Highlights of Ancient Greece

Name: Highlights of Ancient Greece
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (25 reviews)

9 Days Excluding Flights From

9 Days from

~~£ 2249~~ £ 2069

4.8/5 from

Culture

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AGM

Carbon Footprint :

13kg CO2e per person per day

Journey back thousands of years to a land of gods and monsters, daring heroes and magnificent monuments

Discover the treasures of Ancient Greece: a world-famous collection of architectural wonders built in the name of the classical gods. On this culture-rich trip, we visit the highlights, including: the Acropolis in Athens; Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games; and Delphi, where the ancient heaven and earth met. At the same time, we cover a large part of the mainland, including the Peloponnese peninsula and central Greece, enjoying beautiful coastlines, forests and mountains.

Highlights

Journey through Ancient Greece, visiting some of the best archaeological sites in the world
Explore the extraordinary temples and monuments of the Acropolis in Athens
Marvel at the mountain-wrapped ruins of Delphi
Visit Olympia and walk (or run!) in the footsteps of the first Olympic athletes
Discover the well-preserved monuments of Messene at the foot of Mount Ithomi

Key Information

Accommodation: 4 Superior nights (hotels), 4 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by minibus
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Countries visited: Greece

What's Included

All breakfasts and one dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader and archaeological guide throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
Tourist tax (paid locally)

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

AGM - Highlights of Ancient Greece

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Athens Athens Airport

Our adventure begins in Athens, an ancient capital soaked in myth and legend. Depending on when you land, you may have time to explore a little or perhaps dive into a taverna to sink your teeth into the much-loved local cuisine.

Around 6pm, say yassou (hello) to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Athens? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Arion/Achilleas Hotel/Acropolis Hill (or similar)
Upgrade to a room with a balcony or a view – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Dinner

Embark on a walking tour of Athens this morning, taking in the Acropolis ruins and artefact-filled Acropolis Museum. This walk is a journey through the history of the city, from the classical world ruled by the Olympian deities to the 21st century.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Athens on your own. Your leader can suggest where to visit.

Please note: During busy periods, the walking tour might take place in the afternoon when it is quieter and the morning will be free.

Accommodation: Arion/Achilleas Hotel/Acropolis Hill (or similar)
Upgrade to a room with a balcony or a view – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Head to Nafplio after breakfast. On the way, stop at the Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece and connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. We then visit the archaeological site of Corinth, one of the major cities in antiquity and an important centre of trade. Extended excavations here have revealed a Roman forum, temples, fountains and various other monuments.

Then continue to the archaeological site of Mycenae, the kingdom of Agamemnon, who led the Greeks in the Trojan war, and the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Mycenae comprises a fortified acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites. We then head to the picturesque town of Nafplio, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Rex Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a mini-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore two World Heritage sites today: Ancient Tyrinth, near Nafplio, then Ancient Epidaurus. In the morning, head to the small town of Tyrintha (just 10 minutes from Nafplio) to visit the Mycenaean acropolis of Ancient Tiryns with walls that, according to legend, were built by the Cyclops.

We then head to Ancient Epidaurus (approximately a 45-minute drive from Nafplio), home to the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the most famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world. We also visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the finest and most renowned of its kind, which perfectly combines acoustics with elegance and symmetrical proportions. Return to Nafplio for a delightful evening walk in the beautiful alleys of the old town.

Accommodation: Rex Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a mini-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy one more exploration of Nafplio with a morning visit to the hilltop Fortress of Palamidi, which stands guard over the town. It was initially fortified by the Venetians during the second Venetian occupation of the area (1686-1715). In 1715, it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was liberated by the Greeks. The most important monuments of the site are the castle, the Church of St Andrew, and the prison of Kolokotronis, a hero of the Greek Revolution.

We then transfer (approximately two hours) to Mystras, the most famous medieval town in Greece. Explore the site on foot, including several beautiful Byzantine churches, most built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the palaces of the Mystras despots (which are currently closed for maintenance), and some urban buildings.

