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Greek Explorer | | 2024
Tour Description:
THE important sites from the ancient classical world. Natural wonders that give you shivers even when it’s warm. Starting in the current capital, working our way to the first modern capital, Nafplio, via Olympia, Kalambaka, Corfu and oh so many more in 11 sun-soaked days. Acropolises, oracles, stadiums, gorges. Some of the best scenery you’ve ever witnessed – plus an actual castle in the sky. From the classical to the ob-skewer. This. Is. Greece.
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Dates & Pricing
| Sunday 19 May 24 — Wednesday 29 May 24 | Starting at $3,251 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Aug 24 — Wednesday 21 Aug 24 | Starting at $3,880 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
10 Breakfast (B)
3 Dinner (D)
Included Experience
Athens: A locally guided tour of Athens, including entry to the legendary Acropolis.
Delphi: One of Greece’s most important (and simply stunning) historical sites, with a guide on hand to answer all our questions.
Temple of Apollo In Delphi: Apollo may be the God of music and harmony, but it’s you who’ll be singing his praises after this temple tour.
Meteora: Dating as far back as the 14th century, these monasteries are mesmerising from the inside as well as out.
Zagori: There's no better place to check out the traditional villages in Greece than the Zagori region. And that's what you'll get to do today! Imposing hills, and beautiful forests, studded with little houses - there are 46 such villages for you to explore.
Zagori: Today we’ll visit Ioannina and see the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon.
Corfu: Grab a book. Hit the waves. Sip a drink. Soak the sunshine. Whatever you choose to do, you're guaranteed to have a good time chilling on one of Corfu's incredible beaches.
Archaeological Site of Olympia: This is your chance to see the official birthplace of the Olympic Games IRL. With a local guide on hand to impart all their wisdom, we'll check out the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Hera and Zeus, plus much more.
Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Stroll around the ancient city of Mycenae with an expert. Hear the myths and legends and see the Palace of Agamemnon.
Corinth Canal: The world’s deepest canal is an epic sight. It was carved through the rock, as a link between the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
Make Travel Matter®
: Take some time to visit a long held family run Beekeeping business in Delphi and learn all about the benefits that bees bring to the environment. View the bees and discover how honey is produced in this tradition that dates all the way back from Ancient Greece.
10 Breakfast (B)
3 Dinner (D)
Included Experience
Athens: A locally guided tour of Athens, including entry to the legendary Acropolis.
Delphi: One of Greece’s most important (and simply stunning) historical sites, with a guide on hand to answer all our questions.
Temple of Apollo In Delphi: Apollo may be the God of music and harmony, but it’s you who’ll be singing his praises after this temple tour.
Meteora: Dating as far back as the 14th century, these monasteries are mesmerising from the inside as well as out.
Zagori: There's no better place to check out the traditional villages in Greece than the Zagori region. And that's what you'll get to do today! Imposing hills, and beautiful forests, studded with little houses - there are 46 such villages for you to explore.
Zagori: Today we’ll visit Ioannina and see the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon.
Corfu: Grab a book. Hit the waves. Sip a drink. Soak the sunshine. Whatever you choose to do, you're guaranteed to have a good time chilling on one of Corfu's incredible beaches.
Archaeological Site of Olympia: This is your chance to see the official birthplace of the Olympic Games IRL. With a local guide on hand to impart all their wisdom, we'll check out the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Hera and Zeus, plus much more.
Archaeological Site of Mycenae: Stroll around the ancient city of Mycenae with an expert. Hear the myths and legends and see the Palace of Agamemnon.
Corinth Canal: The world’s deepest canal is an epic sight. It was carved through the rock, as a link between the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
Make Travel Matter®
: Take some time to visit a long held family run Beekeeping business in Delphi and learn all about the benefits that bees bring to the environment. View the bees and discover how honey is produced in this tradition that dates all the way back from Ancient Greece.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYStart Athens
We’ll start out in Athens (where else?) Say hey to your Trip Manager and get to know your Contiki crew who’ll be your fav people in the world in 11 days’ time (trust us.) Our first activity is an Athens orientation walk, where we’ll explore the Plaka neighbourhood – famed for its cobbled streets, ancient monuments and saucy ceramics.
