The Glory That Was Greece Tour
10 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Sparta, Mystras, Nafplio, Corinth, Mycenae
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 25
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on "The Glory That Was Greece Tour" and immerse yourself in the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of Greece. This cultural journey takes you to the awe-inspiring ruins of Delphi, the ancient site of Olympia, and the majestic Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. Explore the atmospheric Byzantine city of Mystras, the well-preserved sites of Roman Corinth and Acrocorinth, and the historic charm of Nafplio. Enjoy the tranquility of Hosios Loukas Monastery and marvel at the imposing ruins of Mycenae and Tiryns. With comfortable accommodations, expert lectures, and seamless transfers, this tour offers an unforgettable exploration of Greece's glorious past.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:Fly From London Heathrow To Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Likoria Hotel, Arachova
Meals Included: Dinner
Transfer to Arachova (approx. 2 hours) for a two night stay at the Likoria Hotel, Arachova. Dinner at the hotel and a brief introductory talk.
Day 2:Delphi And Byzantine Hosios Loukas
Location: Delphi
Accommodation Name: Likoria Hotel, Arachova
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our visits begin at the breath-taking ruins of Delphi, the site of the most revered oracle in the Greek world, where the views are magnificent. On the same day we experience the peace of Hosios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monasteries in Greece, dating to the 11th century. This evening there will be a short talk by Jeremy Peterson, 'Consulting the Oracle'. Rest of the evening is at leisure, an opportunity to explore the pretty town of Arachova where our hotel is located.
Day 3: Journey To Olympia
Location: Olympia
Accommodation Name: Olympion Asty Hotel, Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Delphi behind, we enjoy a spectacular drive along the Gulf of Corinth where we encounter one of Greece's most recent marvels, the Rio-Antirio Bridge, the world's second longest cable-stayed bridge, which crosses the Gulf. Reaching Patras, we will, if time, visit the Myceneane Cemetery of Voudeni situated just outside Patras. We then continue our journey to Olympia. Check-in to the Olympion Asty Hotel, Olympia for a two night stay on half board basis. Evening talk: ‘The ancient Olympic Games’.
Day 4:Full Day
Location: Olympia
Accommodation Name: Olympion Asty Hotel, Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We spend today at Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympics, set in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios River. We will visit its outstanding museum and wander in one of the most atmospheric of ancient places. Evening talk: ‘Sparta and Mystras’ and dinner at the hotel.
Day 5: On To Sparta With A Visit Enroute At The Impressive Apollo Epircurius Temple At Bassae
Location: Sparta
Accommodation Name: Menelaion Hotel, Sparta
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we journey southwards through some of the most spectacular scenery in Greece to visit the remote and lonely Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. From here we continue on to Sparta and check-in to the Hotel Menelaion for a one night stay. Evening at leisure.
Day 6: Mystras, ‘The Wonder Of The Morea’
Location: Mystras
Accommodation Name: Amalia Hotel, Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Built below its Frankish castle, the site of Mystras runs steeply down the side of the valley, with influences from the Franks, the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Now deserted, its palace, churches and monasteries, which have some of the finest surviving wall paintings, look out over the rich valley of what the Greeks called ‘Hollow Lacedaimon’. Later, if time permits, we will visit what little remains of Classical Sparta before driving north to the Amalia Hotel, Nafplio, where we will be based for the rest of our stay, on half board basis.
Day 7: Nafplio And Some Leisure Time.
Location: Nafplio
Accommodation Name: Amalia Hotel, Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We start the day with a lecture at the hotel by Jeremy Paterson 'A short history of Greece’. After the lecture a leisurely morning will be spent in the historic town of Nafplio, one of the most charming of Greek towns, yet one that testifies to the remarkable history of modern Greece. There will be a short walk through the town to see some of its highlights and the rest of the day will be free for you to enjoy the town at leisure. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Roman Corinth And Acrocorinth
Location: Corinth
Accommodation Name: Amalia Hotel, Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Roman Corinth is a sprawling site with an excellent small museum. Above it sits Acrocorinth, a towering acropolis that looms over the vast coastal plain below. Whilst here, we take the opportunity to visit the Corinth Canal, first dreamed of by the Greeks in the seventh century BC, but not completed until 1893. Evening talk by Jeremy: ‘I have gazed on the face of Agamemnon’. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9: Mycenae And Tiryns
Location: Mycenae
Accommodation Name: Amalia Hotel, Nafplio
Meals Included: Breakfast
Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century BC, and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. Both sites have excellent examples of cyclopean walls and Mycenae has one of the most impressive tholos ‘Beehive’ tombs ever found.
Day 10:
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Athens airport for return flight to London Heathrow.
What's Included
-
Return flights from London Heathrow to Athens
Return flights from London Heathrow to Athens are included.
