Grand Tour of Greece

Regular price: $2,280.00
Sale price: $2,280.00

Class

Travel Date

Room Type

Quantity

Coach Tour
7 days ex Athens

Departs: selected Thursdays

2023 Departure Dates: 04, 18 May; 08, 22 June, 06 July; 14, 21 September

Introduction
One of our most comprehensive tours of classical Greece, this itinerary takes in many of the most important classical sites in a land which has provided so much to western history. Names like Alexander, Socrates, Agamemnon and Zeus are brought to life in this fascinating seven day tour.

Highlights

Walk the grounds of the school where the famed Socrates taught Alexander the Great.
View what many describe as the greatest Greek archaeological find of the 20th century – the Tomb of Alexander’s father King Philip II.
Explore the prehistoric beginnings of man at Meteora, home to many Neanderthal sites.

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1: Athens – Olympia (D)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel for a seven day tour to some of Greece's wonderful classical sights. (Note: Tour pick-up time from hotel should be confirmed with our local operator, usually the day before)

Morning departure to the Corinth Canal and then to the Theatre of Epidaurus. Then proceed to the towns of Nauplion and Mycenae to visit the tombs of Agamemnon. Later travel to Olympia through Tripolis and Megapolis. Overnight in Olympia.

Day 2: Olympia – Delphi (B D)

This morning visit the archaeological site which includes the sanctuary of Zeus, the ancient stadium where the Olympic Games began and were held for 1200 years, and the museum. Travel through the plains of Iliad and Achaia before crossing the Corinthian Bay into Delphi via Nafpactos and Itea.

Day 3: Delphi – Meteora (B D)

After visiting the archaeological site and museum of Delphi, continue on to Kalambaka - a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora. This stunning and unique geological formation was created by weathering over millennia and contains archaeological sites which date from the time of the Neanderthal. Some of these caves show evidence of being continuously inhabited from 50,000 to 5,000 years ago.

Day 4: Meteora – Thessaloniki (B D)

Visit Meteora, where ageless monasteries sit atop gigantic rock columns. Later drive through the plains of Thessaly to Mt Olympus, home of the Greek Gods. In ancient times the highest peak in any region settled by Greeks was called “Olympus” and in antiquity there were at least 8 other peaks with this name. It was in the 5th century BC that Herodotus named this particular one, the highest peak in all of Greece, as the Pan-Hellenic Olympus.

In more recent times Mount Olympus was named the first Greek National Park. It is famed for its biodiversity and as such attracts thousands of visitors each year who admire the flora and fauna. Overnight in Thessaloniki Greece’s second largest city.

Accommodation will be confirmed prior to departure.

Day 5: Thessaloniki (B D)

Spend the morning sightseeing in the city that was second only to Constantinople in the Byzantine era. Thessaloniki was an early centre of Christianity visited by Paul the Apostle who later wrote two letters to the new church at Thessaloniki, preserved in the Biblical canon as First and Second Thessalonians. Visit unique monuments and characteristic churches of the Christian world. Afternoon is at leisure.

Day 6: Thessaloniki (B D)

Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa where we see the town's famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle's School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics' to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth.

Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai) to experience a visit to the unique Museum created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Philip II, Alexander's father. This is perhaps the greatest Greek archaeological discovery of the 20th century. Only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea). Here visit Saint Paul's Bema and then stroll through the old Jewish neighbourhood and the colourful market area. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner & overnight.

Day 7: Athens (B)

Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas in situ as well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion, sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympos. After the visit start driving south through Thessaly; Lamia; Thermopylae, to see the Leonidas' Monument; and Thebes. Arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Transportation by air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation with daily breakfast
Dinners as specified
Sightseeing as specified in itinerary
Professional guides
Greece Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel
Entrance fees

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Optional tours and excursions
Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below or similar

Olympia

Superior Tourist Class - Hotel Arty Grand

Delphi

Superior Tourist Class - Hotel Amalia Delphi

Meteora

Superior Tourist Class - Hotel Amalia Kalambaka

Thessaloniki

Superior Tourist Class - Accommodation to be confirmed on booking

** ACCOMMODATION TAX**
The Greek government established a tourist tax (which came into effect in 2018 - Law 4389 / 27-05-2016 article 53 Accommodation Taxation) for all tourists staying in any kind of Hotel, Apartment, Villa, etc. in any destination in Greece. This tax is applied locally and is payable at check-in or check-out depending on your hotel. The tax is a fixed Euro amount based on the property rating.

