Greece's cosmopolitan capital, Athens, connected by Piraeus port, is an exciting blend of ancient and modern. The Grand Promenade seamlessly links the city's main archaeological sites, and a visit isn't complete without exploring the Acropolis—a hill housing ancient ruins, including the iconic Parthenon. For deeper insights, the Acropolis Museum awaits, and a marble path ascends Filopappou Hill, offering majestic views of the 'high city.'

The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Cutting through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, it divides the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. At 6.4 km long and 21.3 m wide at its base, it's impassable for most large ships. Commissioned by Greek tyrant Periander in the 7th century BC, it stayed incomplete until the late 19th century, when modern engineering techniques finally completed it.

An important historical place, the harbour town of Itea sits below Mount Parnassus, home to the mythical Muses and the winged horse Pegagus. It's near the ancient Greek sanctuary of Delphi where Pythia, the Oracle, prophesied the words of Apollo Pegasus. In 1827, Itea witnessed the Battle of Agali during the Greek War of Independence. The mountain region hosts one of the oldest and largest olive groves.

Galaxidi Walking tour

Optional

03 h 00 m

Walking tour of town of the Golf of Corinth
Visit the Naval Museum of Galaxidi which exhibits models of the ship
Admire a mountainous landscape and discover the impressive church of Agios Nikolaos

Mythical Delphi

Included

03 h 50 m

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed site of Delphi and see the Theatre, the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle, Pythia, the Navel of the Earth
Experience the Archeological Museum, one of the most important in Greece with its spectacular collection of artifacts, including the Naxian Sphinx, the Charioteer and the Statue of Antinoos
Discover the incredibly diverse Greek coutryside of Itea

Ossios Loukas Monastery

Optional

04 h 00 m

Discover the beautiful Monastery of Ossios Loukas adorned with these mosaics and frescoes of the Great Church
Breathtaking mountain scenery passing by the village of Arachova
Visit the mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassos, Arachova

Preveza, at the mouth of Amvrakikos Gulf in Western Greece, is a charming city with a characterful old town. Further afield, the Ancient City of Nikopolis, founded in 31 BC by Emperor Octavian to celebrate his victory over Antony and Cleopatra, thrived During the Roman and early Byzantine eras, as the capital of Old Epirus, leaving behind well-preserved archaeological features, including Roman city walls, an odeum, a theatre and thermal baths.

Traditional Arta

Optional

04 h 00 m

Visit Arta's Bridge learn the history of its construction and myth
Admire the church of the Panayia Parigoritissa,dating back to the 13th c. is dedicated to the Annunciation
Learn about the hidden secrets off Preveza

Nikopolis Arch. Site & Museum

Included

03 h 00 m

Visit Nikopolis, the amazing largest ancient city in Greece, built in the 1st c. AD
Learn why the impressive theatre isn’t like the others ancient Greek ones
Take some time to listen to the stories of the different basilicas

Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games is a short drive away from the pretty Greek harbour town of Katakolon. The ancient stadium sat 45,000 at the first Olympics in 776 BC, and then every four years, to honour the god Zeus. Even the marble starting blocks remain. At the Temple of Zeus, a 12m-tall gold statue of Zeus once stood, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Highlights of Olympia

Included

04 h 15 m

Embark on a guided tour that will take you to Olympia, in the middle of a fertile valley with the rivers of Alphios and Kladhios flowing past
See the site of the Ancient Stadium of Olympia, the largest of its day with a capacity of 45,000 spectators
Visit the the Magna Grecia Farm and wander through the grove as you learn the history of the olive trees before enjoying a variety of mezes (appetizers)

First inhabited by the Minoans, the Venetians and then the Turks, this romantic port, called Rethymno in Greek, on the island of Crete is a testament to its multicultural history. The town's charming Venetian-Ottoman quarter features ancient mansions with floral canopies, ornate monuments and enchanting, colourful lanes. The well-preserved medieval Venetian fortifications of the imposing Fortezza castle stand guard over the town.

