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Highlights of Greece

Greece - Trip code GG Discovery
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248Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Journey around the cradle of Western civilization as we visit Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, and the delightful coastal town of Nafplion, all epicentres of the ancient Grecian world. Explore the famous Pantheon in Athens, spend the night in a mountain lodge close to Arachova and take a breathtaking train journey to Kalavryta, a small village with a gigantic history. All while soaking up the atmosphere dipping into traditional tavernas and watching the sun sink into the sea.

Why we love this trip
  • Athens - Explore the history and culture of one of the world's oldest cities, including the impressive Acropolis.
  • Delphi - Perched on the rocky slopes of Mount Parnassos, take a guided tour of the Temple of Apollo.
  • Olympia - The birthplace of the Olympic Games, discover the magnificent ancient ruins including the arena.
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 7

    Lunch: 1

    Dinner: 2

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

    Local Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Bus

    Train

  • i

    Accommodation

    7 nights comfortable hotel

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Full on

  • i

    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 10

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join tour in Athens

Our tour of Greece's history starts in Athens. Combining the ancient and modern world, the centre of Athens is surprisingly compact. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to visit one of the cafes in the colourful Psyrri district which offer traditional Greek cuisine such as scrumptious aubergines, tomatoes and cheese washed down with ouzo or raki. There are traditional rustic tavernas in the well-known Plaka area at the foot of the Acropolis, too.

For those arriving in time our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm and for those that wish, there'll be the chance to go out for dinner. Due to a number of flights arriving into Athens later in the evening, our welcome meeting will take place on day two - details will be left in the hotel reception.

There are no other activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive in Athens at any time. If you\ d like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Athens International Airport (ATH), which is about a one-hour drive from the hotel.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Walking tour of Athens including Greek parliament and the Acropolis

This morning, our tour leader will hold a welcome meeting before we head out to explore the capital. We'll take a short walk to Monastiraki Square and walk along Ermou Street to Syntagma, home of the Hellenic parliament where we'll watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

From the crowds of Syntagma Square, we'll head into the green oasis of the National Gardens for a stroll through the pristine park down to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, a former vast temple complex with well-preserved columns and great views of the Acropolis behind it.

We'll then head to the vibrant Plaka quarter (one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Athens) and the markets around Monastiraki. The streets are brimming with atmospheric tavernas, their tables spilling out onto the narrow, cobbled streets, and small traders selling all kinds of specialties. It's the perfect place to break for lunch with a wide choice of eating spots offering traditional Greek fare including Tiropita, Kolokithopita or Spanakopita (a delicious spinach and feta-filled snack).

We'll continue our tour and head for a guided tour of the Acropolis, deservedly named one of the wonders of the ancient world. Climbing up from Plaka to the Acropolis, we'll pass through the Anafiotika district, where the architecture is more in keeping with Cycladic islands than the Greek capital. We'll have a guided tour of the site including the Temple of Athena Nike, Pericles and the Parthenon Tower and the Erechtheion.

Making our way back to our hotel, the evening is free to further explore the city and our tour leader can make recommendations for dining spots.

For those wishing to see more of Athens, it is well worth visiting the highly acclaimed Acropolis Museum to see the layers of history painstakingly excavated right beneath your feet. It's now possible to see the ruins of the ancient Athenian neighbourhood that stood on this very site millennium ago, following a comprehensive refurbishment of the museum in 2019.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 3 - Drive to Delphi and stay in mountain resort

A scenic drive northwest of Athens this morning takes us through the largest olive grove in Greece to reach Delphi. Perched on the rocky slopes of sacred Mount Parnassos, Delphi was the perfect setting for mystery and religious prophecy and was known throughout the ancient Greek world as the sanctuary of Apollo.

We'll make a brief stop before Arahova for photos and also stop in Delphi for lunch. Eventually, we'll descend to Chrysso where the coach will pick us up at the Café Pinakothiki in the village center.

In the late afternoon, we'll make the short 15-minute drive into Delphi to visit its acclaimed museum and archaeological site accompanied by a guide. The museum contains the 'charioteer', widely regarded as one of the finest Bronze sculptures in the ancient world.

Tonight, we'll have dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Journey through Vouraikos Gorge to Kalavryta

Continuing our journey, we'll have a quick stop in the beautiful town of Nafpaktos, known for the Lepanto battle. Next, we'll cross the impressive Rion-Antirion Bridge, that spans the Gulf of Corinth, into the Peloponnese peninsular and onto Diakofto, where we'll board the historic rack railway to Kalavryta. Travelling across the dramatic Vouraikos Gorge through tunnels, over heady ravines and past rushing waterfalls, it's a train ride to remember.

