Grand Tour of Greece Escorted Vacation

Depart from Athens this morning and drive past the Corinth Canal. Visit the ancient theater in Epidaurus, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. After a short stop in Nafplion, drive through the plain of Argos and arrive in Mycenae. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon, depart for Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games. On the way you will pass the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Spend the night in Olympia. (D)

In the morning, visit the sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus, the stadium, and the archaeological museum. Then drive to Rion and cross the Corinthian Bay on the new, "state of art" suspended bridge, considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe, to Antirion. Continue along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. You will spend the night in Delphi. (B,D)

Enjoy a morning visit of the spectacular Delphi archaeological site and its museum. Continue via Central Greece to Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic rocks and crowned by the Meteora Monasteries. You will spend the night in Kalambaka. (B,D)

In the morning visit the Meteora Monastaries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures and standing suspended between earth and sky, on top of granite rocks. In the afternoon, drive through the striking Plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi. Admire Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrive in Thessaloniki early in the evening. (B,D)

In the morning, visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the "co-reigning" city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. See unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world. Visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe's Museum Prize for the year 2005. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore this lively city further on your own. (B,D)

This morning, explore historical Macedonia. Your first stop will be the picturesque town of Edessa where you will see the town's famous waterfalls. Proceed to Naoussa, a site of exceptional beauty and importance where the great philosopher Aristotle taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics' to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Continue to Vergina for a visit to the unique local museum and see the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father. A few miles away is Veria where you will visit Saint Paul's Bema and you will stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colorful local market. Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas. Visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of Mount Olympos). In the afternoon, continue through Thessaly via Lamia to Thermopylae for a short visit of Leonidas' Monument. Arrive in Athens in the early evening. (B)