Mainland Escape
We invite you along a 10-day trip to visit the Greek Mainland
From ancient monuments and temples, to monasteries built on rugged cliffs, everything you’ll see will leave you speechless.
Day 1: Arrive in Athens
Upon arrival at Athens International airport you will be met and greeted by our English speaking chauffeur and you will be transferred to your booked hotel in the comfort of an air conditioned luxury Mercedes Benz car.
The day ahead is yours to explore the city on your own. Our suggestion is to visit the Plaka area, famous for the souvenir shops and the tavverns for you to discover.
Overnight in Athens.
Day 2: Athens Half Day Tour – Nafplion
From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, with the half-day sightseeing and Acropolis museum tour you’ll see all the famous sights of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Hear insightful commentary from your guide, and pass top Athens attractions including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Greek Parliament building and Presidential Palace Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided half-day tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens.
The Athens half-day tour, starts with a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896. It is the only stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus. You will then pass the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library.
Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schliemann’s House (Numismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae the gateway, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens). Stroll up to the UNESCO-listed site that served as the ancient citadel, and tour the buildings as you hear how they reflected Athens’ prosperity in the 5th century BC.
Continue the expert guided Athens sightseeing and museum tour with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the ACROPOLIS museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of everyday life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you.
After your tour in Athens concludes, you will have some free time for lunch, before you begin your trip towards the region of Peloponnese, as it is time to start your multi-day private tour around the major highlights of mainland Greece, visiting several UNESCO’s world heritage sites. After leaving Athens, you are going to head to the strategically placed Corinth canal (short stop), in order to enter the region of Peloponnese. Continue to Nafplion, the first Modern Capital of Greece, where you are going to spend the night.
Check in at your hotel.
Overnight in Nafplion (B)
Day 3: Nafplion – Argolis Tour – Olympia
After your Breakfast you leave the beautiful seaport town of Nauplion and head to Epidaurus for visiting the majestic Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Continue then through the plain of Argos arrive to Myceane. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Learn about the classical Greek culture as you walk through this impressive archaeological site. After the tour of Mycenae concludes, depart for Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games.
Overnight in Pyrgos. (B)
Day 4: Olympia – Delphi
After breakfast, set off with your guide and visit the impressive archaeological site of Olympia. Marvel at the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum.
Depart via Patras to Rion, cross the Corinthian bay by the famous bridge to Antirion. Pass by the city of Nafpaktos and from there on, along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon you can visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova that lies nearby.
Overnight stay in Delphi. (B)
Day 5: Delphi – Kalambaka
Rise early and visit the archaeological site of Delphi, one of the most important archaeological treasures, also listed as a UNESCO world Heritage site. Head inside the Delphi museum and encounter numerous artifacts and relics that date back to 15th century BC. Continue to Kalambaka via Central Greece, arriving to the town in the afternoon.
Overnight stay in Kalabaka. (B)
Day 6: Kalambaka – Meteora – Metsovo – Ioannina
Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the breathtaking Byzantine Monasteries. This UNESCO world Heritage site is home for more than 20 rock monasteries. Discover the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of this area. After leaving Meteora, head west to the region of Epirus, a land rich in history, pure natural landscapes and picturesque villages. Make your first stop at the picturesque mountain village of Metsovo, a place with strong traditional character, ski slopes and a rich wine culture. Visit first the Averoff Museum of Neohellenic Art, which includes over 200 works of art from the modern Greek era. Continue with a visit at the famous Katogi Averoff winery, before leaving for the capital of the region, the beautiful and historic town of Ioannina, where you will check in at your hotel.
Overnight in Ioannina. (B)
Day 7: Ioannina – Perama Cave
Start your day with a tour at the town of Ioannina. The town is built next to lake Pamvotida, creating a beautiful scenery, which includes one of the few inhabited lake island in Europe and the only one without a name! Take the boat to the small island, where you are going to visit the local history museum, full of stories about the famous Ottoman ruler of the area, Ali Pasha. After you return from the island, head over to Perama Cave, located just a few minutes from the town, being one of the most stunning horizontal caves in the Balkans.
Afternoon at leisure…
Overnight in Ioannina. (B)
Day 8: Ioannina – Zagorochoria
Leave Ioannina early in the morning, in order to head north to the Zagorochoria, the villages of the municipality of Zagori. Located in an area of great natural beauty and two natural parks, villages of Zagori were for centuries inaccessible, but that way helped them preserve their natural treasures. Visit the village of Papigo, which is located inside the Vikos-Aoos National Park and its famous rock pools, known as Kolymbethres. After that, visit the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi at Monodendri village, a 15th century Monastery that offers a stunning view of the Vikos gorge, which is located underneath it.
Return back at the town of Ioannina and your hotel late in the afternoon.
Overnight in Ioannina (B)
Day 9: Ioannina – Dodoni – Athens
After breakfast, we depart to the archaeological site of Dodoni, one of Ancient Greece’s most important religious centers. Visit the site that includes the theater, the Oracle of Zeus and Dione and the museum.
After your visit at Dodoni concludes, leave the town of Ioannina and Epirus and head south, back to the capital city of Athens.
