ATHENS –  ISTHMIA – NEMEA – OLYMPIA- DELPHI

DAY 01: ATHENS ARRIVAL

Arrive at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” where you meet our representative who helps you in your transfer to your hotel in Athens for dinner and overnight (D).

DAY 02: ATHENS

This morning we start our tour with a visit to the Acropolis (Parthenon and Erechtheion temples).   From here we continue our tour with a panoramic drive to the modern highlights of Athens. We stop in front of “Kallimarmaro Stadium” which was built on top of the remains of the original Panathenaic Stadium, described by Pausanias as “a marvel to the eye”, built by Lykourgos in 330-329 BC. In 1895 G. Averof founded the renovation of the stadium in time for the start of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Then we see the modern facilities built for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Return to hotel in Athens. Afternoon free. Dinner and overnight. (B-D).

DAY 03: ATHENS – ISTHMIA – NEMEA - OLYMPIA

Today we leave Athens and drive west to the Peloponnese. Our first stop is at the Corinth Canal. Towards the southern end of the canal lies the site of Ancient Isthmia, once the major local religious centre (devoted to Poseidon) and location of the quadrennial Isthmian Games. Today you can see only the remains of the temple and the starting gate used for track events in the vanished stadium.  We continue on to Ancient Nemea, where we visit the museum and the 400m Hellenistic stadium which has the earliest known vaulted entrance tunnel. At this stadium was held the Nemean Games every two years and the winners were crowned with a wreath of wild celery. We drive to hotel in Olympia for dinner and overnight (B-D).

DAY 04: OLYMPIA

In the morning we visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the most important sanctuary of Zeus, father of all gods and goddesses. The starting line is still visible etched on the marble in the stadium there, inviting you to run and in your imagination compete with the ancient athletes. Enjoy the play of light on the soft greenery and dappled ancient columns in this wonderful and peaceful setting. The official date of the first Olympic Games was 776 BC. The games lasted five days and the winners were crowned with a wreath of wild olive. We also visit the archaeological museum beside the ancient site. It contains most interesting exhibits such as the pediments and the metopes of the Temple of Zeus, the Statue of Nike and of Hermes. If time permits we also visit the Historical Museum of the Olympic Games. Return hotel in Olympia for dinner and overnight (B-D).

DAY 05: OLYMPIA - DELPHI

At 8:00 a.m. depart from Olympia and drive to Rion, passing through Patra, the third largest city-port of Greece. We cross by car-ferry to Antirrion. Driving through Nafpaktos, we arrive in Delphi, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, in a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty and majesty, lies the archaeological site of Delphi. We visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Stadium and the Archaeological Museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Drive to hotel in Delphi for dinner and overnight (B-D).

DAY 06: DELPHI - ATHENS

After breakfast we start the return drive to Athens. We cross the villages of Arachova and Levadia, famous for their colourful woollen rugs. Arrive in Athens in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at hotel (B-D).

DAY 07: ATHENS DEPARTURE

Transfer from hotel to Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” for departure flight. (B)

*B= Breakfast  L=Lunch  D=Dinner