey to the town of Kalambaka, an inspiring and impressive destination.

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Day 6: Meteora

Kalambaka is at the foot of this astonishing complex of Meteora, an impressive backdrop of gigantic rocks that appear to be suspended in the air, formed over 60 million years ago. On top of these rocks, the monks who settled after the 12th century, despite being almost inaccessible, built 24 monasteries in the hermit ideal time of the 15th century. Today six of these are kept which enjoy excellent specimens of Byzantine art. Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depart in the afternoon from Kalambaka passing through the plains of Thessaly, Lamia and Thermopylae, where the monument of King Leonidas of Sparta is, and Thiva. Arrival at our final destination Athens late afternoon

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Day 7: Athens

Free day in Athens. Start the morning experiencing a typical Greek coffee and explore the ancient and modern city. Walk the streets of the traditional neighborhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio, where modern buildings blend with the old. Experience the spectacular Greek cuisine that is the basis of the Mediterranean diet and follow with a typical greek drink "ouzo" or a good Greek wine and discover the real nightlife that Athens offers. Enjoy the various optional tours that Athens.

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Day 8: 1 Day Cruise at Hydra, Poros and Aegina

In the morning, transfer by motor coach from Athens hotel to Flisvos Marina for your embarkation on the cruise ship. Sail to the enchanting and picturesque island of Hydra - the home of captains and artists. On the island you have time at leisure to stroll, shop or swim. Back on-board and sail through the straits of Poros, which separate the Peloponnesian coast from the island, that you will visit. Lunch is served on board the ship, which continues to the island of Aegina. Some shore time on the island. Aegina is renown for the very well preserved Temple dedicated to the Goddess APHEA (5th century BC) and the local excellent Pistachio. Return to the ship and commence the short journey back to Flisvos Marina, arriving in the early evening. Coach transfer back to your hotel in Athens

 

Day 9:Return

At a designated time, transfer from your hotel to the airport.

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