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ITINERARY:
Day 1: ATHENS
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Balance of day at leisure.
Day 2: ATHENS
GUIDED CITY TOUR
Morning sightseeing
tour of Athens. The striking contrast
between breathtaking monuments of a
glorious past and modern elegant
structures is what you will enjoy during
your tour of Athens. Visit the
Acropolis,the crowning beauty and glory
of Ancient Athens, with its many
monuments atop its rocky base, including
the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the
temple of Athena Nike and the
Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens.
Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympic
Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium(site of
the first modern Olympic Games in 1896),
the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in front
of the Parliament House on Constitution
Square. See views of government
buildings and elegant structures of the
19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou
Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral,
the Academy, University, National
Library. In contrast, conclude your tour
with a visit to the new Acropolis museum
(closed on Monday’s), a marvel of
architecture with a full exhibition of
the glory of Ancient Athens. Afternoon
at leisure.
Day 3: ATHENS / OLYMPIA
Starting from Athens we drive
westwards along the scenic coast, until we reach the
CORINTH CANAL with its breathtaking
views (Short Stop). The Corinth Canal is a junction
of international sea transport and serves ships coming from
the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern
Mediterranean and black sea ports and vice-versa. Continue
along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to
EPIDAURUS (Visit). On the headland
called "Nesi" at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the
ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it
acquired during the latter years of its function. Apart from
a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with
poros staircases. The theater is marveled for its
exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect
intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the
proscenium or scene to all 12,000 spectators, regardless of
their seating. Then depart for NAUPLIA
1st capital of Greece in 1829 (Short Stop)
drive to MYCENAE (Visit) “Mycenae
'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first
sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and
richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece.
Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of
Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization.” In the
afternoon depart for OLYMPIA – Dinner & Overnight in
OLYMPIA
Day 4: OLYMPIA /
DELPHI
Olympia the most celebrated
sanctuary of ancient Greece, Dedicated to Zeus, the father
of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount
Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos
rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near
the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most
important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame
rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival
and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held
every four years to honor Zeus. Visit the
Archaeological Site & the Museum and then drive via
PATRAS to RION, across the
channel to ANTIRRION on the “State
of the Art” new suspended bridge considered to be the
longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in
NAFPAKTOS then continue to DELPHI –
Dinner & Overnight in DELPHI.
Day 5: DELPHI /
ATHENS
Situated at the foot of Mount
Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the
Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi,
which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi
was regarded as the centre of the world. According to
mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus
from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world
met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular
landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious
centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat
of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in
Greece after the Olympics, which were held every four years.
Visit of the archaeological site and the Museum
where one can see among other archeological treasures, the
unique bronze statue of the Charioteer
dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, in 478
B.C. when he won the chariot-race at the Pythian Games.
This incomparable statue is a representative example of the
''severe'' Attic style, certainly the work of a major
artist.
After visits 2 hours at leisure & then start the drive back
to ATHENS
Day 6: ATHENS
Free day to explore Athens and the "Plaka" district
Day 7:
ATHENS/AIRPORT
According to your departure flight, you will be transferred
to the airport. |
