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Explore Greece's world-famous classical sites - Athens, the Peloponnese and Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.
START / FINISH - Athens
Activity code: GRFDCL03
Duration: 8 Days/7 nights
Our Classic Roads of Greece self-drive holiday is full of mainland Greece's "best bits", its most famous ancient sites. The itinerary includes iconic places such as Delphi, Olympia and Mycenae combined with simply stunning scenery in between locations as you journey across the Peloponnese, along the rugged coastlines and up into the mountains en route to Delphi.
As many of the places on this itinerary are relatively close to Athens it makes sense to start your journey there, heading to the sites of the Peloponnese and then travelling back via the world-famous site of Delphi by driving over the stunning Rion-Antirion bridge. You may wish to extend the duration of your trip with a visit of the unique monasteries at Meteora prior to your return to the capital.
This is our recommended route and our most popular, it is a tried and trusted itinerary allowing you plenty of time to enjoy the countryside as you travel. If you are looking for any modifications then we will also be very happy to discuss a completely tailor made itinerary.
All we need to know would be approximate dates of travel, what standard of hotel you would prefer, and if there are any particular areas or classical sites which you would like us to include (or to exclude!) in your itinerary. Your fly drive can be as active or leisurely as you please. Staying one night at each stop allows the maximum amount of sightseeing; two or more nights will allow you to do side trips, whilst staying in one place will give you the opportunity to relax and explore the local area.
If you would like to visit these wonderful places but don't wish to drive then we have a choice of guided tours or we can offer you a private driver for the itinerary you have chosen.
Why not extend your stay in Greece with a relaxing few days on one of the islands or on the mainland. Please ask us for further details or suggestions!
Not included: Overnight Stay Tax of 0.50 to 4 Euros per room or apartment per night, which is payable locally - the amount varies according to the category of the accommodation (i.e. most self catering and 1-2 star hotels = 0.50 Euros, 5 star hotels = 4 Euros).
Itinerary
Collect your rental car and drive to your hotel in Athens. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city.
* if you don't fancy driving from the airport we could arrange a private transfer and have the car delivered to your hotel on the morning of Day 3.
Enjoy your day at leisure in Athens, a vibrant city with a wealth of history and many places to tick off your sightseeing list: Constitution Square, the Houses of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Evzones in their unusual costumes, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.
If preferred, we can arrange a half day guided tour of the city (group or private).
In the evening why not stroll around Plaka, the old part of the city, and enjoy a meal at one of its traditional restaurants.
Leave the city by the coastal road, which hugs the Saronic Gulf, to the Corinth Canal which connects the Ionian and Aegean seas.
Continue on to Mycenae, one of the great cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which played a vital role in classical Greek culture. Here you'll see the famous Lion's Gate, the Royal Tombs and the Cyclopean Walls.
Not far from here the theatre at Epidavros (4th century BC) is famed for its astonishing acoustics.
Nafplion is often referred to as the most romantic town in Greece, nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress.
Journey westwards through the mountains to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. Visit the ruins of the most important monuments on the archaeological site and aferwards visit the museum.
Head north to Patras and make your way across the magnificent Rion-Antirion bridge. Once across, you might like to have a coffee break in Nafpaktos, a small picturesque town with a Venetian fortress.
Continue on to Delphi, the centre of the Ancient World, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. In a landscape of majesty and unparalleled beauty on the slopes of Mount Parnassus Delphi is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In the morning after breakfast you may like to visit the museum in Delphi which contains masterpieces of sculpture such as the athlete Agias and the famous bronze Charioteer.
In the afternoon return to Athens.
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a day at leisure to relax or explore.
Breakfast. Drop off car at the airport for flight home. *
* you might prefer to drop off the car when you return to Athens and we can arrange a private transfer back to the airport.
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