Taste Of Greece
Taste Of Greece
Taste Of Greece
7 Days Starting and ending in Athens
Visiting: Athens, Thermopylae, Kalabaka, Meteora, Delphi, Glyfada, Olympia, Mycenae, Nafplion, Nafplion, Corinth Canal, Athens, Acropolis
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EBG1L
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Uncover the birthplace of modern civilization on this 7-day Greece trip! Our expert guides will take you through some of the country's most famous destinations. Explore Athens, Delphi and Mycenae. Pass through the Lion's Gate and marvel at the Bronze Age citadel. Visit a Byzantine art workshop and take a sunset drive of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora. Opt-in on excursions to the famous Acropolis and the Parthenon. All this and more awaits on our unforgettable Greece vacation!
This tour forms the first-half of our full-length Best of Greece tour - consider the full tour if you'd like to combine the beautiful islands of Santorini & Mykonos with the highlights of mainland Greece.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Greece! Arrive in the morning and make your way to the hotel for the start of the tour. Your tour leader will meet you at the hotel to brief you on the upcoming itinerary. Then, get ready for an orientation tour of Athens! Get acquainted with this ancient city and its many iconic sites. One of the highlights of this tour is the traditional changing of the guard ceremony! This evening, enjoy an included dinner of authentic Greek cuisine. Get to know your tour leader and fellow travellers over this delicious meal.
Orientation tour of Athens: Get to know Greece’s bustling capital city on an orientation tour with your tour leader. See top attractions like the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, and the temple of Olympian Zeus. Witness the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Welcome dinner in Athens: Greek cuisine is one of the world’s most delicious cuisines, renowned for fresh flavours and ingredients. Get your first taste of Greek food in Athens as you get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Athens - Thermopylae - Kalabaka
Location: Athens, Thermopylae, Kalabaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart from Athens this morning and travel to Kalabaka. On the way, stop at Thermopylae to admire the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta. Next, travel to Kalabaka, an excellent base town from which to visit the famous Meteora landscapes and monasteries. Upon arrival, visit a Byzantine art workshop to see how locals create exquisite works of Christian Greek art. Then, head to tonight’s hotel accommodation and take some time to settle in. Finish the day with a mesmerising sunset drive of the Meteora hills and catch panoramic views of the monolithic pillars and hills with its celebrated cliff top monasteries. It’s truly any photographer’s dream! Enjoy traditional Greek food for dinner this evening at the hotel.
Visit Thermopylae and see the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta: Enjoy a photo stop and admire the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae. This location is famous around the world as the scene of the battle of Thermopylae between the Greek and Persian forces in 480 BC.
Visit a Byzantine art workshop: Visit a Byzantine art workshop under the hills of Meteora. Byzantine art was inherited from the empire of Istanbul and later brought to the Mediterranean world. See how Greek artists handcraft hagiographic art based on the traditional methods of old craftsmen of Meteora.
Take a sunset drive of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Take a sunset drive through the Meteora hills at day’s end to see amazing rock formations that have provided sacred retreats for monks over the centuries. The views are breathtaking and you’ll soon understand why Meteora is considered among the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 3: Kalabaka - Meteora (Optional) - Delphi
Location: Kalabaka, Meteora, Delphi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy free time in Kalabaka this morning. Choose to explore at your own pace or join the exciting optional excursion of the monasteries of Meteora. Explore the hills and giant sandstone formations of Meteora and stop at two spectacular cliff-top monasteries during the excursion! This afternoon, hop back aboard the coach and cross the mountains of central Greece to Delphi. Arrive and embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader. This evening, enjoy an included dinner with the group followed by free time to spend at your leisure.
Delphi orientation tour: Take a short driving and walking tour of Delphi. Your tour leader will show the group where the ancient sanctuary of Delphi is located and will then guide the group through the main street to point out local amenities, restaurants and main attractions.
Day 4: Delphi - Glyfada - Olympia
Location: Delphi, Glyfada, Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning allows free time in Delphi. Join the highly recommended optional excursion to discover Delphi with a local guide. Admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and visit the famous museum of Delphi. Then, drive along the Coast of Corinth and take a short ferry to the colourful Greek island of Trizonia. The last of its kind, this island is only 2,5 km² big with almost no cars. Catch a ferry ride back to Glyfada and continue to ancient Olympia, home of the original Olympic Games, which originated in 776 BC! Tonight, choose to join a Greek evening of traditional food and dance.
