DAY 1 UK/Athens
We fly to Athens and transfer to the wonderful 4-star Polis Grand Hotel or similar for one night’s bed and breakfast accommodation. A specialist tour lecturer travels with us, as well as a local guide, to ensure that we get the most from our carefully designed itinerary.
DAY 2 Corinth, Mycenae, Tiryns & Tolon
This morning we travel to Corinth where we see the elaborate Fountain of Peirene, built on the site of an ancient spring; and the Temple of Apollo, the oldest Doric temple on the mainland. We also visit the museum, home to an extensive collection of domestic finds as well as Roman mosaics, before continuing to Mycenae, where Heinrich Schliemann discovered Agamemnon’s citadel in 1876. Just outside the citadel is the Treasury of Atreus, a royal burial vault also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon. We journey on to the huge citadel at Tiryns and then Tolon for our overnight stay at the Hotel Tolon Holidays.
DAY 3 Epidaurus, Bassae & Olympia
Our day begins in Epidaurus, one of the most important ancient sites in Greece. We visit the sanctuary, where we can see both a hospital and a hotel; the museum, demonstrating the medical skills of the time; and the magnificent theatre. We then continue through the lovely countryside of Arcadia to the Temple of Apollo at Bassae. The most remote ancient Greek site, it is also one of the best preserved. After our day’s sightseeing we continue to Olympia for a two-night stay at the Hotel Europa.
DAY 4 Olympia
Today is devoted to Olympia. Amongst the wild olives and plane trees lie the ruins of important temples and we visit the Doric Temple of Zeus, where the Olympic flame was kept burning between games. Nearby is the Temple of Hera, perhaps the most complete building on the site, with 30 surviving columns. We also see the Stadium, where we can still make out the 200-metre-long track and the athletes’ starting and finishing lines.
DAY 5 Itea
This morning we drive across the plain to Patras, visiting a winery en route if time permits. We make a brief stop here before boarding the ferry for the journey across the Gulf of Korinthos to Antirion. Our journey continues to Itea, making a stop for lunch in Nafpaktos, set beneath a Venetian castle. We spend two nights at the Hotel Nafsika Palace.
DAY 6 Delphi
We spend the day in Delphi, the most beautifully located of all the ancient Greek sites. We begin at the Kastelian Spring, where pilgrims had to wash to purify themselves before seeing the wisdom of the Oracle. We then see the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, or Tholos, the rotunda that is the dominant image of Delphi, and the Temple of Apollo. Dating from the 4th century BC, it is approached along Sacred Way, once lined with statues. We also pay a visit to the museum this afternoon.
DAY 7 Osio Loukas Monastery, Eleusus & Athens
We visit the remote Byzantine monastery of Osio Loukas, overlooking the slopes of Mount Helikon. Passing through Thebes, we go to Eleusus to see the Sanctuary of Demeter and her daughter Persephone. The ritual ceremonies performed here were some of the most important in the Greek world. We continue to Athens where we stay for three nights.
DAY 8 Athens
The morning is spent visiting the Acropolis, which is crowned by the spectacular Parthenon. Here we visit the Acropolis Museum, full of the treasures found on the site; and the Temple of Athena Nike. Used as a look-out by King Aegeus, it was reconstructed from its original stones in the 19th century. We also spend some time at the Parthenon, set on the highest point of the Acropolis, and the Agora, Athens’ ancient market place. The afternoon is free for you to explore.
DAY 9 Vravrona & Cape Sounion
We visit Vravrona and the Sanctuary of Artemis today before visiting the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Dating from the 5th century BC and majestically set at the end of a promontory, the dazzling white columns of the temple have been a landmark to passing ships for centuries.
DAY 10 Athens/UK
Today’s optional excursion is to the Benaki Museum, a wonderful private collection of sculptures, decorative arts, paintings and other artefacts from all periods of Greek history. From here we transfer to Athens airport for the return flight.