Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1 – Overnight Flight to Athens from the US

Day 2 – Athens, Greece
Kalimera! Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival proceed to baggage claim. After clearing customs, you will be met by your Central Holidays tour director and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Tonight, welcome dinner to Athens and overnight at the hotel. (D)

Day 3 – Athens, Greece
After breakfast depart for a city tour of Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Continuing on you will pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Afterwards you will visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. A walk through its galleries is a walk through history – between the masterpieces of the Archaic and Classical periods, but also in the ancient neighborhoods of Athens. Balance of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 4 – Athens – Corinth Canal – Epidaurus – Nafplion
After breakfast, you leave Athens behind and drive the scenic coastal road and to the Corinth Canal. Enjoy the imposing landscape in the Corinth Canal’s protected waters, one of the 19th Century world’s engineering masterpieces with history that starts as early as 602 B.C. Then onwards to Epidaurus with its 4th century B.C. theatre, famous for its astonishing acoustics. Lunch is included at local restaurant along the way. The town of Nafplion, your next stop, a modern seaside resort and old town, is crowned by the mighty ramparts at the Palamidi Fortress. Arrival at your hotel, dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Nafplion – Mycenae – Olympia
Morning free. Then transfer to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city “rich in gold” of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Lunch at local restaurant. Depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese, Tripoli and Megalopoli. Arrival at your hotel, dinner and
overnight (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Olympia – Ancient Olympia – Achaia – Delphi
Enjoy your breakfast and after visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the idea and site of the Ancient Olympic Games. Visit the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which hosts important treasures such as the famous statue of Praxiteles, Hermes. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue through Achaia and Rio – Antirio towards Delphi, passing through the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos and Itea. Arrival in Delphi, enjoy your dinner at hotel and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Delphi – Kalambaka
Enjoy your breakfast and depart for your tour to Delphi. Located on the slopes of Mount Parnasus, Delphi, once believed as the center, “Naval” of the Earth, is the home of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. At the oracle of Apollo, Pythia, the high priestess of the temple, under the influence of the ancient god Apollo delivered her famous prophesies. You will also visit the Treasury of the Athenians and the Delphi Museum, which hosts valuable pieces of art like the famous bronze charioteer. Lunch at local restaurant. Depart for Kalambaka. Enjoy your dinner at hotel and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Kalambaka – Meteora Monasteries – Athens
After breakfast, visit the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Perched on huge granite rocks, the monasteries seem to suspend between earth and sky, providing a magnificent view. Each monastery contains priceless historical and religious treasures. Enjoy your lunch at local restaurant in Kalambaka, before returning to Athens bypassing Trikala, Lamia and Thermopylae where a stop will be made to visit the memorial of Leonidas and the brave 300 Spartians. Return to Athens and overnight at hotel. (B, L)

Day 9 – Athens – Santorini Ferry
Enjoy your breakfast and transfer to Athens port for your ferry to Santorini. Upon arrival on the Island of Santorini, transfer to your hotel for check in. Remaining of your afternoon at leisure to admire the spectacular caldera with white washed houses perched on the edge, created by the eruption of the islands’ volcano in the ancient times. Overnight at your Santorini hotel. (B)

Day 10 – Santorini
Begin your tour after breakfast by visiting the Monastery of Profitis Ilias which is at the highest point on Santorini and spans to 1,856 feet at the summit. From here you can see the surrounding islands and, on a clear day, the mountains of Crete, more than 100 km (66 mi) away. Continue to Pyrgos, which can found at the highest point of Santorini, with panoramic views of the whole island all the way to the village of Oia. This hillside village was declared a protected settlement in 1995. Afterwards you will visit the Koutsoyannopoulos wine museum. Being the only one of its kind in Greece, the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum occupies a natural cave. It is eight meters below ground, 300 meters long and has a labyrinth-like shape. The Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum presents the history of wine and the life of vine-growers in Santorini since the 1600s. You will have the opportunity to see representations of the history of wine and to taste four of the best wines that winery produces today, in a specially designed wine-tasting area. End your tour with a visit to Oia, which is a traditional settlement in the north of Santorini. The beauty of Oia is unsurpassed. In fact, it is almost impossible to describe in words. Small white house’s tier the hillside, interspersed by splashes of rich okra, deep fuchsia, cobalt blue, oyster pink and earthy red. Oia is one of the most photographed places in Greece. It has inspired artists, poets and every visitor who visits Santorini. Oia is best known for breathtaking sunsets; if truth be told, sunrise in Oia is also magical. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at your Santorini hotel. (B)

Day 11 – Santorini – Athens – USA
After breakfast transfer to Santorini airport for your flight to Athens and your return flight home. (B)