Classical Greece and Crete Tour

Day 1 - Arrival in Athens

Arrival at Athens airport - Transfer to your hotel in Athens - Free afternoon - Overnight at the hotel. Take a walk to enjoy the Athenian nightlife.

Day 2 - Panoramic tour of Athens

Depart for a half-day visit to Athens. Visit of Acropolis and Panoramic tour of the city by bus. During this route, you can admire the different contrasts offered to visitors of Athens. You will visit the city centre, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Parliament and Neoclassical buildings, and Panepistimiou Avenue (the Academy, the University and the National Library). On the way to the Acropolis, you will see the Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and then you will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of our time were held in 1896 (short stop). In the Acropolis you can admire the masterpieces of the golden age of Athens, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and finally “the harmony between spirit and matter”, the Parthenon. Then you will visit the impressive sculptures, which adorned the temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion (with Caryatids) and of course the Parthenon. Back to the hotel. Afternoon free. Overnight.

Day 3 - Athens - Free day

Enjoy your day by strolling along Plaka (the old Athenian quartier) with its narrow streets, which are full of traditional restaurants where you can taste traditional Greek dishes, and the famous drink “ouzo” and enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant neighbourhood.

Day 4 - Athens - Epidaurus - Mycenae – Olympia

Departure from Athens to the Corinth Canal (shortstop). We continue to Epidaurus and visit the ancient theatre, known for its excellent acoustics. Depart for Nafplion (short stop), continue to Mycenae, visit the Citadel and the tomb of Agamemnon, and depart for Olympia, across the Peloponnese. Arrive for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Olympia – Delphi

Visit Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games (Museum - Archaeological Site). Departure for Delphi, across the plains of Ilia and Achaia, reaching the large bridge of Rio, which connects the Peloponnese with mainland Greece (Antirio) through Nafpaktos and other picturesque towns. Arrive for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - Delphi – Meteora

Visit Delphi (Museum and Archaeological site). Departure for Kalambaka, situated at the foot of Meteora a uniquely amazing scenery. Arrive for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - Meteora – Athens

Visit Meteora and the monasteries, which are unique monuments of the Byzantine era. Return to Athens passing by Trikala and Thermopylae with a small stop at the monument of King Leonidas. Arrival in Athens in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 8 - Athens – Heraklion

After your breakfast, we will take a transfer to the port to board the ferry to Heraklion. Upon your arrival in Heraklion, transfer to your hotel. After your check-in, there will be free time to enjoy the vibrant city. Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 9 - Heraklion – Knossos (Optional Tour)

Breakfast. Optional tour to enjoy the wonders of the Minoan civilization. You will begin your day by visiting the most important archaeological site on Crete and the second most visited archaeological site of the country, the Minoan palace of Knossos and the mythical Labyrinth of Homer. Knossos is a prehistoric city, where the oldest European civilization started and flourished more than 5,000 years ago. Following this, in the centre of Heraklion Town, you will visit the biggest Archaeological collection of artefacts on Crete, at the Archaeological Museum. Free evening. Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 10 - Elounda – Agios Nikolaos (Optional Tour)

Breakfast and free day to enjoy the city. Optionaly you can have a day tour to Elounda - Spinalonga island and Agios Nikolaos.

Tour program: Arriving to Elounda. Embarkation on a small boat to reach the island of Spinalonga and its Venetian fortress. Barbecue lunch in a tavern, possibility of swimming (weather permitting). On the way back, stop over at Agios Nikolaos seaside resort on the Gulf of Mirabello. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 - Rethymno

Departure for Rethymnon. Leisure evening in the city. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 12 - Sea and Mountain Excursion - Sfakia - Fragokastelo (Optional Tour)

Free day at Rethymnon. You can have an optional excursion to Sfakia - Fragookastelo.

Tour Program: Morning departure towards Southwest of Crete. Arrive at the Askifou plateau for a photo stop. We continue to Sfakia, visit the village, and taste the famous "pita Sfakiani" a traditional pie with honey from the region. Lunch in a tavern. Departure to Fragokastelo (Venetian fortress) free time for swimming. In the afternoon visit of the village Aradena. Dinner and overnight in Chania.

Day 13 - Chania – Excursion Cretan Panorama (Optional Tour)

Breakfast and free day at Chania. You can have an optional excursion "Creatan Panorama".

This tour gives you the opportunity to discover the traditional villages of the west side of Crete passing by the Cretan nature. Photo stop at the fortress of Aptera, an important site of Greco-Roman antiquity. We continue to Argiroupolis, a village known for its natural springs, visit the village and tasting of local products. Lunch in a tavern and free time. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Transfer to the village of Argiroupolis for dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - Chania Free day

Free day in Chania. In the evening, the ferry crosses from Chania to Piraeus (Athens).

Day 15 - Athens, Departure Day

Transfer to the Airport for your departure flight.