Greece from North to Crete: A 15-Day Cultural JourneyAncient Dion and Thessaloniki

Begin in Athens exploring the Acropolis and Arch of Hadrian. Visit Olympia’s Temple of Zeus and Mycenae’s Cyclopean walls. Experience Thessaloniki’s markets, a family honey farm, and Crete’s medieval towns, Venetian architecture, and ancient sites.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

DAY 1

Arrive in Athens

Welcome to Athens! Met by Licensed Local Guide at airport, transferred to hotel. Relax before meeting Tour Leader & fellow travellers at 19:00 for welcome dinner with classic Greek dishes & local wines. Scheduled airport transfer departures at 11:00 or 16:00.

Overnight in Athens.
DAY 2

The Splendors of Athens

Breakfast. Tour Acropolis (Parthenon) & Acropolis Museum with Licensed Local Guide (Caryatids, Parthenon frieze). See Panathenaic Stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Zeus, Parliament, Tomb of Unknown Soldier, & Athens Trilogy. Optional Psiri dinner.

Overnight in Athens.
DAY 3

From Thermopylae to the Archaeological Treasures of Dion

Breakfast. Drive to Thermopylae (480 B.C. King Leonidas & Spartans memorial). Visit Ancient Dion at Mt. Olympus with Licensed Local Guide (city of Zeus stories). Drive to Thessaloniki; check in & enjoy northern Greek specialties dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 4

Discover Thessaloniki Through Its History and Local Cuisine

Breakfast in Thessaloniki: Licensed Local Guide tour of Ano Poli, White Tower, Rotunda, & St. Demetrius Church OR Tour Leader food tour (markets, sesame rings, cheeses, cured meats, bougatsa). End with harborfront stroll.

Overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 5

Vergina, Metsovo, and Ioannina

Breakfast. Guided UNESCO Vergina (Aigai) tour: palace, 300 tumuli, Philip II of Macedon tomb. Tour Polycentric Museum of Aigai. Stop in mountain Metsovo (stone architecture, cheeses, grilled dishes). Drive to lakeside Ioannina for dinner.

Overnight in Ioannina.
DAY 6

Explore Ioannina’s Lakeside Heritage

Breakfast. Explore Ioannina: walk Kastro old city & towers. Boat across Lake Pamvotis to car-free Island of Ioannina: wander streets, Ali Pasha Museum, & Monastery of St. Nicholas of Philanthropinoi. Sample local baklava.

Overnight in Ioannina.
DAY 7

From Venetian Nafpaktos to Galaxidi

Breakfast. Visit Venetian Nafpaktos (1571 Battle of Lepanto site, Miguel de Cervantes & hero Anemogiannis statues, port, old lighthouse). Drive to Galaxidi; check in & enjoy local specialties dinner at seaside restaurant.

Overnight in Galaxidi.
DAY 8

Delphi with a Licensed Local Guide

Breakfast. Guided Delphi tour with Licensed Local Guide: walk Sacred Way, Parian marble Treasury of Athenians, Polygonal Wall, & Temple of Apollo (Oracle of Delphi prophecies over 14 centuries; Argonauts & Trojan War).

Overnight in Galaxidi.
DAY 9

Journey to Nafplion

Breakfast. Cross Rio–Antirio Bridge into Peloponnese. Stop in Nemea for light lunch & wine tasting. Visit organic beekeeping farm (sustainable honey). Arrive in Nafplion; explore Old Town with Tour Leader (bougainvillea streets, squares, Palamidi Fortress).

Overnight in Nafplion.
DAY 10

The Charm of Nafplion and Ancient Greece

Breakfast. Guided Mycenae tour with Licensed Local Guide (Lion Gate, beehive tombs, Cyclopean walls). Visit Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (4th-c. BC Sanctuary of Asclepius, acoustics). Stop at local olive grove for oil production lesson & tasting.

Overnight in Nafplion.
DAY 11

Discover Heraklion’s Venetian Landmarks

Breakfast. Cross Corinth Canal, then fly from Athens to Crete for 4 nights. Orientation walk in Heraklion: Koules Fortress, Venetian Loggia, Morosini Fountain, Basilica of St. Mark, Agios Titus, St. Catherine Monastery, Agios Minas Cathedral. Evening Cretan dinner with raki.

Overnight in Heraklion.
DAY 12

Explore Knossos and Minoan Civilisation

Breakfast. Explore Minoan Palace of Knossos (Central Court, Throne Room, Grand Staircase, Prince of Lilies fresco, Minotaur/Theseus myth). Tour Heraklion Archaeological Museum with Licensed Local Guide (Knossos artifacts).

