Ancient Greek Discovery Tour
An authentic 10 day escorted small group tour of Greece. This tour covers the highlights of the country including Athens, the Peloponnese, Meteora and Crete. Travel by train and ferry as we immerse ourselves in the Greek culture, meeting local people and discovering traditional ways of living.
This tour is led by expert local guides and uses great quality local hotels throughout.
An itinerary that has been designed by local experts to see the highlights of Greece while also discovering the authentic Greek cultures.
Day 1 – Arrival in Athens
Welcome to Greece! On arrival at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (more often known as AIA) you will be met by our assistant in the arrival hall and be escorted to your vehicle that will drive you to the centrally located Athens hotel. The first thing you will need is a drink, so enjoy a cooling beverage and a tour orientation with the assistant. This evening you will head to a local Acropolis view restaurant for the first dinner of this exploratory tour of Greece!
Overnight at the Acropolian Spirit 4* or similar (D)
Day 2 – Explore Athens
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then meet your private English-speaking guide in the hotel reception. Today to are taking a walking tour to the Acropolis and the Parthenon, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Your tour will continue through Plaka, an area located underneath the Acropolis and with a village like feel. The walking tour continues to Anafiotika, a neighbourhood of Athens, famous for its beautiful small white and blue houses that seem to hang from the Acropolis rock. With your guide explaining the history and culture of the area, you will visit Socrates Jail and explore all Anafiotika and Plaka. Your immersion into the history and culture of Greece is truly underway. We finish the day in typical Greek fashion at a traditional Greek tavern with live music. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to continue to explore or to rest and relax.
Note: The tour may be done during afternoon depending on the arrival time of all guests into Athens.
Overnight at the Acropolian Spirit 4* or similar (B)
Day 3 – Discover the Peloponnese
The bus will meet us outside the hotel this morning for the journey to the Peloponnese. The Peloponnese is known for its world-famous olives, wide beaches and passionate locals who are fiercely proud of their homeland. Its history is a fascinating one, and the area is scattered with Venetian fortresses, Mycenaean palaces and Byzantine cities, all standing testament to the passage of time. Our road trip takes us through the famous Corinth canal, and we continue along the coast until we reach the small village of Diakopto. Here we will travel on the Diakopto–Kalavryta railway, an historic 750 mm gauge rack railway which passes through the Vouraikos Gorge, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Diakopto–Kalavryta railway trip takes about 1 ½ hours before reaching Kalavryta. There is a short walking tour of the village before we settle down to lunch at the famous Steakhouse of Varvitsiotis. We return to Athens and arrive in he late afternoon, where your time is free.
Overnight at the Acropolian Spirit 4* or similar (BL)
Day 4 – Greek Rail Journey to Meteora
Located in the central quarter of Kolonos, we head to the main train station of Athens to pick up a train heading towards Kalambaka. This rail trip takes about 4 hours before we arrive in Kalambaka, where your driver & your assistant will be waiting. Enjoy a tour around Meteora rocks and a guided tour of one of the monasteries. The Meteora is a rock formation containing one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. It is a unique and very special place. Our local tour then continues to a nearby winery. We will get to meet the owners and wander around their unique stone-built wine cellar. Of course, it no visit to a Greek winery is complete without a tasting and you will enjoy samples of the local produce and lunch at the winery or a local tavern. The driver will then collect us for the train journey back to Athens.
Overnight at the Acropolian Spirit 4* or similar (BL)
Day 5 – Athens to Crete on the ferry
Your day is free to do some final exploring in Athens. You will need to check-out of the hotel by midday but can leave your luggage securely. Later this afternoon, your driver and assistant will meet you and transfer you to the port where you will board the overnight ferry to Crete. It's a 12-hour trip and if it is a warm clear night and you are sat on the top deck under the stars, you may never want the journey to end.
Overnight ferry with a cabin (B)
Day 6 – Welcome to Crete
The ferry arrives in Crete at around 6am and we will transfer to the hotel to check-in and have breakfast. After some time to relax, we will meet our driver to start a tour of Heraklion and Knossos Palace. The capital of King Minos and the centre of Minoan civilisation is located 5km from Heraklion town. This is a tour that will take you back in time by 4000 years. Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city. Famous throughout the world through the myths of Europa, the Minotaur, Daedalus and Ikarus, this day will open a window to the most ancient civilization of Europe. Visit the archaeological museum and walk around the city to see Venetian buildings and castle, the impressive Cathedral, the fountains and the open street market.
