Itinerary

Day 1 Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who, according to legend, won the city after defeating Poseidon in a duel. The goddess' victory was celebrated by the construction of a temple on the Acropolis, the site of the city's earliest settlement in Attica. As a city state, the coastal capital of Athens reached its heyday in the fifth century BC as a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. Athens is also the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles and its many other prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world. Nowadays, the city retains a vast variety of Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining Ottoman monuments projecting the city's long history across the centuries.

Enjoy your private airport transfer today.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, ferry tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure as you relax at your hotel or enjoy the city sites.

This enchanting evening tour commences with a scenic drive to Piraeus, 'the place over the passage', inhabited since the 26th century BC. Visit its natural harbors, such as lively Zea with its busy yacht marina and tiny Mikrolimano, one of the most picturesque corners of Piraeus. Journey to Plaka, the charming historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. The ideal atmosphere for your traditional dinner, enjoy the rest of your evening in a vibrant Greek tavern alive with traditional folk music and dancers.

Philippos Hotel (3*) Athens offers peaceful surroundings along with modern services to give you the feeling of a luxurious holiday. It is the most ideally located hotel in the heart of the old city district, only a two minute walk from the Acropolis, the Plaka, the Herodus Atticus ancient theatre and the new museum of the Acropolis. The 50 guestrooms and suites are fine, luminous, decorated in a modern style, softened by elegant fabrics and ambient lighting. Breakfast is being served at the coffee shop, as well as drinks and beverages, all day long. Moreover, the lounge is a perfect place to enjoy a book, a friendly chat, with a cup of cappuccino from the coffee shop.

Overnight at Philippos Hotel (3*).

Day 2 Kalambaka

Kalambaka is a small town in northeastern Greece near the famous Meteora cliffs. The nearest town to the large rock formations atop which monasteries have been built offers spectacular views of the surroundings. Kalambaka attracts a fair number of tourists and the main street in town is filled with smalls shops, bars, cafes and restaurants.

You will have a dedicated private driver and English speaking Guide with you for the next two days.

Leave Athens today for Delphi via Thebes, a city known for its acres of cotton fields in the modern days. The Greek myths say that the powerful hero Hercules, son of the god Zeus, was born here. Continuing along, you'll pass through Levadia and the picturesque village of Arachova,on the slopes of Mount Parnassus which is an extremely beautiful and traditional town,  filled with stunning views, quaint houses, and small cobble-stoned roads. Soon you will arrive in Delphi. Here you will get to visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Home to the famous Oracle of Delphi, this mountain sanctuary was the holiest site in Ancient Greece. It was believed to be the center of the world, marked by the sacred Omphalos stone. Then visit the museum which displays some of the finest works of art in Greece as it chronicles the history and importance of Delphi from the 15th century BC to the 4th century AD.

Leave Delphi this afternoon for an interesting trip through Central Greece and the town of Lamia to Kalambaka, your destination for the day. Lamai has a large castle dating from the early Middle Ages. The castle serves as an archeological museum and has an interesting collection of classical and Hellenistic artifacts.

The traditional Amalia Hotel (4*) Kalambaka is in a unique location, facing the rocks of Meteora. Endless gardens, an Olympic sized swimming pool and a spacious lobby with warm, cozy corners -the ideal setting for your stay. The hotel offers 171 rooms, most with a view of the Meteora rocks, fully equipped with the latest facilities, such as air conditioning, direct dial phone, and TV set.

Overnight at Amalia Hotel (4*).

Day 3 Athens

Visit Meteora ,with its particularly impressive scenery, and ageless monasteries containing priceless historical and religious treasures which stands suspended between earth
and sky, on top of granite rocks. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae where you will visit Leonidas monument, before arriving in Athens in the early evening.

Philippos Hotel (3*) Athens offers peaceful surroundings along with modern services to give you the feeling of a luxurious holiday. It is the most ideally located hotel in the heart of the old city district, only a two minute walk from the Acropolis, the Plaka, the Herodus Atticus ancient theatre and the new museum of the Acropolis. The 50 guestrooms and suites are fine, luminous, decorated in a modern style, softened by elegant fabrics and ambient lighting. Breakfast is being served at the coffee shop, as well as drinks and beverages, all day long. Moreover, the lounge is a perfect place to enjoy a book, a friendly chat, with a cup of cappuccino from the coffee shop.

Overnight at Philippos Hotel (3*).
    
Day 4 Athens

Enjoy your private airport transfer today.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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