Our destination is Kalavryta, a small village with a gigantic history; it was here that the Greek revolution began in 1821. In more recent times, it was the setting of one of Greece's most tragic encounters in WWII. On December 13th, 1943, in retaliation against the Greek resistance guerrillas who had been fighting around the area, the German troops invaded Kalavryta. After looting and setting fire to much of the village, they rounded up the town's entire male population of 451 men and boys and executed them. Only 13 survived, after hiding under the bodies of the dead.

This tragedy is still very much alive in Kalavryta's collective memory, and on arrival we'll take a walk to the poignant site of the town's WWII holocaust memorial.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 5 - Visit Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympics

Our destination today is the monuments of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games and one of Greece's most renowned historical sites. We'll learn about the site and its history with a guided tour.

The site lies in an enchanting valley setting close to the modern-day town of Nea Olympia. The first monuments to be constructed were in the Altis, or sacred grove, and date back to the 10th - 9th century BC. Estimates indicate the games first began in 776 BC, after the worship of Zeus was established. Initially, all the principal Greek cities took part in the Olympiads, which were held every four years. As well as wandering through the remains of the gymnasium, wrestling school, stadium, and the Temple of Zeus, we'll visit the excellent Archaeological Museum which has many remarkable exhibits on view.

Our hotel for today is on the outskirts of Olympia, offering fine views of Alfeios River and Kiparissia Bay and featuring a large terrace and swimming pool. Dinner is included tonight.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - Orientation walk in Nafplion and visit to ouzo distillery

Taking the scenic coastal road, we'll travel to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece and one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the Peloponnese. Guarded by two imposing Venetian castles, the old town of Nafplion is a jumble of red-roofed houses overlooking its expansive bay.

After checking in to our centrally located hotel, we'll head out for an orientation walking tour of this charming town including the first Greek parliament and fine examples of Byzantine and Venetian churches and buildings. There'll also be ample time for a leisurely lunch.

Later in the day, we'll visit a family-run ouzo distillery to learn about the liquor most closely associated with Greece. Now in their fourth generation, the Karonis family have proudly produced ouzo for 145 years with ingredients produced locally, they also produce a lemon liquor sourced from produce in the Arcadia region. After our distillery tour, we'll have the chance to taste some of the produce.

Ouzo tested, we'll head to our hotel in Nafplion, which is ideally located within close walking distance to the town waterfront promenade. You might like to enjoy a late afternoon stroll and watch the sunset followed by dinner at one of the many harbourfront restaurants.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 7 - Visit Epidavros theatre, ancient Mycenae and Skouras winery

We have more ancient greats to tick off today, starting with Epidavros, home to one of the greatest and best preserved of all ancient Greek theatres. With its backdrop of rolling hills, this 14,000-seat arena merges perfectly into the landscape, so much so that it was rediscovered and unearthed only in the last century. The acoustics of the amphitheatre are so incredible, it's said that even those sat on the highest tier will hear a coin drop on stage.

Dedicated to Asclepius, the healing god and legendary son of Apollo, the sanctuary here was one of the most important of the ancient world, and it remained a site of pilgrimage from the sixth century BC to Roman times.

Our next stop is the mighty ruins of ancient Mycenae. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley of Argos, Mycenae is connected to the legend of King Agamemnon who commanded the ten-year-long expedition against Troy.

The site was unearthed by the archaeologist Schliemann in the 1870s and is prized for its Lion Gate and Royal Tombs. Equally impressive are the 'beehive tombs' which include the Treasury of Atreus, the lintel over the monumental Atreus door weighs over 120 tons. Inside, the structure is impressive. The principal chamber dates from about 1350 BC and emulates the grandeur of the Egyptian pharaohs.

We'll round the day off with a visit to a Greek winery near Argos, set amongst rolling hills the Skouras winery boasts a cellar of over 1000 barrels. The tour starts by heading out into the vineyard to learn about the different types of vines used and the yearly rhythm of production, we'll then head back into the winery to see the grape pressing and bottling area, finishing the tour with a tasting session.

After a tipple, we'll finally head back to Nafplion to enjoy our last night on the Peloponnese peninsular.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 8 - Trip ends in Athens

After breakfast this morning, we'll drive back to the capital where our trip ends at Athens International Airport (ATH).

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Athens any time after 1.30pm. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at the airport. It's a 60-minute journey to the city by metro (line 3) and the cost of a return ticket to Syntagma Square is €18 return.