Overnight at the Capsis Astoria 4* or similar (B)
Day 7 – Discover the Cretan Way of Living
Breakfast at the hotel before we meet our driver and assistant and embark on a drive to the north-west to the region of Rethymno. Our tour today takes in all the best of Cretan nature and culture. This is authentic Crete and expect to be overwhelmed with the images, aroma and unforgettable tastes. During the day you will discover the local way of living, encountering a shepherd’s house and the traditional tirokeli (Greek farm). Be taught everything about the farming traditions and at the end of the visit, inside the Shepherd’s house you will experience the Cretan hospitality with local products & of course, Raki. We will have our lunch at the local-in-farm restaurant before we transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight at the Capsis Astoria 4* or similar (BL)
Day 8 – Spinalonga
Our day exploring begins with a drive along the north-east coast through the gorge of St George. We will reach the fishing village of Elounda and take a boat to discover the tiny island of Spinalonga. This is an island with a very chequered history and there are still echoes with ghostly reminders of the past. A tiny, uninhabited island with a 16th-century Venetian fortress & the ruins of a former leper colony, Spinalonga is nicknamed ‘the island of the living dead’. After our visit we return to Agios Nikolas where you will have free time to visit the bottomless lake, before we arrive back at our hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight at the Capsis Astoria 4* or similar (B)
Day 9 – A Free day or optional visit to Santorini
Today is free to relax or explore as you wish. If you would like to visit Santorini, this can be arranged as the famour Greek island is only a short ferry ride away.
Overnight at the Capsis Astoria 4* or similar (B)
Day 10 - The end of our Greek Tour
At a suitable time, we will check-out of the hotel and transfer to the airport to meet your international flight.
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book the Ancient Greek Discovery Tour
Departure Dates
8th May to 17th May 2023
4th September to 13th September 2023
Price - £2225 per person (based on two people sharing)
Single Supplement - £550
Included in the Ancient Greek Discovery Tour
Not Included in the Ancient Greek Discovery Tour
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Passport validity
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Visas
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. If you are travelling to Greece and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
To stay longer, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Greek government’s entry requirements. Check with the Greek Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit, if any, you may need. If you are travelling to Greece for work, read the guidance on visas and permits. If you stay in Greece with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Passport stamping
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Greece as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
You may also need to:
show a return or onward ticket
show you have enough money for your stay
Travelling with medication
According to Greek law, a visitor can bring up to 5 different prescribed medicines for personal use, with a maximum of 2 boxes of each medicine. Some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines available in the UK, including medication containing codeine, are considered controlled substances in Greece. A doctor’s prescription is required in all cases, which should mention your details, the types of medicine and the condition treated. On arrival, Greek Customs may in some cases require you to obtain permission from the Greek National Organisation of Medicines - if you need to carry more than the permitted number of boxes, for example. The National Organisation of Medicines examines these requests on a case by case basis.
For more information on controlled medicines, contact the Greek National Organisation of Medicines (telephone: 0030 213 2040 285 / 307 / 225, open Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm Greece time.
What to bring on your escorted tour of Ancient Greece
Clothing
Lightweight clothing which can be layered is adviseable and a warmer jumper for cooler evenings. A light rain coat is suggested. There is a laundry available in most hotels.
Footwear
Lightweight comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals. Waterproof footware is recommended.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a waterbottle. A solar charger for your phone and other electronics is a good idea.
Currency
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro. Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents or lepta in Greek and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.
Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.
Use of electronic devices
Electric power voltage in Greece is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F type. To avoid the danger of short circuit, make sure to have in your suitcase the necessary transformers / adaptors for your electronic devices or make sure that this will be provided by the relevant socket.
Consumer's protection
During your stay in Greece, as a consumer you are protected throughout your transactions by the Greek legislation. In case of omission or infringement of the above, you can call to Tourist Police in 1571 (24/7 in operation). In the event you need to file a complaint, you may contact with the Hellenic Ministry of Tourism.
Weather in Greece
Greece's climate is Mediterranean with long sunshine, mild temperatures and limited rainfalls. It is characterised by great variation, due to the country's geographic location, the intense relief and the distribution between the mainland and the sea. In the summer, dry hot days are often cooled by seasonal winds that are called "etesian winds" while mountainous areas are more cool.
Winters are mild in the plains with little ice and snow, but the mountains are usually covered with snow. In addition, it is a common phenomenon to combine different climate conditions in the same season (for instance mild heat near the sea and cool in the mountainous areas).
Time Zone
Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2
Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC +3) starts March 28, 2021
Internet Availability
Access is unrestricted and is widely available in business centres, hotels and in internet cafés. A one month prepaid unlimited internet access card for laptops, iPhones and smartphones is available from Maroc Telecom (who also have the best national coverage).
Ready to book or need more information?
Then get in touch with our expert travel consultants now. We can help you with tailormade options, best times to travel and much more...
