MAINLAND GREECE- 14 DAYS

AVAILABLE DATES - Friday 26th September to Thursday 9th October 2008 AND Friday 24th April to Thursday 7 May 2009

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Friday
Depart Heathrow Olympic Airlines Flight OA 260 at 1225hrs. Arrive Athens International Airport 1800hrs. Transfer to Central Hotel (4* Jason Prime Hotel) for Welcome Drinks, Introductions and Dinner. Evening Walk via Ermou shopping district to Syntagma Square to view archaeological strata in new Metro, watch the changing of the Guards (Evzones) at the Parliament Building (Boule) and either drinks in Kolonaki whilst people watching the ‘rich and beautiful’ Athenian Café Society.

Day 2 – Saturday
Escorted Walking Tour to Areopagus Hill (site of St Paul’s Sermon), the Athens Akropolis (Propylaea, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Nike), New Akropolis Museum (due to open September 2008), Greek Agora and Roman Forum (Ancient Markets and Civic Centres). Afternoon and evening at Leisure. 4* Jason Prime Hotel, Athens B+B

Day 3 – Sunday
Full Day escorted Coach excursion through the Attic Countryside to visit Marathon Museum, and Toumbai of Athenians and Plataeans (the latter with glass topped skeletons of battle victims – key by private arrangement only), Sanctuary of Artemis and Museum at Brauron, Lavrion ancient Silver Mines and settlement at Thorikos (unique rectangular Theatre of Demeter and Ergasterion – ore washing platforms) and Temple of Poseidon, spectacularly set on the edge of Cape Sounion. 4* Jason Prime Hotel, Athens B+B

Day 4 – Monday
Escorted Walking Tour to the National Archaeological Museum. Afternoon Transfer via working Byzantine Monastery of Ossos Loukas to 3* family owned Acropole Hotel, Delphi H/B

Day 5 – Tuesday
Escorted Walking Tour to Oracular Site of Delphi – Centre of the Ancient World. Visit the Pronaos Site sacred to Athena, Gymnasion, Castalian Spring (ritual purification optional!), Temenos of Apollon and Museum. Afternoon Transfer via Heritage Port of Galaxidi and spectacular Bridge across the Corinthian Gulf to 4* Adonios Hotel, Olympia. B+B

Day 6 – Wednesday
Escorted Walking Tour to Site of the original Olympic Games and Museums. 4* Adonios Hotel, Olympia. B+B

Day 7 – Thursday
Morning Drive into Mountains to visit the unusual Sanctuary of Apollo at Bassae and small village of Andritsina before heading south to the small Mycenaean Museum at Chora and small port of Pylos, overlooking the island of Sphakteria. 3* family owned Miramare Hotel, Pylos H/B

Day 8 – Friday
Full Day Excursion to Mycenaean Nestor’s Palace, newly developed Greco-Roman Site of Messene and small Museum. 3* Miramare Hotel, Pylos H/B

Day 9 – Saturday
Full Day Excursion to Sparta Museum, Temple of Artemis Orthia and Byzantine Mystras. 4* King Minos Hotel, Tolo H/B

Day 10 – Sunday
Full Day escorted excursion to Ancient Medical Sanctuary of Epidavros (Site, Museum and 18,000 seater Theatre sacred to Apollo, famous for its excellent acoustics. Afternoon relaxing at the small fishing village of Paleo Epidavros. 4* King Minos Hotel, Tolo H/B

Day 11 – Monday
Escorted Coach Excursion to Mycenae Sites and Museum – Agamemnon’s Bronze Age Citadel “Rich in Gold” where he was murdered by his ‘she-man wife’, Clytaemnestra. Afternoon relaxation in Nafplion, the beautiful Venetian Capital of Modern Greece, overlooked by Fortress Palamidi. 4* King Minos Hotel, Tolo H/B

Day 12 – Tuesday
Full Day escorted excursion to Nemea (Site of Herakles’ Slaughter of the Lion as one of his Twelve Labours) Museum, Temple to Zeus, unique Greek Baths and only extant Stadium Complex with Propylaea and vaulted Athletes’ Entrance Tunnel. Wine Tasting at local Vineyard. 4* King Minos Hotel, Tolo H/B

Day 13 – Wednesday
Free Day Tolo – perhaps to explore the small beach-side site of Assine, climb the Mycenaean staircase, spot a Megaron hearth place, WWII German Gun emplacement and identify a Drafted Margin!
4* King Minos Hotel, Tolo H/B After Dinner - Evening Cruise to Nafplion.

Day 14 – Thursday
Final Day to visit Ancient Argos (Theatre and Museum), Ancient Corinth and Museum before crossing the Corinth Canal en route to Athens Airport. Depart Flight OA 265 at 1915hrs Arrive Heathrow Airport 2115hrs

Included –
Schedule Flights – Heathrow/Athens
Coach Transfers, Taxes, Tolls in Greece
Airport Assistance on departure from Heathrow, arrival and departure from
Athens
Tour Manager throughout
Archaeological Guides on included Sites
Entrance Fees to named Sites, Museums and Nemea Vineyard for wine tasting
Nafplion Evening Cruise
Welcome Drinks and Evening Meal 1st Night
Evening Meal at Epicouros Restaurant, Delphi Day 4
Evening Meals Pylos Days 7 + 8
Evening Meals at King Minos Hotel, Tolo Days 9 - 13
Buffet Breakfast Days 2 - 14

Not Included –
UK Transfers
Flight supplement from Regional Airports
Public Transport and /or Taxi Fares in Greece if chosen instead of walking
Tours
Travel Insurance
Visas (non EEC Passport Holders)
Evening Meals Days 2, 3, 5, 6 + 14
Lunches
Drinks and Snacks
Gratuities

PRICES -Friday 26th September to Thursday 9th October 2008
WITH FLIGHTS
£1,463.00 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£200.00 per person Single Room Supplement

WITHOUT FLIGHTS
£1,263.00 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£200.00 per person Single Room Supplement

BOOK ONLINE HERE 

Terms & Conditions
PRICES - Friday 24th April to Thursday 7 May 2009
WITH FLIGHTS
£1,609.00 - per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£220.00 - per person Single Room Supplement

WITHOUT FLIGHTS
£1,389.00 - per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£220.00 - per person Single Room Supplement

BOOK ONLINE HERE

Terms & Conditions