Arrival in the afternoon. Check in at your hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Athens (B)
Day 10: Departure from Athens
Today you will be picked up at the designated time by your driver and get transferred to Athens International Airport in order to take your international flight back home. (B)
Hotels used:
Athens: The Athens Gate Hotel at superior room or similar
Nafplio: 3 Sixty Suites at Junior Suite room or similar
Pyrgos (close to Olympia): Anagennisis hotel at superior room or similar
Delphi: Kastalia Boutique Hotel at standard sea view or valley view room or similar
Kalambaka: Divani Meteora hotel at standard room or similar
Ioannina: Du Lac Congress Center & Spa at superior room Lake view or similar
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Accommodation with breakfast on selected hotels
- Transfers / transportation on Private Basis by Mini Van Mercedes Vito
- All local taxes applicable
- English speaking guide during all tours locally
- H/d Athens City tour with entrances at Acropolis and Acropolis Museum on Pvt basis
- Entrance fees to Epidaurus and Mycenae
- Entrance fees to Ancient Olympia and the Museum
- Entrance fees to Delphi archaeological site and the Museum
- Entrance at 2 monasteries at Meteora
- Entrance to Averoff Museum of Neohellenic Art
- Wine Tasting at Katogi Averoff winery
- Entrance fees to Perama Cave
- RT boat tickets to Ioannina Island
- Entrance fees to Ali Pasha House
- Entrance fee to Dodoni
- Professional Liability Insurance
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
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- Tips or personal expenses
- Drinks of any kind
- International or domestic airfare tickets that are not mentioned
- Meals that are not mentioned
- Porterage at hotels or airport
- Tours not mentioned at the above services
- Early check in or late check out
- Stayover accommodation tax payable directly at the hotels (Prices per room/per night : 0,50€ for 2*, 1,50€ for 3*, 3€ for 4* and 4€ for 5* properties)
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Packages Payment & Cancellation Policy:
Packages Payment & Cancellation PolicyAs soon as we have finalized your booking, we require 30% deposit upon confirmation.
We will charge the balance 45 days prior to your arrival, unless otherwise stated.
If we have offered any non-refundable deals we require full prepayment and the 100% of the amount is non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy:
- 45 days prior to arrival date: Full refund
- 44 – 35 days prior to arrival date: 50% cancellation fees apply
- 34 – 25 days prior to arrival date: 75% cancellation fees apply
- 24 – 0 days prior to arrival date: 100% cancellation fees apply
The above is not valid for air tickets or ferry tickets.
Air tickets cancellation policy according to each airline company fare rules.
Ferry tickets cancellation policy:
Tickets are only canceled by the issuing agencies.
Tickets cannot be canceled by phone, fax, or e-mail. Those interested must submit the tickets to the issuing agency.
Refunds to canceled tickets are made by the issuing agency, up to 1 year from the date of cancellation of the tickets and in exceptional cases by the local cooperating central agencies.
Tickets by Sea jet (speed ferry tickets) Cancellation Policy according to 2023 terms.
- Up to 14 days before departure: full fare refund
- Up to 7 days before departure: 75% fare refund
- Up to 12 hours before departure: 50% fare refund
- The fare is NOT refundable for cancellations made less than 12 hours before departure.
Tickets by Blue Star Ferries (normal ferry tickets) Cancellation Policy according to 2023 terms.
HIGH SEASON: 07/04/23-23/04/23, 28/04/23-02/05/23 & 01/06/23-24/09/23*
- Up to 7 days prior to departure: Tickets are cancelled without charge or can be converted to open date tickets or for another departure date.
- Up to 12 hours prior to departure: A 50% cancellation charge is applied or alternatively tickets can be converted to open date tickets or for another departure date.
- Up to the departure: A 50% cancellation charge is applied and the tickets cannot be converted to open date tickets or to travel another date.
- After departure: Tickets cannot be cancelled or converted to open date tickets or to travel another date.
LOW SEASON: All other dates except those mentioned in HIGH SEASON
- Up to 3 days prior to departure: Tickets are cancelled without charge or can be converted to open date tickets or for another departure date.
- Up to 1 hour prior to departure: A 50% cancellation charge is applied or alternatively tickets can be converted to open date tickets or for another departure date
- Up to the departure: A 50% cancellation charge is applied and the tickets cannot be converted to open date tickets or to travel another date.
After departure: Tickets cannot be cancelled or converted to open date tickets or to travel another date.
**Supplement Cost
Upgrade to Vip class at the one day cruise: 130euro pp
VIP Cruise Experience: Upgrade to enjoy special amenities and be spoiled in the VIP class lounge. Start with a transfer from hotel to port, enjoy a private check-in with fast track entry and then relax in the VIP lounge. Enjoy a welcome drink and savor a buffet lunch in the VIP dining room which located in a separated area from standard class passengers as well as unlimited water, filter coffee and soft drinks. The VIP area is equipped with Wi-Fi, and on the second deck a tax-free luxury goods store awaits. In the summer, you'll be charmed by the sun deck and spacious open space with a comfortable sitting area and bar. Choice between a walking tour in Hydra or a Panoramic tour in Aegina is also included.