Overnight in Heraklion.
DAY 13

Rethymno and Journey to Chania

Breakfast. Guided walk in medieval Rethymno (cobblestone streets, courtyard café, 16th-c. Venetian fortress, bastions, ramparts, underground vaults, lighthouse). Drive to Chania for check-in.

Overnight in Chania.
DAY 14

Chania – Exploring the Old Town

Breakfast. Guided Chania tour with Licensed Local Guide: Splantzia district, Church of Agios Nikolaos in Plateia 1821, Jewish quarter, Etz Hayyim Synagogue, harbourfront. Optional summer coastal cruise. Traditional Cretan dinner.

Overnight in Chania.
DAY 15

Farewell Greece

Breakfast at hotel. Conclude journey with transfer to Chania Airport for onward flight (scheduled arrivals at airport: 06:30 and 09:30).

End of tour.

Tour Highlights

Arrival at Athens International Airport

Meet Licensed Local Guide and transfer to hotel

Time to settle in and relax

Evening welcome dinner with Tour Leader and fellow travellers

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Athens
Breakfast at hotel

Guided visit to Acropolis with Licensed Local Guide:

Parthenon

Acropolis Museum (Caryatids, Parthenon frieze, and other artifacts)

Sightseeing of key Athens landmarks:

Panathenaic Stadium

Hadrian’s Arch

Temple of Zeus

Parliament Building & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Trilogy of Athens

Optional evening dinner experience in Psiri

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Athens
Breakfast at hotel

Travel north to Thermopylae

Visit Leonidas Monument

Learn about the Spartan stand against Persia (480 B.C.)

Visit Ancient Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus with a Licensed Local Guide

Explore archaeological ruins

Hear myths and stories of Zeus and the city

Continue to Thessaloniki

Dinner at a local restaurant featuring northern Greek cuisine

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Thessaloniki
Breakfast at hotel

Activities:

Option 1: Guided walking tour with Licensed Local Guide

Explore Ano Poli (Upper Town)

See White Tower, Rotunda, Church of Saint Demetrius

Option 2: Food-focused walking tour with Tour Leader

Sample local treats: sesame rings, cheeses, cured meats, bougatsa

Leisurely stroll along the harbourfront, enjoying views and sea breeze

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Thessaloniki
Breakfast at hotel

Visit Vergina (Aigai) UNESCO World Heritage Site with Licensed Local Guide

Explore monumental palace and burial grounds

See tomb believed to belong to Philip II of Macedon

Tour Polycentric Museum of Aigai

Discover artefacts illustrating Macedonian history and culture

Stop in Metsovo, a traditional mountain town

Leisurely stroll and sample local specialties (cheeses, grilled meats)

Continue to Ioannina

Check-in and dinner at hotel

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Ioannina
Breakfast at hotel

Explore the Kastro (old fortified city) with its ancient towers

Admire Lake Pamvotis and surrounding scenery

Take a boat ride to the Island of Ioannina

Stroll along quiet streets

Visit Ali Pasha Museum

Explore Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Philanthropinoi

Optional: enjoy local treats such as freshly made baklava

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Ioannina
Breakfast at hotel

Visit Nafpaktos, the site of the 1571 Battle of Lepanto

Explore Nafpaktos Port and historic landmarks

See statues of Cervantes and Anemogiannis

Learn about the battle and its significance

Travel to Galaxidi

Dinner at a seaside restaurant featuring local specialties

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Galaxidi
Breakfast at hotel

Travel to Delphi

Guided exploration with Licensed Local Guide:

Walk the Sacred Way

See the Treasury of the Athenians

View the Polygonal Wall

Visit the Temple of Apollo and learn about the Oracle of Delphi

Return to Galaxidi for overnight stay

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Galaxidi
Breakfast at hotel

Travel across Rio–Antirio Bridge into the Peloponnese

Stop in Nemea

Light lunch

Guided wine tasting of regional wines

Experience at a family-run organic beekeeping farm

Learn about sustainable honey production and pollinator conservation

Continue to Nafplion

Guided walk through Old Town

See neoclassical buildings draped in bougainvillea

Explore lively squares and narrow streets

View Palamidi Fortress

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Nafplion
Breakfast at hotel

Visit Mycenae with a Licensed Local Guide

Walk through the Lion Gate

Explore royal beehive tombs

See the massive Cyclopean city walls

Continue to Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

Learn about the Sanctuary of Asclepius

Admire theatre’s acoustics and historical significance

Stop at a local olive grove

Learn about olive oil production

Enjoy extra virgin olive oil tasting

Return to Nafplion

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Nafplion
Breakfast at hotel

Travel from Athens to Crete (via Corinth Canal and flight)

