Glories of Greece
8 Days from $1,895 per person
This concise tour covers a multitude of noteworthy ancient sites, majestic monuments and mystical monasteries that will enchant you whether you're exploring in autumn, winter or spring.
Overview
This concise tour covers a multitude of noteworthy ancient sites, majestic monuments and mystical monasteries that will enchant you whether you're exploring in autumn, winter or spring.
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Day 1: Your Journey Begins
Board your overnight flight (please ask about our great deals).
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Day 2: Welcome to Athens
You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception, and get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful evening of dinner and wine.
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Day 3: Athens, City of Gods
Your exploration reveals the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Wingless Victory and Hadrian's Arch. Next, your Local Expert takes you to the Parthenon, built atop the Acropolis. Continue to Thermopylae, famous as the mountain pass where King Leonidas led his Spartan army, along with fellow Greek soldiers, into battle against the Persians in 480 B.C. See the memorial dedicated to Leonidas and his courageous Spartans, then on to your hotel in Kalambaka for dinner.
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Day 4: The pinnacles of Meteora
With your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, meaning 'in the air.' The massive pinnacles of smooth rock are ancient, yet could also be the setting for a futuristic science-fiction tale. Visit one of the monasteries, that adds to the strange and beautiful landscape and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Why not explore with a leisurely walk on the nature trails? Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Natural History Museum.
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Day 5: The Sacred Way and on to Olympia
Travel south, stopping at the foothills of Mount Parnassus. Ascend the Sacred Way of Delphi with your Local Expert, passing the Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians and Polygonal Wall. You'll approach the Temple of Apollo, where for 14 centuries the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic 'words'. Continue to Olympia where dinner is served in your hotel.
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Day 6: Ancient Olympia
It's all in the name. Ancient Olympia is the site where the Ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC in dedication to the god Zeus. See the Temple of Zeus, the athletes gymnasium and the stadium of Olympia. The starting and finishing markers for the sprint track are still marked by stones and there is time to capture your own memory with a photo at the starting line. In the evening, join a local chef for an entertaining cooking demonstration, followed by a dinner of authentic Greek flavors.
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Day 7: Mycenae and Nafplio
Visit the ruined city of Mycenae with a Local Expert. Walk through the Lion Gate, visit the royal beehive-tombs and see the giant Cyclopean stones used to build the city walls. Later, meet the artisans and view beautiful works of art at a family-run pottery studio. Travel to the elegant town of Nafplio, known for its beautiful architecture, color shops and cafes. Your journey continues following the shores of the Saronic Gulf to pass the Corinth Canal dividing the Peloponnesse and mainland Greece, and arriving in Athens. In the evening, enjoy a hearty Celebration Dinner in true Greek style, complete with wine and good cheer.
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Day 8: Depart Athens
Your Grecian odyssey comes to an end with a transfer to Athens Airport.
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
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Winter Itinerary
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 18 | 10 Sep 18 |
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$2,175pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 29 Oct 18 | 5 Nov 18 | $2,150pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
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Winter Itinerary |
12 Nov 18 | 19 Nov 18 | $1,925pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
26 Nov 18 | 3 Dec 18 | $1,925pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
3 Dec 18 | 10 Dec 18 | $1,925pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
10 Dec 18 | 17 Dec 18 | $1,925pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
29 Dec 18 | 5 Jan 19 | $1,995pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
28 Jan 19 | 4 Feb 19 | $1,895pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
25 Feb 19 | 4 Mar 19 | $1,975pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
4 Mar 19 | 11 Mar 19 | $1,975pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
11 Mar 19 | 18 Mar 19 | $1,975pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
18 Mar 19 | 25 Mar 19 | $1,975pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Winter Itinerary |
25 Mar 19 | 1 Apr 19 | $1,895pp | Request Quote Book Now |
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Winter Itinerary: Seasonal adjustments to the itinerary may apply.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $490. Please note that roommate matching is not available on this tour.
Triple Room Discount $100 p.p.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
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Personal Flight Options
Included Quality Dining
6 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 3 Dinners and 2 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee.
Signature Experiences
Athens:
- Ascend the Acropolis with a Local Expert to admire the Parthenon, built in 5th century B.C., as well as the smaller Temple of
Athena Nike and the Porch of the Maidens.
Thermopylae:
- See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
Mycenae
- Meet the artisans of a family-run pottery studio and learn about their unique traditional methods.
- Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of
Agamemnon from your Local Expert.
Delphi
- With your Local Expert, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and
pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where the people would seek divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
Olympia
- The stadium of Olympia hosted the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera. See the
Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
Meteora
- With a Local Expert, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably
the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in Greece is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive in Greece, you can use your debit and credit card to pay in most places and will likely find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Greece. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. Mediterranean food is simple, delicious, and centered on a variety of fresh seafood, produce, cheeses and baked goods. Try Greek salad prepared with tomatoes, feta, olive oil and herbs as well as other popular dishes including grilled lamb, octopus, eggplant and spanakopita. Olives, cheese and flatbread make a tasty snack with a glass of chilled white wine.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
At bars and restaurants, tipping is less common or generous as in the U.S. When dining out, it’s appropriate, although not required, to leave an extra euro for good service.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Kalambaka
Majestic Metsovo
Adult Price: € 47.00
Travel through the beautiful countryside of Thessalia, towards Epirus and on to the stunning Greek mountain village of Metsovo. We'll visit the Katogi Averoff winery and explore the cellars boasting over 1200 oak barrels in which their red wine matures. Our host shares their passion and knowledge of the winery and its production, before inviting us to savour a meal of local delicacies at the winery’s restaurant. Afterwards stroll through the charming village and perhaps sit in one of picturesque leafy shaded square and try a “tsipouro” a feisty traditional digestive liquor!
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