Venetian Rethymnon

Included

04 h 00 m

Visit the Fortezza, built on the site of the citadel of ancient Rithimna and the Temple of Artemis Rokkea
Walk along the Venetian Harbor
Stop by the Rimondi fountain, built in 1626 during the Venetian rule

Be a farmer for the day

Optional

04 h 00 m

Become a Cretan farmer for few hours and experience diverse activities, between wine making, milking the goats or make the traditional Creta cheese pies
Have a real culinary experience in a very friendly athmosphere
Visit the Chapel of St. Nicholas

The Palace of Knossos

Included

05 h 00 m

Enjoy this guided tour through the Palace of Knossos where you’ll visit the king and queen’s quarters as well as the theatre area, potters’ workshops and rooms for state occasions
Learn about the people who continued to lived here after the catastrophic eruption of the volcano in Santorini around 1.500 - 1.450 B.C.
Hear the story of how the palace was restored by Sir Arthur Evans, and though criticized for its modernity has been helpful for tourist to visualize the palace as it was and understand its labyrinthine complexity

Famed for its sunset views, whitewashed homes clinging to the cliffside and churches with blue-painted domed roofs, the Cyclades island’s capital of Fira overlooks a submerged volcanic caldera. Santorini is also believed to be the location of the Lost City of Atlantis. Findings at the nearby preserved ruins of Akrotiri - thought to be the location - buried nearly 4,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption in 1650 B.C., seem to back up the claim.

Akrotiri & Oia Village

Included

04 h 30 m

Visit the ruins of the famous windmill
Discover Akrotiri, the famous archaeological site with its ruins dating back to the Bronze Age
Visit one of the most famous villages in Greece, OIA and take the Postcard picture with the ship in the background

Wineries of Santorini

Optional

05 h 20 m

Discover the Santorini Wine Museum with its unique position
Taste some incredible wines
Visit one of the most famous villages in Greece, OIA and take the Postcard picture with the ship in the background

Volcano Hiking

Optional

03 h 05 m

Take an hike that will lead you to the crater of the volcano
Enjoy the views of Santorini island and the amazing cliff of the caldera
Sail to the thermal springs of Palea Kameni and take an incredible swimm

Sailing the Caldera

Optional

04 h 00 m

Enjoy a scenic, relaxing ride around the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirassia.
Drop anchor into the green sulfur waters to swim
Have delicious Greek lunch will be served on board while sailing.

Despotiko, with untouched beaches, is a tiny uninhabited Greek island in the Cyclades with a thousand resident goats. Important archaeological remains at Mandra show evidence of a huge 6th-century B.C. temple complex. Further ancient ruins in the south of the island have since confirmed that this was a place of worship for Apollo, his twin sister Artemis, and Hestia devotees. Excavations show temples, a dining hall and even an aqueduct.

Discover the Apollo Sanctuary

Included

02 h 00 m

Discover one of the less known archaeological sites in Greece
Admire the temple dedicated to the God Apollo

The capital of Paros, Parikia is home to the 4th-century church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, known as the church of 100 doors. Considered one of the most important Byzantine monuments, it is one of the best preserved Orthodox churches in Greece. The typical Cyclades island town is awash with cobblestone alleyways lined with blue-and-white houses, a striking Venetian castle, bustling old market, tavernas, quaint shops and archaeological sites.

Walking tour of Paros

Included

02 h 30 m

Visit Ekatontapyliani monastery one of the best-preserved Paleo-Christian monuments in Greece
Enjoy a stop by Frankish castle built by the Venetians in 1260 using marble from ancient Greek temples

Rhodes Town, one of Europe's best medieval walled towns, is known for the 14th century UNESCO-listed Old Town constructed by the Knights of St. John and the 100-foot Colossus statue that once stood in the harbour. Highlights include the bustling Turkish district, Grand Masters' Palace adorned with marble mosaics and Gothic Street of the Knights. Nearby Lindos offers whitewashed streets and an Acropolis with views over St. Paul's Bay.

