DAY 1: UK - Athens.
Fly to Athens where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights.
DAY 2: Athens. At leisure.
Explore Athens at leisure today or perhaps join the optional three-islands cruise on the Saronic Gulf to view Aegina, Poros and Hydra. This evening is free for you to enjoy the old Plaka district, with its narrow streets and sound of bouzouki music, and the lively atmosphere of the local tavernas and nightclubs. (B)
DAY 3: Athens - Corinth Canal - Epidaurus - Nauplia.
Admire the highlights of this ancient capital on an included sightseeing tour of Athens before heading to the Corinth Canal to marvel at this incredible feat of engineering. Continue into Argolis, a hilly countryside region dotted with pine trees and oleanders, for a visit to the spectacular amphitheatre of Epidaurus. In this magnificent setting you'll visit the open-air theatre, which can still seat 14,000 spectators. Later, journey along the coast to Nauplia for one night. (B, D)
DAY 4: Nauplia - Mycenae - Sparta.
This morning, enjoy an included excursion to the ruins of Mycenae, an impressive ancient city once dubbed the 'city rich in gold' by Homer. During excavation, the Golden Mask of Agamemnon was unearthed here as well as other priceless treasures that exactly match Homer's descriptions in the Iliad. This afternoon, drive through the beautiful Peloponnese region to Sparta for one night. (B, D)
DAY 5: Sparta - Mystra - Pylos.
This morning's highlight is a visit to the ruined Byzantine citadel of Mystra, once known as the 'Wonder of Morea'. Nestled on a forested hillside in the lush Peloponnese region, Mystra's crescent shaped city was famed as a centre of culture and art and still contains distinctive churches and monasteries with elaborate frescoes as well as a palace and hilltop fortress. After time to explore, continue to Pylos, located on a quaint bay on the Messenian Gulf, for one night. (B, D)
DAY 6: Pylos - Nestor's Palace - Olympia.
View the well-preserved ruins of royal apartments at the Nestor's Palace archaeological site this morning, before heading to nearby Hora Museum where some of the relics and frescoes uncovered at the site are on display. Later, drive to Olympia, the legendary venue of the Olympic games, which every four years engaged the city-states in sport instead of war. (B)
DAY 7: Olympia - Delphi.
Visit Olympia to learn more about the history of the Olympic games on an optional sightseeing tour. This afternoon, cross the spectacular newly built bridge between Rion and Antirion and stop to admire this wonder of contemporary architecture, widely considered to be an engineering masterpiece. Later, journey through picturesque villages to magnificent Delphi, for one night. (B)
DAY 8: Delphi - Kalambaka.
Spend the morning at leisure in Delphi or join the optional sightseeing tour of Delphi archaeological site. Once called 'The Navel of the Earth', Delphi was considered the greatest Oracle of the ancient world and people journeyed from all over the globe to seek advice here. Today it is still one of the grandest sights in Greece, with its theatre and Temple of Apollo still standing in their lovely natural surrounds. This afternoon, drive via Lamia and Trikala to Kalambaka for one night. (B, D)
DAY 9: Kalambaka - Meteora - Athens.
Today's included trip is sure to be a highlight of your tour. Head to the heart of Meteora, where a cluster of monastic buildings sit perched atop natural pillar-like rock formations, hundreds of metres above the valley floor. Their spectacular and seemingly inaccessible position provided an ideal retreat for the hermit monks who lived here and today, the unusual monastery-topped rock spires provide an unforgettable sight. Later drive to Athens for an overnight stay. This evening, why not join our optional dinner at a typical Greek restaurant? (B)
DAY 10: Athens - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
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