Athens

Arrival in Athens where our representative will meet and assist you.  Then you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day will be free at your disposal. You can enjoy a walking tour of the historical area of Athens between Plaka and Monastiraki or Ermou Street which is famous for shopping. Late afternoon we recommend our organized tour Athens by Night & Greek dance show.  The tour starts with a visit to the main Greek port of Piraeus, passing by the most important points of the city (City Hall, picturesque yacht's harbour of Microlimano etc). Following the principal avenues and passing by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Garden, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament we arrive at Plaka. Short pleasant walk through the old unique Athens city to one of the popular taverns for dinner with live bouzouki music and Greek folk dances. Overnight at hotel.

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2^nd Day: Athens Sightseeing & Acropolis Museum & Optional Half Day tour to Cape Sounion

After our breakfast, you will start our Athens half day tour which begins with a panoramic drive around Syntagma square, passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral,and Schliemann’s House. You will then drive past the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Your licensed guide will explain more of Athens’s history old and new as you look at these stately buildings. Continue for  a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first  Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus.  Make your way to the archaeological site of Acropolis an UNESCO’S world heritage monument and visit Propylae the monumental entrance to the Acropolis which blends Doric and Ionic building principles, and the small temple Athena Nike, which stands on a protruding mass of rock, protecting the gate to the citadel and of course the Parthenon, and Erechtheion with its porch of Maidens. For those who may be interested  we will continue the expert guided Athens sightseeing and museum tour with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the  ACROPOLIS museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of everyday life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Transfer to hotel & the rest of the day free . On the afternoon we recommend  an organized tour in Cape Sounio & the temple of Poseidon. Begin your Sounio tour with a wonderful drive  along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada,Vouliagmeni, Varkiza). As you approach Cape Sounion, it rises like a sheer cliff out of the sea. At  Cape Sounio where you will visit the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world(on a clear day you can see at least seven islands).The precipice is a sheer 197 foot drop to the sea. Land masses to the west stand out in sharp profile: the island of Aegina backed by the mountains of the Peloponnese. The beauty of the surviving Doric columns has inspired many poets, including Lord Byron who carved his name on one of the columns.  Transfer back to hotel for overnight.

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3^rd Day: Optional Tour: Poros – Hydra - Aegina  Day Cruise from Athens

After our breakfast, you will take a day cruise from Athens to the fabulous Greek islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina for a relaxing day on the sea. With all your transport, transfers and buffet lunch organized, you can sit back and enjoy your leisurely day cruise with free time on each island to explore. After transferring from Athens to Piraeus by motor coach, you'll set sail for the island of Poros, where you'll have free time for strolling and shopping .   Next, it's on to the island of Hydra. You will have about 1 hour and 45 minutes at leisure to enjoy the unique charms of Hydra island, whose amphitheater shape once served as a safe shelter for Saronic Pirates. From the decks, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history.   Upon arrival in Egina (Aegina) you can either join an excursion to the Temple of Aphaia (cost not included) or take a walk around the main town. Aegina is one of the Saronic islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf. The lovely island is only 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Athens, and is a popular getaway for Athenians during the summer months.   After sailing back to Piraeus port you'll be transferred to Athens at your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight.

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4^th Day: Optional Tour: Epidaurus & Mycenae One Day tour

After your breakfast you will depart for one day tour via the coastal National highway for the Corinth canal (short stop). After the Corinth Canal, you enter the region of Argolis, land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dating back to the second century B.C., Mycenae was one of the major centers of Greek civilization and a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece . Visit the archaeological site, home to the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. You will see the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs, including Agamemnon Clytemnestra's, and the Treasury of Atreus, a magnificent 14th-century B.C. structure. Time will then be taken for a traditional Greek optional lunch  at a nearby restaurant.   Before lunch an optional stop in a pottery factory. After lunch through ARGOS proceed to Nauplia the first capital of modern Greece with its Venetian fortress of  PALAMIDI and the fortified islet of BOURTZI (short stop). Continue on to Epidaurus and visit the ancient theatre. The UNESCO’S world heritage listed monument is reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo's son Asklepios, the healer and was the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. Epidaurus is probably most famous for its theatre, one of the best preserved classical Greek buildings and still used today due to its amazing acoustics. The  Argolis (Mycenae - Epidaurus)  day tour returns to Athens in the late afternoon at your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

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5^th Day:  Optional Tour: Delphi One Day tour

After our breakfast you will depart from our terminal for one day trip from Athens to Delphi to explore one of the most famous archaelogical sites of Greece. Along the way, you will see the plain of Beotia, an agricultural center  and you will also pass by the city of Theva, the birthplace of King Oedipus.   You will continue your Delphi day tour towards Mt. Parnassos, making a short rest stop outside the town of Levadia.You will drive then to DELPHI, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by Castalia Spring, visit at the archaeological site and view the monument of the Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and  the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle and  Delphi museum, with it's spectacular exhibits include the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury, the famous bronze Charioteer, originally created to commemorate a victory during the 476 B.C. Pythian Games, and many other artifacts. After lunch return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese (short stop). Return at your hotel for overnight.Iti

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6^th Day: Athens Departure

After Breakfast and depend on your departure time you will be met by our representative and you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.