Best of Greece with Santorini Extension

Tour Type: Country Explorer
Brochure Type Eastern Mediterranean 2024 v1

Walk in the very place western civilization was born as your travels reveal all the best of Greece highlights. From the other-wordly clifftop Meteora monasteries to walking the Sacred Way as the ancients once did in Delphi, this journey back in time will bring centuries of history to life.

Be My Guest
  • Olympia Say opa! to an Olympic Be My Guest experience with the Karambellas family on their olive and wine farm, followed by a traditional dinner and dancing.
Dining Summary
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 10 Breakfast (B)
Dive Into Culture
  • Athens Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.
Iconic Experience
  • Archaeological Site of Mycenae Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Specialist.
  • Delphi With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysteri
  • Corinth Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Join a Local Specialist and gain insight into Corinth's eventful past.
  • Santorini Enjoy an orientation of stunning Santorini upon arrival.
  • Athens Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
  • Archaeological Site of Olympia Join a Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia, the women's games in honor of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint
  • Meteora With a Local Specialist, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
  • Thermopylae See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER
  • Delphi Meet passionate beekeeper Nikiforos at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey, known to be one of the most nutritious in the world. See the bees thriving in their natural habitat and learn about their role in nature regeneration. Th
Must-see Highlights
  • View the Parthenon, Agora, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae
  • See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae
  • Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth, ancient Ephesus with a Local Specialist
Whats Included
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

Call (440) 845-3334 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18891634

Tour Operator
Trafalgar Tours
Offer
Offer valid through 12/31/2024
Duration
11 Days
Escorted
Escorted - Yes
DayDestinationDescription
Day 1AthensWelcome to Athens: Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses, myths and legends. Your springboard to your spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve, which you will have an opportunity to explore after being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a light meal.

Accommodations: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens
Day 2AthensExplore Amazing Athens Dive Into Culture: Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. Along our journey into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus and the Agora, once the haunt of Socrates and Plato. Dive Into Culture and see remarkable displays of an ancient world during an included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, people-watch in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's tastiest souvlaki - the choice is yours.

Accommodations: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens
Day 3NafplionJourney to Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplion: We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula. Arriving in Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore an ancient city that several empires fought over throughout the centuries. We continue to Mycenae, a mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where we'll see the Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the company of a Local Specialist. Later, we'll travel to Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later, we'll dine in our hotel this evening.

Accommodations: Amalia Nafplio
Day 4OlympiaContinue to Ancient Olympia Connect with Locals: We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the Karambellas family for dinner on their olive and wine farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.

Accommodations: Amalia Olympia
Day 5DelphiOnwards to Patras and Delphi: We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into centuries of history. We'll visit the ancient Olympic site, the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, we skirt the coastline north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes during an interactive cooking lesson.

Accommodations: Amalia Delphi
Day 6KalambakaOff to Thermopylae and Kalambaka: Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, who would descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult with the most important oracle in the classical world. Join your Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th-century Temple of Apollo. View the statues immortalising the strength of the athletes who once competed in the Pythian Games, held in honor of Apollo and the Arts. Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. Taste the rich thyme honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close to the unique biodiversity of the area. A scenic afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defense by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly region, the 'breadbasket of Greece', then travel over the Pourmaraki Pass towards Kalambaka.

Accommodations: Amalia Kalambaka
Day 7AthensAdmire Meteora and Return to Athens: The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora are our first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling impressively to immense, rounded rock towers overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to Athens, where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible journey through Greece.

Accommodations: Divani Caravel, Radisson Blu Park, Crowne Plaza Athens
Day 8SantoriniCruise to Sunny Santorini: Board a fast ferry to the idyllic island of Santorini, your home for three nights. Transfer to your hotel with an orientation on arrival and spend free time exploring. Comprising a small circular archipelago of volcanic islands in the southern Aegean Sea, Santorini is all that remains of an enormous volcanic explosion. The island's spectacular physical beauty coupled with its dynamic nightlife makes it one of Europe's most popular hotspots.

Accommodations: El Greco, Santorini Palace Hotel, Kallisti Hotel
Day 9SantoriniDiscover Stunning Santorini: Santorini offers a wealth of exciting things to do. You might like to spend your time relaxing in the sun or wander down winding cobbled streets full of whitewashed houses. Admire breathtaking views across the caldera and witness a stunning sunset.

Accommodations: El Greco, Santorini Palace Hotel, Kallisti Hotel
Day 10SantoriniCruise to Crete and on to Santorini: You may decide to explore Crete's ancient Minoan culture and heritage at the Palace of Knossos. Admire its bright wall paintings that were restored at the turn of the 20th century and explore centuries of history that predate Christ. Or choose to drive deep into the beautiful countryside and experience the true flavor of Cretan lifestyle. Continue to Santorini, watching as this Cycladic island comes closer on the horizon, rising out of the Aegean with its distinctive cliff-top towns. You could consider an optional Shore Experience this afternoon, passing villages and vineyards bound for Oia with its white buildings and blue-domed churches which vie for the best views over the caldera.

Accommodations: El Greco, Santorini Palace Hotel, Kallisti Hotel
Day 11AthensFly to Athens and Journey Home: Take a short flight back to Athens this morning. Say goodbye to Greece as you continue your flight home from Athens airport.

Accommodations:
Dates/Pricing

Click Quote or call (440) 845-3334 to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
09/23/2024$4,666.00* (USD) / Land PriceQuote
09/27/2024$4,420.00* (USD) / Land PriceQuote
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- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
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- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class

Tours


  • Best of Greece with Santorini Extension

    From $4,420.00 (USD)

    Tour Type: Country ExplorerBrochure Type Eastern Mediterranean 2024 v1Walk in the very place western civilization was born as your travels reveal all the best of Greece highlights.

 
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