Historic paths / Grand tour of Greece

Departing time: 08:45 – Return 19:00 (Last day)

1^st day: Leave by the coastal road to
the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros
famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the Town of Nauplion
(short stop) drive on to Mycenae and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb
of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns
of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Arrive at Olympia, cradle of the ancient Olympic
Games. (Dinner and overnight)

2^nd day: In the morning visit the
Archaeological Site with the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium
and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Ilia and
Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from
Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and
Itea, arrive in Delphi. (Dinner and overnight)

3^rd day: In the morning visit the
Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, a small
town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, those
gigantic rocks that rise steep from the plain of Thessaly. (Dinner and
overnight)

4^th day: Visit the Meteora: perched on
top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless
Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart
from Kalambaka, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of
Tempi, and admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in
Greece and home of the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrival at Thessaloniki,the
second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece. (Dinner and overnight)

5^th day: In the morning visit the city
that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning”
city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique
monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most
characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of
Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize for the
year 2005. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the
city. (Dinner and overnight)

6^th day: Depart in the morning for a
unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa where
we see the town’s famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, to
a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle’s School, the
picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals
and politics’ to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Then drive to
Vergina (ancient Aigai), to live the experience of a visit to the unique
Museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See
the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander’s father,
and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20^th century.
In only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul’s Bema,
and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colourful market
area. A walk in a city where past is present and around. Return to
Thessaloniki. (Dinner and overnight)

7^th day: Drive to Pella, the capital of
Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4^th century B.C. villas, in situ as
well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of
Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympos). After
the visit we shall start driving south and through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae
(see the Leonidas’ Monument) and Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the
afternoon.

N.B. Please ladies for the visit of the Monasteries you
need a skirt and the gentlemen long trousers.

Important notes:

Operation Months: April to October

Winter: Every Monday