Treasures of Ancient Greece Tour

The tour is suitable for fit adults and children over 12 years. Ability to speak Greek is not necessary, although it will add to your enjoyment if you know a few words!

On a tour you take away a better taste of the culture and way of life, savouring many more of the most fascinating sights. An excellent introduction to the sites and classical mythology of ancient Greece, this is an opportunity to experience the contrast of northern and southern regions of this fascinating country in comfort and style. There's also an option to spend a second week relaxing at a range of hotels in Halkidiki.

	With Georgina Giati, our professional tour guide (who speaks excellent English), you won't miss a thing - visiting some of the most famous ancient wonders of Greece.
	Tour Intinerary
	Day 1 Monday: UK - Thessaloniki Transfer by coach from Thessaloniki airport to the Sun Beach Hotel or similar in Agia Triada, Thessaloniki.
	Day 2 Tuesday: Pella - Vergina - Kalambaka The tour begins with a morning drive to the ancient city of Pella (birthplace of Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great) to see the Hellenistic houses with their famous mosaic floors. Continue to Vergina to visit the Royal Macedonian tombs of Philip II, and the modern museum housing recently-excavated fascinating golden treasures. Continue south past spectacular views of Mount Olympus to Thessaly and on to Kalambaka for an overnight stop at Hotel Divani (or similar).
	Day 3 Wednesday: Meteora - Athens Visit awe-inspiring Meteora - the unusual geological phenomenon of towering rocks with tranquil monasteries which top them. On to Athens via the Pass of Thermopylae where King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans heroically held back an entire Persian army in 480BC - and then to the very grand hotel Kanningos 21 boutique, trendy hotel and friendly, or similar. There's an optional evening dinner in the Plaka, the old quarter of Athens.
	Day 4 Thursday: Athens Overnight stay at hotel Kaningos 21. Today you can take the optional day tour to visit the Acropolis and the impressive Kallimarmaron stadium (the ancient Panathenaic stadium rebuilt for the 1896 Olympics), or in the afternoon there's an option to visit Cape Sounion to see the Archaic temple of Poseidon. Alternatively, spend a leisurely day exploring the vibrant city of Athens at your own pace and, once you have seen the main sights, browse around Plaka or visit the roof-top bar of the Hotel, from where there's a spectacular view of the Acropolis.
	Day 5 Friday: Athens - Olympia Depart for the Peloponnese, stopping at the Corinth Canal then on to the site of the ancient Graeco-Roman city of Corinth. See the Temple of Apollo and the Bema where the Apostle Paul was brought to trial. Continue to Mycanae to see the Lion Gate, the Royal Grave Circle, the ruins of the Palace of Agamemnon and the beehive Treasury of Atreus. Drive through the mountains of Arcadia to Olympia. Overnight stop in Olympia at the Hotel Antonios or similar.
	Day 6 Saturday: Olympia - Itea (Port of Delphi) Spend the morning looking at the peaceful site where the Olympic Games originated in 776BC, followed by a visit to the fine museum housing the famous statue of Hermes by Praxitelis. Travel North, across the Gulf of Corinth and across the new Rio Antirion bridge then along  the beautiful scenery of the Corinthian gulf coastline to reach Delphi for an overnight stop. Hotel Vouzas or similar.
	Day 7 Sunday: Delphi - Thessaloniki In the morning, visit the site of the Delphic Oracle to see the temple of Apollo, the stadium and the museum, with its famous statue of the Charioteer. Continue north, along the foothills of Mount Parnassos and the Brallos mountain range, through the valley of Tempi before returning to Thessaloniki. Stop to see the White Tower and the modern bronze statues of Alexander the Great and Phillip II along the waterfront with a fine view of the town. Overnight stop in Thessaloniki at the Hotel Sun Beach, or similar.
	Day 8 Monday: Thessaloniki Spend the morning at leisure, perhaps soaking up the sun on the beach or relaxing by the hotel's swimming pool. You could also take the local bus to the centre of Thessaloniki town to view the many Byzantine churches. Transfer to Thessaloniki airport for your return flight home or then on to the hotel or studios of your choice for a further week, which you can book in advance with Thomson's Travel.

Notes:

When visiting the monastery of Meteora, ladies are required to wear skirts and cover arms while gentlemen must wear long trousers. A pair of sensible shoes for walking is also required for this tour. Please note that, due to a certain amount of walking and standing at archaeological sites, this tour may be unsuitable for the less mobile.

Choice of hotels is subject to change without notification but we will always choose good quality hotels.

Please phone Thomson Holidays and ask for information about their "Treasures of Ancient Greece" coach tour around Greece and their Thessaloniki airport brochures Halkidiki (Greece and Small and Friendly).

Phone 0870 1650070  or 0870 1650078* or see your travel agent for details.
*Call charges apply. 10p per minute.

For more information:-

Go to the "Small and Friendly" section of the Thomson web site:

Choose to "Download the Thomson Small and Friendly brochure" next to the picture.

Select the [] Halkidiki check-box under the heading "Greece & Her Islands".

Now download it and you'll find the tour on page 34 (2008 edition).

Your questions about the "Treasures of Ancient Greece" tour answered HERE.