Athens Acropolis and Museum Meteora and Churches Delphi Temple of Apollo Kefalonia Island Argostoli and Winery Fiskardo and Melissani Peloponnese Olympia, Temple of Zues Mycenae and Aga Memnon Pidauruis Nafplio and Corinth Canal Santorini Fira and Oia Catamaran Sunset Home Hosted Meal[A]_483dc_lg.jpg)
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This is an overnight, 10-hour flight. Bring comfy shoes, good music, and healthy anticipation for the trip of a lifetime.
You will be met on arrival at Athens International airport by a smiling and gracious representative of Boundless Holidays who will escort you by motorcoach your hotel for check-in. Once you’ve refreshed and rested a bit, a Welcome Reception and dinner for the group at a local restaurant.
Guided bus tour around Athens and the Acropolis, which dates to the 5th Century BC and is one of the most recognizable icons in the world. The Acropolis has a fascinating history that includes interactions with the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, Egyptians, Africans (the empires of Songhai, Mali and Ghana of West Africa are said to have traded with the Greeks as well and visited The Acropolis). The tour also includes the equally famous Parthenon and the Acropolis museum. This is followed by lunch in the Plaka neighborhood near the museum. Known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods”. It features narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with tiny shops selling jewelry, clothes and local ceramics. Sidewalk cafes and family-run tavernas stay open until late. Nearby, the whitewashed homes of the Anafiotika neighborhood give the small enclave a Greek-island vibe.
This is followed by a visit to an ancient Agora (public open space) that is said to be the birthplace of Democracy. Here, take time on your own to stroll the neighborhood, visit the many shops and cafes and admire the architecture before heading back to the hotel. dinner on our own.
A visit to Meteora-Greece and the monasteries offer a unique perspective of nature’s grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture, and man’s everlasting desire to connect with the Divine. These monasteries were built into a rock formation of hill-like rounded boulder that dominate the area making it one of the largest and most precipitously built buildings in the world. The views are both breathtaking and spiritually inspiring and is still regarded as a place of absolute isolation, peace and harmony. Over twenty monasteries have been built there since the mid-14th century
After touring, we will lunch in the adjacent town of Kalabaka where more unique shops and craft stores await. Spend the rest of your day on your own either touring Kalabaka or spending more time at the monasteries or, of course, shopping. DINNER at a local taverna.
After breakfast, head to the forever famous Delphi where ancient Greek leaders, including businessman, generals and even politicians received advice and visions from an oracle whose information is said to have been inspired by breathing in the gasses from an underground volcano.
The site is also recognized by UNESCO heritage site.
After this, we will visit the Temple of Apollo where the she-serpent Drakaina was killed by the god Apollo, providing the temple with a god to devote itself to.
This will be followed by a visit to the archaeological museum of Delphi, lunch and then we will check in at the hotel to freshen up. There will also be time to stroll the area and visit some of the local shops for souvenirs or sample a local cuisine—but not too much. Don’t want to spoil our dinner together. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Today we will leave Delphi to head towards Kefalonia. On our drive to the area get to view the in southern picturise peninsula of Greece known as the Peloponnese region that’s connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmus of Corinth land bridge which separates the Gulf of Corinth from the Saronic Gulf as you will with its fabulous landscape.
On arrival to Kylini, you will take a relaxing ferry ride to get to the eco-friendly island of Kefalonia on the Ionian Sea. Kefalonia has also been suggested to be the true Homeric Ithaca, the home of Odysseus due to its landscape mirroring the epic descriptions of The Odyssey.
The island has a long history of multi-cultural rulers from the Romans to Turks, Venetians to the French, and finally a return to Greek rule.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore the nearby area of Skala, where you can taste some local delicacies and do some shopping.
Dinner will be at the hotel.
After breakfast, the day starts with a leisurely drive through the southern edge of the island to get to the town of Argostoli, capital of Kefalonia, where we will take the opportunity to learn about the history of the island and stroll in its streets. Of course, there will also be a stop for fresh drinks and ice cream along the way. There will be a chance to see the Careta-Careta or long head turtles in their natural habitat. The day’s trip continues with a drive to the 16th-century monastery of Kefalonia’s patron saint, Agios Gerasimos, now inhabited by nuns. After the visit to the chapel, we take a short drive to one of the highest points of the island’s Mount Ainos. This is followed by a trip to the famous Robola winery where we can learn about its unique method of cooperative winemaking and have a sought-after sample of their fine wines.
