1nd DAY: SUNDAY  ATHENS / MARATHON /  ANDROS

Arrival at the Athens Airport “Elethierios Venizelos”. Meet with our Assistant and transfer to a traditional local tavern in Marathon area for lunch .The ferry from Andros island is departing at 18:30 hrs, so there is time for tasting the Greek cuisine and see the beautiful area of Marathon. Few words for the area :      

“ The word Marathon is linked from the word Marathou. Marathou is actually a plant that grows in the north-eastern part of Greece. The plant was and still is today used for making Greek oils & spices. A large portion of Marathou grows in the town named Marathonas.

The town of Marathonas is located on a plain about 20 miles northeast of Athens Greece, where the first battle for freedom and democracy was fought and won by outnumbered brave Athenians in 490 BC.   The defeat at Marathonas forced Darius the Great, the Persian Emperor, to abandon his invasion of Greece.   This battle was the first in which the Greeks defeated the Persians on land.

 

According to legend, Pheidippides ran from the battlefield of Marathonas to Athens in order to inform the citizens of victory.
After crying "Rejoice!   We Conquer!"  he collapsed and died from exhaustion.  To honour and remember him, the Greeks included a long distance race in their games that covered the same distance of Pheidippides' run from the town of Marathonas into the city of Athens and on into Panathenaic Stadium where he died.   This distance was about 42km ( 26.2 )  miles.  The name of this race, as you might guess, was called the Marathon.  The Marathon was included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.  In 1924, the distance of the Marathon Race was standardized as 26 miles, 385 yards. Since the year of 1972, the great Athens Open International Marathon  has been held in late October to commemorate the run of Pheidippides.”

 

After lunch you can stroll around to see the area till 16:30 hrs and transfer to the Port of Rafina to take the ferry to Andros. Distance of Trip about 2 hours . Approximately arrival in Andros at 20:30 hrs.  Meet with our Assistant at the Port of Gavrion and Transfer to your hotel. 

 

Few words for Andros  island :“ The island has an area of 374 square kilometers, maximum length 39,8 kilometers, maximum width 16,7 kilometers, coastline length 177 kilometers and population, from 1981 census, 9020 inhabitants, It is second in size ( after Naxos) Cycladic island and its Port, Gavrio< is 2 hours away from the Port of Rafina in Attica.  The coastline is generally rocky and it has several protected bays: Mikrogiali, Vitali, Kastro, Melissa, Korthi, Ai-Gianni in Kremydes, Gavrio, Batsi, Chalkolimnionas, Plaka…..  The Land in Andros is covered with consecutive mountain ranges with steep slopes and in between gorges and ravines and valleys full with olive trees, fig trees, orange and lemon trees, vineyards and plenty of running waters that usually end in soft sandy beaches.  In the north part of the island Arni region has thick vegetation and plenty  of water.

The island has many torrents and plenty of spring waters gush out, since the geology of the ground favors the containment of rain and snow water. Many of the spring-waters are rich in minerals and have curative properties ( Sariza, Arni spring, Alasa etc )”

 

Arrival at your hotel “ Aneroussa” 800mtrs from the center of Batsi, on the beach. Check in and after a short time to settle down pick up from the hotel and transfer to a local traditional tavern for dinner.

 

Return to your hotel late evening for overnight.

 

2nd DAY : MONDAY  ANDROS

After breakfast departure at the indicated time to realize the Half day city tour of the island.  Drive on to Menites area where you can see the springs and then drive on to the capital of the island named “Hora”. Free time for walking around about 1 hour . Continuing the tour to Apikia where you can walk again, for about 15 minutes to admire the green beauty of nature and the water falls.

The tour will terminate at a traditional tavern on the beach of Gilia for lunch. Return to your hotel and time for siesta.

Late afternoon optional dinner out of the hotel at a traditional restaurant.

Overnight.

 

3rd DAY: TUESDAY ANDROS / ATHENS

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer at the indicated time to the Port of Gavrion . Embarkation at about

11:00 hrs and trip to Athens.  Arrival at the Rafina Port at about 13.00 hrs. Meet with out assistant and transfer to Athens, the famous capital of Greece.  Athens is the oldest inhabited city in the world. The cradle of democracy and Western civilization as we know it today began as a small fortified village built on top of the Acropolis tock as far back as 3.000 years B.C.

            

Lunch at a local restaurant in Rafina port and transfer to the Acropolis early afternoon for a walking tour.  The most memorable part of a visit to Athens will be the ascent to the Acropolis.

The magnificent Parthenon, built on top of the hill in the 5th century BC is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of all times. The temple is dedicated to Athena, the goddess who gave her name to the city. During the tour you will have the opportunity to see also the Erechtheion, the museum of Acropolis, the Temple of  Athena Nike. The Tour will end the latest at about 17:30 hrs and transfer to your central located hotel for check in and having a rest.

 

At the evening optional Tour “Athens by night” including dinner at traditional Greek tavern with floor show. Music and entertainment have always been of significant importance to Greece and often the soft whistling of a “syrtaki” or “hasapikos” tune can be heard around the streets of Athens. This evening is dedicated to joy, dancing and entertainment. You will have diner at one of the most picturesque taverns in Plaka, with folklore dances, bouzouki music and Greek specialties.

Athens is full of surprises……..

Return to your hotel late evening for overnight.

 

4th DAY WEDNESDAY  ATHENS

After breakfast pick up from your hotel at the indicated time for a full day Tour of Athens. You will have the opportunity to visit the Athens national Archaeological Museum which remained closed for about 1 year due to renovation works.

It is the most important archaeological museum in Greece and one of the richest in the world concerning ancient Greek Art. Its collections are representative of all the cultures that flourished in Greece.

Continuing the tour with panoramic tour of Kolonaki square the rich snob section of Athens. The neighborhood is full of expensive shops, fancy restaurants and fancy people.

 

Driving up to the hill, will reach the famous Lycabettus Hill from which you can get superb views of the city.  Lycabettus  Hill is really a limestone rock reaching almost 1.000 feet into the  Athenian sky. It’s a green and white hill topped by a tiny, flaringly white church, Agios Georgios. You don’t have to climb up to the hill. You will take the 2 minutes funicular.

The tour will continue with lunch at a Greek restaurant in Mikrolimanon the small picturesque port in Piraeus with fish menu.

 

After lunch continue driving to Sounion. You will have the opportunity to see the Apollo coast starting from Piraeus to the southern area of the Attica Peninsula at Cape Sounion. The scenic drive along the coast reveals a constantly-changing landscape. Driving along the coastline, one can pass from the seaside towns of Faliron, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza.  The winding coastal raod, which passes endless coves of aqua blue sea finally stops at the awe-inspiring Temple of Posseidon at Cape Sounion. Built in the 5th century BC, the temple was dedicated to the God of Sea “Poseidon”. Cape Sounion is renowned for its romantic sunsets and the magnificent view of the Aegean Sea.

Return to the hotel late afternoon. Evening at leisure. Overnight.

 

5th DAY  THURSDAY ATHENS / SPARTA

Early breakfast, check out and departure at about 08:30 hrs for the 6 days Tour in the mainland. Leave for the Peloponese, crossing  the Corinth Canal , short stop to see the canal or take photos and continuing to Epidaurus, renowned as a therapeutic and religious center, with its magnificent theatre.  En-route  stop in Nafplion, the ancient citadel of Greece in 1820. The city is an attractive place with fine houses, winding streets and a superb location on the Argolis Gulf. Short stop for photographs and continue driving to reach Mycenae, the stronghold of some of ancient Greece’s most notorious figures. The famous golden “ Mask of Agamemnon” was discovered here and it’s now in Athens National Archaeological museum. At Mycenae you will also visit the strange underground “Beehive” tombs of the kingdom’s ancient royalty. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Mycenae. After lunch driving over the Arcadia mountains to Sparta and overnight.

 

6th Day  FRIDAY   SPARTA

Breakfast and morning visit the impressive ruins of the medieval Frankish capital of Mystars, set on a hillside amongst olive groves, including Byzantine churches and the ruined Despot’s Palace before visiting the small Acropolis and theatre in nearby Sparta.  As you approach Mystras, you feel as though you are a pilgrimage to Byzantine Greece.  Going up the hill, you enter through the castle gate, which welcome you to wander for a while, delighted through the narrow lanes for this once invincible fortress, built by the Francs in 1249 AD.

Lunch in Greek traditional restaurant in Mystras.

Return to Sparta in the afternoon for overnight.

 

7th Day   SATURDAY  SPARTA / PYLOS /OLYMPIA

In the morning visit the bay of Navarino (formally Pylos ). The site compares in size and richness with the palace of Mycenae and is believed to be the home of Nestor, the second most powerful Mycenaean King. See the ruined citadel of Agamemnon’s ally in the Trojan War before driving to Methone and see the Venetian castle that commanded this farthest outpost in the Morea.

Lunch at a traditional Greek restaurant in Pylos, close to the beach. After lunch continue driving to Olympia for a two nights stay.

Check in at the hotel and overnight.

 

8th DAY SATURDAY  OLYMPIA

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a morning visit to the extensive  ruins of  Olympia.

Olympia is the birth place of the Olympic games which ran from 776 BC to AD 393) and still serves as the inspiration for the modern Olympic games which began in 1896. “Well done, glorious victor” shouted the crowd in praise of the winner. The victor’s prize was a crown made of from a wild olive branch, which was always cut from the same tree, the “ Kallistefano”.

The eternal flame of Altis, which dominates the ruined site, is the source of the flaming torch carried to the current games. Major structured include the Temple of Zeus (6th century BC), the Temple of Apollo, Nero’s Villa, the Altis Sanctuary and a museum ( superb sculpture displays ). Lunch at a traditional Greek restaurant in the near by area. Return to the hotel early afternoon and time at leisure.

 

We suggest a visit and why not afternoon swimming (weather permitting of course) at the picturesque village of Zaharo only 15 minutes drive from Olympia. Zaharo it’s a village enveloped in pines and olive trees bordered by an enormous stretch of beach with white sand and sparkling water.

Zaharo's beach is awarded every year by the Greek Tourist Organization as one of the most beautiful and clean beaches of Greece.

 

9th Day  MONDAY OLYMPIA /  DELPHI / ITEA

Breakfast at the hotel, check out and departure for the well known area of  Delphi, passing from the town of Patras ( the capital of the Peloponese ) to take the ferry from Rio to Antirion. Duration of trip about 4 hours  drive.

 

Arrival in Delphi. Visit of the breathtaking site of  Delphi, small village situated on the  slopes of mountain Parnassos.  Parnassos is a well known ski center during winter time. In the ancient years Delphi was the site of the most important pan-Hellenic oracles of the Greek Pythia Apollo.  Visit the site starting from the Sacred Way flanked on either site by treasuries, monuments and ex-votos commemorating great events, up to the large Doric temple of Apollo, dominating the whole landscape, the theatre and the  Stadium.Also visit the Castallian Spring and the fully renovated museum, housing the unique statue of Charioteer. Since the things you have to see in Delphi are a lot you will have a break for lunch at a nice traditional restaurant in the area and continue the visit after lunch.

 

The guidance will finish approximately early afternoon and driving to the village of  Itea,  picturesque sea side village 5 minutes drive from Delphi. Check in at the hotel in Itea and afternoon at leisure for rest after your full day program or strolling around the village or visit the village of Arachova, situated beside Delphi.  Arachova it’s  picturesque traditional  village full of café and taverns famous for it’s handmade carpet and the well known cheese “ formaela”.

Overnight at the hotel in Itea.

 

10th DAY TUESDAY  ITEA

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to visit an olive factory in a village close to Itea . Clients will have the opportunity to learn about the manufacturing process of the oil.  The factory will not be in operation since the period of the collection of the olives is taking place during winter time but there will be the owner of the factory and he will explain to the clients the whole process.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant in Itea and return to the hotel for siesta. Afternoon at leisure .

Overnight at the hotel in Itea.

 

11th DAY WEDNESDAY ITEA / ATHENS / POROS

After breakfast check out from your hotel and starting the driving return to Athens passing from the famous monastery of  Ossios Loukas or Saint Luke.  Saint Luke was born in 896 AD and he is known today as Blessed Luke. He was noted for his healing special powers from an early age. The monstery is surrounded by olive groves. There are still a few monks, who live at Ossios  Loukas today in order to watch over the tomb of St Luke and take care of the buildings. After visiting the monastery lunch at local restaurant in nearby area and return to Athens. Overnight at the Athens hotel.

 

12th

Breakfast and check out from the hotel at the indicted time for transfer to the Airport to take the flight back home.