Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Tours |
|---|---|
| Country |
Greece |
| Travel type |
Fly |
| Price range | From £899 |
| Travel partner | Riviera Travel |
| Duration | 7 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6751 |
Classic Greece
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As the cradle of western civilization, of democracy, philosophy, the theatre, and so much more, Greece has drawn visitors for centuries with all extolling the purity and clarity of its skies, the overwhelming hospitality rooted in its ancient civilization and the zest of life of the Greeks themselves.
Obviously, Greece is synonymous with antiquity, with Athens in particular a city of intriguing paradoxes – ancient yet modern; busy and frenetic but so laid-back; a capital city, yet in places as intimate as a village. And if one building can ever symbolise an entire nation, it is the Parthenon - but Athens is much more than this. The hugely acclaimed new Acropolis Museum succeeds wonderfully in displaying the outstanding ancient masterpieces within to the finest effect. We visit the best of Classical Greece, firstly Epidaurus, the greatest healing centre and finest theatre in the ancient world. Then there’s Mycenae, and a very different experience – a place of myths and legends and of a fierce, untamed people so vividly depicted in Homer’s epics. In complete contrast, Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games is set in an idyllic pine-forested valley and is the very spot where the modern Olympic torch is kindled from the rays of the sun. You also spend a night at the centre of the world! At least that’s what the ancients believed Delphi to be – the world’s navel, where mortals, via the ‘oracle’, communicated with Apollo.
Greece is far from being a series of ancient sites though. We also see the amazing 700-year old frescoed Byzantine monasteries of Meteora – looking like something from another world, perched precariously atop sheer pinnacles of rock. The six monasteries are still very much in operation, with their black-robed monks living a traditional simple and ascetic way of life. Then there is some startlingly beautiful scenery too: the steep ravines of the Peloponnese mountains are spectacular, their peaks rocky and barren, whilst heather and broom cover the slopes and the enchanting scent of wild thyme and oregano hangs heavy in the warm air. The views from Delphi in particular are quite exceptional, with the valley below a silvery sea of olive groves. And in Greece we are never far from the sea – innumerable bays, coves and headlands form one of the most enchanting coastlines in the world, with islands and distant mountains shimmering under cobalt blue skies.
Greek cuisine, known for its simplicity, has been legendary for centuries, with many previously unknown regional dishes now becoming standard fare – try stuffed courgettes and dolmades made from tender cabbage leaves or a salad of ‘horta’, mountain greens with lemon and olive oil, or perhaps a ‘stifado’, a stew which can be made with beef or wild boar. And of course, there’s nothing like some freshly-caught fish just simply grilled and enjoyed under a starlit Mediterranean sky in a genuinely atmospheric taverna!
So come with us and enjoy one of the most beautiful and intriguing countries in the world, and catch a glimpse of the fine slender threads that still join our modern world to the distant past in ancient Greece.
Obviously, Greece is synonymous with antiquity, with Athens in particular a city of intriguing paradoxes – ancient yet modern; busy and frenetic but so laid-back; a capital city, yet in places as intimate as a village. And if one building can ever symbolise an entire nation, it is the Parthenon - but Athens is much more than this. The hugely acclaimed new Acropolis Museum succeeds wonderfully in displaying the outstanding ancient masterpieces within to the finest effect. We visit the best of Classical Greece, firstly Epidaurus, the greatest healing centre and finest theatre in the ancient world. Then there’s Mycenae, and a very different experience – a place of myths and legends and of a fierce, untamed people so vividly depicted in Homer’s epics. In complete contrast, Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games is set in an idyllic pine-forested valley and is the very spot where the modern Olympic torch is kindled from the rays of the sun. You also spend a night at the centre of the world! At least that’s what the ancients believed Delphi to be – the world’s navel, where mortals, via the ‘oracle’, communicated with Apollo.
Greece is far from being a series of ancient sites though. We also see the amazing 700-year old frescoed Byzantine monasteries of Meteora – looking like something from another world, perched precariously atop sheer pinnacles of rock. The six monasteries are still very much in operation, with their black-robed monks living a traditional simple and ascetic way of life. Then there is some startlingly beautiful scenery too: the steep ravines of the Peloponnese mountains are spectacular, their peaks rocky and barren, whilst heather and broom cover the slopes and the enchanting scent of wild thyme and oregano hangs heavy in the warm air. The views from Delphi in particular are quite exceptional, with the valley below a silvery sea of olive groves. And in Greece we are never far from the sea – innumerable bays, coves and headlands form one of the most enchanting coastlines in the world, with islands and distant mountains shimmering under cobalt blue skies.
Greek cuisine, known for its simplicity, has been legendary for centuries, with many previously unknown regional dishes now becoming standard fare – try stuffed courgettes and dolmades made from tender cabbage leaves or a salad of ‘horta’, mountain greens with lemon and olive oil, or perhaps a ‘stifado’, a stew which can be made with beef or wild boar. And of course, there’s nothing like some freshly-caught fish just simply grilled and enjoyed under a starlit Mediterranean sky in a genuinely atmospheric taverna!
So come with us and enjoy one of the most beautiful and intriguing countries in the world, and catch a glimpse of the fine slender threads that still join our modern world to the distant past in ancient Greece.
Included
- Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow or Manchester
- Stay in handpicked three-star superior and four-star hotels, with breakfast and three dinners
- Guided walking tour of Athens, including the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum
- Guided tour of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games
- Optional cruise to the classic Greek Islands of Hydra, Aegina and Poros
- Guided tour of Delphi, home of the legendary ‘oracle’, the ancient fountain of all wisdom
- See Meteora’s amazing 14th century monasteries - crowning huge rock pinnacles, some of the most extraordinary in the world
- Browse through Athens’ famous flea market
- Cross the engineering marvel that is the Corinth Canal
- Visit the site of ancient Mycenae, home of Agamemnon
- Wonder at the perfect symmetry and incredible acoustics of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus
- Visit the site of the battle of Thermopylae, a defining moment in European history
- Escorted by our experienced tour manager
The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room, single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £269 per person. Seven nights accommodation in three-star superior and four-star hotels, daily breakfast and three buffet dinners, return flights to Athens, walking tour of Athens, guided visits to the Acropolis, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora, the services of an experienced Riviera Tour Manager. Please note that where hotels have a swimming pool, this will be open in the summer months, weather permitting. Not included: Entrance to archaeological sites and museums, approximately €53 per person or €30 per person for EU citizens over 65 years, payable locally. Optional full-day three-island cruise with lunch €95 per person.
Not included
Entrance to archaeological sites and museums, approximately €53 per person or €30 per person for EU citizens over 65 years, approximate costs, payable locally. Optional full-day three-island cruise with lunch €99 per person.
Day 1
You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Athens transferring to the excellent quality four-star Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis for one night’s bed and breakfast. The hotel is superbly located, nestling below the rock of the Acropolis, just a few minutes’ stroll from the new Acropolis Museum and the Plaka district with its atmospheric tavernas and traditional shops. All rooms are air-conditioned with balcony, satellite TV, personal safe, mini-bar and hairdryer. There is a small pool, a lobby bar, a top-class open-air rooftop restaurant with great views of the Acropolis and in the basement you can even see an exposed section of the ancient city walls.
Day 2
After breakfast we drive towards the Peloponnese, passing through a timeless Greek landscape of tiny isolated villages, olive groves and rolling hills. Our first stop is the amazing Corinth Canal – where the Roman Emperor Nero is said to have inaugurated his attempt at construction by personally removing the first clod of earth using a golden trowel! The project was finally completed 1893 and, with its incredible near-vertical rock banks, it is an engineering masterpiece. Next we visit Epidaurus, birthplace of Asclepios - the god of healing, and whose sanctuary here became the greatest centre of medicine in the Classical world. The ancient Greeks believed that one should be healthy in both mind and body so the plays and music performed here in the acoustically-perfect theatre played an integral part in the therapeutic process. We then visit Mycenae, entering the imposing citadel through its magnificent, 3,300 year old Lion Gate, where you can still discern the pivot holes carved for the door hinges. This afternoon we experience the spectacular wild and mountainous landscape of the Peloponnese, arriving in Olympia late afternoon and our hotel, the excellent three-star superior Best Western Europa. Beautifully situated on a quiet hillside above the small modern village of Olympia, the hotel is fully air-conditioned and features low-rise buildings set in lovely gardens, an open-air pool and an excellent restaurant where we take dinner.
Day 3
The ancient Olympic Games were as major an occasion then as they are today – though hopefully cheaper to stage! Taking place every four years, the stadium had a staggering capacity of 45,000, a huge number and a clear indication of the event’s importance. All military conflicts ceased for the duration and huge rewards were conferred on the winners, whilst penalties for cheating included fines, bans and public embarrassment - how little has changed! Events included the discus and javelin, sprinting and wrestling. The Olympiad continued for about 1,000 years and this morning we experience a fascinating tour of the site, also visiting the excellent museum housing numerous extraordinary finds, which include superb bronze artefacts displaying exquisite workmanship. In the afternoon we leave for the drive north to Delphi, where we stay at the centrally-located simple three-star Acropole or Fedriades, with dinner.
Day 4
Delphi is simply amazing, with a unique wealth of monuments dedicated to Apollo, all in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty in a series of terraces overlooked by the lofty crags and cliffs of Mt. Parnassus, with birds of prey soaring on the thermals above. As we enter the sacred sanctuary you’ll see the treasuries which were crammed with gold, silver and all kinds of precious objects donated by grateful city-states after having had the benefit of the god’s wisdom.
Overlooking it all, is the superb temple itself and below, in an underground chamber was a geological fault which probably emitted mind-affecting vapours from deep within the earth. This was where the oracle relayed the god’s thoughts and wisdom, which were always open to several interpretations - in return for a fee! The adjacent museum has some of the finest exhibits in the country, including the spectacular, full-size ‘Charioteer’, a masterpiece of ancient bronze sculpture and one of only a handful ever recovered intact. This afternoon we cross the barren spine of the southern Pindus mountains and the fertile plains of Thessaly, before arriving at the small village of Kastraki and our three-star superior Hotel Meteora where we take dinner.
Day 5
We rise this morning with the remarkable panorama of Meteora before us – the vast rocky pinnacles soar into the sky, described as God’s fingers pointing to the Heavens. This really is a stunning sight, one of Europe’s most breath-taking landscapes. Crowing six of them are some of the world’s oldest monastic communities, in constant use from the 14th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Their sheer rock sides are streaked with the stains of rain over the millennia – interpreted as the tears of monks weeping for the sins of mankind. We visit two of them and during the afternoon we drive south to Thermopylae where 300 Spartans held the narrow pass against the Persians’ vast army, thus changing the course of European history. We arrive back in Athens in the late afternoon, again staying at the four-star Divani Palace Acropolis for three nights on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 6
This morning you have a walking tour of Athens, visiting firstly the Acropolis, so fittingly one of the great ‘Wonders of the Ancient World’. Ascending the hill you soon experience the Parthenon itself – its blindingly white marble columns with their perfect symmetry and balance completely dominate the skyline. We also visit the new Acropolis Museum with its amazing glass floor displaying ancient houses, streets and even an olive press below. Exhibits include superb sculptures and an incredible series of carved pediments from the temple of Athena. After an easy stroll through the ancient agora, the political, social and commercial heart of the ancient city, we explore the picturesque old district of Plaka. This area dates from when Athens had shrunk to no more than a village below the Acropolis by the end of the 18th century. It is utterly charming, being crammed with neo-classical mansions, balconies overflowing with geranium pots and twisting cobbled lanes lined with homely tavernas, their tables spread across the street. After some free time for a relaxed lunch and perhaps some shopping in the nearby flea-market, you are at leisure for the rest of the day. The centre of the city is within walking distance, with Constitution Square and the opulent Hotel Grande Bretagne where Churchill stayed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by the elite National Guard, ‘skirted’ in the instantly recognisable national costume and opposite is Athens’ best-kept secret, the extensive National Gardens, full of winding sandy paths, grottos, pergolas and ponds watered by a complex system of channels.
