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.

Athens Gate Hotel (4*) is located in the historic district of Athens, opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gate which was constructed by the Athenians to welcome the Roman emperor Adrianos (Hadrian). Very easy to access, it is located 500 meters from the Acropolis and 100 meters from the New Acropolis Museum. Constitution (Syntagma) Square, and the commercial center of Athens are only 500 meters away. The entrance to the Plaka is just a couple of blocks away. The view of the city from the hotel's Roof Garden is possibly the best in all of Athens. It was fully renovated in 2007. The style is modern and simple, as befits the area. The hotel has 7 floors, a roof garden bar and a la carte restaurant, a lobby bar-cafeteria and a cozy area with fireplace in the lobby.

Overnight at Athens Gate Hotel (4*).

Day 2 Athens

This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you to see the center of the city, Constitution Square(Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the NationalLibrary .Driving down Herod Atticus street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace .On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian's Arch , visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea , the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally ' the harmony between material and spirit ', the monument that 'puts order in mind', the Parthenon.

Overnight at Athens Gate Hotel (4*).

Day 3 Athens

Leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, (short stop). Drive to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city “rich in gold” of the ancient poets. Visit the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs e.t.c.  Depart for Nauplion through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress (short photo stop), leave for Epidauros, to visit the Theatre (4th century B.C.) famous for its astonishing acoustics. Return to Athens by the National road connecting Epidauros with Corinth. Lunch in Mycenae.

Overnight at Athens Gate Hotel (4*).

Day 4 Athens

Enjoy a journey to Delphi the mystical “navel of the earth,” once considered center of the ancient world. This enchanting guided day tour takes travelers from the fertile plains of Beotia, across the ancient metropolis of Thebes, onto Mount Parnassus and into the legendary holy city of Delphi. This cultural capital’s prestige extends far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World and time itself. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, Altar of the Chians, Gymnasium, Stadium, Theater and all historic sites. Imagine the rituals of Delphi’s sacred oracle as she sat on the stone she made her prophesies. Drop by the museum to see Ancient Greek sculpture and masterpieces like the bronze Charioteer and the famous statue of Aghias. Lunch in the modern village of Delphi before returning to Athens. Take a quick stop in Thebes along the way.

Overnight at Athens Gate Hotel (4*).

Day 5 Athens

Enjoy a half day private tour to Sounion. Drive along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens' most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza) to Cape Sounion where you will visit the 5th century B.C Temple of Poseidon with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world (on a clear day you can see at least seven islands). This tour takes around 4 hours. Entrance fee to Cape Sounion is included.

Overnight at Athens Gate Hotel (4*).

Day 6 Athens

Enjoy a day cruise to Saronic Gulf Island. Leave Athens early in the morning by bus to Piraeus Port. Sail to Hydra where you have free time to explore or take a refreshing swim in the beautiful, blue sea! Next, sail for Aegina passing through Poros and the seashore of the infamous Peloponnese. Arrive at Aegina for further exploration or another optional swim. Choose if you wish to visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Afea Athena.

Overnight at Athens Gate Hotel (4*).

Day 7 Athens

Enjoy your private airport transfer today.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

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

More information from Kensington Tours:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.kensingtontours.com/tours/europe/greece…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips