- Greece Private Tours
- Classical Greece with Athens City Stay - Private Tour
Step into the cradle of Western civilization on a journey through Greece’s most storied sites. From Athens’ marble masterpieces and the soaring rock pinnacles of Meteora to the oracle-haunted slopes of Delphi and the golden-era citadels of the Peloponnese, this immersive tour combines iconic landmarks with authentic Greek hospitality. Enjoy scenic drives framed by olive groves and sparkling seas, taste regional cuisine in traditional tavernas, and discover how myth and history intertwine at every turn
Extend your stay in the historical city of Athens. Explore it's fascinating history at your own pace. With this extra time, you can explore world-class museums, relax in scenic cafés, or even take a day trip to nearby towns.
Dinner
Fly from the UK to Athens and transfer to your centrally located hotel. This Evening, and enjoy a welcome dinner.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, begin your adventure with a guided city tour showcasing the layered history of Athens. Pass Syntagma Square and the Parliament House, with a pause at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the ceremonial changing of the guard. Admire the elegant Athenian Trilogy, a neoclassical complex of buildings comprised of the University, Academy, and National Library, before continuing to the iconic Acropolis to explore the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea, all magnificent UNESCO-listed monuments. A leisurely lunch at a local restaurant follows. Spend the afternoon strolling the narrow lanes of Plaka, where pastel façades, small shops, and cafés capture the charm of traditional Athens. An optional excursion to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon is available before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Breakfast & Lunch
Travel north toward Thessaly. En route, stop at Thermopylae, the historic mountain pass where Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 warriors faced the Persian army in 480BC, and the location of a monument honouring their bravery. Continue to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where colossal rock pillars rise dramatically from the surrounding plain – the word ‘Meteora’ means “suspended in the air”. Visit one of the region’s cliff-top Byzantine monasteries before enjoying a lunch highlighting Thessaly’s regional cuisine. Settle into Kalambaka for the evening, a lively town situated at Meteora’s base.
Breakfast & Lunch
Today begins with a visit to a Byzantine icon workshop to learn about the techniques and symbolism behind these intricate religious artworks. From here, ascend winding mountain roads to another of Meteora’s monasteries, where you can admire fresco-covered chapels, centuries-old libraries, and the relaxed pace of Orthodox monastic life, all set against breathtaking panoramas of the Pindus range. Return to Kalambaka for the evening at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel through mountain villages and pine-covered slopes to Delphi, once revered as the “Navel of the World.” Explore this celebrated archaeological site, including the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre with sweeping views of the valley, and the stadium where early Panhellenic Games were held. Visit the Archaeological Museum to see artefacts such as the famous Charioteer of Delphi, an ancient bronze statue dating to around 470BC. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy some free time to explore the village, taking in views of the Amfissa Valley and Gulf of Corinth. Tonight includes dinner in Delphi.
Breakfast & Lunch
Depart for the Peloponnese, pausing in bustling Patras for panoramic views of Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, the busy port, and lively shopping streets. Continue to Olympia, birthplace of the Ancient Olympic Games, traditionally dated to 776BC. After lunch, tour the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visit Olympia’s Archaeological Museum and admire masterpieces like the temple frieze of Zeus and the Hermes of Praxiteles, an ancient sculpture of Hermes with the infant Dionysus. Travel onward to the coastal town of Tolo for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, head to Mycenae, the legendary Homeric city described as ‘rich in gold’, mythological capital of King Agamemnon. Highlights include the iconic Lion Gate, main entrance to the ancient citadel; the massive Cyclopean Walls, towering fortifications named after the giants believed to be the only beings capable of moving such large stones; and the Tomb of Agamemnon, a remarkable example of Mycenaean funerary architecture. Following lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Epidaurus to explore its renowned 4th-Century BC theatre, celebrated for its exceptional acoustics and still used for Greece’s Classical Theatre Festival each summer. Visit an olive oil estate, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample fresh local produce. Tonight, mark the end of your Hellenic journey with a farewell meal in the company of your fellow travellers before your final night in Tolo.
Breakfast
Following breakfast, make a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, a marvel of 19th-Century engineering connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas through a 6km long narrow strait. Transfer to Athens for an additional 2 nights at leisure. Whether you’re keen to do some further sightseeing or prefer to relax and enjoy local cafes and shopping opportunities, the choice is yours.
Breakfast
Spend this day at leisure. Whether that’s lounging at a rooftop terrace, browsing local shops, or revisiting a favourite historical site. As the sun sets, consider heading to a scenic viewpoint like Lycabettus Hill or a waterfront spot in Piraeus.
Breakfast
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your passport must have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Greece, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa as a tourist.
We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When calling the Travel Visa Company, they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all information they will require in order to apply for the visa. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, early mornings, long days of driving, some days with lots of walking and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR) Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are available in most town/cities. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is advisable to carry smaller note denominations.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases. Approximately £300-£400 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
It is customary to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend tipping your guide and driver approximately €30-40 Euros for the while trip. It is customary to tip your guides /drivers at the end of your time with them.
Tipping for restaurants is recommended at 10-15% and the porters at your hotels will be at your discretion, but generally €2 euros. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your guide who will remain with you for the duration of the tour, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Your extended stay is not escorted by a tour guide and your time will be free to explore the area at your own pace. Transfers are included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Indonesia. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Western and international food will be served however some establishments will serve traditional meals giving you a chance to experience local flavours.
Vegetarian and Vegan options available, please request prior to departure. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so we recommend you drink bottled water.
For visits to the monasteries of Meteora: skirts/dresses for ladies and long trousers for gentlemen. In case you have forgotten to bring skirts/dresses and trousers with you, It is possible to purchase them at the monasteries for an additional cost of approximately €5-10 per person.
On your arrival you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Nueva Vista, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Nueva Vista, representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Maria Sigalou Telephone Number +306972861370
E-mail tours@nuevavista.gr