Athens
Welcome to your first full day. To celebrate, we’ll up our sightseeing game, complete with a local guide to answer all your burning questions about ancient Greece. The jewel in today’s crown is the legendary Acropolis of Athens. With a free day to look forward to after our guided tour, you’ll have plenty of time to absorb its magic, and check out the nearby museum (which we highly recommend.) Peckish? Athens is renowned for its grilled meats and veggies, so do make sure you give them a try.
Athens to Galaxidi via Delphi
Rise and shine, Greek explorers! We’ll start with breakfast and then hit the road.
Bucket lists at the ready, folks. We’re going to be doing some hardcore ticking on our stop-off at Delphi. You’ll see the site of Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi – once the intellectual and spiritual centre of the ancient classical world, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Make sure you save some excitement for the Temple of Apollo, which dates back to the 4th century B.C. After marvelling at the ancient stadium, we’ll enjoy a local lunch and then continue on our journey to Galaxidi… light on our feet but with hearts throbbing from newfound historical lore.
After views of Venetian fortresses on our journey, we’ll touch down in the magical Galaxidi. Once you get settled at tonight’s accom, we recommend a stroll down to the harbourside and sampling the local fish.
Galaxidi to Kalambaka via Meteora
This morning we’ll eat breakfast and then set off for one VERY picturesque drive to Meteora.
Meet Meteora, one of Greece’s truly breathtaking sites, where natural and man-made beauty come together like flowers in a vase. Mystical monasteries perched on enormous sandstone rocks. Seriously. You’ll think you’ve walked into a scene from Lord of the Rings.
Tonight will probably be reserved for pics, pics and more pics.
Kalambaka to Zagori
Today we’re off to the mountains as we continue fattening up our insta feeds.
Zagori averages about 4 inhabitants per square kilo – so basically it’s tranquil AF and you’ll experience some serious zen here. This afternoon, you’re free to hike the riverbanks and continue taking in this area’s natural beauty at your own pace.
Zagori
Home to stone villages, epic caves and traditional monasteries. There's plenty in Zagori to keep you wide-eyed with wonder... especially Vikos Canyon, which might be one of the best views on planet Earth. Good thing you've got all day to explore however you like, right?
Zagori to Corfu
Zo long, Zagori. It’s been delightful… truly.
En-route to Corfu, we’ll stop off at Ioannina to admire Lake Pamvotis and learn all about the fascinating history surrounding the Agios Panteleimon monastery. (His Dark Materials fans, this is your moment…)
Ferry good. We’ll travel on the water to Corfu, where you'll have a free evening to relax and wander to your heart’s content.
Corfu
Today you're free to soak up this sun-kissed island however you like. Whether you're going all out for the historic fortresses and palaces, or you're just kicking back by the beach, it's completely your call.
Corfu to Olympia
We’ll take a ‘marathon’ journey to a destination that’s worthy of at least a silver medal. (Wink wink nudge nudge.) Yup, today we’re off to Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Olympia to Nafplion
Relax. Today, we’re doing ’em all. The temple of Zeus, once home to one of the 7 wonders of the world. The gymnasium where the athletes trained. The Nymphaeum. The Stadium. We’ll also visit the nearby museum, whose standout works include the Hermes statue and the Nike of Victory. (Nope, not deliveries and nope, not the sports brand – but you’ll soon see how both brands got their name.)
Set off to Nafplion, the first capital city of modern Greece. The city itself is a pleasure to walk around with great views to the waterfront and some lovely neoclassical buildings which manage to maintain the grand feel of this city. Nafplion is one of the most beautiful and historical towns of Greece.
Nafplion to Athens
Expect great waterfront views and regal neoclassical buildings that will inspire pure awe. The atmosphere here is larger than life and grander-than-grand, but somehow still super relaxed at the same time. Gosh, how do we do it? Between Napfilion and Athens, we'll be stopping off at the famous Mycenae site for a guided tour.
With a mind full of memz and a belly full of breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Nafplio and head back to Athens – where you’re free to do whatever you like. Next adventure, anyone?
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
