Tour Description

Independent Holiday with Delphi, Mycenae and Nafplio
5 Days ex Athens
Departs: Daily

Athens (4)

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Athens on this 5-Day City Stay, offering a a blend of culture, rich history, and stunning landscapes. Begin with a half day Athens City tour and discover iconic landmarks such as the world-famous Acropolis (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Parthenon and the new Acropolis Museum. Dive deeper into ancient Greece with a full day tour to Delphi to explore the ancient Temple of Apollo and the famous Oracle. Continue your journey of discovery with a visit to Mycenae and Nafplio – uncover the ruins of the Mycenaean civilisation including the Lion’s Gate and Agamemnon’s Tomb and stroll through the charming streets of Nafplio, Greece’s first capital.

Highlights:

24/7 local operator support in Greece
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
Discover the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the new Acropolis Museum
Discover Epidaurus, including the famous 4th Century BC theatre with its incredible acoustics
Experience the mysticism of Delphi home of the Oracle, consulted by Alexander the Great
Explore Mycenae, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece
Uncover the port town of Nafplio, one of the most historic and beautiful port towns of Greece

Itinerary
Accommodation

Day 1: Athens

Welcome to Greece. On arrival at Athens International Airport you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel where accommodation is reserved for four 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 (B)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel for your half-day tour of Athens and the 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 take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex-Royal Palace) guarded by the Evzones in their colourful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma).

On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis Museum. Afternoon at leisure.

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 – Delphi – Athens (BL)

Today, depart on a full day excursion to Delphi, probably the ancient world’s most famous oracle. Delphi is approximately two and a half hours from Athens. You will follow the national road north through the plains of Beotia and pass outside the town of Thebes. As you close in to your destination, the mountain of Parnassos towers over you. The site is at the foot of the mountain; the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, and it is here that you will start your walk. Passing by the Castalia Spring you will visit 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. The site is very large and there is a lot to see including the famous oracle where in ancient times people believed they would learn what their future held. Take in the views from the site, they are incredible – the setting is so impressive that in ancient times it was considered the navel of the world.

After you walk around the site you will visit the museum. The Delphi Museum has spectacular exhibits including the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury and the famous bronze Charioteer. It is well worth visiting the museum as the exhibits complement what you saw at the site and will allow you to get a better understanding of the role Delphi played in antiquity.

There will be a short drive to your next stop for lunch; taste regional products and experience original Greek cuisine before heading back to Athens.

Day 4: Athens – Argolis (visit Mycenae and Nafplio) – Athens (BL)

Today’s excursion will begin with a scenic drive via the coastal road from Athens towards the Corinth Canal. It will take about one hour to get to Corinth, where you will cross the bridge that connects the mainland with the Peloponnese, over the narrow canal. After a brief stop, continue towards Mycenae; one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Walk under the famous Lion gate up to the Mycenaean acropolis and the Palace. You will see the tomb of Agamemnon and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city.

A short drive to your next stop for lunch; taste regional products and experience original Greek cuisine. A highlight of the tour is your stop at the port town of Nafplio, one of the most historic and beautiful port towns of Greece. Return to Athens in the late afternoon.

Note: Rotation of tour may differ in order to avoid congestion at sights.

Day 5: Athens (B)

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

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

24/7 local operator support in Greece
4 nights’ hotel accommodation
Breakfast daily
2 lunches (on full day sightseeing tours)
Private roundtrip transfers Athens (airport/hotel/airport)
Half day Athens sightseeing tour including the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum
- First Class: Regular coach tour with English-speaking guide
- Deluxe Class: Private tour with English-speaking guide
Full day Delphi tour | Full day Mycenae and Nafplio tour
- First Class and Deluxe Class: Group coach tours with professional guides
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-EUR15 – rates subject to change without notice)
Optional tours and excursions
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the following (or similar):

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

First Class: President Hotel

Deluxe Class: Electra Metropolis Hotel

View Important Information

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:

$ 2459pp ^*