Romancing the Islands B

Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Shortly thereafter we reach the ancient town of Corinth (visit) where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. Back in the ancient times Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge agora (market place) and Apollo's Temple (6th C.B.C) brief stop at the site of the ancient port of Kechreai where St. Paul disembarked.

Your evening dinner/tour begins with a pleasant scenic drive through the illuminated boulevards of Athens, as far as Piraeus, Greece's principal commercial port. Continue to Marina Zea, one of the busiest yacht harbors in the Mediterranean and home port to many luxury pleasure yachts belonging to Greece's ship owning and international jet-set communities. From here, a short drive to Mikrolimano, another picturesque yacht and fishing boat harbor, home to the ex Royal Yacht Club and many fine waterfront seafood restaurants. We finally return to Athens and the renowned "Plaka" district, located around the base of the Acropolis, for dinner with live floor show at a typical Greek taverna

DAY 1: Starting from Athens, drive westward along the scenic coast until reaching the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus (visit the archaeological site and the Theatre famous for its remarkable acoustics) and then on to Nauplia, the first capital of Greece (short stop). Drive to Mycenae, where you will visit the archaeological site and then depart for Olympia through the central Peloponnese area passing the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis. Arrive in Olympia. Dinner and overnight in Olympia. (D) 
DAY 2: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to ANTIRION on the "state of the art" suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos and then continue to Delphi. Dinner and overnight in Delphi. (B,D) 
DAY 3: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Two hours at leisure before starting the drive back to Athens. (B.) 
Accommodation during tour in 1st class hotels

DAY 1: Starting from Athens, drive westwards along the scenic coast, until reaching the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (Short Stop). The Corinth Canal is a junction of international sea transport and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern Mediterranean and black sea ports and vice-versa. Continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to Epidaurus for a visit. On the headland called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. The theater is marveled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.
Then depart for Nauplia, the first capital of Greece (Short Stop). Next, drive to Mycenae for a visit. Mycenae, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon which was first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization. In the afternoon depart for Olympia. Dinner & Overnight in Olympia. (D) 
DAY 2: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to Antirion on the "state of the art" suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos and then continue to Delphi. Dinner & Overnight in Delphi. (B,D) 
DAY 3: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka. Drive through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka for dinner and overnight (B,D) 
DAY 4: In the morning, visit breathtaking Meteora and in the early afternoon start the drive back to Athens passing via Thermopylae (visit) and Kammena Vourla. (B)
The most outstanding classical sites are visited on this tour, reminding the visitor of the glory that was Greece. 
Accommodation during tour in 1st class hotels

7:45am - Transfer by motorcoach from Athens to Piraeus Port and embark on the cruise ship. 
8:15am - Sail for the island of Hydra, where you will have time at leisure for strolling, shopping or swimming. In the early afternoon sail for the island of Aegina, passing through the narrow strait separating the Peloponnesian coast from the island of Poros.. Upon arrival in Aegina you can either join the excursion to the Temple of Aphaia (extra cost ) or walk around the main town. Lunch is served on board. 
Sail to Poros for a short visit before reembarking for the sail back to Piraeus Port. 
7:15pm  Arrival at Piraeus Port and transfer to Athens

Drive through Levadia and Arachova (famous for its bright multi colored carpets). Arrive in Delphi the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Visit the Museum where one can see among other archaeological treasures, the unique bronze Charioteer, then proceed through the sacred way to the Athenian treasury. Visit the Temple of Apollo. Return to Athens by the same route.

Drive along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to Mycenae (Visit) . Mycenae 'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon that was first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization

Then drive through Argos on the way to Nauplia, the 1st capital of Greece in 1829. After lunch depart for Epidaurus for a visit.

On the headland called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. The theater is marveled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.

Driving along the coastal road past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and countless coves, one has a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf. A crowning feature of the tour, Cape Sounion is dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea.

DAY 1: Drive through Levadia and Arachova (famous for its bright multi colored carpets) and arrive in Delphi. At the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years. Visit of the archaeological site and the Museum where one can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478 B.C. when he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the "severe" Attic style, certainly the work of a major artist. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner & Overnight in Delphi. (D)
DAY 2: Morning at leisure. Drive by the Central Greece towns of Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala to arrive into Kalambaka. Overnight. (B,D)
DAY 3: In the morning visit the breathtaking Meteora and then start the drive back to Athens, passing through Thermopylae (visit) and Kamena Vourla. (B)
Accommodation during tour in 1st class hotels

DAY 1: Drive through Levadia and Arachova (famous for its bright multi colored carpets) and arrive into Delphi. At the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years. 
Visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum where one can see among other archeological treasures, the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478 B.C. when he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the ''severe'' Attic style, certainly the work of a major artist. 
The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner & Overnight in Delphi. (D). 
DAY 2: Day at leisure to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of Delphi's landscape, before the afternoon drive back to Athens. (B) 
Accommodation during tour in 1st class hotels

DAY 1: Drive through Levadia and Arachova (famous for its bright multi colored carpets) and arrive in Delphi. At the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years. Visit of the archaeological site (Museum not included). 
After visit depart to Kalambaka through the towns of Central Greece  Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala - crossing the Thessalian Plain, the granary of Greece. Dinner & Overnight in Kalambaka. (D). 
DAY 2: Morning visit of the breathtaking Meteora and its monasteries built on the top of high rocks. Then start the drive back to Athens passing through Thermopylae where Leonidas was killed (visit) and Kamena Vourla. (B) 
Accommodation during tour in 1st class hotels

DAY 1: Starting from Athens, drive westwards along the scenic coast, until you reach the Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views (Short Stop). The Corinth Canal is a junction of international sea transport and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern Mediterranean and black sea ports and vice-versa. 
Continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to Mycenae for a visit. Mycenae, 'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon that was first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization. Then depart for Nauplia, the first capital of Greece. After lunch, afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Nauplia. (L) 
DAY 2: After a morning at leisure, depart for Epidaurus for a visit. On the headland called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. The theater is marveled for its exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the proscenium or scene to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of their seating 
In the afternoon drive back to Athens (B).