DETAILS
Enjoy coastal life in bustling, seaside Kalamata. Stand in the glorious Acropolis and relish magnificent views of Athens. Wander through the ruins of the mighty Bronze Age kingdom, Mycenae. Walk in the footsteps of the first Olympians at the archaeological site of Olympia. Savor Greece’s palate-pleasing bounty of wine, olives, seafood and olive oil. Journey to the beautifully preserved and less explored ancient city of Messene. Discover a one-of-a-kind treasure, breathtaking, mountainside Mystras, an important center of Byzantine culture.
- Pricing from
- $3,995
No Single Supplement! Call 800-323-7373 or click here to reserve
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Land & Rail Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Oct 11, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024
Please click here for the Terms & Conditions.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1&2
In Transit/Athens, Greece
Arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and meet your Travel Representative. Continue to the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel, ideally located in the heart of the city on Syntagma Square, “Constitution Square.” Just across the street is the Bouli, the Greek Parliament, where Greek soldiers guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every hour, crowds gather to watch the solemn changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers at a Welcome Reception and Dinner.
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day 3
Athens
Survey the beauty of Athens from atop the Acropolis. Take in the up-close sight of the Parthenon, the iconic temple that has watched over the city since the fifth century B.C. At the Acropolis Museum, view stunning artifacts from the Acropolis’ slopes and look through the glass floor to see the ruins of an ancient neighborhood. Enjoy some free time to wander through the markets or sip a strong Greek coffee at a neighborhood café.
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day 4
Mycenae | Winery | Kalamata
This morning, depart Athens and travel to the famed Peloponnese. Stroll through the vast ruins of Mycenae, which the Greek myths say was the center of Agamemnon’s kingdom. Continue to a nearby winery to sample fine Greek wines and enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterward, traverse the scenic countryside to Kalamata and check in to the Pharae Palace Hotel. Later, learn about Greece’s journey to becoming a republic.
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day 5
Kalamata | Messene
After learning about classical Greece’s far-reaching influence this morning, take a guided walk through Kalamata’s old town. Hear about the city’s tumultuous past and how it emerged as the first city to be liberated from Ottoman control in the Greek War of Independence. Stop along your walk to taste classic foods, like world-famous, fruity Kalamata olives and fresh seafood. Travel to ancient Messene, one of ancient Greece’s great fortified cities. Located off the beaten path, it is one of the country’s greatest collections of ancient ruins that most people never get to see.
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day 6
Mystras | Sparta
Walk in the footsteps of Leonidas, the valiant Spartan warrior king, in the ruins of the powerful ancient city-state. Then, go back in time to Byzantine Greece in the hilltop city of Mystras. Tour this medieval city and its spectacular ruins, which include monasteries, palaces and churches. After lunch, discover why Greeks prize the olive and its oil at a special museum dedicated to the tiny fruit.
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day 7
Ancient Olympia
Explore the site of the first Olympic Games, which were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus in 776 B.C. Discover what the earliest Olympic games were like and stand at the runners’ original starting line in the stadium! Tonight, join hands for a joyful Kalamatianos folk dance at a fun-filled farewell celebration featuring food, wine and music!
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day 8
Kalamata
Begin the day with a discussion about the modern Greek lifestyle and how it is intertwined with ancient traditions. The rest of the day is free to unwind on the hotel’s beach, savor a drink and lovely views at the rooftop lounge, take an optional cooking lesson or explore on your own. Tonight, glide across the Messenian Gulf on a sunset cruise. From the water, admire the breathtaking view of the coastline, with olive groves spread as far as the eye can see.
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day 9
Corinth Canal | Athens
This morning, depart Kalamata for Athens and, along the way, stop in Corinth. Walk through the archaeological site of ancient Corinth with your guide. Admire the Temple of Apollo and ruins from the Roman era, when Corinth was a major colony. Then, see the Corinth Canal. First opened in 1893, this deep channel separates the Peloponnese from the mainland. Upon reaching Athens, check in to the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel and relish a final free evening.
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day 10
Athens/transfers to the airport
Bid farewell to Greece and your fellow travelers. Depart for the airport for your flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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