Highlights of Greece – 12 Days

Overview

ATHENS-SANTORINI-THESSALONIKI-VERGINA-KAVALA-AMFIPOLIS-LEMNOS ISLAND

12 Days
-/per person
Greece

Tour Plan

Day 1:Welcome to Athens!

Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, welcome to Athens! According to the Greek mythology, the name “Athens” came from the goddess of wisdom, Athena. Our transfer will be waiting for you at the airport and after boarding our luxurious vehicle, we will sit back and relax as the driver transports you to the Hotel for check in. Then we will have an illuminated night tour at Athens. First, we will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. Then we will continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex-Royal Palace), which guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, next we will see the Temple of Olympian Zeus - one of the largest in antiquity, the Hadrian's Arch - the symbolic entrance to the city, the Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library and the Syntagma (Constitution Square). Then we will have dinner and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at Athens.

Day 2: Athens – City Tour – Acropolis – Museum

Breakfast at the hotel. Get ready for the most amazing city tour through history, which gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city!! We will start our tour with Acropolis, the Architectural Masterpieces in the world 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 the mind”, the Parthenon. Then we will visit the New Acropolis Museum which is only 300m. away from the sacred rock of Acropolis and where at last 4000 priceless statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era. Free time for lunch and then walk to the ancient Agora (Market) of Athens. The Ancient Agora, where the place that ancient Greeks used to do their trades, but also used to gather to discuss city matters, thus, creating the idea of Democracy. In this magnificent walking tour, we will see the Stoa of Attalos, originally erected during the 2nd cent. BC as a gift of the king of Pergamon, Attalos II, to Athens and was one of the world’s first shopping malls, which was 116 meters in length and two floors high, supported by Doric, Ionic and parchment columns. After we will see the temple of Hephaestus, more widely known as Thisio, which is probably built around 460-420 B.C. by an unknown architect. Then we will have free time at Plaka, which is the oldest neighborhood in Athens the picturesque quarter of the city, where there are little shops with handmade crafts and Monastiraki, the Flea Market, where you can have a pleasant walk. Return at the Hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Day 3:Athens –One day Saronic Cruise (Aegina, Hydra and Poros)

Early breakfast at the hotel. Today we will explore the famous Greek islands by Saronic Cruise. We will cover three of the most beautiful islands of Saronic Gulf, Aegina, Hydra and Poros. These islands are small havens near Athens where we will enjoy natural beauty, historical treasures, unique architecture, and glamorous, yet romantic atmosphere. The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is the closest island to Athens. Even though it is a small island, it boasts a great number of sights and natural beauties. Highlight is the famous Aphea Temple. It forms in fact an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of the antiquity. Second stop is Hydra island, Hydra island is built in the shape of an amphitheater on a slope overlooking the Argosaronic gulf, one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestoned streets, secluded squares. There is no use of cars but around 500 donkeys as means of public transportation, which explains the reason why Hydra preserved its distinctive atmosphere through the passage of time. The town of Poros is built in the shape of an amphitheater over two hills. Poros with the lush pine trees vegetation, crystal clear beaches, a lively waterfront adorned with shops, cozy cafes and restaurants, a picturesque capital with grand traditional mansions and picturesque cobbled streets, as well as a wide selection of entertainment venues are the ingredients of this quiet, yet cosmopolitan, destination. (Lunch in the cruise Mediterranean buffet ).

Day 04: Santorini

Early breakfast and departure by boat to beautiful Santorini. Lunch upon arrival, island tour to Pyrgos, Profitis Ilias monastery and Oia to catch the sunset. Dinner in Indian restaurant and return to our hotel.

Day 5: Akrotiri, lost Atlantis museum, winery

After our breakfast we will visit the Archeological site of Akrotriri and learn all about the island’s ancient history. Our next stop will be one of the most famous wineries of the island where we will get to know how the well-known Santorini wines are made. After our wine tasting we will depart for lunch in local restaurant. After lunch we will visit and experience the new Atlantis 9D museum. Dinner in Indian restaurant.

