Hidden Greece Escorted Tour
Hidden Greece Escorted Tour
This is an authentic off the beaten track, 10 day escorted tour of Greece, led by a local Greek guide.
The tour covers some of the lesser visited regions of the country, popular with the Greeks but not so well known with international tourists. You will get to visit the capital city Athens and explore the world famous sights before heading to the nearby island of Evia. The highlight of this tour must be the time spent on the small Greek island of Skyros.
This tour is led by expert local guides and uses great quality local hotels throughout.
This is an itinerary that has been designed by local experts to see the highlights of Greece while also discovering the authentic Greek cultures.
Day 1 â Arrival in Athens
You have arrived in Greece! You will be met on arrival by our assistant and escorted to your vehicle to take you to the centrally located Athens hotel. Relax and enjoy a cool drink and a tour orientation with the assistant. This evening you will head to a local restaurant with great views of the Acropolis for the first dinner of this tour of Hidden Greece!
Overnight at the Acropolian Spirit 4* or similar (D)
Day 2 â Explore Athens
After your breakfast, you will meet your private English-speaking guide in the hotel reception and take a walking tour to the Acropolis and the Parthenon. This will be followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum. The next stop on the days exploration is Plaka, an area located underneath the Acropolis and with a village like feel. We visit Anafiotika, a neighbourhood of Athens that is famous for its beautiful small white and blue houses that almost hang from the steep rock of the Acropolis. This part of the tour also includes Socrates Jail. Your immersion into the history and culture of Greece is truly underway as your guide explains the historical and cultural significance of the areas. We finish the day 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:Â 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 â A free day in Athens
Having got the Athenian spirit in you, you are now free to explore Athens as a local. There are no guided excursions today but there is plenty to see and do in this extraordinary city.
Overnight at the Acropolian Spirit 4* or similar (BL)
Day 4 â Evia Island
Have your breakfast at the hotel and then check-out before you meet your guide in the reception at a set time. Today we are travelling to Evia Island. Evia is the second largest island of Greece and the third in the eastern Mediterranean. Evia has wonderful beaches, a pleasant climate, renowned monuments, many thermal sources, and tasty food and is, therefore, a popular and nearby destination for the inhabitants of Athens. Our first stop is the city of Chalkis,(or Chalkida) a beautiful seafront city beauty where you can admire Evripos Bridge and explore the old Turkish neighbourhood. Depending on our time of arrival, there may be the chance to witness tidal phenomenon that takes place in Evripos, During each change of direction the water stops moving for about eight minutes. An ideal place to watch this unique phenomenon is the sliding Negroponte Bridge. Another favourite meeting point for the locals is the waterfront; a charming pedestrian street lined with elegant cafes and restaurants buzzing with life day and night. We continue to Kymi town and check in to the hotel.
Overnight at the Kymi Palace 4* or similar (B)
Day 5 â Skyros Island
A ferry will take us over to Skyros Island this morning. The least touristically developed of the Sporades islands, Skyros is famous for its ceramics, wooden furniture and the special interior architecture of its houses. The agricultural products of Skyros are especially fine because of the traditional production methods which are used. We have a traditional Greek dinner at a local tavern this evening
Overnight at the Skyros Palace 4* or similar (BD)
Day 6 â Skyros Horse Riding and Handicrafts
We visit a local farm today for a unique horse-riding experience through woods taking in the amazing views. In the afternoon our group will explore the local handcraft shops located among the whitewashed alleys. Here you will meet the locals and they will be delighted to share the knowledge and their techniques. Who knows? With your newly acquired skills, you may have a new hobby when you get back home!
Overnight at the Skyros Palace 4* or similar (B)
Days 7 and 8 â Days to explore Skyros
On Skyros you can bask on some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Crystal clear waters, golden sandy beaches and stunning landscapes dominated by pine trees reaching the shore make for breath taking scenery, ideal for blissful moments of relaxation. The islandâs main feature is its distinct landscape; the north part is dominated by lush pine forests and green landscapes while the southern part has a wild yet compelling beauty. Its rocky landscape is dominated by Kochylas, the islandâs highest mountain. There are no excursions or guiding included on these days. However, these can be arranged and booked locally.
Overnight at the Skyros Palace 4* or similar (B)
Day 9 â Sailing around Skyros
We head to the port to meet up with our boat for a sailing trip around the most famous and the most hidden beaches of Skyros. In the vicinity of the harbour there are a many sea caves with beautiful stalactites. On the west coast, youâll find lovely places to swim, such as Agios Petros, Kyra Panagia, Atsitsa, Agalipa and Agios Fokas, many of which also have terrific tavernas on or near the beach.
Overnight at the Skyros Palace 4* or similar (B)
Day 10 - The end of our Hidden 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 Hidden Greece Escorted Tour
Departure Dates
Available as a private departure. Contact us for details
Price from - ÂŁ2155 per person (based on two people sharing)
Included in the Hidden Greece Escorted Tour
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Transportation as described with A/C and driver
- All accommodation as shown or of a similar quality
- Daily breakfast (B), plus lunch (L) and dinner (D) as shown in the itinerary
- Services of a local expert English speaking guides
- Private walking guided tour in Athens
- Ferry tickets economy class from Kymi to Skyros
- Horse riding tour in Skyros and handcraft workshops
- Sailing tour in Skyros
Not Included in the Hidden Greece Escorted Tour
- International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa requirements
- Drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips for drivers and guides
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.Â
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 âdate of issueâ)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the âexpiry dateâ)
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 governmentâs 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 youâre 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 doctorâs 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.Â
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Currency
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency â 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 ZoneÂ
Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2
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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 cafĂŠs. 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).
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