-
Nine nights’ accommodation
Nine nights’ accommodation (seven nights' half-board and two nights bed and breakfast) - two nights at the Likoria Hotel, Arachova (1 night half-board, 1 night bed and breakfast), two nights at the Olympion Asty Hotel, Olympia, one night at the Hotel Menelaion Sparta (bed and breakfast) and four nights at the Amalia Hotel Nafplio; based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
-
Five lectures
Five lectures are included during the tour.
-
Transfers, tours and entrance fees
Transfers, tours, and entrance fees are included.
-
Lecturer, local guide and tour manager throughout
A lecturer, local guide, and tour manager will be present throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
-
Single room supplement
A single room supplement is not included.
-
Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
-
Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those stated in the itinerary are not included.
-
Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
, are not included. -
Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
Return flights from London Heathrow to Athens are included. Transfers, tours, and entrance fees are provided throughout the tour. The journey includes a transfer to Arachova, a drive along the Gulf of Corinth, and visits to various historical sites with comfortable transportation.
Accommodation
At 990 metres above sea level, the comfortable four-star Likoria Hotel is situated in the heart of the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Each spacious and tastefully decorated room has a private balcony with views over the valley of Delphi. Hotel facilities include a bar, sauna, steam room, heating/air-conditioning and wi-fi. Rooms all have a private bathroom with bath or shower, balcony, TV, mini-bar and kettle (on request on arrival at the hotel). There is a good choice of tavernas within easy reach on foot from Likoria and some great local shopping too! The Olympian Asty Hotel is built on the top of Drouvas Hill just above the town of Olympia and enjoys views of the Arcadian Mountains and the Alfios Valley. This modern hotel offers comfortable rooms with private balconies and all modern facilities. The hotel has a pool, (seasonal), bar and restaurant. Centrally located in Sparta, this comfortable hotel provides a welcome one-night stay to ensure we get the best out of our visit to the sprawling site of Mystras. Hotel facilities include wi-fi, lounge café, bar, restaurant and pool (seasonal). Bedrooms have en-suite bathroom facilities, TV, air-conditioning/heating, triple glazing and hairdryer. Dinner isn't included at this hotel, but a choice of restaurants are available within very easy walking distance. The Amalia Nafplio is a very comfortable four-star hotel which has been designed in a neoclassical style surrounded by pretty gardens, with public areas elegantly and comfortably furnished. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, café lounge bar, pool (seasonal opening) and gardens. Kettles are provided in the rooms at the Amalia Hotel.
MORE INFO
Your Lecturer
Jeremy Paterson
Jeremy taught Greek and Roman history for over forty years at Newcastle University. He has travelled widely in Greece and the Mediterranean. His enthusiasm for the ancient world was first inspired by reading Homer and then by his fascination with the archaeological discoveries at Mycenae and Knossos. He is much in demand as a speaker at home and in many of the classical countries of the Mediterranean, where he has accompanied many groups to sites and museums.
Lectures will be as follows:
Day 2:'Consulting the Oracle'
Day 3:'A short history of the Olympic Games'
Day 4:'Sparta and Mystras' A short history of Greece'
Day 7:'A short history of Greece'
Day 8:'I have gazed on the face of Agamemnon: discovering the Mycenaeans'
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
Return flights from London Heathrow to Athens are included. Transfers, tours, and entrance fees are provided throughout the tour. The journey includes a transfer to Arachova, a drive along the Gulf of Corinth, and visits to various historical sites with comfortable transportation.
-
What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes nine nights’ accommodation: two nights at the Likoria Hotel in Arachova, two nights at the Olympion Asty Hotel in Olympia, one night at the Hotel Menelaion in Sparta, and four nights at the Amalia Hotel in Nafplio. The accommodation is based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
-
Are meals included in the tour package?
Seven nights' half-board and two nights bed and breakfast are included. Dinner is provided at the Likoria Hotel in Arachova, the Olympion Asty Hotel in Olympia, and the Amalia Hotel in Nafplio. Dinner is not included at the Hotel Menelaion in Sparta, but a choice of restaurants is available within very easy walking distance.
-
Will there be any lectures during the tour?
Yes, five lectures are included during the tour. Topics include 'Consulting the Oracle', 'A short history of the Olympic Games', 'Sparta and Mystras', 'A short history of Greece', and 'I have gazed on the face of Agamemnon: discovering the Mycenaeans'.
-
Is there a tour guide or lecturer accompanying the group?
Yes, a lecturer, local guide, and tour manager will be present throughout the tour.
-
What are some of the key historical sites visited during the tour?
The tour visits several key historical sites including the ruins of Delphi, the site of Olympia, the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, the Byzantine city of Mystras, Roman Corinth and Acrocorinth, and the ruins of Mycenae and Tiryns.
-
Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package does not include a single room supplement, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated in the itinerary, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc., and porterage and gratuities.
-
What activities are planned for the free time during the tour?
During free time, you can explore the pretty town of Arachova, enjoy the town of Nafplio at leisure, and visit local tavernas and shops near the hotels.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
-
Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
-
Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Tuesday
Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 08, 2025Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
-
Terms and Conditions