Grand Tour of Greece - 10 Days
10 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Thessaloniki
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 45
Age range:
Children aged up to 12 are welcome on these tours. However please note that finding family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children is not easy - so please check with the Ground Handler before confirming the booking.
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through Greece, exploring its rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Begin in Athens, where ancient wonders like the Acropolis meet modern marvels such as the Panathenaic Stadium. Traverse the historic Peloponnese peninsula, visiting Epidaurus, Mycenae, and the iconic Corinth Canal. Discover Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and follow the Sacred Way in Delphi, once home to the revered Oracle. Marvel at the stunning rock formations and monasteries of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Immerse yourself in the Byzantine culture of Thessaloniki and delve into the legacy of Alexander the Great in Greek Macedonia. Conclude your adventure at Thermopylae, reliving the legendary Spartan stand. With guided sightseeing, comfortable accommodations, and seamless transfers, this small group tour offers an enriching cultural experience through the heart of Greece.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Athens
Location: Athens
Welcome to Greece! Transfer to your hotel upon arrival at Athens airport, where you may spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we embark on a tour of Greece's vibrant capital city, named after the goddess Athena and thought to be over 3000 years old. We visit various sites of interest including the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896), Hadrian's Arch, and Syntagma Square. Afterwards we go back in time with a guided visit of the Acropolis, the ancient hilltop sanctuary housing the architectural masterpieces of Classical Athens: the Parthenon, Propylaia, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion. This is followed by a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, recently voted one of the best museums in the world. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the old Plaka neighbourhood and maybe shopping for souvenirs on Ermou street.
Day 3 : Olympia
Location: Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Athens - Epidaurus - Mycenae - Olympia. After breakfast, we depart towards the Peloponnese, the rocky peninsula home to many of Greece's greatest archaeological sites. First we stop at the gaping Corinth Canal, a narrow waterway separating the Peloponnese and Greek mainland. We continue to Epidaurus, a hub of ancient healing with a theatre famed for its acoustics. After a short seaside stop in Nafplion, we visit Mycenae, the ancient civilization described by Homer as "rich in gold" and excavated by Heinrich Schliemann. The site includes the towering Cyclopean walls, the beehive tomb of Agamemnon, and the famous Lion's Gate. In the afternoon, we cross the mountains of the Peloponnese to arrive in Olympia for dinner.
Day 4 : Olympia
Location: Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Olympia - Delphi. Built on the banks of the River Alfios, the lush green sanctuary of Olympia once housed the original ancient Olympic Games, held every four years in honour of Zeus. Today we enjoy a tour through its remains, including the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, and Phidias's workshop. We continue onto the local museum which houses the impressive statue of Hermes of Praxitelis. In the afternoon, we head north around Patras, over the Rio-Antirio bridge, to Delphi for dinner.
Day 5 : Delphi
Location: Delphi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Delphi - Kalambaka. The sanctuary at Delphi was revered in antiquity as a center of pilgrimage, home to the Pythia (Oracle) in the Temple of Apollo. We walk along the Sacred Way - the path followed by ancient visitors through the sanctuary. We then visit the local museum, where we'll find the bronze Charioteer statue and the omphalos stone. Afterwards, we cross the mountains of central Greece back to the mainland, to arrive in Kalambaka.
Day 6 : Kalambaka
Location: Thessaloniki
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Kalambaka - Thessaloniki. This morning we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora. Incredible rock formations stand ageless on the landscape, hiding a number of Eastern Orthodox monasteries which have provided sacred retreat for monks over the centuries. We continue driving north through the plain of Thessaly and Valley of Tempi, and under Mount Olympus, home to the 12 gods of Greek mythology, before arriving in Thessaloniki, the capital of northern Greece.
Day 7 : Thessaloniki
Location: Thessaloniki
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We spend the morning exploring the city of Thessaloniki, visiting its most important landmarks and monuments to get a sense of its rich Byzantine past. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 8 : Thessaloniki
Location: Thessaloniki
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we explore the history of Greek Macedonia. First we stop at the town of Edessa, framed by several beautiful waterfalls. Our next stop is Aristotle's School, where the great philosopher educated a young Alexander the Great. We then find the royal Macedonian tombs at Vergina, where Alexander's father Philip II is buried. Our final stop will be at Veria, where we'll see the Bema of St. Paul, colourful market, and Jewish neighbourhood. We return to Thessaloniki for dinner.
Day 9 : Thessaloniki
Location: Thessaloniki
Meals Included: Breakfast
Thessaloniki - Pella - Dion - Athens. Our journey through Macedonian history continues with a visit to Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia and birthplace of Alexander. The site at Pella is known for its exquisite floor mosaics and features a new museum. We then drive to the archaeological park of Dion, an ancient Macedonian sanctuary at the foot of Mount Olympus. We return to Athens for our final night, stopping at Thermopylae, where Leonidas and 300 Spartans made a heroic last stand against the Persians in 480 BC.
Day 10 : Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today marks the end of our grand tour of Greece. A transfer to the airport for your departure flight is included after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star hotels -
9 nights 3-4 star hotels
Accommodation for 9 nights in 3-4 star hotels is included.
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9 breakfasts and 6 dinners
The tour includes 9 breakfasts and 6 dinners.
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One arrival transfer on Day 1 and one departure transfer on Day 10 included per booking
Transfers from the airport to the hotel on Day 1 and from the hotel to the airport on Day 10 are included.
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Guided sightseeing in Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki
Guided sightseeing tours in Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, and Thessaloniki are included.
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Entrance fees for all included sites
Entrance fees for all sites included in the itinerary are covered.
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Services of an English-speaking tour guide for all scheduled sightseeing
An English-speaking tour guide will be available for all scheduled sightseeing activities.
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All transfers and transportation in modern air conditioned vehicles
All transfers and transportation during the tour will be in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
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Note: Touring is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups
The tour will be conducted in conjunction with other tourist groups, and you will join travelers from other operators for sightseeing each day.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Tipping is not included and is considered a personal gesture.
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A hotel tax of €7.00 per room per night
A hotel tax of €7.
00 per room per night is not included and must be paid directly to the hotel at check-in.
Age Policy
Children are welcome on these tours. However please note family rooms are not offered - please check with the Ground Handler before confirming any family bookings.
Mode of Transport
Travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles with all transfers included, ensuring a comfortable journey as you explore Greece's iconic sites and landscapes.
Accommodation
Enjoy 9 nights in comfortable 3-4 star hotels, providing a relaxing retreat after each day's exploration of Greece's historical and cultural wonders.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 9 nights in 3-4 star hotels.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 9 breakfasts and 6 dinners.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, all transfers and transportation are provided in modern air-conditioned vehicles.
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Will there be a tour guide during the sightseeing activities?
Yes, the services of an English-speaking tour guide are included for all scheduled sightseeing.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour?
Yes, entrance fees for all included sites are covered in the tour package.
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Is there an airport transfer included in the tour?
Yes, one arrival transfer on Day 1 and one departure transfer on Day 10 are included per booking.
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Will the tour be conducted in English?
Yes, the tour will be conducted in English, although guiding may be in an additional language to English.
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Will I be traveling with other groups during the tour?
Yes, the tour is operated in conjunction with other tourist groups, and you will join travelers who booked through other operators for sightseeing each day.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Terms and Conditions