At 6 p.m. we'll meet at our hotel for a "Welcome to Athens" meeting. Then we'll get oriented to our neighborhood and walk to a nearby restaurant where we can get acquainted over dinner. Sleep in Athens (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light
This morning we'll hike to the top of Athens' legendary Acropolis, where we'll take a walking tour of its 2,500-year-old Golden Age temples, dominated by the dramatic Parthenon. We'll then work our way down and tour the sleek new Acropolis Museum, custom built to showcase the amazing Parthenon sculptures. Your afternoon and evening are free for exploring Athens' marketplaces — the ancient Agora and the modern Plaka's labyrinth of inviting streets, squares, shops, and cafés. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
This morning we'll leave the city behind and drive into the rugged countryside. In a dramatic setting on the flanks of 8,000-foot Mt. Parnassus we'll enjoy the fresh air and tour the mystical ruins of Delphi. Here, 25 centuries ago, the celebrated oracle allowed mere mortals to converse with the gods. This evening we'll have dinner together and sleep in the town of Delphi (1 night). Bus: 4 hours. Walking: strenuous.
Today we'll cross over the Gulf of Corinth to the Peloponnese, where we'll temporarily leave our bus for a steep, scenic cog railway ride up to the historic town of Kalavryta, past the waterfalls and caves lining the narrow Vouraikos Gorge. Just beyond at a riverside café in the mountain village of Planitero, we'll enjoy a lunch of freshly caught trout and other Greek specialties before our bus takes us to our destination high up in the Menalon Mountains. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner together. Sleep in or near Lagkadia (1 night). Train: 1 hour. Bus: 5 hours. Walking: light.
This morning's winding mountain drive will take us to Olympia, site of the world's first Olympics, over 2,700 years ago. There we'll take a vivid walking tour of Olympia's ancient athletic venues, temples, and museum, followed by lunch together. This afternoon's drive will take us along sweeping views of the Ionian Sea to a relaxed seaside village on the Mani Peninsula, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 5 hours. Walking: moderate.
The Mani is an ideal place to enjoy a "vacation from your vacation." After some orientation by your guide, the day is all yours. You might hike along the ancient cobbled paths that wind their way through the nearby hills — or just relax on the beach — and end your day with a grilled seafood dinner and a view from the little taverna you've discovered. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice)
We'll follow the coast to the isolated Mani Peninsula, home to generations-long clan wars, salt-of-the-earth villages, and unique pyrgospita — tower houses. If Greece had a Tombstone and an O.K. Corral, here is where they'd be. We'll enjoy lunch together, and after making a few off-the-beaten-path discoveries, we'll ride on to the dramatically set medieval town of Monemvasia, where you'll be free for dinner. Sleep in mainland Monemvasia (2 nights). Bus: 5 hours. Walking: light.
This morning we'll cross the causeway to tackle the massive rock that shoots straight up out of the blue-green Aegean Sea. After an orientation walk around Monemvasia's cozy little Lower Town, you'll have free time to wander more of the romantic walled town or take a swim in the Aegean. Those who want a workout can hike to the very top of the rock. You will be rewarded with sweeping Aegean views and a chance to explore the ruins of the Upper Town — a living museum of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian history. This evening we'll enjoy a cooking demonstration, followed by dinner together. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Today we'll head up into the heart of the Peloponnese, where we'll tour the haunting ruins of the fortress town of Mystras and its still-standing group of Byzantine churches. After stopping in nearby Sparta for lunch, we'll continue north to our destination: the delightful, fortress-topped harbor town of Nafplio. We'll enjoy a Greek wine and ouzo tasting, and sleep in Nafplio (2 nights). Bus: 5 hours. Walking: strenuous
After breakfast we'll take a short drive to mysterious Mycenae, the fortified city founded by Perseus a thousand years before the Parthenon was built. We'll take a walking tour through the grand Lion Gate, along the "cyclopean" walls, and into a remarkably domed tholos tomb. Then we'll return to Nafplio for a free afternoon to explore the colorful alleyways of the Old Town, ride a boat to the little castle island in the harbor, or hike up to enjoy a Venetian fortress view. We'll regroup for dinner and music together this evening. Bus: 1 hour. Walking: moderate.
This morning we'll drive to nearby Epidavros. Once the most famous healing center in the Mediterranean, today's star attraction is its ancient theater, large enough to accommodate 14,000. We'll learn about the roots of medicine and drama here, before hopping a boat to the idyllic traffic-free island of Hydra, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 2 hours. Walking: moderate.
Your entire day is free to soak up the whitewashed architecture as you wander Hydra's narrow streets and harbor promenade. You might swim at a nearby beach, hike across the island, or try to make friends with a donkey. We will cap our island vacation with a relaxing sunset happy hour. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
This morning we'll take a ferry ride to Piraeus, where our bus will be waiting to take us to Athens' impressive National Archaeological Museum, home to amazingly preserved masterpieces in marble, bronze, and gold. Your afternoon is free to wander and shop through the Plaka, or explore other parts of this bustling city. Tonight we'll gaze at the floodlit Acropolis and enjoy a final dinner together, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Opa! Sleep in Athens (1 night). Boat: 2 hours. Bus: 1 hour. Walking: light.
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. You can easily catch a cab for the airport, or to nearby Piraeus where a fleet of ferries awaits to transport those with time to even more Greek destinations. Antio!
A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Greece come alive for you All tours and admissions — at no extra cost — covering at least 17 group sightseeing events • Acropolis • Acropolis Museum • Ancient Delphi • Scenic Diakofto–Kalavryta Railway • Olive and olive oil tasting • Ancient Olympia • Mani Peninsula villages • Monemvasia orientation • Cooking demonstration • Byzantine Mystras • Nafplio orientation • Wine and ouzo tasting • Ancient Mycenae • Folk music evening • Theater of Epidavros tour • Hydra orientation • National Archaeological Museum…and more All group transportation from Athens to Athens 13 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels All breakfasts and half your dinners All tips for guides and driver A tour kit including a guidebook (or books) and a moneybelt Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit Optional single supplements — this tour has a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken prior to 2020 50% discount on a consulting appointment with our in-house experts to assist with your pre- or post-tour travel plans Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour
You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing.
"noise at night ,i like how people talk to us and treating us well,the drive knows what he is doing we almost show all the animals we wanted"
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