Highlights of Greece
8-day round trip
Included admissions
Optional entry package:
€175 per person (over 65 years €90 per person – not in June & September)
Athens, Acropolis
1 Meteora Monastery
Delphi
Olympics
Mystras
Mycenae
Epidaurus
Corinth
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Tour itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Athens
Day 2: Athens – Kalambaka
The day begins in Athens, the cradle of European civilization and one of the most important cultural centers of antiquity. At its heart lies the Acropolis, arguably the most famous landmark in Greece. High above the city stands the Parthenon, built between 447 and 438 BC and dedicated to the goddess Athena. Over the centuries, it has served as a temple, church, mosque, and even an armory – and despite severe damage, it retains its majestic presence to this day.
A visit to the Acropolis offers impressive insights into the architectural mastery of classical Greece and a wide view over the metropolis of millions.
In the late afternoon, we continue our journey to northern Greece, to Kalambaka, at the foot of the unique rock formations of Meteora. Overnight stay there.
Day 3: Kalambaka – Meteora Monastery – Delphi – Gulf of Corinth
The journey leads to the breathtaking rocky landscape of the Meteora monasteries, one of Greece's most extraordinary places. Perched high atop bizarre sandstone towers, the monasteries stand like eagles' nests – built to offer monks protection and spiritual seclusion. Hermits sought refuge here as early as 1000 AD, and the first monasteries were established in the 14th century. Of the original 24 complexes, several are still active today, housing monks and nuns. The sight of these seemingly suspended structures, combined with the silence and mysticism of the place, conveys a profound sense of the faith and determination of their builders.
Continue your journey to Delphi, which in antiquity was considered the "navel of the world." Pilgrims from all over the known world came here to consult the oracle of the god Apollo. A visit to the ancient sanctuary offers impressive views of the Temple of Apollo, the treasuries, the theater, and the sacred spring. The myth of the priestess Pythia, who prophesied in a trance from the vapors of a fissure in the earth, keeps the mystical atmosphere of the place alive even today.
Then drive to the Gulf of Corinth, where you will stay at the hotel for the next four nights.
Day 4: Olympia
The day is dedicated to the ancient Olympic Games, the place where sport, religion, and culture merged into an inseparable whole. For over a thousand years, Olympia was a sacred site where athletic competitions were held in honor of Zeus, the father of the gods.
The extensive excavation site still testifies to the importance of this place. Although only fragments of the colossal Temple of Zeus remain, its dimensions and the intricate construction of shell limestone and marble stucco hint at the sanctuary's former splendor. Inside stood the 13-meter-high statue of Zeus – a masterpiece by the sculptor Phidias and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. His workshop, located right next to the temple, is also still recognizable and tells the story of the creation of this monumental figure.
The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is home to the world-famous Hermes by Praxiteles, one of the most elegant marble sculptures of Greek classicism.
Return to the hotel on the Gulf of Corinth, where the day ends in a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 5: Sparta – Mystras
The route leads through the legendary landscape of Arcadia, the epitome of Greek idyll and mythical tranquility, onward to Sparta, once a center of military strength and discipline. From there, it continues to the impressive ruined city of Mystras, spectacularly situated on the slopes of the rugged Taygetos Mountains.
The city was founded by the Franks in 1249, soon after taken over by Byzantium, and developed into a significant intellectual and cultural center. In the 15th century, Mystras attracted scholars, artists, and theologians from across the Byzantine Empire and became a meeting place between East and West.
A comprehensive tour through the former center of Byzantine culture reveals the city's former splendor. Particularly impressive are the well-preserved churches, palaces, and houses, whose pastel-colored frescoes reflect the influence of the Italian Renaissance.
Return to the hotel on the Gulf of Corinth.
Day 6: Mycenae – Epidaurus – Nafplion
The journey leads to Mycenae, the legendary citadel of Agamemnon. Even at the sight of the monumental Lion Gate and the tholos tombs unearthed by Heinrich Schliemann, the world of the Mycenaean rulers comes alive. Described in the Homeric epics as the glorious center of a prehistoric power, Mycenae is simultaneously shrouded in a dark aura of intrigue, betrayal, and murder within the House of Atreus. Schliemann's unwavering belief in the truth of these myths led to one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 19th century—a real Mycenae that rewrote the history of Europe.
Continue your journey to Epidaurus, one of the most fascinating sites of antiquity. Here you'll find the almost perfect ancient theater, renowned for its masterful acoustics, which carry clearly even to the back rows. Epidaurus was not only a place of art, but above all a center of healing: the Sanctuary of Asclepius was considered one of the most important religious healing centers of the ancient world. Besides temples, gymnasiums, and baths, the Hall of Rest, used for therapeutic sleep, testifies to the spiritual power and medical significance of the site.
To conclude the day, a visit to Nafplio, arguably the most beautiful city in the Peloponnese. With its winding old town streets, Venetian facades, and picturesque squares, it exudes Mediterranean flair and an atmosphere blending history and elegance.
Then return to the hotel on the Gulf of Corinth.
Day 7: Corinth – Piraeus – Athens
The day begins with a visit to the excavations of Ancient Corinth, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Thanks to its strategically ideal location between the Gulf of Corinth and the Aegean Sea, the city developed early on into a trading and cultural center of international renown. Corinthian coins, systems of measurement, and exquisitely crafted goods—from ceramics and weapons to luxurious perfumes—found their way to all regions of the Mediterranean.
Corinthian craftsmanship, music, and literature were considered the epitome of creative flourishing. The remains visible today date predominantly from the Roman Imperial period and Late Antiquity, but the origins of many structures reach back to the Classical Greek era. Particularly impressive are the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Glauce Spring, the Agora, and the Oracle Sanctuary.
A particularly fine example of Roman architecture is the Peirene Fountain, a building complex erected by Herodes Atticus, whose walls were once clad in colored marble and whose floors were adorned with intricate mosaics. Equally impressive is the marble-paved street that once connected the marketplace with the port of Lechaion – a symbol of the city's former glory.
On the way back, there is a short detour to the lively port of Piraeus, before the day ends in Athens with checking into the hotel.
Day 8: Departure
Return flight