If you haven't had your fill of ouzo and ancient sites, why not extend your trip with a week in the beautiful Cycladic islands? This tour is designed to synchronise with our eight-day Highlights of the Greek Islands trip.

Alternatively, it's possible to extend your stay in Athens by booking additional nights\ accommodation.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Greece

Climate

Greece has such a vast geographical difference between the mainland and the islands, and travel is possible at all times of year but the climate can vary depending on when you go. During late spring or early autumn, in the months of April-May or September-October, temperatures are warm and pleasant, usually hovering around 77 degrees. Rainfall is low, but can be erratic during these months. Cooler evenings take the heat off the day. If you have booked a walking holiday, wild flowers bloom during the spring, adding color to the hiking trails. Summers are hot and dry, with plenty of sunshine and little rain. Temperatures can go north of 95 degrees in July and August. On the islands, restaurants and bars may be busy with cruise ship passengers. While this period definitely gives you a ‘summer holiday’ feeling, those wishing to explore Greece’s ancient sites may find the heat challenging. When traveling in winter, from late November to early March, the villages will be very quiet. Temperatures in Athens at this time are around 50 and 60 degrees, while the nights will be colder. Hotels in northern Greece in particular are well adapted to deal with cold winters, having proper heating and warm fires to retreat to after a day of exploring. This makes it a good destination for travel between November-March.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Orthodox

Language

Greek

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


A selection of optional activities are listed below to help you budget for your trip, please note that some of the walks and boat trips will be weather dependent, trips departing in the early season (in particular in April) are more likely to be effected.

Athens:
On the afternoon of day two you may like to do the following:
Acropolis Museum entrance €15.00 per person
National Archaeological Museum entrance €12.00 per person
Olympic Stadium entrance €10.00 per person
Trams - 24 hour ticket costs €4.10 per operson

If you are a student or over 65, please carry ID for half price museum entrance fees.

Clothing

July and August are the hottest months, but early and late in the season go prepared with clothing to suit drops in temperature and the odd shower. Women in trousershorts are not permitted to enter monasteries - please bring a skirt.

Footwear

Comfortable, well broken-in walking boots or shoes with good heel support are necessary for participating in walks and visiting the sites. Trainers and sandals are also recommended for relaxing.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a daysac. Remember, porters are not available at all locations, so don't overload yourself. You'll also need to carry your luggage on/off buses.

Equipment

Water bottle, sunhat and sun cream.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we would recommend £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.
Local crew
Although voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly, you should allow approximately £16 of local currency for tipping.

In order to make things easier for you, the Explore Leader may organise a group's tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the trip.

Greece

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Dinner price
£12.00 - 16.00
Beer price
£3.5
Water price
£0.9
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Euro
Recommended Currency For Exchange
GBP Sterling or US Dollars, cash.
Where To Exchange
We recommend that you change any currency into Euros prior to arrival. Currency Exchange locations are generally only found in major cities and large airports
ATM Availability
Cash can be drawn from ATMs from all types of cards in most areas in Greece, including the islands.
Credit Card Acceptance
In major restaurants.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, Train

Accommodation notes

During our time in Athens, we'll stay close to the city centre, just a 15-minute walk away from the Acropolis and the Plaka quarter. Our hotel is tucked away from the bustling centre. The breakfast buffet includes products from the Mediterranean including seasonal fresh fruits, cereals, scrambled eggs, honey, cakes, bread rolls with olives, raisins or multi-grains, croissants, and hot and cold beverages.

In Delphi, we'll stay outside of the main town in the mountainous village of Arachova, a ten-minute drive from Delphi. A ski lodge in the winter season, our delightful hotel features large panoramic windows overlooking the mountains, a big indoor swimming pool and a cozy fire in the reception area to take the chill away from the higher altitude.

Moving on to Olympia, we'll stay in a resort-style property with views of Alfeios River. Featuring a large terrace and swimming pool, and surrounded by gardens, it's an ideal location, close to the Olympia site. Dinner is included tonight.

Finally in Nafplion, we'll stay in a centrally located hotel, chosen for its proximity to the sea (just a 10-minute walk away). All rooms have air conditioning and satellite TV.

All hotels on this tour offer free WiFi. Breakfasts are included at our accommodations. It's worth noting that Greek breakfasts tend to be simple, continental buffets, consisting of bread, jams, cheese, cereal and occasionally fruits and yogurt. Cooked options are rare.

Greece

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.

Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Greece: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Ability to swim

No

Greece

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against tetanus and polio. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
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Price Guarantee Promise
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Airport Transfers
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Print Trip Notes

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