**FERRIES**
All ferry schedules may be subject to change, due to local conditions (including weather) and/or possible port congestion and the final requirements of the ferry companies. The cancellation or non operation of the ferries is a decision of the shipping company and the Ministry of Shipping. This is outside the control of our operators and Innovative Travel who confirm ferries in good faith.

If certain classes of ferries are not operating for any reason, the next best option will be used whether an alternate ferries or flights. Example: If Hydrofoils are non-operational for any reason, clients booked on them may have to use alternative regular ferries in a first class seat. If there are any additional charges these will be advised by the local operator and will be at the clients expense.

Greek Island ferries are usually quite large, offering restaurant/cafeteria/bar facilities, though normally no swimming facilities. Porters are rarely available at ferry ports, so your luggage should be only as much as you can carry.

Ferry Rhodes / Marmaris: Unlike standard ferries connections between Greek Islands, the ferry between Rhodes and Marmaris is an international one. Our local operator in Rhodes will provide you with a voucher that you will exchange at the port where you will have to queue to receive your boarding pass and pay the Greece departure tax.

Connecting to International Flights from the Islands. We suggest client do not depart from Athens on the same day as they embark on ferries from the Cyclades or beyond. If departures are scheduled for this day we suggest flying directly into Athens airport.

*** FERRY TICKETS***
The majority of ferry tickets are paper tickets. A handling fee is included in the price of the tickets when purchased with other arrangements in Athens. If clients are not using the service of our local representative in Athens a delivery and additional handling fee may be charged. ( This applies particularly when an island hopping programme begins on the islands). Ferry tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable once issued. All tickets are issued locally in Greece.

Ferry schedules in Greece are constantly changing. Final ferry tickets are generally issued 2 weeks prior departure. To avoid client disappointment tickets are purchased on the best available scheduled departure at that time. If a client wants to make changes after tickets are purchased a change fees will apply payable locally and clients will be responsible for collecting the tickets from the ferry terminal on the day of departure. Final embarkation timings will be confirmed to clients by our representative in Greece.

The local Greece representatives are available to assist clients in case of emergencies or cancellations of ferries. They will also assist to make changes to a booking – any additions or changes to service may incur charges. These charges will be advised and are the responsibility of the clients and must be paid locally.

*** TRANSFERS***
Transfers are supplied by drivers and are not guided. Some drivers may only have a basic command of English.

*** THE ISLANDS***
Traditionally the Greek Islands main travel season is from May to October. For clients arriving in April and towards the end of the season, many facilities and hotels may not be operational. The infrastructure on Santorini and Mykonos is well developed the other islands accommodation including Naxos and Paros have less developed infrastructure with accommodation generally a slightly lower standard. This is compensated for by atmosphere and charm.

**DOUBLE BEDS**
Please note we have requested a double bedded room/cabin but cannot guarantee one will be available. In Greece/Turkey double room/cabin are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel/cruise boat to see what is available.

*** CRUISE DEPARTURES FROM ATHENS ***
We suggest that a pre nights accommodation and an arrival transfer are booked, from your Athens Hotel to the port, to connect with the correct ferry/cruise. Due to the size and congestion at the port it can be difficult to find the correct terminal and the cruise departure point often changes without prior notice. The local operator will be informed of these details to avoid potential problems.

*** CABIN ALLOCATION ON CRUISES ***
Celestial Cruise Cabin numbers are confirmed generally 2 weeks prior to cruise departures. This may vary from the cabin allocated at the time of confirmation of the booking.

*** CRETE SELF DRIVE ***
The standard of the rental vehicles in Crete is generally lower than that of Central Europe and New Zealand. These cars are late model manual vehicles as opposed to new cars. They are well serviced, and reliable. Automatic vehicles can be requested, a surcharge applies. It is common practice that the car is delivered with a non-full (and quite often almost empty) tank. Make sure you fill in your tank before leaving town. At the end of your tour the car is expected to be returned with a similar level of fuel as when first delivered.

*** ATHENS SIGHTSEEING & GREECE MAINLAND COACH TOURS ***
Scheduled tours and sightseeing are bilingual unless specified. Wifi may be available on full day tours to Delphi, Argolis and all multi day tours.

Enquire About This Itinerary

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

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