GRAND TOUR OF GREECE SEVEN DAYS (Argolis, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Dion, Thessaloniki, Veria)

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GRAND TOUR OF GREECE

THE CLASSICAL AND THE OTHER SIDE OF GREECE

SEVEN DAYS

Departure dates: 19/04/12 - 10/05/12 - 24/05/12 - 07/06/12 - 21/06/12 - 12/07/12 - 13/09/12 - 27/09/12 & 04/10/12
Departure time: 08.45 a.m.

Guiding in English Language Only.

Prehistory, the Classical Period, roman Domination, The Byzantine Empire, the Crusades, Modern Times.

Greece through the Centuries will unfold before you on these 7 days - 6 nights tour.

FIRST DAY
Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then proceed to the Town of Nauplion (short photo stop), drive on to Mycenae (Acording to legent ,bult by Perseas who brought Cyclopes from Asia.) Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs of Agamemnon the leader of the Greeks during the Troy war. Then depart for Olympia through Central Peloponnese and the Towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Arrive in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games. (Dinner) Overnight

SECOND DAY
In the morning visit the Archaeological Site the cradle of the Olympic Games. with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, where there use to be the statue of Zeus one of the seven wonders of the world the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. Then drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent Bridge which is crossing the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque Towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea, arrive in Delphi. Overnight. (Dinner)

THIRD DAY

In the morning visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town stated at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, gigantic rocks. Overnight. (Dinner)

FOURTH DAY
Visit Meteora, among striking scenery, perched on the top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the plain of Thessaly and the valley of Tempi, arrive and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion. Admire also the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods of the Ancient Greeks. After the visit depart for Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece where the Apostle St. Paul spread the word of Christianity to the Macedonians. Dinner and overnight.

FIFTH DAY

Depart in the morning for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful market area. A walk in a city where past is present and around. Then proceed to Naoussa, to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle's School, the impressive scenery where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics' to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youths. In only a few miles away is picturesque Edessa where we see the town's famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then, comes Pella, the capital of Macedonia 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. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

SIXTH DAY

See in the morning the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire, was the "co-reigning" city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople (Istabul). Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe's Museum Prize for the year 2005. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the city. Dinner and overnight.

SEVENTH DAY

Drive to Vergina, to live the experience of 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, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. After the visit we shall start driving south and through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road the Leonida’s Monument, the king of Spartans ( the film 300), continue pass by Thebes, arrive in Athens late in the afternoon.