Grand Mainland Tour

Depart from Athens by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidauros famous for its remarkable acoustics. Proceed to the town of Nauplion (short stop) then drive on to Mycenae and visit the Archaeological Site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Depart for Olympia, cradle of the Olympic Games, through the Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis.

Morning visit the Archaeological Site with the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and the Archaeological Museum.  Then drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge crossing from Rion to Antirion.  Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea. Arrive Delphi and overnight stay.

In the morning visit the Archaeological Site and the Museum of Delphi,  the center of the Ancient world - the "Omphalos" (Navel) of the Earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. Then depart for Kalambaka, a small town situated at the foot of the astonishing complex of the Meteora, gigantic rocks rising steep from the plain of Thessaly.

Visit Meteora: perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Depart from Kalambaka, drive through the striking plain of Thessaly and the Valley of Tempi, and admire the gigantic figure of Mount Olympos, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods in Greek Mythology. Arrive Thessaloniki, the second largest and the most vibrant city in Greece.

In the morning visit the city that throughout the era of the Byzantine Empire was the "co-reigning" city, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. Visit unique monuments and feel the glorious Byzantine past in some of the oldest and most characteristic churches of the Christian world as well as in the Museum of Byzantine Culture, awarded with the Council of Europe's Museum Prize for the year 2005. Rest of the day free, to enjoy time in the lively center of the city.

Depart for a unique approach to historical Macedonia. First stop at picturesque Edessa where we see the town's famous landmark, the Waterfalls. Then proceed to Naoussa, to a site of exceptional beauty and importance: Aristotle's School, the picturesque site where the great philosopher taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics' to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Then drive to Vergina (ancient Aigai), to live the experience of a visit to the unique Museum, created in the Great Tumulus covering the royal tombs of Macedonia. See the astonishing findings from the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, and feel the thrill of the greatest discovery of the 20th century. In only a few miles away is Veria (Biblical Beroea) to visit Saint Paul's Bema, and then stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and the colourful market area. Return to Thessaloniki.

Drive to Pella, the capital of Alexander the Great. See the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century BC villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. Then proceed and visit the Archaeological Park of Dion (sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympos). After the visit we shall start driving south and through Thessaly, Lamia, Thermopylae (see Leonidas' Monument) and Thebes, arrive Athens late in the afternoon / early evening.