Day 7
Today you have a choice of options, either a day at leisure to further explore Athens –perhaps take the funicular to the top of Lycavittos hill, with its tiny whitewashed chapel and amazing views across the city.
Greece of course, whilst being renowned for its ancient sites, is equally famous for its stunning islands, so today we offer an optional full-day cruise with lunch, visiting three of the most beautiful: Hydra, Poros and Aegina. In Hydra tiny fishing boats lie at anchor in a picturesque harbour lined by attractive cafés and tavernas, whilst ascending the hill behind them is row upon row of opulent mansions, once owned by rich shipping families. Next we cruise to Poros and as our boat rounds the headland you get your first glimpse of one of the most attractive anchorages in the entire Aegean: a lovely harbour, full of traditional ‘caiques’, lined by a tangle of typical multi-coloured red-roofed houses of every shape and size. Finally it’s Aegina, staggeringly beautiful and again with a lovely harbour surrounded by a delightful old town, crowned by one of the largest peaks in the archipelago. Take some time, wander where your feet take you, enjoy a coffee, and absorb the unique atmosphere that is the Greek islands.
Day 8
Today at the appropriate time, the coach will transfer you to the airport for your return flight, after a most fascinating and unforgettable tour.
You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Athens transferring to the excellent quality four-star Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis for one night’s bed and breakfast. The hotel is superbly located, nestling below the rock of the Acropolis, just a few minutes’ stroll from the new Acropolis Museum and the Plaka district with its atmospheric tavernas and traditional shops. All rooms are air-conditioned with balcony, satellite TV, personal safe, mini-bar and hairdryer. There is a small pool, a lobby bar, a top-class open-air rooftop restaurant with great views of the Acropolis and in the basement you can even see an exposed section of the ancient city walls.
Day 2
After breakfast we drive towards the Peloponnese, passing through a timeless Greek landscape of tiny isolated villages, olive groves and rolling hills. Our first stop is the amazing Corinth Canal – where the Roman Emperor Nero is said to have inaugurated his attempt at construction by personally removing the first clod of earth using a golden trowel! The project was finally completed 1893 and, with its incredible near-vertical rock banks, it is an engineering masterpiece. Next we visit Epidaurus, birthplace of Asclepios - the god of healing, and whose sanctuary here became the greatest centre of medicine in the Classical world. The ancient Greeks believed that one should be healthy in both mind and body so the plays and music performed here in the acoustically-perfect theatre played an integral part in the therapeutic process. We then visit Mycenae, entering the imposing citadel through its magnificent, 3,300 year old Lion Gate, where you can still discern the pivot holes carved for the door hinges. This afternoon we experience the spectacular wild and mountainous landscape of the Peloponnese, arriving in Olympia late afternoon and our hotel, the excellent three-star superior Best Western Europa. Beautifully situated on a quiet hillside above the small modern village of Olympia, the hotel is fully air-conditioned and features low-rise buildings set in lovely gardens, an open-air pool and an excellent restaurant where we take dinner.
