CLASSICAL GREECE
8 DAY TOUR FROM ATHENS TO ATHENS

You’ve seen photos of the ancient Acropolis in Athens, dating back to the 5th century BC—now’s your chance to see it in person. You’ve watched the Olympics on TV—now’s your chance to walk among the remains in Olympia, where the Olympics began in 776 BC. You’ve eaten at Greek restaurants—now’s your chance to enjoy an authentic Greek cooking demonstration, where you’ll learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer. All of this and more await you on this Classical Greece tour.

History comes alive on your guided visits to many of Greece’s ancient sights. In addition to the Acropolis and Olympia, you’ll also visit ancient Corinth, dating back to the 8th century BC and the place where St. Paul preached; the ruins in Mycenae, dating from 1,350 to 1,200 BC and described by Homer; the amazingly well-preserved, 2,300-year-old open-air theater in Epidaurus; and Thermopylae, where the battle between the Greeks and Persians took place in 480 BC.

In ancient Greece, people traveled to Delphi to seek the wisdom from the Oracle. Here, you’ll hear about the Oracle, tour the excavations, and visit its Archaeological Museum. You’ll step back in history—but not as far back as Ancient Greece—when you visit the fantastic landscape of Meteora with its 24 rock-top monasteries.

In addition to all of these included sights, Globus has included some unique experiences for you to get a true sense of Greek life. You’ll enjoy a dance lesson, where you’ll learn how to dance the sirtaki. Plus, you’ll be accompanied by an expert Tour Director who will bring this country to life by sharing its history, stories, and insider secrets.

From the picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic sights, this Greece tour is a vacation of a lifetime!

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* The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus). RG

OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

INCLUDED

INCLUDED HOTELS

ATHENS
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, visit the Acropolis
CORINTH
Guided visit
MYCENAE
Guided visit of the excavations and museum
EPIDAURUS
Guided visit of the 2,300-year-old open-air theater
OLYMPIA
Guided visit of the archaeological site and the museum; learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer
DELPHI
Guided visit of the excavations, visit the Archaeological Museum; learn to dance the sirtaki and have a glass of Ouzo
METEORA AREA
Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries
THERMOPYLAE
Guided visit
Headsets throughout the tour.

Day 01:

ATHENS, GREECE

Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Day 02:

ATHENS

Sightseeing with a Local Guide features a visit to the world-famous ACROPOLIS, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Here, see the Parthenon, the Erechtheum with its Porch of Maidens, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Enjoy a panoramic view that includes glimpses of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Theater of Dionysus, and the beautifully preserved Theseum, where Socrates taught. Later, a city orientation tour features the Parliament House and a picture stop at the Panathenaic Stadium. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and was host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, perhaps join an optional dinner outing to sample local fare.
Breakfast

Day 03:

ATHENS–CORINTH–MYCENAE–EPIDAURUS–NAUPLIA

Cross the spectacular Corinth Canal, then visit ANCIENT CORINTH, where St. Paul preached. Two highlights today: MYCENAE, where 19th-century excavations reveal impressions of the splendors so vividly described by Homer. Admire the Beehive Tombs, known as the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest known monument, remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace, and the impressive fortifications of the Citadel. Also visit the museum. Then, a short drive to EPIDAURUS for a tour of its amazingly well-preserved 2,300-year-old open-air theater. Overnight in nearby Nauplia.
Breakfast – Dinner

Day 04:

NAUPLIA–OLYMPIA

Spectacular scenery on the way through the Arkadian Mountains. Then, spend the afternoon in OLYMPIA, where athletes of antiquity competed in honor of the king of deities. Learn about the history of those original Olympic Games as you walk among the impressive remains of the Gymnasium and the Temples of Hera and Zeus. Also visit the MUSEUM that displays Praxiteles’ magnificent statue of Hermes. Tonight, Globus Local Favorite enjoy a COOKING DEMONSTRATION and learn how to make the traditional Greek tzatziki appetizer.
Breakfast – Dinner

Day 05:

OLYMPIA–PATRAS–DELPHI

Via the busy seaport of Patras, proceed to mystic Delphi. The afternoon is devoted to a fascinating tour of the ancient sanctuary of the god Apollo in its dramatic setting on Mount Parnassus. Hear about the Oracle and tour the EXCAVATIONS. End the day with a visit to the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM to admire the Charioteer, an extraordinary 5th-century BC bronze statue. A highlight this evening is Globus Local Favorite a DANCE LESSON, where you’ll learn how to dance the sirtaki, made famous in the movie Zorba the Greek, accompanied by a glass of Ouzo.
Breakfast – Dinner

Day 06:

DELPHI–METEORA AREA

Drive past Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka in the unreal, fantastic landscape of Meteora with its rock-top monasteries. Visit VARLAAM MONASTERY, famous for its frescoes, and ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, featuring a unique collection of icons and an incredible panoramic view. (Ladies should pack one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting the monasteries.)
Breakfast – Dinner

Day 07:

METEORA AREA–THERMOPYLAE–ATHENS

Today’s highlight is a guided visit to THERMOPYLAE, the site of the heroic battle of Leonidas’ 300 doomed Spartans against Xerxes’ huge Persian army. On the way back to Athens, your Tour Director will tell you about Thebes, the setting of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, and Marathon, where 10,000 Athenians defeated more than twice that number of Persian invaders in 490 BC. Tonight, you may wish to join an optional dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast

Day 08:

ATHENS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.