Accommodation: Byzantion Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Head to Ancient Messene after breakfast, one of the finest and best restored, yet still relatively unknown, archaeological sites in Greece. Lying in a fertile valley below Mount Ithomi, the site was first inhabited during the Late Neolithic or early Bronze age. We visit the ancient theatre, the agora, and the Asclepeion. The stadium and the gymnasium are among the most impressive and well restored complexes in Ancient Messene.

We then drive to the seaside town of Pylos, where we check into our hotel. En route, we visit the Castle of Pylos, which hosts a fine exhibition and museum of underwater antiquities. Here, we learn about underwater archaeology in Greece; how research, excavations, and preservation of the antiquities take place. Also see contents from shipwrecks found in the sea near the Peloponnese and Ionian islands.

Accommodation: Hotel Karalis (or similar)
Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Drive to the Mycenaean Palace of Nestor after breakfast, which lies 11mi (17km) north of Pylos. It’s described in Homer’s Odyssey as the court of the hero Nestor, who took part in the voyage of the Argonauts and sent 90 ships to fight in the Trojan War. From the raised walkways and explanatory text, you get a good idea of the layout of a Mycenaean palace complex.

Our next destination is Olympia (approximately a two-hour drive), where we visit Ancient Olympia, the site that hosted the first Olympic Games. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, at the confluence of two rivers, it was the most important religious and athletic site in Ancient Greece. Our exploration includes the Sanctuary of Zeus and the many buildings around it, such as an athletic premises used for the preparation and celebration of the Olympic Games, administrative buildings, and other lay buildings and monuments.

Accommodation: Pelops Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we drive (approximately 3hr 30min to four hours) to Delphi. En route, we cross from the Peloponnese peninsula to mainland Greece and have the chance to admire the cable-stayed Rio–Antirrio Bridge, an modern masterpiece of architecture

Enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants upon arrival, before we explore the magnificent archaeological site of Delphi on foot, which was considered the place where heaven and earth met in ancient times. According to mythology, it is here two eagles sent by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The Sanctuary of Delphi, on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, was for many centuries the cultural and religious hub and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world. At the archaeological site, we visit the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and of the Siphnians, the ancient theatre and possibly the stadium.

Accommodation: Nidimos Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

You can sleep in a bit longer this morning, as you have a long day ahead! After checking out, we pass by Arachova, a picturesque town on the slopes of Mount Parnassos. Stroll around, purchase local souvenirs or enjoy a drink in one of the numerous cafes. We then depart for Athens (approximately a 2hr 30min drive).

Continue to the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula to Cape Sounio, where you can enjoy lunch. We visit the fifth-century BCE Temple of Poseidon with its magnificent panoramic view of the Aegean Sea (on a clear day you can see at least seven islands). This doric temple was put up during the Golden Age of Pericles during 444-400 BCE, probably by the same architect who designed the Temple of Hephaestus at the Ancient Agora, whose name is unfortunately lost. It was devoted to Poseidon, the Olympian god of the sea; inside the temple stood a 20ft (6m) bronze statue of Poseidon, surviving in parts and preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Being a seafaring state, Athens had incredible faith in Poseidon and built the temple right near the sea. Along with the Parthenon and the Temple of Aphaea, on nearby Aegina Island, Poseidon’s mighty monument completes the Sacred Triangle of antiquity.

After, we transfer (approximately one hour) to Athens International Airport where our adventure ends. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about booking extra nights in the capital, giving you a chance to explore this history-soaked city at your own pace.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

This is a cultural trip taking in the major archaeological sites in Greece, combining coastal zones in the Peloponnese with several mountainous areas and villages. Expect beautiful landscapes, incredible history and rich culture. There is a fair amount of minibus travel (from two to four hours per day) with sightseeing and lunch breaks along the way, and free time usually upon arrival at each day’s destination. Most of the driving is on main roads, which are fast. In some places, we follow the provincial roads, which are also sealed.

The tour is not physically demanding; however, walking is necessary at several sites, including Mystras and Delphi. At some of these sites, we walk between one and two hours, often uphill, taking uneven steps and terrain. Trainers (not sandals) are highly recommended.