Day 6: Thessaloniki- Vergina- Archaeological museum.

After our breakfast we will head to the airport of Santorini in order we fly to Thessaloniki. Our first visit is the city of Vergina where we will enter the archaeological site where the father and son of Alexander the Great were buried. Lunch in local restaurant and return to Thessaloniki and the archeological museum. Hotel check in. tonight our program will close with an illuminated city tour of Thessaloniki and dinner with authentic traditional local food in restaurant.

Day7: Thessaloniki-Philippi-Amfipolis-Kavala

After breakfast we drive east for 02 hours to visit Philippi, where Paul worked to see the river, where Lydia is said to have been baptized (Acts 16:14-15), the ruins of a Prison where Paul and Sylas were kept (Acts 16:16-40), the Agora, the 5th and 6th century Basilicas and the Theater. After the visits, we continue to Kavala, the ancient port of Neapolis (Acts 16:11). Post lunch we we make a short stop at Amphipolis. Visit the Lion statue of Amphipolis for photos. Hotel check in at Kavala and night city tour of the city. Dinner in local restaurant.

Day 8: Lemnos the island of God Iphestos

Arrival to Lemnos port in the morning where we will directly go to our hotel for check in and local traditional lunch. Later one we will visit the capital city of the island called Myrina. We will walk in the traditional streets of this beautiful town with our guide. Our town tour will end to the top of the medieval castle of Myrina and then we will swim and enjoy at an organized beach venue with amazing crystal-clear shallow waters. After watching one of the most beautiful sunsets of the world we will depart from Myrina. Our dinner will take place back to the hotel prepared by our chef, Greek and Indian combination of plates. Overnight in our hotel Varos Village in Lemnos.

Day 9: Ancient Lemnos and Salt Lake- Amothines, the only desert of Europe.

Traditional Greek Breakfast and then we will head to our meeting with history. We will visit the ancient theatre Hephaistia inside, build on the 8th century BC, learn what happened 3.000 years ago, shoot amazing photos. Our next stop is the archeological site of Kabirion. Kabirion from the 11th until the 5th century BC was one of the most important spiritual centers of the world. In Kabirion, Alexander the Great was captured by his mother Olympiain a spiritual ceremony organized by the priests of the temple. In Kabirion we will also see and learn about the famous story of Filoktitis from Homers Odyssey. On our way to Moudros town we will stop to see and enjoy the amazing Salt Lake. A unique experience for all visitors. Moudros, a town which became the base of ANZAC forces against the Turks and Germans in the Kallipoli fight 1st WWar. In Moudros we will have our authentic local lunch where we can really taste the unique taste of the Greek fish. After lunch, return to our hotel for rest and to enjoy the amazing pool. In the afternoon, with mini vans due to the narrow street, we will visit the one and only desert of all Europe. Amothines. For those who dare they can try sliding down the sand mountains with a ski board. Dinner in our hotel Greek night with live music and dancing and free alcohol for 2 hours.

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Day 10: Allies cemetery-Indian soldiers graves, Hatzigeorgiou winery, Kondias village.

After breakfast, we will visit the Allies cemetery where also Indian soldiers are buried. We will learn the history of the Kallipoli war which took place in the 1st WWar and the presence of the Indian soldiers who actually helped in changing the history of the island. Our next stop is the famous Hatzigeorgiou winery where we will have the chance to see how these amazing wines are made and taste them one by one with local snacks. Our lunch will take place to a traditional restaurant. Return to hotel for rest. Tea and coffee with local sweets before going to our afternoon tour at the picturesque stone build traditional village of Kondias. Main highlight of Kondias the five windmills. Our next stop will be Tsimandria village where we will have our dinner in a local restaurant.

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Day 11: flight to Athens- Cape Sounion temple of Poseidon- Sunset

After our breakfast we will head to the airport of Lemnos to catch our flight to Athens. Arrival to Athens, lunch in Indian restaurant and hotel check in. In the afternoon we will drive to Cape Sounion to visit the temple of Poseidon and enjoy the magnificent sunset. Farewell dinner in venue. Overnight in Athens.

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