Overview
Classical Greece
What will you need to pack for this enlightening tour of Classical Greece? A sun hat, your thinking cap, and your competitive spirit for starters. Thought-provoking scenery and stories await in the land of powerful Sun Gods, ancient philosophers, and legendary Olympians. From the world-famous Acropolis in Athens to the sacred Temples of Olympia, and the mountainside excavations of Delphi to the monastery-topped rock formations of Meteora, you’ll walk in the footsteps of Greece’s most renowned and mystical figures—and dance in them, too. A glass of traditional ouzo will loosen your joints to learn the lively steps of the sirtaki, made famous in the classic movie Zorba the Greek. A toe-tapping, hands-on adventure, you’ll also learn the secrets of Mediterranean cuisine and how to make traditional tzatziki cucumber dip. Don’t forget to bring your appetite, too!
Highlights of Classical Greece
Related Tours
RG|Classical GreeceRGK|With Iconic Aegean 3-Night CruiseRGH|With Iconic Aegean 4-Night CruiseRGL|With Idyllic Aegean 7-Night CruiseRGM|With Island Hopper
Private Touring
6 guests in a party: $1,039*18 guests in a party: $240*
Related Option Title
Classical Greece
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus Europe escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized European tour—without the crowds.
Product Group
Classical Greece
UNESCO Sites
Acropolis Athens|Archeological site of Mycenae|Meteora|Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
Inclusions
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
Meals
Welcome drink in Athens; full buffet breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE Welcome to Athens! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2
ATHENS Marvels & Myths ATHENS Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Acropolis and a stop at the Panathenaic Stadium. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS Explore the heart of Ancient Greece, in the historic empire where 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, never fail to amaze! See the Panathenaic Stadium, one of the venues of the first modern Olympic Games.
Day 3
ATHENS–CORINTH–MYCENAE–EPIDAURUS–NAUPLIA Greek History & Heroes CORINTH Cross the canal and visit ancient Corinth.MYCENAE Free time for lunch. Guided visit of the excavations and museum.EPIDAURUS Guided visit to the 2,300-year-old open-air auditorium before continuing to Nauplia. (B,D) 132 mi / 212 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM The outdoor auditorium of Epidaurus combines perfect mathematic proportion with excellent acoustics. This fascinating archaeological treasure was used for the healing of patients from all over Greece and was dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing.
Day 4
NAUPLIA–OLYMPIA Ruins & Recipes Take a scenic drive through the Arkadian Mountains.OLYMPIA Join a guided visit to the archaeological site and the museum. [LF] Attend a cooking demonstration this evening to learn how to make traditional Greek tzatziki. (B,D) 112 mi / 181 kmLOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Dip into the delicious tradition of Greek tzatziki – a mix of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs such as dill, mint, parsley, and thyme. Learn how to make this quintessential recipe loved the world over.
Day 5
OLYMPIA–PATRAS–DELPHI Digs & Dances Drive by the busy seaport of Patras.DELPHI Join a guided visit to the excavations and Archaeological Museum. This evening, [LF] learn how to dance the sirtaki while sipping a glass of ouzo. (B,D)149 mi / 239 kmLOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Dance in the steps of Zorba the Greek to learn the sirtaki. This passionate and dramatic dance goes very well with a glass of ouzo, the anice-infused drink the locals are so fond of.
Day 6
DELPHI–METEORA AREA Monasteries in Magical Greece Drive past Lamia and Trikala en route to Kalambaka.METEORA Guided visit of the Varlaam and St. Stephen’s Monasteries. (B,D) 155 mi / 249 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT SACRED SITES Perched atop soaring huge cliffs are the monasteries of Meteora, of which six are still active. Visit the beautiful monasteries of Varlaam and St. Stephen’s to marvel at this serenely mystical landscape with breathtaking views from above. Long revered for the perfect monastic retreat from the world outside, Meteora’s spectacular array of massive sandstone cliffs create a surreal setting unlike any other.
Day 7
METEORA AREA–THERMOPYLAE–ATHENS Grecian Battles & Beauty THERMOPYLAE Stop at the battle site.ATHENS Free time late afternoon and evening. (B) 236 mi / 380 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES The story of the Battle of Thermopylae is hard to beat for drama. You may recognize this tale of the heroic, yet doomed Spartans of 480 BC fighting against the Persian army, which is dramatized in the film “300.” Their brave battle endures as a valiant symbol of bravery and sacrifice for a patriotic cause.
Day 8
ATHENS Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Zafolia | Attractive 7-story Hotel situated near museums, 1 km from Larisis train station & 35 km from El. Venizelos Airport. | Athens | 87-89 Alexandras Avenue | First-Class |
| 2 | Stanley Hotel | Located in Athens city center and just few steps away from Metaxourgeio Metro Station, this hotel offers 380 air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, and a balcony. The hotel features a roof garden with a nice pool area, an open-air lounge bar and a restaurant, from where guests can also enjoy lovely views of the Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus and the Saronic Gulf. Among its amenities you can also find a well-equipped fitness center and a sauna. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout. | Athens | 1 Odysseos St, at Karaiskaki Square | Superior First-Class |
| 3 | Amalia Nauplia | Neoclassical-style Hotel situated on tree-lined grounds with landscaped courtyards, 1 mile from city center. | Nauplia | National Road Argos | First-Class |
| 4 | Amalia Olympia | This 147 room hotel is set in a beautiful Mediterranean landscape filled with olive trees. The spacious white marbled lobby affords endless views of the surrounding green scenery along with the open air terrace of the lounge café. Amenities include a restaurant, large outdoor seasonal swimming pool, spacious lounges and a lobby bar with fireplace. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property. | Olympia | Pyrgou-Olympias Main Rd | First-Class |
| 5 | Europa | Hotels Europa is built on the top of Drouvas Hill in Ancient Olympia (UNESCO World Heritage Site), at the foot of which is sited the Sacred Alti with brilliant monuments and the stadium of the Ancient Olympic Games. | Olympia | Archaia Olympia - Drouva | First-Class |
| 6 | Amalia Delphi | At the foot of Mount Parnassus overlooking olive groves and the Ionian Sea, and just minutes away from the archaeological site and museum, the temple of Apollo, and Castalia spring. The modern guest rooms are air-conditioned and have Wi-Fi and minifridges. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and an inviting lounge bar with a fireplace, where guests can relax and take in the breath taking Delphian scenery. | Delphi | 1 Apollonos Street | First-Class |
| 7 | Amalia Kalambaka | Amalia Hotel is a beautiful setting just minutes away from the town of Kalambaka. The hotel is embedded on 14 acres of greenery and has been built with traditional materials to match its surroundings. | Kalambaka | National Road | First-Class |
