Day 1 Arrive Thessaloniki

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Electra Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece. A transfer is included from Thessaloniki Airport to the grand Electra Palace Thessaloniki, ideally located near the waterfront. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vergina today and explore the Museum of the Royal Tombs, the burial site of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and members of his family. View the well-preserved underground tombs with a local expert, seeing the collection of weapons, jewelry, pottery, and more that were sealed inside. Enjoy a panoramic drive through Thessaloniki before time at leisure to enjoy the city and its foodie culture.

This morning, embark on a scenic journey into the heart of Central Greece to awe-inspiring Meteora. Crowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Meteora is home to six active Byzantine monasteries perched high atop towering rock formations. Step inside one of these living monuments and gain rare insight into the lives of the monks and nuns who have called this sacred site home for centuries. Travel onward to the mountain town of Arachova, where your idyllic mountain resort and dinner await.

Venture to Delphi, an ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo, for a guided tour. Considered the center of the world by the ancient Greeks, it served as a major religious site for seeking guidance and advice. Learn about the ruins on a walking tour with a guide before exploring the stadium and theatre high up in the site on your own, or choose a guided visit to the Delphi Archaeological Museum. Spend the remainder of the day at your resort.

Head south to your resort in Costa Navarino, stopping in seaside Nafpaktos, steeped in medieval charm with a fairy tale vibe, followed by a visit to Olympia, the most celebrated sacred site of ancient Greece. See where the Olympic Games were born in 776 BC and where the Olympic torch is still lit today on a guided tour with an expert, and hear storied insights about the athletes who competed here. Continue to your beachfront resort for time at leisure, and enjoy dinner tonight in your choice of hotel restaurants.

Unspoiled and still unknown to crowds of tourists, Costa Navarino is emerging today as a world-class golf and beach destination amidst a scenic waterfront setting overlooking the Ionian Sea. Spend the day indulging in the amenities of your resort as you please.

Hidden in the shadow of a mountain in the Peloponnese, Ancient Messene stands as lasting testament to classical Greek civilization, yet it remains relatively free from crowds. Explore the site with a local guide before enjoying lunch nearby. Continue to Athens, stopping for views of the Corinth Canal. Dine as you wish tonight.

Ascend the Acropolis before the heat and the crowds on a morning walking tour with a private local guide and step into the heart of ancient Greece. Towering above modern-day Athens, the Acropolis has been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age and reached its pinnacle in the 5th century BC as a symbol of power, worship, and intellectual achievement. Begin at the 2nd-century Odeon of Herodes Atticus, still used for performances today. Then stand before the iconic Parthenon, a white marble masterpiece dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom and the city's namesake. Continue to the Erechtheion, where myth and architecture merge—the sacred site of Athena and Poseidon's legendary contest, featuring the graceful Porch of the Caryatids. After time to absorb sweeping views of Athens from this ancient citadel, descend for a guided visit to the Acropolis Museum. Built over an active excavation site, the museum houses treasures spanning from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine periods. Peer through glass floors into ongoing digs, revealing layers of the city's past. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Just a short walk from your hotel you'll find the Plaka. Nestled beneath the Acropolis and its historic temples, this charming area exudes a village-like atmosphere, with its narrow cobblestone lanes, quaint shops, inviting sidewalk cafés, and cozy family-run tavernas that stay open into the night.

Take a ferry to the picturesque port of Hydra, renowned for its exquisite architecture and spectacular neoclassical stone mansions overlooking the port, for a guided tour followed by free time. There are no cars on this island; explore the sights as you wish on foot, by boat or from the saddle, taking life at a slow pace like the locals do. Return to Athens after lunch and enjoy the evening as you wish.

Fly to Heraklion Airport today for a two-night stay on the island of Crete where a locally guided sightseeing excursion upon your arrival introduces you to its landmark sights. Explore Knossos, the central site of the Minoan civilization. Its evocative setting incorporates an immense palace, courtyards, private apartments, baths, lively frescoes and more, including multistory structures, sophisticated plumbing systems, and vibrant frescoes. The remnants of Knossos Palace inspire with myths of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur as it is believed to be the location of the labyrinth in Greek mythology. Return to your resort for time at leisure and enjoy dinner here tonight. Bordering a beautiful beach with a chic French Riviera vibe, the Domes of Elounda overlooks Mirabello Bay, with its sparkling, crystal-clear waters, World-Heritage site Spinalonga Island fortress, golden beaches, and olive tree-dotted Cretan terrain.

In keeping with the maritime traditions of Crete, embark on a locally guided boat ride around Spinalonga that includes a visit to the historic fortress and views remote beaches and hidden coves accessible only by boat. Our onboard experts will share insights, historical facts, and point out key landmarks during your cruise. Spend the afternoon enjoying the amenities of your seaside resort and join us tonight for a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Tour ends: 8:00 AM, Domes of Elounda. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included to Heraklion Airport from the Domes of Elounda for your journey home. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport. Ask at booking about a post stay on Crete.