12 Day Tour in Ancient Greece: Delphi, Meteora, Zakynthos & Santorini Island

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY: 

• Our driver will be waiting at Athens holding a sign with your name written on it, in order to meet you and transfer you at your hotel in Athens. Overnight in Athens. 

DAY 2: ATHENS - MYCENAE - EPIDAURUS - NAFPLIO - ANCIET OLYMPIA:

• Our driver will pick you up from your hotel to have our first stop, at the Canal of Corinth (6 km length and 80m height). We continue to reach at the archaeological site of Mycenae, an ancient town with great power during the ancient years, with the famous ‘’Gate of Lions’’ and the ‘’Atreus King Tomb’’ & the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best Ancient Theatres worldwide with amazing acoustic. The most relaxing part of the tour is upon our arrival at the one of the most beautiful towns of Greece and the first capital city at the Modern Greek history, the seaside town of Nafplio. We will visit the Castle of the Town, with the 999 steps (!) and the amazing panoramic view the small island of Bourtzi, in the middle of the city’s harbor. You can have a traditional Greek lunch here before leave Nafplio to reach at Olympia. Overnight in Olympia.

DAY 3: ANCIENT OLYMPIA - ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND: 

• Start early in the morning, visiting the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place that the first ever Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. There is located the temple of Zeus, the most celebrated sanctuary in ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, in antiquity the temple was housing one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world, the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, which Phidias had created. You will then visit the temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops (one of the oldest in the sanctuary), the Council house where the athletes took the Olympic oath, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium and the Palestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games. Finally visit the stadium, where the marble starting blocks are still in position. After sightseeing in Olympia, we head to Kyllini Port to take the ferry departing at 15.15 to reach in Zakynthos port at about 16.15 (after 1 hour). Check in at your hotel and then have the rest of the day at leisure. After your rest you can explore the center of Zakynthos and have a dinner at a traditional tavern. Overnight in Zakynthos.

DAY 4: ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND - DAY CRUISE: 

• After your breakfast our driver will transfer you from your hotel to Zakynthos Marina to take the local boat cruise, as is one of the best ways to explore the island. Our first stop is at the Blue Caves. The distinctive element of the blue caves is that they reflect the vibrating and striking blue color of the waters in them. Next stop is at the famous Shipwreck. This beach is well known throughout the world. The waters here are clear blue but deep. Our program continues for photo stop at Porto Vromi. Then our boat pulls up next to the Agalas Caves and the Keri Caves for a reasonable amount of time to admire the beauty of nature. A big photo stop includes the Turtle Island. Our other major swim stop is in the area of St Nickolas, Basilikos where the boat anchors for about an hour. Actual tour all around the island beholds many views that is only possible to see by boat. Some of the stops may not be done depending on the weather conditions on that day. In the afternoon, at about 17.00, we will return at Marina and our driver will transfer you back to your hotel. Overnight in Zakynthos.

DAY 5: ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND - DELPHI - METEORA: 

• After you breakfast we will transfer you at Zakynthos Port to take the ferry from Zakynthos port departing at 08.00 to reach at Kyllini after 1 hour, at about 09.00 to continue the tour to Delphi. We will cross over the amazing bridge of Rion – Antirion, one of the biggest in Europe, in order to reach at Naupactus, a beautiful seaside small town, where you can have lunch. Afterwards, we will head to Delphi. We will visit the Ancient Oracle, the Stadium, the Ancient Theatre and of course the Museum of Delphi. Departing from Delphi and driving through Central Greece, and the city of Trikala where we will have a quick stop, we will arrive in Kalambaka, a small traditional town, built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks of God, at the shadow of the great Meteora Monasteries. Overnight Meteora.