Expect some early starts on departures from November through March, when many sites close at 3pm, as we want to ensure there is sufficient time to explore thoroughly.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Arion Hotel/Achilleas Hotel/Acropolis Hill
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today, there will be a welcome briefing around 6pm this evening
Airport: Athens International Airport (ATH)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 35-45 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take a transfer

We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Make your own way

You can reach the start hotel relatively easily using taxis or public transport. A Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre (Syntagma Square). The journey time is approximately 40 minutes and a single ticket costs €9. On arrival at the hotel please make the reception staff aware that you are part of our group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for those booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Athens
Location end: Athens Airport

Vaccinations and Health

Greece

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

Visa

Greece

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Greece. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/greece
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/greece
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html

Food & Drink

Breakfast is included at all the hotels and there is one dinner included at the start.

Simple buffet-style Greek breakfasts consist of bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs, honey, and coffee/tea.

Other meals are not included, and we suggest you allow approximately €175-€250 to cover them, more if you include alcoholic or expensive fruit juices with each meal.

Your group leader will assist in organising group meals at most stops, so you may benefit from better choices and good food. For lunch and dinner, we will go to different tavernas and restaurants, where we can sample typical Greek meze dishes, olives, fresh fish, vegetables and more.

Weather

February/March and November/December: Daytime temperatures 10C-18C (50F-64F); nighttime 5C-9C (41F-48F); rain and chances of snow on high mountains.
April, May and October: Daytime temperatures 17C-27C (63F-81F); nighttime 12C-17C (54F-63F); small chance of rain; the ideal time to see spring flowers.
June and September: Daytime temperatures 20C-30C (68F-86F); nighttime 18C-23C (64F-73F); very dry and warm, ideal for swimming.
July: Daytime temperatures 30C-35C (86F-95F); nighttime 25C-28C (77F-82F); very dry and hot, ideal for swimming.

TRIP

AGM - Highlights of Ancient Greece

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

A selection of Greek hotels

We stay in small, family-run hotels where possible, favouring traditional properties that highlight the architecture of each destination. The normal accommodations used on this trip can be found on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay.

Upgrade to a higher category of room on Day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Mystras: Hotel Byzantion (night 4)

Highlights of Ancient Greece

The Byzantion is a family-run hotel in the centre of Mystras village. Wrapped by mountains, the property has an alpine feel, while the hotel has plenty of retro touches, such as wood-paneled ceilings and an old phone booth. Our groups particularly like to gather in the green garden, where there’s a dipping pool and shady spots where you can shelter from the sun.

Pylos: Hotel Karalis (night 5)

Highlights of Ancient Greece

This 35-room hotel is just moments from the main town square and overlooks the Bay of Navarino. Nearby, there’s plenty to explore. The Three Admirals Square, named for the monument in its centre, has cafe seating under the shade of plane trees – an essential experience in this part of the world. Meanwhile, the hotel has a bar for post-exploration, pre-dinner drinks.

Delphi: Nidimos Hotel (night 7)

Highlights of Ancient Greece

The Nidimos is consistently a standout hotel for our groups. There are 34 modern rooms, each with a large balcony and seating area. There’s also a light and bright bar where you can gather for post-exploration drinks – make sure to check out the views of the mountains and Bay of Itea.

TRIP

AGM - Highlights of Ancient Greece

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Bridget Burns

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Highlights of Ancient Greece

4.8/5 from

9 Days Excluding Flights From

9 Days from

~~£ 2249~~ £ 2069

Highlights of Ancient Greece

Journey back thousands of years to a land of gods and monsters, daring heroes and magnificent monuments

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Itinerary

Athens Athens Airport

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Greece

Passport

Visa

Greece

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

A selection of Greek hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Highlights of ancient Greece

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Excellent trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Incredible History and Sights

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Advice for Potential Travellers

Ancient Greece and more

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Greece from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine, with some lovely scenery too!

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Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Myths, legends, and thousands of years of history

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Unexpected wonders of mainland Greece

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highlights of ancient Greece

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

included more than title suggests - one of the reasons we chose it - but title sums the trip up adequately

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

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Good trip with long days

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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