Day 3
The ancient Olympic Games were as major an occasion then as they are today – though hopefully cheaper to stage! Taking place every four years, the stadium had a staggering capacity of 45,000, a huge number and a clear indication of the event’s importance. All military conflicts ceased for the duration and huge rewards were conferred on the winners, whilst penalties for cheating included fines, bans and public embarrassment - how little has changed! Events included the discus and javelin, sprinting and wrestling. The Olympiad continued for about 1,000 years and this morning we experience a fascinating tour of the site, also visiting the excellent museum housing numerous extraordinary finds, which include superb bronze artefacts displaying exquisite workmanship. In the afternoon we leave for the drive north to Delphi, where we stay at the centrally-located simple three-star Acropole or Fedriades, with dinner.
Day 4
Delphi is simply amazing, with a unique wealth of monuments dedicated to Apollo, all in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty in a series of terraces overlooked by the lofty crags and cliffs of Mt. Parnassus, with birds of prey soaring on the thermals above. As we enter the sacred sanctuary you’ll see the treasuries which were crammed with gold, silver and all kinds of precious objects donated by grateful city-states after having had the benefit of the god’s wisdom.
Overlooking it all, is the superb temple itself and below, in an underground chamber was a geological fault which probably emitted mind-affecting vapours from deep within the earth. This was where the oracle relayed the god’s thoughts and wisdom, which were always open to several interpretations - in return for a fee! The adjacent museum has some of the finest exhibits in the country, including the spectacular, full-size ‘Charioteer’, a masterpiece of ancient bronze sculpture and one of only a handful ever recovered intact. This afternoon we cross the barren spine of the southern Pindus mountains and the fertile plains of Thessaly, before arriving at the small village of Kastraki and our three-star superior Hotel Meteora where we take dinner.
Day 5
We rise this morning with the remarkable panorama of Meteora before us – the vast rocky pinnacles soar into the sky, described as God’s fingers pointing to the Heavens. This really is a stunning sight, one of Europe’s most breath-taking landscapes. Crowing six of them are some of the world’s oldest monastic communities, in constant use from the 14th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Their sheer rock sides are streaked with the stains of rain over the millennia – interpreted as the tears of monks weeping for the sins of mankind. We visit two of them and during the afternoon we drive south to Thermopylae where 300 Spartans held the narrow pass against the Persians’ vast army, thus changing the course of European history. We arrive back in Athens in the late afternoon, again staying at the four-star Divani Palace Acropolis for three nights on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 6
This morning you have a walking tour of Athens, visiting firstly the Acropolis, so fittingly one of the great ‘Wonders of the Ancient World’. Ascending the hill you soon experience the Parthenon itself – its blindingly white marble columns with their perfect symmetry and balance completely dominate the skyline. We also visit the new Acropolis Museum with its amazing glass floor displaying ancient houses, streets and even an olive press below. Exhibits include superb sculptures and an incredible series of carved pediments from the temple of Athena. After an easy stroll through the ancient agora, the political, social and commercial heart of the ancient city, we explore the picturesque old district of Plaka. This area dates from when Athens had shrunk to no more than a village below the Acropolis by the end of the 18th century. It is utterly charming, being crammed with neo-classical mansions, balconies overflowing with geranium pots and twisting cobbled lanes lined with homely tavernas, their tables spread across the street. After some free time for a relaxed lunch and perhaps some shopping in the nearby flea-market, you are at leisure for the rest of the day. The centre of the city is within walking distance, with Constitution Square and the opulent Hotel Grande Bretagne where Churchill stayed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by the elite National Guard, ‘skirted’ in the instantly recognisable national costume and opposite is Athens’ best-kept secret, the extensive National Gardens, full of winding sandy paths, grottos, pergolas and ponds watered by a complex system of channels.
Day 7
Today you have a choice of options, either a day at leisure to further explore Athens –perhaps take the funicular to the top of Lycavittos hill, with its tiny whitewashed chapel and amazing views across the city.
