GREEK SPIRIT

1st Day, Athens: Arrive to Athens and start your journey for a life-changing experience. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to the center of the city. On route to the hotel you will have a first glance of the ancient treasures and Christian history in a condensed city tour with the bus where our guide will point out the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Presidential Palace and the Panathenaic Stadium, also known as the Kallimarmaro (the “beautifully marbled”), an athletic stadium in the center of Athens that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Afternoon free in Athens to relax and enjoy the flavor of the city.

2nd Day, Athens – Acropolis – Old City: Following breakfast today we will visit Athens the foundation of democracy. Early morning visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. Additional sites include the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life) and the fabulous New Acropolis Museum. A short walk through the narrow streets of the Old city, the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes. You cannot miss the little church of “Panagia Kapnikarea” one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Athens in the middle of Ermou Street that dates back to 1050 and the Annunciation Cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, popularly known as the “Mētrópolis” on Mitropoleos street. Evening free.

3rd Day, Athens – Delphi: After breakfast departure for Delphi, in the ancient times known as the Navel of the Earth. Delphi was the greatest Oracle of the Ancient world, where people flocked to seek advice. Now it’s one of the grandest sights in Greece; it’s theater and Temple of Apollo still stand in their lovely natural setting. Passing by the beautiful traditional village of Arachova late in the afternoon return to Athens. Evening free.

4th Day, Patras “Achaia Clauss Winery” – Ancient Olympia: After breakfast departure for the Peloponnese. Crossing the Corinthian canal with a short stop at the Isthmos and then you will reach the city of Patras, where you will visit the third largest in Greece with the biggest Orthodox church in the Balcans of Agios Andreas. Leaving Patras next stop will be the wellknown winery of Achaia Clauss, where there will be a guided tour around the premises and the wine-yards and at the end you will have the unique experience of wine-tasting. Late in the afternoon arrival in Ancient Olympia for overnight.

5th Day, Ancient Olympia – Dimitsana “Open-Air Water Museum”: After breakfast you will have a guided tourat theArchaeological site, the ancient stadium of Olympia where the games were held and the Museum. Departing Olympia the road will bring you to the Historical town of Dimitsana where you will visit the Open-Air Water Power Museum, aplace of great natural beauty and where you will have the chance to see the buildings of an oldwatermill, a tannery and a powder-mill, which have been reconstructed with their equipment restored to its original form and functions. Overnight.

6th Day, Mycenae – Nafplion – Tolo: After breakfast departure for Mycenae, where the 19th century excavations revealed impressions of the splendours described by Homer. You will be fascinated by the Beehive Tombs, the Treasury of Atreus, Lion Gate. Then you will enjoy a short drive to the coastal city of Nafplion, the first capital of liberated Greece, with its picturesque town square and narrow streets that have the essence of an island. Visit the Castle, on top of a high hill with a magnificent view of the small island of “Bourtzi”. Overnight at the old fishing village of Tolo.

7th Day, Athens: After breakfast departure for Epidaurus and a tour of its amazingly well preserved 2,300 year-old open Air Theater with the magnificent acoustics. After a short stop at the Corinth canal, in the afternoon return to Athens, check into your Hotel and enjoy some free times for last minute shopping and perusing the historic city of Athens.

8th Day, Athens – Return Flight: Transfer from your Hotel to the Airport for your return flight home.