Trip to the colourful Greek island of Trizonia: The last of its kind, this island is only 2,5 km² with almost no cars. Soak up the culture, tastes, sights and sounds, and experience how the rhythm of life here has remained unchanged. You also have the option to join your tour leader for a seafood lunch in one of the popular eateries with spectacular views of the island.
Day 5: Olympia - Mycenae - Nafplion
Location: Olympia, Mycenae, Nafplion
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a locally-guided tour of the Olympia Museum and ancient site before crossing the mountains of Peloponnese. Arrive at Mycenae for our visit to the tomb of Agamemnon and the famous Lion’s Gate. It’s not only one of the most important archeological sites in Greece, but also the place where many of the ancient Greek myths have their origin. Tour the grounds with an expert guide and enjoy an included lunch before travelling to the picturesque town of Nafplion. Nafplion is the first capital of modern Greece, the skyline of which is dominated by Palamidi castle. Settle in at your hotel upon arrival and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure, or join an optional evening tour to Epidaurus.
Olympia ancient site and museum visit: Learn more about the history of Olympia, the Temple of Zeus and the Olympic games with a locally guided tour of the Olympia Museum. Discover ancient Greek art and explore significant exhibitions about ancient Greece.
Explore the ancient ruins of Mycenae: Visit Mycenae and take a walking tour with an expert guide to explore the ruins of this once powerful settlement. Learn all about how it came to exist and, according to Greek myth, was ruled by King Agamemnon. See highlights such as the Palace, Tomb of Agamemnon and Lion’s Gate. Lunch is included this afternoon as we sit down in a local restaurant for a 3-course meal.
Visit the hillside seaport of Nafplion: Dominated by Palamidi Castle, Nafplion is one of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis. Be sure to take time to explore the picturesque narrow streets and admire the neo-classical architecture. Take a stroll along the seafront promenade and enjoy the amazing views of the fortified Bourtzi islet, which once guarded the entrance to the port of Nafplion.
Day 6: Nafplion - Corinth Canal - Athens - Acropolis
Location: Nafplion, Corinth Canal, Athens, Acropolis
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Journey from Nafplion towards Athens. Make a short stop along the way to enjoy captivating views of the Corinth Canal. Next, continue to Athens and depart on a city tour with a professional local guide. The tour will introduce you to iconic sights like the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, the temple of Olympian Zeus. The tour ends at the museum of the Acropolis where you will have the option to join a guided tour of the Acropolis site and Acropolis Museum. Due to popularity, this optional excursion must be booked prior to the start of the tour -
to book now! The afternoon is yours to explore Athens at your leisure.Stopover at the historic Corinth Canal: Constructed between 1880 and 1893, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece’s most important engineering achievements. The four-mile-long canal was designed to link the Corinth and Saronic Gulf, and in the past it used to be an important navigational route for ships coming in from the Aegean sea. Today it’s mainly used for small ships and tourist boats.
City tour of mesmerising Athens: Enjoy a locally guided tour of Athens! Make stops at The Academy, the National Library, the Greek parliament and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Panathinaikos marble stadium where the first modern Olympics took place, Hadrian's Arch and the temple of Olympian Zeus.
Day 7: End Of Tour In Athens
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a week of Greek adventures, the tour comes to an end this morning in Athens. We hope you've enjoyed your tour of Greece and look forward to welcoming you on board an Expat Explore tour again soon!
What's Included
-
Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
-
Experiences
Explore Athens; Greece’s ancient capital city
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Athens
See the statue of Leonidas, King of Sparta in Thermopylae
Visit a Byzantine art workshop
Take a sunset drive of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover Delphi on a driving and walking tour
Visit the small island of Trizonia
Explore the Olympia Museum and ancient site
Uncover Greek myths in Mycenae
Wander the picturesque streets of Nafplion
Photo stop at the Corinth Canal
Explore Athens with a local guide
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
-
Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
-
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Saturday
May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025Sunday - Saturday
May 18, 2025 - May 24, 2025Sunday - Saturday
May 25, 2025 - May 31, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 76 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.