Greece of course, whilst being renowned for its ancient sites, is equally famous for its stunning islands, so today we offer an optional full-day cruise with lunch, visiting three of the most beautiful: Hydra, Poros and Aegina. In Hydra tiny fishing boats lie at anchor in a picturesque harbour lined by attractive cafés and tavernas, whilst ascending the hill behind them is row upon row of opulent mansions, once owned by rich shipping families. Next we cruise to Poros and as our boat rounds the headland you get your first glimpse of one of the most attractive anchorages in the entire Aegean: a lovely harbour, full of traditional ‘caiques’, lined by a tangle of typical multi-coloured red-roofed houses of every shape and size. Finally it’s Aegina, staggeringly beautiful and again with a lovely harbour surrounded by a delightful old town, crowned by one of the largest peaks in the archipelago. Take some time, wander where your feet take you, enjoy a coffee, and absorb the unique atmosphere that is the Greek islands.
Day 8
Today at the appropriate time, the coach will transfer you to the airport for your return flight, after a most fascinating and unforgettable tour.
Athens - Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis http://www.divani-palaceacropolis.com four-star rated. The hotel is superbly located, nestling below the rock of the Acropolis, just a few minutes’ stroll from the new Acropolis Museum and the Plaka district with its atmospheric tavernas and traditional shops. All rooms are air-conditioned with balcony, satellite TV, personal safe, mini-bar and hairdryer. There is a small pool, a lobby bar, a top-class open-air rooftop restaurant with great views of the Acropolis and in the basement you can even see an exposed section of the ancient city walls.
Olympia - Best Western Europa http://www.hoteleuropa.gr - three-star superior rated. Beautifully situated on a quiet hillside above the small modern village of Olympia, the hotel is fully air-conditioned and features low-rise buildings set in lovely gardens, an open-air pool and an excellent restaurant where we take dinner.
Delphi - Hotel Acropole or Fedriades http://www.delphi.com.gr or http://www.fedriades.com - three-star rated. Both hotels have good quality restaurant and bar and all rooms have air-conditioning, ensuite facilities, hairdryer and safe.
Kastraki - Hotel Kastraki Meteora http://www.hotelkastraki.gr three-star superior rated. With a restaurant and bar. All rooms are fully-airconditioned, with a balcony and ensuite facilities.
Olympia - Best Western Europa http://www.hoteleuropa.gr - three-star superior rated. Beautifully situated on a quiet hillside above the small modern village of Olympia, the hotel is fully air-conditioned and features low-rise buildings set in lovely gardens, an open-air pool and an excellent restaurant where we take dinner.
Delphi - Hotel Acropole or Fedriades http://www.delphi.com.gr or http://www.fedriades.com - three-star rated. Both hotels have good quality restaurant and bar and all rooms have air-conditioning, ensuite facilities, hairdryer and safe.
Kastraki - Hotel Kastraki Meteora http://www.hotelkastraki.gr three-star superior rated. With a restaurant and bar. All rooms are fully-airconditioned, with a balcony and ensuite facilities.
4 results
| Departure date | Departing point | Departure UK | Arrive in UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Sep-2012 | Manchester | 06:30 | 15:15 | 939.00 | please call |
| 12-Sep-2012 | Heathrow Airport | 12:45 | 15:30 | 899.00 | please call |
| 03-Oct-2012 | Heathrow Airport | 12:45 | 15:30 | 899.00 | please call |
| 03-Oct-2012 | Manchester | 06:30 | 15:15 | 939.00 | please call |
4 results
I am writing to say that, in spite of the problems in Greece - strikes, rubbish etc - we had a very good experience. The credit for this goes, in our view, largely to your tour manager/tour guide Anton. He was really splendid in the way he rearranged the tour in the face of strikes, kept us informed and in good humour, gave us the right type and amount of information and kept his talking to the right level and amount. You have a great asset in him and I could hear people in the tour wanting to book other tours led by him!
Oct 2011
Ms Ietto Gillies
Ms Ietto Gillies
