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Grand Tour Of Greece

GRAND TOUR OF GREECE

Athens – Mycenae – Olympia – Delphi – Meteora – Thessaloniki – Naoussa – Vergina – Edessa

– from $1795 per person in double occupancy-

Departures: May 8, 22 / Jun 12, 26 / Jul 10 / Sep 11, 18, 25
Duration: 7 days – 6 nights

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Athens – Olympia
Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the Town of Nauplion (short stop) drive on to Mycenae and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Arrive at Olympia, cradle of the ancient Olympic Games. Dinner and overnight in Olympia.

Day 2: Olympia – Delphi
Breakfast at Hotel. In the morning visit the Archaeological Site with the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi. Dinner and overnight in Delphi.

Day 3: Delphi – Kalambaka
Breakfast at Hotel. In the morning visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, those gigantic rocks that rise steep from the plain of Thessaly. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 4: Kalambaka – Mount Olympos – Thessaloniki
Breakfast at Hotel. Visit the Meteora: perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, and admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrival at Thessaloniki,the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece. Dinner and overnight in Thessaliniki.

Day 5: Thessaloniki
Breakfast at Hotel. In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the “co-reigning” city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe’s Museum Prize for the year 2005. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the city. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 6: Thessaloniki – Naoussa – Vergina – Veria – Thessaloniki
Breakfast at Hotel. Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa where we see the town’s famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle’s School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics’ to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to live the experience of a visit to the unique Museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander’s father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. In only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul’s Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. A walk in a city where past is present and around. Return to Thessaloniki. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 7: Thessaloniki – Athens 
Breakfast at Hotel. Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympos). After the visit we shall start driving south and through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae (see the Leonidas’ Monument) and Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.

Price per person in CAD$ in double occupancy:

First Class (4*): $1795

HOTELS (or similar):
Olympia – Hotel ARTY GRAND 4*
Delphi – Hotel AMALIA 4*
Kalambaka – Hotel AMALIA 4*
Thessaloniki – Hotel MEDITERRANEAN PALACE 4*

INCLUDED:

• 6 nights accommodation in double occupancy – hotels 4* (Olympia – 1 night, Delphi – 1 night, Kalambaka – 1 night, Thessaloniki – 3 nights)
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
• Pick-up service from most of hotels in Athens
• Meals as per itinerary (6 x Breakfast, & 6 x Dinner)
• Sightseeing as per itinerary