To end the day’s trip, there will be a different kind of culinary and life experience at Boundless Holidays’ special home-hosted lunch.
The afternoon will be relaxed with dinner at the hotel.
This the day provides a different kind of experience of Kefalonia It will be focused on the Northern parts of the island, through the highest mountain of Mount Ainos, with its peak elevation of 5350 feet. We will then drive by the Myrtos beach and the Asos peninsula.
The first stop on the day’s trip will be in Fiskardo. Here, you can visit lots of Cafes and restaurants, alongside the many local shops. Most of which sell expertly made olive oil and olive wood products. The next stop is a visit to the town and port of Sami in the northernmost part of the island, where they shot the film “Captain Corelli's Mandolin. There will also be a visit to the Melissani water cave, an underground lake where you will learn a part of the mythology surrounding nymphs.
Finally, there is a chance to see the bay of Karavamylos, where we will have a much-needed lunch at a local taverna
Return to the hotel for the evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will leave the hotel to get back mainland to picturesque Peloponnese peninsula and head towards Ancient Olympia.
The Peloponnesian valley of Olympia has been lived in for longer than recorded history. It was the central place of worship to Zeus from the 10th century B.C. The Altis, considered a sanctuary to the Olympian gods contains the highest concentration of ancient Greek artwork in the world. Olympia is also home to the ruins of the first Olympic games, held every four years from 776 B.C.
We will also have lunch at a local tavern then stroll through the Archaeological Site of Olympia which used to house the Statue of Zeus, which was once one of the great wonders of the ancient world and soak in thousands of years of culture and history exuding from every curb and corner. FREE afternoon to explore town. DINNER at a local restaurant.
Our first stop today will be Epidaurus, a small city on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. Epidaurus was known for its sanctuary situated about five miles from the town, as well as its ancient theater, which is in use today.
After Epidaurus we head to the ancient city of Mycenea, known in mythology as the city of Agamemnon where the son of King Agamemnon led the expedition against Troy during the Trojan War according to Homer in his epic poem the Iliad
After lunch Kolizaris restaurant with its speciality of roasted lamb, we drive to the seaport town of Nafplio, once the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and the Kingdom of Greece formed after the revolution against the Ottomans that led to Greece’s eventual independence in 1834. Nafplio is known for its venetian alleys, hillside castles and independent shops. After a short tour of the town, we will check into the hotel for the night.
At some point we will get to savor some of the local specialties of bogana -milk lamb with whole potatoes, cooked in a hut and usually served as the main course in weddings- and goges -handmade pasta of Argolida that is traditionally cooked during Greek Halloween.
There will also be plenty of free time to stroll off some calories along the beach in this picturesque town of castles and ancient culture. There are also many shops, bars and sidewalk taverns to sit and take it all in over a refreshing drink.
On our way to the Athens airport, we’ll pause to view the amazing Corinth Canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland.
The iconic island of Santorini is so beautiful it even presents an awesome view from the plane as you marvel at its contrasting blue waters, beautiful beaches and rugged hillsides.
The island is also known worldwide for such authentic Greek dishes as Saganaki, Keftes and Musaka, a white eggplant.
Though the film “The Cradle of Life” starring Angelina Jolie that was shot here as part of the Tomb Raider series, you can top that adventure by delving into the culture and food as you explore this unique place of beauty and romance.
We tour Santorini under the expert guidance of our team which includes the iconic blue domed churches with the white crosses and sleek bell towers that are a classic postcard shot. In Santorini, it's not only about the religious sentiment; it's about aesthetics and the development and preservation of a unique architectural pattern that makes the island stand out.
As we stroll the town of Fira, the capitol of Santorini, with its iconic white houses overlooking the sea, you’ll see the caldera cliffs opposite the volcano. Modern day Fira is the cultural and commercial center of Santorini and also boasts mesmerizing sunsets over startlingly bule waters and magnificent beaches.
We will also lunch at a local tavern. FREE evening and dinner on your own.
Morning at leisure
The evening consists of a sunset dinner cruise around the famous beaches and caldera of Santorini on a Catamaran. You will also have an opportunity to swim, snorkel and/or rest on the beach or visit the volcanic mineral springs known for its therapeutic qualities and enjoy a sunset Dine and Wine.
After breakfast, drive to Santorini airport to Fly to Athens where you will spend the night and have a chance for a last-minute shopping in Athens
Evening everyone will get back together for a Greek cuisine dinner and local drinks to say goodbye to Greece with all the good memories of this trip.
Fly back bounding home.
You need to have your passport and good mood
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