8 Days: Athens, Delphi, Kalambaka, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Pella, Dion

Tour overview:

Experience the rich history of ancient Greece with this 8-day tour. Start in Athens to visit the world famous Parthenon. Make your way to the temple of Apollo, which is the home of Pythia. Travel to Mount Olympus in Meteora, one of the most beautiful areas of Greece and home to the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Visit the famous Aristotle school in Macedonia. Round out this amazing trip with a visit to Macedonia’s beautiful waterfalls, and the archaeological park of Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus.

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Day 1 - Arrival / Athens

Arrival at the Athens airport, welcome assistance and transfer to your hotel in Athens.

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Day 2 - City tour / Athens

A morning panoramic tour will take you around to the most important monuments and landmarks of the city including: Panathinaikon stadium, Zappeion, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Syntagma square, Parliament, tomb of the unknown soldier, Schliemann's house, Academy, University, National Library, and old Parliament. You will then visit the Acropolis, including the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion; and the Acropolis Museum where findings from the area, like the Caryatides, have found their home. Afternoon at leisure to explore Plaka, and the historical center at your own pace. (B)

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Day 3 - Delphi / Kalambaka

Today, you will depart for a 2-Day tour, heading to Delphi. Built on the slopes of mount Parnassos overlooking the vast olive groves and the Corinthian gulf, Delphi used to be the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage center for many centuries in antiquity. You will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, walk the Sacred way, see the temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle), before continuing your drive to Kalambaka for overnight. (B,D)

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Day 4 - Meteora / Thessaloniki

This morning, you will be visiting Meteora, one of the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece and part of UNESCO’s list of world heritage monuments. Amazing rock formations, like towers of sandstone, stand ageless, and have provided sacred retreat for monks over the centuries. A number of monasteries are hidden on top of Meteora and the view over the plain is breathtaking. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to the north, through the plain of Thessaly and the valley of Tempi, under the shade of mount Olympus, to Thessaloniki for overnight. (B,D)

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Day 5 - Thessaloniki / Thessaloniki

You will explore Thessaloniki this morning, seeing the most important landmarks and monuments of the city, including the White Tower, the Roman Forum, the church of St. Demetrius, Galerius Arch, the Rotunda and the Theodosian Walls. Afternoon at leisure to explore more of the city on your own. (B,D)

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Day 6 - Edessa, Aristotle’s school, Vergina, Veria / Thessaloniki

Today you will explore the historical sites of Macedonia. First stop will be to the town of Edessa with its beautiful waterfalls. Then you will visit Aristotle’s school, a site of great historical importance. You continue with a visit to the Macedonian Royal tombs at Aigai (the village of Vergina), including this of King Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great. Last stop for today will be to Veria with the Bema of St. Paul, the colorful market and the Jewish neighborhood, before returning to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

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Day 7 - Pella, Dion / Athens

You will depart from Thessaloniki this morning and head to Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, and birthplace of Alexander the Great. You will visit the ancient site with the exquisite floor mosaics, and continue to the archaeological park of Dion, to visit the sacred place of ancient Macedonia under the shade of mount Olympus. You will then continue the drive back to Athens, stopping on the way at Thermopylae, to see the statue of Leonidas, commemorating the battle of the 300, against the Persians. (B)

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Day 8 - Depart Athens

At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

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