Stay in small, traditional inns. Try Greek specialities in local tavernas. Enjoy the beauty and variety of Greek nature! (May, June, September)
Day 1: ATHENS. Arrival in Athens Eleutherios Venizelos International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Athens and welcome dinner in the Old Town of Athens, Plaka, in a traditional taverna. Overnight in Athens.
Day 2: ATHENS. Half day City Tour including visit of the Acropolis. Afternoon tour to Cape Sounion including visit of the Temple of Poseidon. Overnight in Athens.
Day 3: ATHENS-THERMOPYLE - METEORA Visit the battlefield of Thermopyle and continue driving north towards Kalambaka/Kastraki, where the famous Meteora monasteries are located. Stay in guesthouse with all comforts in Kastraki at the foothills of the monasteries. Afternoon: Visit two of the monasteries built on rock formations overlooking the plain of Thessaly (Hiking 1 hour). Dinner & overnight.
Day 4: METEORA-VOLOS-MT.PELION. We drive to Volos and Mount Pelion - the mountain of the Centaurs. Optional visit to the interesting Archaeological Museum of Volos with findings from 4.000 B.C. Drive to Makrinitsa , altitude of 750 meters, where you stay in traditional houses converted into guesthouses with all comforts. Drive to Hania (1.200 m) for hiking, to the peak Pliassidi in 1.551 m altitude or Agrio Lefkes in 1.471 m . Dinner in a selected taverna and overnight.
Day 5: MT.PELION. Tour around the gulf to Vyzitsa (visit), a small traditional village and continue to Milies. Hiking in the area of the old railway station. Continue drive via Choriti to Tsangarada (another village with plane trees, springs). Hiking down to one of Greece's most beautiful beaches, Milopotamos, with superb water for swimming. Dinner and overnight in Makrinitsa.
Day 6: MT.PELION-SKIATHOS. Drive to the village of Platania, facing the Aegean, for one day trip by boat or hydrofoil to the green island of Skiathos. Full-day in Skiathos for swimming and sightseeing in the small picturesque island town. Return to Makrinitsa for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: MT.PELION-MT.OLYMPOS. Drive with our coach to Prionia village, on Mt.Olympus at 1.200 m high, with small waterfalls. Hiking for 2 1/2 hours to shelter A - Spilios Agapitos 2.100 m. Overnight.
Day 8: MT.OLYMPOS. Hike to the highest peak, Mytikas (2.917 m ) and possibly Skolio (3 hours hiking). Return to Zolotas shelter for overnight . Dinner and overnight.
Day 9: MT.OLYMPOS. Five hours hiking to Prionia and for those, who wish to continue down hiking via the Enippea canyon to Litochoro for another 3-4 hours. From Prionia, by coach to Hotel Dion Resort, with its own beach and swimming pool. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10: LITOCHORO. Day to relax by the pool or beach. Possibility to visit by coach (2 1/2 hrs drive) the archeological site and museum of Dion, 5 klm distance from the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Dion.
Day 11: DION-DELPHI. Three and a half hours ride to Arachova, a mountain village next to Delphi (200 klm). Visit the famous site of the oracle and museum in Delphi. Stay in the picturesque village of Arachova nearby Delphi. Dinner in selected taverna. Overnight in Arachova.
Day 12: ARACHOVA-MT.PARNASSUS. Drive to the famous mountain of Apollo and hike to the Cave of Korykion (appr. 1 1/2 hours hiking). Optional lunch in small village on the way. Afternoon visit of the olive town of Amfissa. Possibility to hike to Amfissa for those who wish: hiking through the olive groves from Delphi to Amfissa via the Monastery of St.Elias (3 hours). Dinner and overnight in Arachova or Itea (port of Delphi).
Day 13: ARACHOVA-ATHENS. Drive back to Athens (2 1/2 hrs). Noon and afternoon free in Athens. Overnight in Athens.
Day 14: ATHENS-USA. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for return flight to the USA.
RATE $ 2,550 p.p (min. 25 participants + 1 free)
RATE $ 2,795 p.p (min. 20 participants + 1 free
INCLUDES:
- Accommodation in 2-bedded rooms in 3-Star hotels or best available guest houses with private facilities or in mountain huts with blankets, pillows but no private bath/WC on mount Olympus.
- Ten (10) dinners outside Athens in selected tavernas or hotels
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Welcome dinner in Athens
- Transportation in modern , A/C motorcoach including drivers expenses
- Boat trip to Skiathos
- English speaking escort from Day 3 - Day 13 & special local hiking guides in Mount Olympus and Mount Pelion area
- Visit to Delphi, Meteora, Dion, City tour of Athens & Cape Sounion including private guide, admission fees and coach
- All transfers upon departure and arrival with assistance
*Rates for 2007 are based on the current exchange rate of the Euro to the Dollar (1 Euro = $1.35) and are subject to change due to currency fluctuations