Orientation walking tour of Heraklion:

Koules Fortress

Venetian Loggia

Morosini Fountain

Basilica of St. Mark

Church of Agios Titus

Monastery of St. Catherine

Cathedral of Agios Minas

Evening: Cretan dinner with local specialties and raki tasting

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Heraklion
Breakfast at hotel

Visit Minoan Palace of Knossos with a Licensed Local Guide

Explore Central Court

See Throne Room

Walk the Grand Staircase

View fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”

Learn about the legend of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth

Continue to Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

Discover Minoan artifacts and gain insight into the island’s history and culture

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Heraklion
Breakfast at hotel

Guided walking tour of Rethymno:

Explore cobblestone streets with bougainvillea-lined alleys

Stop at a courtyard café framed by stone arches and olive trees

Visit 16th-century Venetian fortress (bastions, ramparts, underground vaults)

View the lighthouse and enjoy coastal scenery

Travel to Chania

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Chania
Breakfast at hotel

Guided tour of Chania Old Town with a Licensed Local Guide:

Explore the Ottoman district of Splantzia

Stroll Splantzia Square and see Church of Agios Nikolaos

Visit the Jewish quarter and Etz Hayyim Synagogue

Walk along Chania harbour; optional stop at a café

Optional activity (summer departures only): Coastal cruise along Cretan shore

Evening dinner in a traditional Cretan restaurant with fellow travellers

Overnight stay in a well located hotel in Chania
Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to Chania Airport for onward flight

Scheduled arrivals at the airport: 06:30, 09:30

Accommodations

Accommodations:

2 nights hotel accommodation in Athens
2 nights hotel accommodation in Thessaloniki
2 nights hotel accommodation in Ioannina
2 nights hotel accommodation in Galaxidi
2 nights hotel accommodation in Nafplion
2 nights hotel accommodation in Heraklion
2 nights hotel accommodation in Chania

Package Includes

Transfers and Transportation:

Arrival and departure airport transfers in Athens and Chania
Comfortable coach transfers throughout the itinerary
Flights within Greece (Athens to Crete)
Local transfers to sites and excursions

Hotel Accommodation:

14 nights hotel accommodation

Meals:

Breakfast daily at hotels
Athens welcome dinner (Day 1)
Thessaloniki dinner (Day 3)
Ioannina hotel dinner (Day 5)
Galaxidi seaside dinner (Day 7)
Heraklion / Crete dinner (Day 11/12)
Farewell dinner in Chania (Day 15)

Sightseeing and Experiences:

Athens: Guided tours of Acropolis, Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Stadium, Hadrian’s Arch,
Temple of Zeus, and classic city landmarks
Thermopylae: Visit Leonidas Monument
Ancient Dion: Guided tour of archaeological park at Mount Olympus
Thessaloniki: experience – historic walking tour or food tour; White Tower, Rotunda, Church of
Saint Demetrius
Vergina: Guided visit to UNESCO site Aigai; tomb of Philip II; Polycentric Museum
Metsovo: Free time to explore the town and local culinary offerings
Ioannina: Walking tour of Kastro, boat trip to the island, visit Ali Pasha Museum and Monastery of Saint
Nicholas of Philanthropinoi
Nafpaktos and Galaxidi: Explore Nafpaktos port, Battle of Lepanto sites; dinner in Galaxidi
Delphi: Guided tour along Sacred Way; Treasury of Athenians, Polygonal Wall, Temple of Apollo
Nafplion and Peloponnese: Wine tasting in Nemea; visit to organic beekeeping farm; guided exploration of
Nafplion
Old Town and Palamidi Fortress
Mycenae and Epidaurus: Licensed Local Guide guided tour of ruins and theatre; olive oil tasting
Crete: Heraklion orientation tour; Minoan Palace of Knossos; Archaeological Museum; Rethymno medieval
town
walking tour; Chania Old Town and Splantzia district with Licensed Local Guide; optional summer cruise along Cretan
coast

Guides and Experts:

Licensed Local Guide at key historical and cultural sites
Tour Leader throughout the journey to provide guidance, orientation, and assistance

Special Experiences:

Local culinary experiences, tastings, and demonstrations
Options allowing personalized exploration (e.g., food tours, walking tours)
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Vergina (Aigai), Delphi, Epidaurus
Scenic drives including crossing the Corinth Canal and Rio–Antirio Bridge

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