On our Athens City Break you will spend 4 nights in Hotel Herodion, – or similar, subject to availability, including breakfast daily, and the below full itinerary is included: Also, we have suggested another optional excursion, depending on your flight times.
From £1,244.00
Athens City Break
On our Athens, Delphi and the Saronic Islands Experience you will spend 4 nights in Hotel Herodion, – or similar, subject to availability, including breakfast daily, and the below full itinerary is included: Also, we have suggested another optional excursion, depending on your flight times.
Day 1
Arrival in Athens
You will be met, on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Athens. Rest of the day at leisure
Day 2
Athens sight-seeing
This morning enjoy a city tour of Athens. Your expert guide will reveal to you the secrets of the Acropolis & the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium, built of marble for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Enjoy the ancient wonders and
explore the birthplace of democracy. Twist and turn through the Plaka’s narrow streets and find ancient sites, cafes and shops full of history and character.
Day 3
Full Day trip to Delphi
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Delphi, probably the ancient world’s most famous oracle. Delphi is approximately two and a half hours from Athens. We will follow the national road north
through the plains of Beotia and pass outside the town of Thebes. As we near our destination, the mountain of Parnassos towers over us.
The site is at the foot of the mountain; the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, here we start our walk. Passing by the Castalia Spring we will visit the archaeological site and view the monument of the
Argive Kings, the treasury of the Athenians, the Athenian Stoa, the Polygonal Wall, the monument of Platea and the Temple of Apollo. The site is very large and there is a lot to see including the famous oracle where in ancient times people believed they would learn what their future held.
Enjoy the views from the site, they are incredible – the setting is so impressive that in ancient times it was considered the navel of the world.
After our walk we will visit the museum. The Delphi Museum has spectacular exhibits including the frieze of the Treasury of the Sifnians, the Naxian Sphinx, the Statue of Antinoos the metopes of the Athenian treasury and the famous bronze Charioteer. It is well worth visiting the museum as the
exhibits complement what we saw at the site and allow us to get a better understanding of the role Delphi played in antiquity.
A short drive to our next stop for lunch; we will taste regional products and experience original Greek cuisine.
Day 4
One Day Saronic Islands Cruise. A full day cruise including lunch on board.
This morning transfer to the lively port of Piraeus. Board your cruise ship to enjoy a whole day cruising the Saronic Sea.
You will visit three lovely islands:
Poros – The smallest of the 3 islands and just a short distance from the mainland makes it a popular island for international tourists and Greeks alike. More lush than most islands and beautifully kept
buildings in the traditional style can be seen on Poros.
Hydra- Perhaps the most attractive harbour of all the Greek islands, Hydra oozes charm and beauty. Even today there are no cars on the island. Traditional stone homes surround the harbour. A haven for artists. Truly a photographer’s delight.
Aegina- The island of pistachios. The largest of the three islands and with the most to see. Visit the main town with it’s delightful shops and cafes or take an optional tour out to the far side of the island to see the Temple of Aphaia.
The cruise ship is fully equipped with bars, dance floor, inside/outside seating. Lunch is included, and in the afternoon there is also a small show to keep you entertained for the return journey.
Day 5
Departure
Time to bid farewell. Your Mini Break in Athens finishes today!
Enjoy time at leisure till your transfer to Athens International airport
for your flight home.
Optional Excursion details – Private Olive Oil Tasting – cost £98 per person
One of the most interesting tasting experiences offered in Athens is the “olive oil tasting”.
In central Athens is the venue of the tasting – host to a large variety of olive oil and with the most knowledgeable oil connoisseur.
The Olive tree has been a huge part of life in Greece since the ancient years, it is the core of the Greek Mediterranean Diet. It is connected with the Greek culture, history, mythology and
traditions. In the Olive Oil Bar you will have the opportunity to “understand ” it better and discover its secrets.
The seminar begins with the Olive Oil tasting by the glass and the Smelling Test. The aromas that emerge bring to memory the smell of freshly cut olives . Through the Hot Potato Test that follows and the tasting of selected products without and with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the participants can understand the difference. Fun and interactive, this tasting is a truly memorable experience.
Pick up from hotel – 1.5 hours duration
Cost from £1244 per person
Included:
Not included:
Please contact us via the Enquiry form below or call us direct on 01279 822068 to check availability
The first modern Olympic Games was held in the city in 1896.
It seems no matter where you dig in Athens, something ancient is discovered! That was certainly the case when the Athens Metro was being built. In fact, many of the items found during the construction were sent to museums in Greece.
