Best of Greece 2024
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Best of Greece
8 Day Greece Tour of Athens, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora
July 8, 2024 through January 31, 2025
8 days, 1 country and 8 cities -Land Only
Excursions With 3, 4 and 7-Day Aegean Cruise Premier Trips†
Please Contact Us we are here to help you with available dates and answer your questions. Certain discounts may be available depending on current provider offers.
Wellness Tour, as more people see personal health and safety as a top priority.
All other terms and conditions of the trip will apply to both Ball Travel Services and its clients.
Note: A Tour Service Agreement must be executed between BTS and the client before we can book the trip. Please use Contact Us to request the Agreement.
Travel Deposit
- Low deposit from $200
- Deposit protection
- Free booking changes
About this trip
Sightseeing Highlights
- Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Corinth
- Visit the Acropolis and Museum in Athens, ancient ruins in Corinth, ancient theater at Epidaurus, Olympic Stadium in Olympia, home of the Oracle at Delphi, and the incredible rock monasteries in Meteora
- View the Parthenon, Agora, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae
- See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae
- Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth with a Local Speciales
Travel highlights
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
Trip Itinerary
Day -0- Depart from USA to Athens
Air travel to Athens must be scheduled to arrive in Athens at the start of the tour.
Enjoy complimentary transfers on the first and last days of your tour. To book your transfer(s), just contact us at 866 513 1995 Freephone and provide your flight information no less than 21 days before your departure.
Day 1 | Welcome to Athens
Put the 'oh' in opa and embark on an unforgettable
exploration of an ancient land of gods and goddesses,
myths and legends. Your springboard to your
spellbinding holiday is the vibrant capital of Athens, an
effortless mix of ancient treasures and modern verve,
which you will have an opportunity to explore after
being transferred to your hotel. This evening, join
your Travel Director and travel companions for a light
meal.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Divani Caravel / Radisson Blu Park / Crowne Plaza
Day 2 | Explore Amazing Athens
Join your Local Specialist for a guided morning
sightseeing tour to the ancient complex that was once
the 'Cradle of Western Civilization'. Along our journey
into antiquity, we'll have an opportunity to explore the
Acropolis with its treasures and admire the Parthenon,
dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Royal Palace,
Temple of Zeus and the Agora, once the haunt of
Socrates and Plato. Dive Into Culture and see
remarkable displays of an ancient world during an
included visit to the Acropolis Museum, and see
Hadrian's Arch and the stadium where the first modern
Olympics took place in 1896. The rest of the day is yours
to enjoy on your own. Stroll through the Plaka, peoplewatch
in Syntagma Square or go in search of the city's
tastiest souvlaki – the choice is yours.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Divani Caravel / Radisson Blu Park / Crowne Plaza
INCLUDED AND OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Discover remarkable antiques at the Acropolis Museum - Visit the Acropolis Museum containing remarkable antiquities giving visitors an insight into the lives of Athenians centuries ago.
Athens City Tour - Delve into Athens with a Local Specialist. See the iconic highlights of this ancient city, from the Acropolis to the site of the first modern Olympics.
Cape Sounion - Take a relaxing trip down to the southernmost tip of Mainland Greece to see the fifth century B.C
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. See if you can spot where Byron carved his initials on one of the temple's sixteen
columns. Marvel at the sheer rugged beauty of the coastline and the ancient temple perched above a 197-foot drop
down to the Aegean Sea below. Stand above the site of the world's first lighthouse, overlooking an area steeped in
classical Greek history, ever since the tragic King Aegeas threw himself from the rocky precipice into the sea below,
thereby giving his name to the Aegean Sea.
Adult: 52.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Day 3 | Journey to Corinth, Mycenae and Nafplion
We depart Athens this morning, crossing the mighty
Corinth Canal to the wild Peloponnesian Peninsula.
Arriving in Corinth, we join a Local Specialist to explore
an ancient city that several empires fought over
throughout the centuries. We continue to Mycenae, a
mighty kingdom of Ancient Greece, where we'll see the
Beehive Tombs (the Treasury of Atreus), the Lion Gate
and the remains of Agamemnon's Royal Palace, in the
company of a Local Specialist. Later, we'll travel to
Epidaurus to visit the ancient theater and view the
Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, whose
snake-entwined staff remains the symbol of medicine to
this day. Arriving in the Venetian town of Nafplion later,
we'll dine in our hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Amalia Nafplio/Ippoliti/Nafplia Palace
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
-
Corinth Visit Cross the amazing rock-cut channel dividing the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Join a Local Specialist and gain insight into Corinth's eventful past.
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Mycenae City Tour Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Specialist.
Day 4 | Continue to Ancient Olympia
We traverse the Mountains of Arcadia to ancient
Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games held in 776
BC. This evening, we Connect With Locals joining the
Karambellas family for dinner on their olive and wine
farm at a Be My Guest experience featuring traditional
dancing and characteristic Greek philoxenia.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Amalia Olympia
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
-
Dine and Dance with the Karambellas Family on their Olive and Wine Farm Say opa! to an Olympic Be My Guest experience with the Karambellas family on their olive and wine farm, followed by a traditional dinner and dancing.
Day 5 | Onwards to Patras and Delphi
We join a Local Specialist this morning to delve into
centuries of history. We'll visit the ancient Olympic site,
the museum and the ruined remains of the Temples of
Zeus and Hera. Leaving Olympia, we skirt the coastline
north to Patras, crossing the Gulf of Corinth to mainland
Greece before continuing to Delphi, where you may
wish to try your hand at preparing some local dishes
during an interactive cooking lesson.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Amalia Delphi
INCLUDED AND OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Explore the Ancient Site of Olympia Join a Local Specialist to view the stadium of Olympia which hosted the ancient Olympic Games and Heraia, the women's games in honor of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.