Acropolis of Lindos

Included

04 h 30 m

Enjoy the scenic drive along the east coast passing by quaint villages, orange and lemon groves, vineyards and gnarled old olive trees
Admire the 4th-century B.C. Doric Temple of Athena Lindia and a double-winged portico
Look at the breathtaking panoramas from atop the Acropolis, including St. Paul's Bay

Lindos and Ancient Rhodes

Optional

08 h 00 m

Take this full day tour that will give you the opportunity to discover the most important highlights of the Island
Visit the unique archaeological site of Lindos
Stroll around the narrow streets of the old town

Rhodes Natural Beauty

Optional

04 h 30 m

Visit the beautiful Kallithea Springs, located on the eastern coast
Discover the Bee Museum offering a fascinating look into the world of bees and honey production
The perfect way to end the visit will be the valley of the Butterflies, a stunning nature reserve home to thousands of colorful butterflies

Jeep Safari

Optional

07 h 00 m

Discover the mountainous northern non-tourist parts of Rhodes Island from West to East
Following a German Italian war route with historical points of interest through villages
Experience a mixture of on and off-road routes in the peaks of the mountains with panoramic views, wild life and stunning nature

Kusadasi is the gateway to 11th century BC Ephesus, a well-preserved ancient site. This UNESCO-listed treasure was a vital Roman capital and religious hub from 129 BC. It features marble streets, the Temple of Hadrian, mosaic-adorned Terrace Houses, the Library of Celsus and the amphitheatre where St. Paul spoke. Nearby stood the Temple of Artemis/Diana, once among the Seven Wonders. The Seljuk archaeological museum displays Ephesus artefacts.

Ephesus - Terrace Houses & Museum

Included

04 h 30 m

Visit Ephesus, considered Europe’s most complete ancient city. Ephesus was an important religious center second only to Athens and later Jerusalem
Admire the Terrace Houses "The Houses of the Rich", luxury Roman Villas
Sepnd some time in the Ephesus Museum, here are not only findings from the ongoing excavations

Priene -Miletus & Didyma

Optional

08 h 00 m

Discover Priene, less visited than other site in the region offers gorgeous Turkish landscapes, and retains a great deal of its ancient Greek heritage
Learn the history of Miletus, home not only to explorers and traders, but to a significant intellectual community
Wonder in front of the Didyma's Temple of Apollo

St. John Basilica - Artemis Tempel & V. House Of Virgin Mary

Optional

03 h 30 m

Visit this mystical site believed to be the last residence of the Virgin Mary
Stop at the Basilica of St. John, which was one of the most significant religious monuments of its time
Stop at the Temple of Artemis also known as the Temple of Diana, one of the 7 wonders of the world

The birthplace of Greek poet Homer, Chios island In the Aegean Sea, is known for mastic production and medieval villages. Fortress-like mastic villages were built under Genoese rule in the 12th century. Highlights include Olympi and medieval Pirgi with its intricately patterned geometric house decorations, Mesta with its fortified alleyways and central Taxiarches Church, and the mastic tree groves used to produce the unique resin.

Chios Highlights

Included

04 h 30 m

Visit Pyrgi Village one of the most beautiful villages on the island of Chios, known as the "painted village" thanks to the unique facade of the stone houses
Continue the island discovery to the Mesta, the best preserved medieval village of Chios
Discover the secrets of Masticha plantations

Nea Moni Monastery & Anavatos

Optional

04 h 00 m

Pay a visit to the Nea Moni monastery, considered as one of the most famous buildings of the Byzantine period
Stroll around the small streets of Avgonima, surrounded by the stone made houses with the flat roofs and have a coffee break at the central square
Discover Anavatos, an impressive medieval village located at the center of Chios island

Chios Town history and Food tour

Optional

03 h 00 m

Walk through the small alleys of Chios Town and make several stops to the locals’ favourite places
Taste some local specialties
Discover the Medieval castle of Chios

The culturally significant seaport of Çanakkale is the gateway to the Dardanelles, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. This historic city in northwestern Turkey, on the Asian side of the Dardanelles Strait, is renowned for its role in the poignant Gallipoli Campaign during World War I, commemorated at the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park. The ancient city of Troy, immortalised in Greek mythology, lies nearby.

Troy & Museum

Included

03 h 45 m

Discover Troy Antique Site, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world
After the visit of the aecheological site spend some time at the Museum, honoring this heritage and is a medium to tell the rich history of Troy

Assos Antique Site

Optional

04 h 00 m

Discover the incredible history of Assos founded by Methymians from the Island of Lesbos in the 7th century BC
Have a full immersion in the history of this incredible site

Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia, shaped by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. This diversity infuses the city's architecture, cuisine, music and arts. Sites include the Hagia Sophia museum, a former church and mosque, the stunning Blue Mosque with six minarets, Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, and the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

Threading the Islands to Troy and Istanbul

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Trip Highlights