Tour Description

Independent City Stay with 4Day Classical Coach Tour with Meteora
7 Days ex Athens
Departs: Thursday / Saturday / Sunday

Discover the wonders of Greece with an Athens City Stay combined with the 4D Classical with Meteora Coach Tour, a captivating journey through history and stunning landscapes.

Begin in Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, with a guided tour of iconic sites, including the majestic Acropolis and the state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum. Then set out from Athens via Epidaurus and Mycenae to Olympia, the most renowned sanctuary of ancient Greece. Continue to Delphi, a revered center of ancient prophecy and wisdom. Wander through its remarkable archaeological site, home to the Temple of Apollo, and delve into the enigmatic legends of the Oracle. Travel on to Kalambaka where your coach tour adventure concludes with a visit to one of the most incredible places in Greece – the Meteora Monasteries. Return to Athens for one last chance to explore this fascinating city.

Highlights:

See the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held
Pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Evzones in their colourful uniform
Explore the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the new Acropolis Museum
Visit Epidaurus, home to a well-preserved ancient theatre renowned for its exceptional acoustics
Explore Mycenae, the legendary kingdom of Agamemnon
Discover Olympia, the most renowned sanctuary of ancient Greece
Experience the mysticism of Delphi, home of the Oracle consulted by Alexander the Great
Visit Meteora, one of the most incredible places in Greece

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1: Athens

Welcome to Greece. On arrival into Athens you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel where accommodation is reserved for two nights. Time at leisure to discover Athens!

Redolent with history and mythology, Athens is a vibrant city, enlivened by bustling outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets that wind through the city’s ancient sites and its fair share of urban eccentrics, a city full of contrasts.

Day 2: Athens – Half Day Sightseeing (B)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel for your half-day coach tour of Athens and new Acropolis Museum.

This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Your expert guide will reveal to you the secrets of the Acropolis & the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium, built of marble for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Experience the ancient wonders and explore the birthplace of democracy. Twist and turn through the Plaka’s narrow streets and find ancient sites, cafes and shops full of history and character. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Athens.

Note: Due to certain restrictions in the visiting hours of the new Acropolis Museum the order of the program can be changed. Entrance fees included. This tour does not operate during Greek National Holidays.

Day 3: Athens – Olympia (BD)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel (or from a nearby hotel pickup point) for a four-day tour of some of Greece’s wonderful classical sights.

Departing from Athens, head west along the scenic coast to the Corinth Canal, known for its stunning views (short stop). This canal is a key junction for international sea transport, connecting ships from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic to the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea. Continue along the Saronic Gulf coast to Epidaurus (visit), home to a well-preserved ancient theatre renowned for its exceptional acoustics. After a brief stop in Nafplio, Greece’s first capital in 1829, visit Mycenae, the legendary kingdom of Agamemnon and a major center of the Mycenaean civilization. In the afternoon, depart for Olympia, where you will have dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Olympia – Delphi (BD)

Olympia, the most renowned sanctuary of ancient Greece, was dedicated to Zeus and located at the foot of Mount Kronios in a lush landscape between the Alpheios and Kladeos rivers. Despite its secluded location, it became Greece’s leading religious and athletic center, known for hosting the Olympic Games every four years in honour of Zeus. Visit the archaeological site and museum, then drive through Patras to cross the Rion-Antirion Bridge, the longest and most modern suspension bridge in Europe. Pass through Nafpaktos on the way to Delphi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5: Delphi – Kalambaka (BD)

At the foot of Mount Parnassos, nestled between the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, home to ancient Greece’s most famous oracle. Considered the center of the world in mythology, it was here that Zeus’s eagles met. For centuries, Delphi was a cultural and religious hub and hosted the Pythian Games, second only to the Olympics. Visit the archaeological site and museum, where you can see the renowned bronze statue of the Charioteer, dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos in 478 B.C. Continue to Kalambaka for your last overnight on your coach tour.

Day 6: Kalambaka – Athens (B)

Today, you will visit one of the most incredible places in Greece – the Meteora Monasteries.
Meteora, meaning “suspended in air,” refers to a community of 24 monasteries built on towering rocks, the largest monastic group in Greece after Mount Athos. Originally, there were no stairs, and access was only by nets lifted with ropes or long retractable ladders (up to 40 meters). Monks used these to reach the fertile valleys below to cultivate crops. Each monastery became self-sufficient, and by the late 14th century, the Grand Meteoron was the dominant one. UNESCO has recognized these rock monasteries as a unique cultural heritage site. Return to Athens in the afternoon for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Athens (B)

This morning you will be transferred by private vehicle to Athens Airport for your onward flight.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Hotel accommodation with private facilities
Breakfast daily, dinner in Olympia, Delphi and Kalambaka
Arrival and departure transfers in Athens on a private basis (Airport/Hotel/Airport)
Group Coach Tours with professional bilingual guides as follows:
- Half day Athens sightseeing including the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
- 4 Day/3 Night Classical Tour with Meteora (departs every Mon, Tue, Sat) – includes 1N Olympia, 1N Delphi and 1N Kalambaka
Entrance fees to sites
Greece Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Government Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – to be paid directly to the hotel on check-out (ranges from EUR3-EUR10 – rates subject to change without notice)
Optional tours and excursions
Meals/Drinks other than those mentioned in inclusions above
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the following (or similar) – Superior Tourist Class

Hotels are indicative and subject to availability at the time of booking. If hotels indicated are not available at the time of request, alternatives will be offered and supplements may apply.

Athens

President Hotel

Olympia

Amalia Olympia

Delphi

Amalia Delphi

Kalambaka

Amalia Kalambaka

Climate Resilience Tax
The Greek government have established a climate resilience tax for all tourists staying in any kind of Hotel, Apartment, Villa, etc. in any destination in Greece. This tax is applied locally and is payable directly by guests at check-in. The tax is a fixed Euro amount and ranges from EUR3 to EUR10 per room per night, depending on the hotel category.

Athens Sightseeing and Mainland Greece Coach Tours
Scheduled tours and sightseeing are bilingual unless specified. Wifi may be available on full day tours to Delphi, Argolis and all multi day tours. Many sightseeing tours require a moderate amount of walking around historical / cultural sites therefore a good level of fitness will ensure you get a maximum enjoyment from your visit.

This tour includes walking on uneven ground. The sights visited at parts include uphill walking on unpaved ground. Keep in mind that all ancient sites have unpaved paths.

Dress Code for Monasteries of Meteora
Women are required to wear a long skirt and cover their shoulders. Men must wear long pants. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed

Double Beds
Please note a double bedded room can be requested but cannot be guaranteed. In Greece double rooms are very limited.

Transfers
Transfers are supplied by drivers and are not guided. Some drivers may only have a basic command of English.

Enquire About This Itinerary

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

Priced From:

$ 2819pp ^*