Greek Culinary Experience - This evening enjoy a fun interactive Greek cooking lesson; try your hand at preparing
various famous local dishes under the expert direction of your warm and hospitable chef and hosts.
Afterwards relax in the lovely surroundings and enjoy a scrumptious dinner including the dishes you have prepared!
Adult: 56.00 EUR
HOW TO BOOK? Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Day 6 | Off to Thermopylae and Kalambaka
Tread in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, who would
descend on the sanctuary of Delphi to consult with the
most important oracle in the classical world. Join your
Local Specialist and walk the Sacred Way to the 4th
century Temple of Apollo. View the statues immortalising
the strength of the athletes who once competed in the
Pythian Games, held in honor of Apollo and the Arts.
Continue on to a family-ran honey farm for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Taste the rich thyme
honey freshly collected from the hive and come up close
to the unique biodiversity of the area. A scenic
afternoon drive brings us to Thermopylae, famous for
the heroic defense by Leonidas and his brave Spartans
against the invading Persians. We cross the lush Thessaly
region, the 'breadbasket of Greece', then travel over
the Pourmaraki Pass towards Kalambaka.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Amalia Kalambaka
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Delphi City Tour With your Local Specialist, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where people once sought divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.
See the Leonidas Monument in Thermopylae See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.
Honey Tasting in Delphi Meet passionate beekeeper Nikiforos at his honey farm for a taste of his special thyme honey, known to be one of the most nutritious in the world. See the bees thriving in their natural habitat and learn about their role in nature regeneration.
This experience advances Global Goal 15: Life on Land. Traditionally a beekeeping area, Delphi has lost most of its beekeeping activity. The decline in bee populations has seen a significant loss of biodiversity. Thanks to their effort, Nikiforos and his family and rebuilding a local activity and directly contributing to regenerating the land.
Day 7 | Admire Meteora and Return to Athens
The UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Meteora
are our first stop today. Join a Local Specialist to visit two
of the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries that cling
impressively to immense, rounded rock towers
overlooking the town. A scenic drive returns us to
Athens, where we'll enjoy a rousing Farewell Dinner with
our travel companions and reminisce over an incredible
journey through Greece.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Divani Caravel / Radisson Blu Park / Crowne Plaza
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Day 8 | Farewell Athens
We say a fond farewell to our newfound friends and the
treasures of Greece after an unforgettable journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 07:00, 10:00
Not Included
- Meals and tips except the 12 Breakfasts, 6 dinners meals that are included.
- Travel Insurance.
- Tips to hotel staff.
- Tips to local guides
Tour Map
Cost of the Land Tour
$2,333 pp double occupancy (July 8, 2024). Note: The price of the tour varies by date of travel. Please contact us to verify the costs when you want to travel. Certain discounts may be available depending on the providers' current offers.
† Excursions With 3, 4 and 7- Day Aegean Cruise Premier Trips
3 Day Cruise
- Option I, 3 - Days with 3-night Aegean Cruise Premier - 12 days, 2 countries and 14 cities. Premier cabins on this 3-night cruise are located on exterior decks 4 and 3. Last Minute Deal UP TO 15% 0ff $4,511 From $3,857
- Option II, 3 - Days with 3-night Aegean Cruise Premier - 12 days, 2 countries and 14 cities. The Premier cabins on this 3-night cruise are located on exterior decks 3 and 2. Last Minute Deal UP TO 15% 0ff $4,511 From $3,791
4 Day Cruise
- Option I, 4 – Days with 4-night Aegean Cruise, Superior - 13 days, 2 countries and 15 cities. The Superior cabins on this 4-night cruise are located at exterior decks 3 and 2. Last Minute From $4,763
- Option II, 4 – Days with 4-night Aegean Cruise, Superior - 13 days, 2 countries and 15 cities. The Superior cabins on this 4-night cruise are located at exterior decks 4 and 3. Last Minute From $4,897
7 Day Cruise
- Option I, 7 – Days with 7-night Aegean Cruise, Idyllic Premier - 17 days, 2 countries and 14 cities. This tour version visits the Greek Islands of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Milos and the Turkish port of Kusadasi. The Premier cabins on this 7-night cruise are located on exterior decks 6 or 4. Last Minute Deal UP TO 15% off $5,743 From $5,094
- Option II, 7 – Days with 7-night Aegean Cruise, Idyllic Premier - 17 days, 2 countries and 14 cities. This tour version visits the Greek Islands of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Milos and the Turkish port of Kusadasi. The Premier cabins on this 7-night cruise are located on exterior decks 5 or 4. Last Minute Deal UP TO 15% off $5,743 From $4,933
With Santorini Excursion
11 – days, 1 country and 9 cities. This tour variation includes 3 nights in Santorini
Transfers
We want you to have as easy and convenient a journey as possible, which is why we offer airport transfers to and from your tour hotel, on the first and last days of your itinerary, for most destinations.
If you're arriving earlier or leaving later than your scheduled itinerary dates, you can purchase your transfer from us, provided you've also bought your extra hotel night(s) through us.
Ball Travel Services (BTS) - Tour Service Agreement
BTS - Tour Service Agreement covers various aspects requested by our client(s). The agreement is between Ball Research, Inc., a Michigan Corp. d/b/a Ball Travel Services and its client(s). This agreement provides two services BTS provides to its clients.
- Develop customized tours for our clients. Fees.
- Tours BTS are promoting between the Tour Operator, BTS and our client(s) who are interested in a tour we are promoting. No Fees.
- Both have an EXHIBIT A which provides the information as to when payments have to be made, plus additional information from the tour operator on Pricing, Terms, Conditions and Cancelation policies, etc.
Ball Travel Services Recommends You Purchase Travel Insurance.
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