Ancient Greece Uncovered

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To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA

A fascinating journey that brings to life the wonders of the Classical Greek civilisation and the histories of the Byzantine and Roman periods. This wonderful week-long odyssey features stays in ancient Olympia and the bustling metropolis of Athens. Enjoy escorted tours of some of the most fascinating and absorbing sites of Classical Greece, including the staggering Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the 5th-century Acropolis of Athens.

Holiday Highlights

Discover Athens and its treasure chest of archaeological sites
Explore the UNESCO World Site of Mycenae, among the most important archaeological sites in Greece
Visit the Corinth Canal and Epidaurus, a small city famed for its temple and theatre
Discover historic Delphi, the home of the Temple of Apollo
Wander around the site of Olympia, the home of the Olympic Games movement
Stop off at the picturesque town of Nafpaktos, overlooking the Gulf of Corinth
Visit the Corinth Canal and Epidaurus, a small city famed for its temple and theatre

What's Included

Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation
Two evening meals
Guided city tour of Athens
Visit to Mycenae
Day trip to the site of Olympia
Visit to Delphi
Tour of Nafpaktos
Corinth Canal tour
Return flights to Athens
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Athens - Upon arrival, meet your friendly tour manager and transfer to your hotel. This evening, you’ll have time to explore the many bars and restaurants of the renowned Plaka district of this cosmopolitan city.

Day 2

Included walking tour of Athens - This morning, you’ll join your tour manager for a walking tour of Athens, which contains a wealth of treasures for its visitors. You’ll start with a visit to the famed Acropolis, the ancient citadel and its surrounding monuments sprawled across a rocky outcrop overlooking the city. Next, you’ll visit the Acropolis Museum, one of the most important museums in the world, which houses the findings of the archaeological site, Athenian Acropolis. Finally, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of Plaka, the neighbour that is situated at the base of the Acropolis and the oldest and most beautiful neighbourhood in Athens. The guide will lead you around its narrow-cobbled stone streets, family-run tavernas and sidewalk cafés.

Day 3

Transfer to Nafpilo via Corinth Canal - After a leisurely morning, you’ll say a temporary goodbye to Athens as you continue your journey to visit the Argolis region. The first highlight of this fascinating day will be the Corinth Canal and hopefully you’ll get to see how ships navigate this man-made wonder. Next up is Epidaurus, a small city famed for its temple and theatre. Dating back over 2,600 years, the theatre was built with outstanding acoustics, which allows for people seated at the top of the theatre to perfectly hear sounds from the stage. It is also here that modern medicine first developed its theories and there’s an excellent museum dedicated to this.

Day 4

Included visit to Mycenae - Following breakfast, you’ll visit of the day is the UNESCO World Site of Mycenae, among the most important archaeological sites in Greece. According to mythology, this was the town of the legendary king Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. This was also the setting of many myths in ancient Greek tragedies, especially the tragedies connected to Agamemnon and his family. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 5

Included visit to the site of Olympia - Today, you’ll visit the site of Olympia, the home of the Olympic Games movement. Before entering the main site, you’ll tour the museum of Olympia, which contains the remains of one of the Seven Ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Zeus. During your visit of Olympia, you’ll learn the origins of the Olympic movement and perhaps for the more adventurous travellers, practice your 100m spirit at original racetrack, which dates back over two millennia. Often overlooked by most visitors, are the picturesque gardens which contains a wide variety of flora and fauna. In the evening, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 6

Included visit to Nafpaktos and transfer to Delphi - Today, you’ll leave the Peloponnese to return to the mainland with your journey to Delphi. One of the highlights of this journey is to cross on the Rion-Antirion Bridge, which is one of the world’s largest bridges. There’ll be time to stop at the picturesque town of Nafpaktos, which has excellent views across the Gulf of Corinth. With its peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, you can enjoy a coffee or an ice-cream before continuing to Delphi for one night.

Day 7

Included visit to Delphi - This morning, you’ll explore one of Greece’s most iconic sites, Delphi and its renowned museum. Containing a wide variety of ancient friezes, statues and ancient artefacts, this museum also houses the 5th century bronze sculpture of the Charioteer. From the museum, you’ll continue to visit the main site of Delphi, which dates to the era of Apollo and Zeus and the fabled oracle. A guide will take you around the magnificent treasury houses, the theatre and the ruins of one of the ancient world’s most holy sites. After your visit, you’ll drive through the picturesque Greek countryside for your final night of the holiday, back in the Greek capital. There’ll be opportunity for you to sample typical Greek cuisine and hospitality for the final time.

