Athens & Ancient Greece: Delphi, Olympia & Mycenae

Today you explore the ancient heart of Athens with your expert guide. You climb the sacred Acropolis, taking in the graceful Propylaea gateway, the exquisite Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion with its famous Caryatids, before standing before the Parthenon, the supreme masterpiece of classical architecture, with breathtaking views over the city. You descend to the superb Acropolis Museum, where the temple's sculptures are displayed in sight of the monument. In the afternoon you explore the ancient Agora, the heart of classical Athens where Socrates once walked, with its beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus, and perhaps the National Archaeological Museum, home to the treasures of Mycenae. The history and grandeur are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour Greek cuisine in Plaka. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to sacred Delphi.

Today you journey to sacred Delphi, the most spectacular of ancient sanctuaries. You drive north-west from Athens through beautiful countryside, passing the pretty town of Arachova, to Delphi, set on the steep, pine-clad slopes of Mount Parnassus above a vast sea of olive groves running down to the sea. Considered by the ancients the very centre of the earth, Delphi was home to the famous oracle of Apollo. With your expert guide you walk the Sacred Way up through the sanctuary, past ancient treasuries to the great Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium, and visit the superb museum, home to the magnificent bronze Charioteer. The spectacular setting and profound history are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your hotel near Delphi, high among the mountains. This evening, savour a mountain taverna dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you cross to Olympia.

Today you journey to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. You drive down from the mountains and cross to the Peloponnese, traversing the spectacular Rio-Antirrio bridge over the Gulf of Corinth, through beautiful countryside of olive groves and vineyards, to Olympia in its green valley. With your expert guide you explore the sacred sanctuary of Zeus, the great Temple of Zeus that once held one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Hera, the workshop of the sculptor Pheidias, and the original stadium, where you can stand on the ancient marble starting line where athletes once raced. The superb museum holds masterpieces of ancient sculpture. The history and atmosphere are deeply moving. As the day ends, you settle into your hotel near Olympia. This evening, savour local Peloponnesian cuisine and wine. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to Mycenae and Nafplio.

Today you journey across the Peloponnese to two legendary sites and the lovely town of Nafplio. You drive east to Mycenae, citadel of Agamemnon and heart of the Bronze Age civilisation sung by Homer, passing through the famous Lion Gate into the ancient fortress, seeing the royal grave circles and the great beehive Treasury of Atreus, with your guide bringing the age of heroes to life. You continue to Epidaurus, marvelling at the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece, whose acoustics are so perfect a whisper carries to the highest row. In the evening you arrive in Nafplio, Greece's most elegant town, on its beautiful bay. The myth and grandeur are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into romantic Nafplio. This evening, savour a taverna dinner in its marble squares. Rest well, for tomorrow you return to Athens.

This morning you enjoy lovely, romantic Nafplio before returning to Athens for your departure. You wander its enchanting old town of neoclassical mansions, marble squares, bougainvillea-draped lanes and welcoming cafes, take in the little island fortress of Bourtzi in the harbour, and perhaps admire the mighty Palamidi fortress crowning the town. In the afternoon you drive back to Athens, pausing at the impressive Corinth Canal, cut through the isthmus, before being transferred to the airport for your onward journey. You leave having walked through the ancient world that shaped our own, from the Parthenon and sacred Delphi to Olympia, Mycenae and Epidaurus, and rested in elegant Nafplio. The images stay vivid long after you land, the Parthenon high above Athens, the temples of Delphi, the stadium at Olympia, and the Lion Gate of Mycenae. You depart already dreaming of return.