Kalimera! Welcome to Athens, Greece's storied capital. When you arrive, a local representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do – after all, you’re in one of the world's oldest cities! Maybe visit the Archaeological Museum of Athens to brush up on some history or hunt down the best souvlaki. After your welcome meeting, head out for dinner with your group at a local restaurant and toast the beginning of the trip – maybe with a glass of ouzo. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 6pm as we will be collecting insurance details and next-of-kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where and when the meeting will take place.

Today, you’ll get to know ancient Athens with a visit to one of the city’s most famous sites ,the  Acropolis – one of the Western world’s most significant landmarks. Meet an expert local guide who'll share deep insights into the history and legacy of the civilizations that once lived in this citadel. Start with an ascent through the towering Propylaea, the grand entrance to the Acropolis. Inside, you’ll see the Parthenon – considered the greatest Doric temple in the ancient world. Then join your trip leader for an included lunch featuring traditional Greek pies and delicious vegetarian specialities. In the afternoon, drive north to the town of Kalambaka at the base of the Meteora Mountains. Along the way, stop at Thermopylae – the site of the famous 480 BC battle during the Greco-Persian wars, and the inspiration behind the movie 300. When you arrive, you might like to check out one of the local tavernas for dinner. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Travel into the hills this morning to the monasteries of Meteora. These ancient stone buildings sit on towering sandstone cliffs and are among Greece's most extraordinary sites. Join a local guide to explore the ruins of the Varlaam or Great Meteoron monasteries and learn about their history – settlement in the area dates to at least the 11th century when hermit monks sought refuge in the caves. Next, visit a family-run winery at the foot of Meteora. You’ll go on a guided tour to see the equipment and techniques used in wine production, and taste some local varietals paired with snacks like graviera, feta and breadsticks. Then, return to Kalambaka where you’re free to explore the town or relax at the hotel. Regroup in the evening to watch the sunset from the hills surrounding Meteora with an included drink. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. A strict Orthodox Christian dress code applies when entering any of the monasteries in Meteora. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and women must wear skirts at or below the knee. Skirts and shawls can be borrowed at monastery entrances. Today will involve a fair bit of walking with many steep stairs, so it is recommended you wear comfortable shoes.

After breakfast, travel to Delphi to visit the Delphi Museum and explore the complex with a local guide – including the Temple of Apollo, the most important building where statues and offerings to the gods were housed and where rituals took place. Later in the afternoon, visit a family of local beekeepers for a Premium Experience where you’ll see the hives, learn about honey production and, of course, taste their produce. Continue to your overnight stop in the small coastal town of Nafpaktos. For dinner tonight, maybe treat yourself to some seafood by the water. Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

After a leisurely morning, drive to the archaeological site of ancient Olympia – a complex that once comprised temples and public buildings and was the site of the first Olympic Games. You’ll join an expert local guide to tour the main stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, priest houses, Temple of Hera and the hippodrome. Then, visit the museum to brush up on more history. Continue to the medieval village of Dimitsana to settle into Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel – your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. This traditionally decorated stone mansion dates to the 19th century and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere surrounded by breathtaking fir-covered mountain landscapes. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. The roads in Central Arcadia are very windy, so you might want to consider taking medication if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Today, join a local guide to explore the central part of the Peloponnese peninsula and Lousios Valley. Walk deep into the valley where you’ll have a Premium Experience at the working monastery of Prodromos – an incredible wood and clay structure built into a rock face. Learn about the monks’ lives as they show you around before sitting together for coffee and Greek delight. Then, see the splendid 14th-century frescoes decorating the rock walls inside the chapel. After, continue your hike to Ancient Gortys, the remains of a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine, which dates back more than two thousand years and sits on the banks of Lousios river. With the hike complete, stop at a traditional village of the Arcadia region for lunch at a restaurant which is a favourite with locals, before returning to Dimitsana for a free afternoon. Your walking time today will be approximately 3 hours or 5 km. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. The roads in Central Arcadia are very windy, so you might want to consider taking medication if you are prone to motion sickness. If you choose not to hike, you can relax and admire the views of the gorge, and the private transfer will take you to end point of the hike.

Visit the Mycenae archaeological site this morning – a UNESCO World Heritage site considered one of the most important cities of the Mycenaean civilisation. Then, drive to the seaside town of Nafplion (Nafplio) – the original Greek capital – and take some time to explore its narrow alleys and Venetian and Ottoman landmarks at your own pace. Continue your drive towards Athens, making a stop along the way to take in views of the Corinth Canal. This narrow canal connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Arrive in Athens in the late afternoon and head out for a guided walking tour through Plaka, one of the oldest and most historically rich neighbourhoods in Athens, led by a local journalist. As you explore, you’ll learn how Plaka earned the nickname ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’. Through stories, thought-provoking questions, and shared conversation, you'll explore timeless topics that remain just as relevant today. You’ll also make a stop at a cafe to try some Greek coffee or herbal tea. This evening, join your group for an included farewell dinner at a local restaurant – don't forget to say yamas (cheers) to a brilliant adventure! Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.