Day 8

Fly back to the UK - Today you’ll be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home.

Ancient Greece Uncovered Touring Hotels

You will be staying in a series of comfortable hotels that are conveniently located for your tour itinerary.

Athenaeum Grand Hotel, Athens (nights 1-2 and 7)

Situated close to the most iconic sights of Athens' historic centre, with the legendary Acropolis and ancient Agora both within walking distance, this hotel offers an ideal base from which to explore this classical city. There is also an on-site restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine, and a relaxed on-site bar. Air-conditioned guestrooms feature a mini-bar, a safe, a TV and tea/coffee-making facilities as well as free Wi-Fi.

Amalia Hotel, Nafplio (nights 3-4)

With views of the impressive Palamidi Fortress and featuring a host of lounges, courtyards and terrace areas to relax in, this comfortable hotel promises the perfect environment to recharge in between excursions. Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a fitness suite while the hotel restaurant, bar and barbecue areas offer international and Mediterranean dishes a la carte. Comfortable guestrooms offer free Wi-Fi, a TV, a mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities and balconies.

Olympia Palace Hotel, Olympia (night 5)

Only a short drive from Olympia's Temple of Zeus and the city's archaeological museum, this hotel boasts plenty of rural charm and comfort. Guestrooms feature simple d'ecor and include free Wi-Fi, a TV, and a mini fridge. The hotel also offers continental cuisine from its restaurant, breakfast buffet and terraced bar.

Amalia Hotel, Olympia (night 5)

Experience the home of the Olympic games in total comfort with this stylish hotel close to the centre of ancient Olympia. Mediterranean cuisine and an American-style breakfast buffet are served with views of the hotel's gardens from the onsite Artemis Restaurant, while the lounge bar and caf'e offer lighter fare. Bright guestrooms open onto private terraces and include tea/coffee-making facilities, a TV and complimentary Wi-Fi as well as a mini-bar.

Amalia Hotel, Delphi (night 6)

Comfort and convenience are front and centre of this well-appointed hotel, only a stone's throw from the heart of Delphi. Guests can enjoy stunning mountain vistas from the poolside or next to the open fire of the hotel lounge or relax in comfortable guestrooms featuring private verandas and free Wi-Fi. There is also an open-air restaurant, serving authentic Greek cuisine, and a poolside bar.

Hotel Apollonia, Delphi (night 6)

This four-star hotel, boasting unparalleled views over the Gulf of Corinth, offers cosy guestrooms and stellar service amidst its relaxing mountain grounds. Guestrooms are air-conditioned throughout and are equipped with TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bars, safes and complimentary Wi-Fi. Traditional Greek cuisine is served from the hotel's restaurant and guests can also enjoy an outdoor pool with views over historic Delphi.

Please note: We have two hotels in Olympia and Delphi and hotels will vary depending on departure date.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting.

For this tour specifically, it is important to note:

- There is walking involved on most days with some steep access to some of the archaeological sites.

- The tour of Athens is approx. 6 hours long (with breaks), is done on foot and does include some cobbled streets.

If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you would like any further information on the suitability of this tour, please call us for a chat prior to booking.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Visas & Passports

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)

EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.

The EES scheme is not live yet - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live, ensure you are familiar with the process.

For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the ABTA website here.

Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.

European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS)

Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.

The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.

Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.

Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.

Hotel room tax

A climate crisis resilience tax (which replaces the standard hotel room tax) is payable locally:

From April to October the amount is 10€ per room per night.

From November 2024 to March 2025 the amount is 3€ per room per night.

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At a glance

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Request Brochure - Ancient Greece Uncovered

Ancient Greece Uncovered

Ancient Greece Uncovered

Holiday Highlights

What's Included

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Ancient Greece Uncovered Touring Hotels

Athenaeum Grand Hotel, Athens (nights 1-2 and 7)

Amalia Hotel, Nafplio (nights 3-4)

Olympia Palace Hotel, Olympia (night 5)

Amalia Hotel, Olympia (night 5)

Amalia Hotel, Delphi (night 6)

Hotel Apollonia, Delphi (night 6)

Holiday provided by

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