Greece - Mainland

Dates: Oct 19 - 30, 2024 (12 Days) with Reid Coen SOLD OUT
Cost:
$3795 Price reduced: $3595 Single Supplement $1100 $700 (limited availability)
Early Pay Discount ($300) available until:
Feb 19, 2024 July 15 Maximum tour size: 26

Greece, the cradle of western civilization. For westerners, there is no other place on earth that better represents, symbolically and practically, our roots and history. Around every bend in the road, at every stop along the way, the stones and earth of Greece carry our story. But this celebrated land offers more than rich history: great food, great wine, beautiful landscapes and vistas, colorful traditions, music, and dance to name but a few. Join Imprint Tours for a sampling of the best this country has to offer. The treasures of Athens - the iconic Acropolis and National Archeological Museum, Delphi - navel of the world, Meteora - mystical monasteries on dramatic spires, charming Naphlio, restful Stoupa, stunning Santorini, plus the ancient sites of Mycenae, Epidavros, Olympia, Akrotiri, and much more.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Athens
Meeting

Our hotel is near the pedestrian-friendly and centrally-located Monesteraki Square and the Plaka neighborhood. At the end of the afternoon we'll meet on the roof-top terrace for a quick "Welcome to Greece" get-together. Afterward, we’ll spend more time getting to know one another and having dinner together in a traditional Greek taverna.
Hotel Attalos (2 nights) https://www.attaloshotel.com/

Day 2: Athens
Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and Agora|

Our morning begins with guided tours of the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore Athens’ many museums and the Plaka's labyrinth of inviting streets, squares, shops and cafés.

Day 3: Naphlio
National Archeological Museum, Corinth Canal, and Greek Music

The National Archeological Museum is our first stop today. We’ll see the famous Mask of Agamemnon and treasures from early Cycladic to Hellenistic sculptures from all across Greece. Then we’ll depart Athens and head for the Peloponnese, stopping for a photo op at the Corinth Canal. We’ll continue to beautiful harbor-side Naphlio in time to explore before dinner, where we’ll be accompanied by live music.
Victoria Hotel (3 nights)

Day 4: Naphlio
Ancient Mycenae and Traditional Pottery

After breakfast we’ll visit nearby Mycenae with our ace guide where we’ll tour the ruins and walk in the footsteps of Agamemnon. The museum houses a veritable treasure trove of artifacts from the site and we’ll tour a classic “Beehive” tomb. We’ll enter the site through the famous Lion’s Gate. Afterwards we’ll visit a pottery factory/institute where the next generation of Greek masters are being trained in the five traditional styles. We’ll return to Naphlio for a free afternoon and evening to relax or explore. Climb the 999 steps to the mighty Palamidi Fortress ruins that overlook Naphlio or take a boat out to tiny Boursi Fort in the harbor.

Day 5: Naphlio
Epidaurus and Wine Tasting
This morning we’ll explore the nearby Sanctuary of Asclepius and the ancient amphitheater at Epidaurus. This was a primary hospital site for the ancient Greek world. We’ll learn about their approach to medicine and health before finishing at the famous theater. The acoustics here are simply splendid - an amazing accomplishment of ancient building technology. After a free afternoon we’ll indulge in a wine tasting.

Day 6: Kardamyli
Medieval Monemvasia

Today we’ll head into the heart of the Peloponnese, stopping at the town of Monemvasia. Often referred to as Greece’s Gibraltar, this fortified Medieval gem hugs the side of the great rock surrounded by the Aegean Sea. After our explorations we’ll return to the modern world and settle in idyllic Kardamyli, a tiny seaside hamlet on the Mani Peninsula.
Vardia Hotel (2 nights)

Day 7: Kardamyli
Free Day

After some orientation, the day is all yours. Kardamyli is an ideal place to enjoy a “vacation from your vacation.” Options include relaxing on the beach, hiking in the nearby gorge, and enjoying some grilled seafood at a seaside taverna.

Day 8: Delphi
Ancient Olympia and Museum

We'll make an early departure today and drive north through the mountainous western Peloponnese, often along the coast of the Ionian Sea. It is mostly a travel day but we’ll squeeze in one amazing sight. We’ll break up the drive with a visit to Ancient Olympia. Our guide will make these ruins come alive with tales of the world’s most famous athletic competition.
Hotel Leto (1 night)

Day 9: Meteora
Ancient Delphi and Museum

After breakfast we’ll tour the evocative ruins of ancient Delphi and visit its museum. The dramatic location makes it obvious why it became a center of spiritual pilgrimage more than 25 Centuries ago. In the afternoon we’ll drive into the rugged heart of Greece, destination Meteora. We’ll arrive in time for happy hour and dusk views of the magnificent natural spires of this mystical destination.
Hotel Divani Meteora (1 night)

Day 10: Santorini
Meteora Monasteries and Santorini Flight

Our last day on mainland Greece will begin in spectacular fashion with a guided tour of several of the 14th century monasteries which grace the tops of the dramatically jutting pinnacles and cliffs of this unique geological area. Our afternoon will be spent driving south through Attica, passing such historical sights as Thermopylae and Marathon before being dropped at the Athens Airport for our evening flight to Santorini (flight included).
Hotel Volcano View (2 nights) https://www.volcano-view.com/

Day 11: Santorini
Island Excursion; village visit, Akrotiri, and Oia
This is our excursion day for Santorini but there is plenty of time to relax on your caldera-view terrace for the morning. We’ll depart in the morning for a visit to a village and learn about non-touristy everyday life on Santorini. Next up, Ancient Akrotiri, the Minoan era settlement. We’ll make a lunch stop at a classic Santorini beach enroute to art-oriented Oia with the best view on the island. In the evening we’ll gather for a final dinner together.

Day 12: Tour Over After Breakfast
The tour officially ends with breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport or port transfers.

Important exceptions:

Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks, free-time sightseeing and meals, and expenditures of a personal nature.

Please note that all itinerary details and hotels are subject to change

What’s Included:

11 nights accommodation; All breakfasts, 5 dinners, 1 lunch; All tour transport (bus, airplane); All tips (Imprint tour manager, local guides, meals, hotel staffs, drivers); Full-time services of a Imprint tour director, local guides; All entrances: National Archeological Museum, Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Olympia Museum, Delphi, Delphi Museum, Meteora monasteries, Akrotiri; All activities: Corinth Canal, Monemvasia, Santorini island tour - Oia, beaches, village; wine tasting, and more


Recommended Viewing

Zorba the Greek (1964)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Eternity and a Day (1998)

Mamma Mia (2008)

Troy (2004)

300 (2006)

My Life in Ruins (2009)

Before Midnight (2013)

Recommended Reading

“Sailing on the Wine-Dark Sea: Why Greeks Matter” by Thomas Cahill

“A Traveler’s History of Greece” by Timothy Boatswain & Colin Nicholson

“Dinner with Persephone” by Rebecca Storace

“The Histories” by Herodotus

“The Greek Myths” by Robert Graves

“The Summer of My Greek Taverna” by Tom Stone

“The Odyssey” by Homer

What to Know

Visas:
Greece does not require visas for citizens of the United States and Canada

Currency:
Euro, EUR. Please check currency rates before departing

Weather / When to go:
It is best to visit Greece outside of its peak times, April to June and September and October are better. Temperatures are still warm but not stifling. You’ll find destinations are still open but not as crowded.

Is an Imprint Tour right for me?
Visit the link below to discover more about what to expect physically and mentally from our tour experiences.

Stay Connected

We’d love to keep in touch about the latest news and updates here at imprint. Sign up for our newsletter below to get all the details.