Athens – Thessaloniki, with a day in Delphi and Meteora [8days]

After your breakfast we will start the tour around the sites of Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides will take you to see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister’s residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally “the harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. The evening is free. We recommend to take a tour to enjoy the beautiful sunset in Cape Sounion. Overnight in Athens

Today we have free time to enjoy the beauties of Athens. You can revisit some of the sites that interest you, or just stroll in the picturesque paved streets in Plaka. On the other hand if you wish to take another guided tour we can assist you with a variety of options or since you have the car you can take a short nearby tour like to the coastal area of Athens or in Loutraki or even to the beautiful city of Chalkida. Overnight in Athens

After your breakfast in the hotel start your drive north towards the mystic Delphi. Optional stop in Livadia and the picturesque village of Arachova, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, arrive in Delphi and visit the Archaeological Site and Museum. Overnight in Delphi.

Breakfast at the hotel. After that continue for the city of Kalabaka. Visit Meteora and enjoy a unique and most impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries, containing priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Overnight in Kalambaka.

After your breakfast continue again north to your final destination Thessaloniki. On the way stop to Dion the sacred city of the Madedonians and Mythical mount Olympus. Arrival in Thessaloniki in the afternoon. Check in and free time to get to know the byzantine city. Overnight in Thessaloniki

After your breakfast we will start the tour around the sites of Thessaloniki. A city of great historic importance and a crossroad of so many civilizations and cultures. Begin the tour with a panoramic drive around the White Tower, the main landmarks of the city, the Galerius Arch, the Rotunda monument, the Old Town (Ano Poli) and the City Walls, from where you will have a marvelous view of Thessaloniki. Your professional expert guide will provide you with all the information about Thessaloniki’s history old and new as you look at these stately buildings. During the tour, there will be a short stop at Agios Demetrius Byzantine church which is the most important church of Thessaloniki for religious, historical and artistic reasons. The most famous and interesting part of the church, is the underground ancient “Crypt”. The crypt was re-discovered after the fire of 1917 and was finally restored as an exhibition/museum in 1988. According to the Christian Tradition, the saint was imprisoned here and died in 303 A.D. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Archaeological Museum which it holds and interprets artifacts from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods, mostly from the city of Thessaloniki but also from the region of Macedonia in general. The evening is free. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Athens. Arrive at the airport were the car company will pick up your car. Continue for the check in counters to take your flight back home.