RAQ Trips
GREECE – A JOURNEY TO FABLED PLACES
A JOURNEY FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO THE CRYSTAL BLUE WATERS OF THE
MEDITERRANEAN
May 2, 2020
Athens
Upon Arrival, Transfer from airport to hotel 3 nights in Athens
Hotel Elia Ermou, Athens
Standard Room (Breakfast)
https://www.eliaermouhotel.com/
May 3
Athens
Half Day City Tour with Acropolis Musuem
From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, with the half-day sightseeing and Acropolis museum tour you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. 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 depart for 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 Acropoilis (visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens).
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.
May 4 – Athens at leisure. Ejoy the sights and sounds of Athens at your leisure
May 5
Leave Athens in this 3 day Delphi-Meteora tour.
With this three day sightseeing tour in Greece including Meteora and Delphi, you will visit two of Greece's most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the archeological site of Delphi with Apollo temple, also known as the 'navel of the world' and the stunning rock-tower monasteries of Meteora.
1st Day: Start your 3-Day trip with a pick up from your central Athens hotel and depart through Thebes, Livadia (short stop) and Arachova for Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Explore the archaeological site and marvel at the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle. Stroll around the relics of the Temple as your professional guide describes its purpose and construction. Second stop is the museum of Delphi with its spectacular finds, including the unique bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the statue of Antinoos. Check in to your hotel and spend your afternoon as you wish. Overnight stay in Delphi.
2nd Day: The next morning is at your leisure to relax or to visit the town of Delphi. In the afternoon meet our guide and depart through Central Greece to Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, crowned by the Meteora Monasteries. Overnight stay in Kalambaka.
3rd
Day:
After
your breakfast, depart for nearby Meteora to
visit the Byzantine monasteries built on top of rock towers and
providing fantastic views over the plain. Listen to fascinating
stories by your guide and learn how they provided refuge for monks in
the bloody aftermath of the Roman Empire. Return to Athens late in
the afternoon passing by the heroic monument of King Leonidas of
Sparta at Thermopylae.
INCLUDES
·Transportation by luxury air conditioned bus
·Professional and licensed guide
·Hotel accomodation (4 star hotels)
·Breakfasts & dinners
·Entrance fees
May 7 – Return to Athens in late afternoon and overnight
Athens
Hotel Elia Ermou, Athens
May 8
Athens-Santorini
Transfer to Airport for a short flight to the island of Santorini, one of the prettiest islands of the Cyclades with a beautiful view of the Caldera
Upon Arrival, transfer to a beautiful Cliff hotel of Tzekos Villa
(3 nights)
Tzekos Villa
Superior Room (Breakfast)
May 9 – A full day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Santorini May 10
Santorni
Sunset Tour in Aphrodite Boat
3:00pm – After sunset
Go on board an Aphrodite boat and cruise around the Santorini caldera all the while enjoying the exhilarating view of the island during sunset. You will be driven to the Port of Athinios where you will board an Aphrodite boat and sail along the lava rock until you reach Oia Amoudi bay, from where you will get to watch the beautiful Oia sunset. On board, enjoy the welcome drinks and dinner that will be served.
May 11
Santorini-Heraklion, Crete
Take the Fast Ferry/Catamaran to the Historical island of Crete, one of the largest islands of Greece.
Upon arrival, transfer to Seaside resort of Heronissos Maris hotel -
Hersonissos Maris Hotel - 3 nights
Side Sea View Room (Breakfast & Dinner)
https://www.hersotels.gr/hotels/hersonissos-maris
May 12 –
Knossos palace, Heraklion walking tour & Archaeological museum of Heraklion
Visit the Mythical Palace of Knossos of King Minos and Labyrinth home to the Minotaur. (Duration 90 min) • 11:30am We take a Stroll in the City Centre of Heraklion (Free of Charge) the largest city and Capital of Crete. Discover the past and the present of a city that combines old with new. (Duration 90 min) • 01:30pm Next, the Archaeological museum of Heraklion, enjoy the fine art and jewelry in one of the most popular Bronze Age museums of Europe. (Duration 90 min) By choosing the tour option ''with transfer'' , we pick you up from Heraklion city center and drive you to Knossos palace. After the tour at Knossos palace we drive you back for the Walking tour and the Archaeological museum.
Afternoon at leisure
May 13 -
Wine and Olive Oil Small-Group Tour of Heraklion with Tastings
Take a full-day wine tasting, olive oil tasting and terroir tour in Heraklion, Crete with an English-speaking guide on this small group tour. Enjoy lunch at one of the best Cretan mezze restaurants in the area. This tour is great for food and wine lovers to discover the real taste of Crete. Travel stress-free with hotel pickup and drop-off service included.
Your full-day tour begins with hotel pickup in Heraklion. Then you will head to Archanes and Peza in central Crete where some of their best wines are made. Meet two winemakers who will guide you through their wineries. After a wine presentation you will experience a unique private wine tasting featuring 15 samples of wine.Crete is the island of olive oil. Here you can find some of the best olive oils in the world. Partake in a sensational olive oil tasting with about 10 different olive oils. learn about process of olive oil and how to taste it. Discover traditional Cretan cooking with a mezze bar visit for a real Cretan lunch. Prepare for several plates of cold and warm mezzes to be brought to your table to share. This is a fantastic experience in a cozy, friendly atmosphere. Continue your wine tasting here and also raki (unsweetened, anise-flavored alcoholic drink) tasting to aid digestion.After lunch, take a short walk to explore the picturesque village of Archanes which has a rich history in wine culture. End the day with a visit to a second winery with a selection of another five to six different wines for you to try.
May 14
Heraklion-Athens Transfer to airport for your flight to Athens to connect to International flight.
PRICE - 4995.00 + 396.00 TAXES PER PERSON, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
SINGLE OCCUPANCY RATE UPON REQUEST
Includes – All meals, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing and touring as described above.
ALTERNATE DATES MAYBE POSSIBLE; RATES ARE ON REQUEST
Does not include international flights, tipping and items of personal nature.
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH AVAILABILITY AND WITHOUT NOTICE.