DAY 6: METEORA - ATHENS: 

• Visit Meteora, enjoying a unique and most impressive scenery of ageless monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between Earth and Sky atop huge rocks. Our first visit is at the great monastery of Varlaam, founded on the 16th century and located on the top of a rock at 380m height! Our second visit is at the Monastery of St. Stephan, of the 15th century, also built on the top of another huge rock. There you will admire a small treasure of Byzantine and Christian items, at the museum inside the monastery! Return to Athens passing by the small towns of Domokos, Kamena Vourla at the seaside and Thermopiles where you will admire the statue of Leonidas, as a memorial of the battle of the 300 Spartans against thousands of Persian soldiers of the Persian Empire. Return in Athens late in the afternoon. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 7: PRIVATE TOUR ATHENS WITH GUIDE 5H:

• Meet your private driver your hotel to start a stunning private tour in Athens.
  Panoramic Tour Athens: We start our trip with a panoramic city tour to the most Athens’s iconic landmarks. We will visit Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceeding, we will visit Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, Russian Orthodox Church.
  Mount of Lycabettus: We will visit the Mount Lycabettus, one of the city’s most stunning natural features and the higher point of Athens. Once arrived to the top, the panoramic views over the city and over the Acropolis are amazing. 
  Acropolis & Museum: Finally, our driver drops you of at Acropolis, built during the Golden Age of Pericles to admire the Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Continue the pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysus Theater, to visit the new Museum of Acropolis. There we will admire the artifacts and sculptures originating from the numerous Acropolis buildings such as the Erechtheum, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaea as well as from the Roman and early Christian Athens. As the museum is built over an extensive archaeological site, we will be able to see the excavations beneath through a transparent glass floor.
  Stroll in Palka: We suggest at the end of the tour to spend some time to explore Plaka to admire the Greek culture with the narrow streets full of old mansions. Do not miss the chance to taste the famous Greek Souvlaki.

DAY 8: ATHENS - SANTORINI ISLAND: 

• Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Piraeus Port to get the boat departing at 07.00 for the famous Santorini Island, arriving at 11.45.Our local driver will transfer you at your hotel. You will have free time for yourselves, during which, you can enjoy your drink or dinner, at one of the hundreds places located just on the rocks above the sea, and walk among the narrow streets of the island where you can buy many souvenirs. Overnight in Santorini.

DAY 9: SANTORINI ISLAND:

• (optional) Sunset crusie to Volcano with buffet on board. Pick you up from your hotel after noon to have our first stop at the famous volcano of Santorini! Then, you will walk to the volcano’s ridge with your guide and he is going to explain you everything about the history and the geology of the volcano. Our next stop will be the island of Palea Kameni where the famous hot springs are located on the west side. Dinner on Board Sailing above the underwater craters from Palia Kameni to Thirasia Island, the boat will anchor close to the island in order to enjoy your dinner. The end of the excursion comes on sunset time. Our boat will stop very close to Oia village where you will have the chance to watch the warm light of the setting sun under the violet sky before the night falls. This is the most unforgettable experience as the Caldera and the village of Oia will turn into gold color. Overnight in Santorini.

DAY 10: SANTORINI ISLAND:

• (optional) Tour in Akrotiri, traditional villages & wine tour. Today we suggest you an excellent Wine and Village tour. The driver will pick you up from your hotel to start this excellent Village & Wine tour in Santorini. We will visit the village Megalochori to admire the Cycladic culture and visit the famous Red Beach or black beach. We will visit the famous area of Oia that hundreds of persons visit in order to admire the most famous sunset of the world. You will have the chance to walk at the narrow streets and explore the beautiful area of Oia. Finally, we will visit Pyrgos village that is the highest point of the island, with magnificent panoramic view to take memorable photos! Our last stop will be at a perfect winery in Santorini! You will have sightseeing at the winery, tasting the local wines in combination with finger food and you will admire the famous sunset with panoramic view! The tour takes about 5 hours. Overnight in Santorini.

DAY 11: SANTORINI ISLAND - ATHENS:

•  We will transfer you to Santorini Port at 12.05 take the boat for Piraeus Port, arriving there at 17.00. Our driver will transfer you at your hotel. Overnight in Athens.

DAY 12: DEPARTURE DAY: 

• Our driver will transfer you from your hotel in Athens at the Athens airport, according to your flight details

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***TRAVEL INSURANCE: We would also like to draw your attention to the importance of taking out an insurance policy in the event of an unexpected happening that may cancel or interrupt your trip.
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