Day 1 : DAY 1: Start of tour in Athens
Today marks the start of an unforgettable Greek adventure! This morning, meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel. After an introduction to the upcoming itinerary, embark on an orientation tour of Athens, the capital of Greece! This historic city is home to countless ancient sites such as Hadrian’s Arch, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. See the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before enjoying some free time to explore on your own. Meet back up with your group this evening for an included dinner featuring delicious Greek cuisine.
Day 2 : DAY 2: Athens - Thermopylae - Kalabaka
After breakfast, leave Athens for Kalabaka. En route, enjoy a photo stop at Thermopylae which is home to the stature of Leonidas, King of Sparta. Once in Kalabaka, learn all about Byzantine art with a workshop led by locals. These experts create beautiful religious icons. Check into the hotel for the evening and then set off on a spectacular sunset drive through the hills of Meteora. Look forward to sweeping views featuring awe-inspiring rock formations, monolithic pillars and cliff-top monasteries all drenched in evening light. Make sure you have your cameras ready! Depending on what time the sun sets, dinner will take place at the hotel before or after the journey through Meteora.
Day 3 : DAY 3: Kalabaka - Meteora (optional) - Delphi
Enjoy some free time this morning to relax or explore the town of Kalabaka. Alternatively, delve deeper into the otherworldly hills and monasteries of Meteora on an optional excursion. Drive all the way up through the winding roads and imposing cliffs and enjoy included visits to two of the gorgeous monasteries! After, join back up with the rest of the group and hop back on the coach. Travel towards Delphi (also known as Delfí) in central Greece. Here, set off on an orientation tour and spot the ancient sanctuary of Delphi. Look forward to an included dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Day 4 : DAY 4: Delphi - Glyfada/Trizonia Island - Olympia
Delve deeper into Delphi and its fascinating history this morning with an optional, locally guided tour. Visit the ancient archaeological site and explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the museum of Delphi. Alternatively, enjoy some free time before leaving Delphi and driving along the Coast of Corinth. Delight in a ferry trip to Trizonia, a charming Greek island that seems as if it were frozen in time. Why not choose to enjoy an optional lunch of fresh seafood at a local restaurant? Then, travel onwards to Olympia, famed for being the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Tonight, choose to experience unique Greek traditions with an optional dinner and dance evening!
Day 5 : DAY 5: Olympia - Mycenae - Nafplion
Start the morning with a locally guided tour of the Olympia Archeological Museum and ancient site! Learn all about the history of the Olympics and discover ancient Greek art and architecture. Later, depart Olympia and drive through the scenic mountains of Peloponnese towards Mycenae. Here, enjoy an included 3-course Greek lunch before embarking on a tour of the famous Tomb of Agamemnon and Lion Gate with a local guide. Mycenae is full of ancient history as well as myths and legends! The last stop for the day is Nafplion (also known as Nafplio), which was the first capital of modern Greece. The evening is free to explore Nafplion or to join the optional excursion to the ancient theatre of Epidaurus!
Day 6 : DAY 6: Nafplion - Corinth Canal - Athens
Today marks the final day in mainland Greece before heading to the islands tomorrow. However, the ancient adventures are far from over! Leaving Nafplion, visit the Corinth Canal before travelling back to Athens. Once back in the capital, look forward to an included lunch before setting off on a driving tour with an expert local guide. Tick top Athens attractions off your bucket list including the National Library and the Panathinaikos marble stadium. Join the optional guided tour of the Acropolis, one of the most iconic symbols in all of Greece! Due to popularity, this optional excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour - contact us to book now. The rest of the evening is free.
Day 7 : Day 7: Athens - Mykonos
Enjoy one last breakfast in Athens and then it's time for some Greek island hopping! Travel via ferry to the exquisite island of Mykonos and look forward to its famous shimmering sandy beaches. Admire the views as you wave goodbye to the mainland. Upon arrival in Mykonos, set off on an orientation tour of Mykonos Chora with your tour leader and make note of what you would like to explore further on your free day tomorrow. The evening is free to spend in whichever way you choose. Your tour leader will recommend a few great spots for dinner, drinks or a taste of the island’s renowned nightlife.
Day 8 : DAY 8: Mykonos: Free day
Kalimera Mykonos! Look forward to a full free day on gorgeous Mykonos. After a week of non-stop sightseeing, a day spent lazing on the beach could be just what the doctor ordered! Alternatively, the South Coast Boat Trip optional offers a memorable day at sea in a traditional Greek Kaiki boat with swimming and snorkelling stops at Frangias beach. This excursion also includes a beach picnic, lunch at a seaside restaurant, a visit to the picturesque bay of Kalafatis and more beautiful beaches! For beach lovers, this is a trip not to be missed!
Day 9 : DAY 9: Mykonos - Santorini
Another Greek island adventure awaits! This morning, head to the port and take a ferry to stunning Santorini. Arriving in the afternoon, transfer to the accommodation and settle in for the next three nights. Take the rest of your day to explore Santorini or to relax. If you have the energy, head into Fira, Santorini’s capital city and marvel at its iconic whitewashed houses, wander along the narrow streets or do some shopping. Find a good place to watch the sunset or seek out a scenic spot for dinner!
Day 10 : DAY 10: Santorini: Free Day
An exciting free day in Santorini is on the cards today with a wide array of things to do and places to see on this breathtaking island. To fully explore the best that Santorini has to offer, join the optional Santorini Highlights tour. This full-day excursion starts with a trip to the island’s extraordinary black and red sand beaches. Then, discover the prehistoric city of Akrotiri before visiting a local winery for a tasting of some of Santorini’s finest wines! End this picture-perfect day in the village of Oia which is famed for its incredible sunsets. Head back to the hotel in the evening.
Day 11 : DAY 11: Santorini: Free Day
It’s another free day to experience the magic of Santorini! Today’s optional excursion offers an unmissable boat trip to the caldera islands which includes a visit to the volcano and its hot springs, where a soothing mud bath awaits, and the lovely island of Thirassia. Or, spend the day exploring Santorini at your own pace. As this is the last night on tour, why not make the most of it and enjoy a dinner with your newfound travel friends? Get your last taste of delectable Greek cuisine and reminisce about your favourite memories on tour.
Day 12 : DAY 12: End of tour in Athens
Bright and early this morning, head to the Santorini airport and catch a flight (the price of which is included in the tour package) back to the mainland. Upon arrival in Athens, this once-in-a-lifetime Best of Greece tour comes to an end. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey onwards and can’t wait to see you on tour with us again soon!