The Heart of Ancient Greece

Morning flight from London (regional connections available) to Athens with Aegean Air. Transfer to the Electra Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. Welcome drink. (N)

Morning tour of Athens, including Syntagma Square, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium. Finish at the Acropolis to view the Parthenon and visit the museum. Leave Athens and visit the Corinth Canal. Continue to Nafplion, with a stop at a local winery for a tasting. Stay at the Hotel Amalia (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)

Drive to Mycenae, the seat of King Agamemnon, who led the Greek armies against Troy. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. After lunch, depart for Nafplion a picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff. Continue to Epidaurus to visit the fourth-century theatre. Return to Nafplion. (B)

Travel to Monemvasia, a medieval fortresstown. Take a walking tour including the castle, perimeter walls, old mansions and churches, connected by narrow cobbled lanes. Time at leisure before dinner in the castle. Stay at Kinsterna Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. (B, D)

This morning travel to Sparta, the land of King Leonidas and the legendary Spartan soldiers. Continue to Mystras and visit the remains of the castle and old town. Visit the olive oil museum and learn about the history and culture of the olive and its production in Greece. Stay at the Filoxenia Hotel (or similar) in Kalamata for 1 night. (B, D)

Depart for Olympia, visiting an olive oil farm en route. Stay overnight in Olympia at the Europa Hotel (or similar). (B)

Visit the archaeological site of Olympia including the museum, stadium and Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Continue to Delphi. Stay 2 nights at the Amalia Hotel (or similar). (B)

A full day to enjoy the archaeological site and museum at Delphi, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. Visit the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo and the museum containing masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture. (B)

Travel to Kalambaka and visit the Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum. Take part in a demonstration of truffle hunting with dogs, followed by a snack of mushroom and truffle pasta. Stay at the Divani Meteora Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, L, D)

Full-day visit to the remarkable Meteora monasteries, built high on rocky outcrops. (B, D)

Depart from Kalambaka and transfer to the Archaeological Park of Dion, a sacred city of the Macedonians at the foot of Mount Olympus. The route back to Athens is quite long, but passes through the striking plain of Thessaly and the valley of Tempi. Dinner at a local restaurant in Athens’ ancient Plaka district. Stay at the Electra Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. (B, D)

Transfer to Athens airport and fly to London. (B)