Classical Greece
Athen
- Athen
1 DAY
THURSDAY, ARRIVAL IN ATHENS-PORT PIRAEUS-ATHENS BY NIGHT
Arrival in Athens and pick up by our tour-guide. Transfer from the airport to the hotel with a small informational city tour. Later, in the evening we will visit the port of Piraeus (short city tour). Afterwards, we will visit the old town of Athens-Plaka (the so-called Montmartre of Athens). Here in a typical Greek tavern, beneath Acropolis, we will have our dinner, enjoying Greek folklore art and hospitality along with dances and folklore shows easy to take part in. After midnight, we will return to the hotel. Overnight.
2 DAY
FRIDAY, OLD AND MODERN CITY OF ATHENS – DINNER IN PLAKA
Athens, the center of culture, history, science, the city of the sun of Attica, the city where the Greek heart beats. Athens, where the opposites meet. Neither today’s way of thinking nor the lively rhythm are typical of what western cities know about the shine and size of the past. Visit to Acropolis and the historic centers of the Parliament, the Academy, the National Library, the University and the National Museum. Acropolis is not only the landmark of the city of Athens but also the most important national monument of Greece. 155 meters over sea level stands over the buildings of the whole city of about 5 million inhabitants and is visible from quite a distance. It was built in the era of Pericles, by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesicles and Kallicrates and according to the design and supervision of Phidias. Acropolis of Athens was the castle dedicated to the town goddess Athena. A must-see is the new Acropolis Museum. Coffee break in the old city of Athens, Plaka. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
3 DAY
SATURDAY: DAY-TRIP TO ARGOLIS (ANCIENT CORINTH-EPIDAURUS-MYCENAE)
After breakfast, we will head to the Canal of Corinth (well-known for the previous-century excavation of the local isthmus, connecting now the gulfs of Saronicos and Corinth) through the areas of Megara and Eleusis. Short stop for photographs. We will continue our journey with a visit to the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth. Corinth is a small port in the Gulf of Corinth, near the famous canal on the marvelous mainland of Peloponnese. About an hour away is Mycenae one of the oldest cities of not only Europe but also of the whole world, which was excavated by famous German antiquarian and Ilias-admirer Heinrich Schliemann. Here lived the glorious winners of the Trojan War. A famous sight is the Lions’ Gate of the remains of the acropolis. We continue by visiting the town of Nauplia, a beautiful city with an excellent history. Nauplia, the first capital of Greece.Passing through vineyards and gruff olive trees, we will reach the archaeological site of Epidaurus, center of the cult of Asclepius, god of medicine, and the famous ancient theaters with the great acoustics, which host plays-dramas and comedies of ancient Greek poets- in summer. In the afternoon we will return to Athens. Overnight.
4 DAY
SUNDAY, FREE MORNING-AFTERNOON AT CAPE SOUNIO-LUNCH AT A SEASIDE TAVERN
Free morning. We will have the opportunity for a walk in Athens’ old town Plaka and Monasteraki. In the afternoon, we will have a trip to the southern end of Attica just before Aegean Sea, Cape Sounio, also dedicated to Poseidon, god of sea, and the 18 columns of his temple still standing since its building in the 5th century BC, one of the most sacred ancient temples. In addition, the sunset here is thought to be unforgettable and one of the best in Greece. Visit to the temple of Poseidon. On our return to Athens, we will have dinner at a seaside fish tavern. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
5 DAY
MONDAY, SHOPPING IN ATHENS-TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT-START OF RETURN
After breakfast, provided the weather is good, we may visit the Greek National Museum and buy souvenirs or visit local shops. Later, you will be transferred to Athens airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”.