Greece is one of those countries that many people have on their explore list, but due to recent events are somewhat less than prepared to go……checking our government website I find the following information. If Greece is on your list, by all means, go exploring Greece……
Greece – Exercise normal security precautions
There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Greece. Exercise normal security precautions.
What is the best way of exploring Greece? Some of it you can explore on your own, but I think the easiest way, given the fact their public transportation isn’t quite as convenient as the rest of Europe, is to go with a group of some sort.
To that end, here are a couple of options……
Best of Greece
G Adventures offers a small group trip Best of Greece– 15 days- exploring both the mainland and the islands…..priced from $2499 plus of course international flights, this trip features the following…….
- Travel Style: Classic- All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
- Service Level: Standard- Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
- Physical Rating: Average- Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
- Trip Type: Small Group- Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12
Itinerary
Day 1 Athens Arrive at any time.
Day 2 Athens Take an orientation walk in Athens with the rest of the day free to explore. Opt to visit the Acropolis site, the new Acropolis Museum, the Roman agora and the National Archaeological Museum.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 Athens/Meteora Travel to Kalambaka, a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 Meteora Spend a full day visiting the stunning mountaintop monasteries of Meteora.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 Meteora/Delphi Visit Ancient Delphi and the Temple of Apollo.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Delphi/Náfplio Travel to Nafplio and explore the beautiful cobblestoned streets. Opt to climb the Acronafplia to soak in the views.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 Náfplio/Chaniá Spend a free day enjoying the area. Opt to visit Epidavros, as well as the nearby site of Mycenae before an overnight ferry to Crete.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Chaniá Arrive on Crete and enjoy the day relaxing at one of the many harbour-side cafés. Wander the streets of the old town with its fascinating blend of ancient and modern Turkish and Venetian architecture, reflecting the diverse history of the island.
Day 9 Chaniá/Agia Roumeli Hike the famous and rugged Samariá Gorge.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 Agia Roumeli/Loutro Travel by ferry to Loutro. Enjoy a cooking class and lunch with a local family. Opt to rent a kayak and explore secluded beaches and coves.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 11 Loutro Spend a free day exploring the area. Enjoy a swim and tasty seafood meals at secluded restaurants or hike Aradine Gorge.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12 Loutro/Irákleion Travel to Iraklio. Enjoy a visit to Knossos, site of a Minoan palace and residence of King Minos.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13 Irákleion/Santorini Hop a ferry to beautiful Santorini. Enjoy two nights on the island. Opt to enjoy a Santorini sunset tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14 Santorini Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt for a half-day volcano tour, shopping, relaxing on the beach, or make your way to the crater’s rim to savour the breathtaking view.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15 Santorini Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Perfect……Contact me for more information.
Best of Greece- Trafalgar Style!
Another option- The Best of Greece tour with Trafalgar on one of their Country Explorer Trips……priced from $2250 for 8 days (save up to $1000 by going in the off season of November to March!)
This coach tour allows you to tour the country worry free, and would you believe their customer satisfaction rating is at 100%? Obviously a fabulous way to explore Greece! Below you will find a full itinerary…..For more information, be sure to contact me……
Itinerary
1. ARRIVE ATHENS (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Athens. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax or spend time exploring the wonders of this ancient city. In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception, including a light meal and welcome drink, with your travelling companions and your Travel Director.
Meal(s) Welcome Reception
Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis/Metropolitan
2. ATHENS SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Classical Athens was a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, and is widely seen as the cradle of Western Civilisation and the birthplace of democracy. One of the world’s oldest cities, discover the rich heritage of Athens during your morning sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. Explore the Acropolis and view the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena and one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments. Marvel at the Agora, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Zeus. Enjoy an included visit to the spectacular Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities. See Hadrian’s Arch, built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. In the evening perhaps choose to dine in a lively area of the city.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast
3. ATHENS – CORINTH – MYCENAE – EPIDAURUS – NAFPLION
Cross the mighty Corinth Canal to the Peloponnesian Peninsula and visit the ancient city of Corinth with your Local Specialist. In Mycenae − a mighty kingdom of ancient Greece and a military stronghold − see the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, the Lion Gate and the remains of Agamemnon’s Royal Palace with your Local Specialist. Later visit the ancient theatre and view the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine in Epidaurus with your Local Specialist. The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, remains the symbol of medicine to this day. Arrive later in Nafplion where you will dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner
Hotel Amalia Nauplia/Agamemmon
4. NAFPLION – OLYMPIA
Enjoy a spectacular drive east across the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient Olympia. Connected to many gods and myths, Olympia is also the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This evening enjoy a Be My Guest dinner of authentic local cuisine on an olive farm.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Be My Guest Dining
Hotel Amalia/Europa
5. OLYMPIA – PATRAS – DELPHI
Meet your Local Specialist and spend the morning visiting the ancient Olympic site and museum and the Temples of Zeus and Hera − the wife of Zeus and one of the most important deities in Greek mythology. Driving north to Patras, you cross the Gulf of Corinth to mainland Greece before continuing to Delphi.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast
Hotel Nafsika Palace/Aegli/Amalia
6. DELPHI – THERMOPYLAE – KALAMBAKA
Tour Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassos with your Local Specialist and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world. Walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo dating from the 4th century. It was here that every four years athletes competed in the Pythian Games, dedicated to Apollo and the arts. A picturesque early afternoon drive brings you to Thermopylae, famous for the heroic defence by Leonidas and his brave Spartans against the invading Persians. After seeing the memorial, cross the fertile Thessaly region, the ‘bread basket of Greece’ and travel over the Pourmaraki Pass towards Kalambaka.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Dinner
Hotel Amalia/Dellas Boutique
7. KALAMBAKA – METEORA – ATHENS
Drive to Meteora, one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. Visit two of the six monasteries built on sandstone rocks above the town with your Local Specialist. A scenic drive brings you back to Athens, where later you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your travelling companions.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast Farewell Dinner
Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis/Metropolitan
8. DEPART ATHENS
Say goodbye to your fellow travellers and Travel Director after an unforgettable journey or join one of the 3, 4 or 7 day Aegean Cruises. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply.
Meal(s) Buffet Breakfast
