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A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia

with Crete & Athens extension

Duration: 9 or 12 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 4

Learn about sites and legends that defined Ancient Greece.

Rich history, rugged ruins, remarkable beauty—you can find it all in Greece. The wonders of this country come alive as the summer heat dies down and the locals return to their daily routines. With temperate weather washing over the area during the fall, winter, and spring, you’ll immerse yourself in the true essence of Athens, Delphi, Olympia, and Nafplio.

Your tour package includes

7 nights in handpicked hotels
7 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
5 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Acropolis
Parthenon
Temple of Apollo
ruins of Olympia
Ancient Theater of Epidaurus

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Athens today.

Athens2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Athens

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Greece! Settle in to your hotel. Then, gather with your Tour Director and fellow groups members at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

• Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian

• View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus

• See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, anddrive through the Plaka district

• Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion

Spend a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Cape Sounion

Excursion (additional cost)

Delphi Region1 night

Day 4: Transfer to the Delphi Region & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to the Delphi region for a guided tour of the legendary home of the mystical oracle. You’ll visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to legend, the gods once communicated with mortals.

Enjoy a free evening in the Delphi region or add an excursion.

Arachova Village & Greek Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Olympia Region1 night

Day 5: Transfer to the Olympia Region & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to the Olympia region and tour the legendary city of Olympia with a local guide.

• View the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

• See the ancient Gymnasium and site where the first Olympic Games took place

• Step inside the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and enjoy free time to explore the exhibits

Please note: The sightseeing tour of Olympia may take place on Day 6 depending on the season.

This evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Nafplio2 nights

Day 6: Transfer to Nafplio & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to the seaside town of Nafplio and explore the charming locale with your Tour Director.

• Stroll through Syntagma Square

• Soak in the beautiful views of the port and the hilltop Palamidi Fortress

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Epidaurus

Included meal: Breakfast

Head into the countryside for a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus.

• Enter the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, one of the best-preserved Greek amphitheaters in the world

• Learn about the site’s many temples and ruins

Spend a free afternoon in Nafplio or add an excursion.

Mycenae & Nemea Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Athens1 night

Day 8: Athens via the Corinth Canal

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel back to Athens today. Along the way, stop at the Corinth Canal to snap a photo of the waterway that separates the Peloponnese peninsula from mainland Greece.

This evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Full Day1 night

Day 9: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to visit Heraklion in Crete and further explore Athens.

Extension to Crete & Athens

Pay a visit to Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. While here you'll learn about the area's fascinating myths, archaeological history, and deep-rooted culture.

Heraklion2 nights

Day 9: Flight to Heraklion & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, fly to Heraklion, capital of the island of Crete.

Then, join a local guide for a tour of the city this afternoon.

• Visit the ruins of Knossos, where King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth, according to the myth

• Enter the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Day 10: Free day in Heraklion

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Heraklion or add an excursion.

Chania

Excursion (additional cost)

Athens1 night

Day 11: Flight to Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Fly back to Athens today. Then, gather with your group members and toast to your trip with a farewell drink.

Spend a free evening in Athens or add an excursion.

Athens Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

5 average

The ancients sites of Greeece

05/03/2019 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

A great tour of many important and inspiring ancient sites of Greece. The local guides were excellent and the add on optional tours were, as usual not to miss. Our tour leader also gave us options to see a seaside town and a tour of Corinth which were not to be missed sights and dropped us off at th...

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05/03/2019 by 4th time traveler Anonymous

Ancient Greece tour in April 2019 was amazing. It was well organized and fast paced (1 week, but for many working people limited on vacation time, it’s exactly what’s needed). I cannot choose which of the beautiful and history-rich sights - Acropolis, Delphi, Olympia, Nafplio, Epidavros, Mycenae,...

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Ready for my next trip

04/10/2019 by 2nd time traveler Raissa J.

My first time to go on a group tour and highly recommend it. We did a lot of surprise tour that is not offered and our tour guide and bus driver did an excellent hospitality to make sure everything is ok and we are all enjoying our trip. Food and hotel are all great. I love it all. It is nice to go ...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Wyndham Hotel

This modern hotel is located in the Karaiskaki Square neighborhood. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and an outdoor pool. Nearby, you’ll find...

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Amalia Hotel Delphi

This modern hotel is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus. Guests enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and air-conditioning. Nearby, you'll find the Temple o...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Greece, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Athens. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
The tour extension includes a round-trip flight from Athens to Heraklion.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Greece.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don’t miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.

Electricity & air conditioning

Greece operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.