Greece Tour

The famous Temple of Poseidon sits above the beach on a mountain, its soaring columns bathing in the sun, waiting for your admiration. From here we head northwest along the sacred mountainous Helicon range. Passing the picturesque village of Arachova, we arrive in ancient Delphi to explore another legend, that of the Oracle.

One of the top ten must-see sites in the world, Delphi was built in the 6th century B.C. and boasts the Temple of Apollo, the sanctuary of Athena, and the much photographed Tholos. After fully exploring this ancient wonder, some excellent riding greets us again today. We'll stop in Thermopilae and admire the statue of Leonidus, the brave king of Sparta, before continuing into the mountains. Spacious roads along the green valleys eventually give way to more demanding twisties toward the mountain ski resort of Karpenisi.

Mount Tymfristos lies to the north, rising to nearly 2,315 meters. The beautiful valley of the Karpenisiotis River provides the backdrop for today’s ride. We’ll travel the convoluted cliff side as it skirts the mountains, stopping for short breaks to enjoy the fabulous views. Riding tight turns gradually takes us to the wild terrain of eroded sandstone peaks, the domain of The Meteora. The Meteora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, from the 11th century onwards, monks built twenty-four precariously perched monasteries. Today, we are able to visit six of the surviving monasteries and their 16th-century post-Byzantine frescoes.

The Pindus Mountains provide plenty of twisties and impressive scenery all around. Hilly roads take us through the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Center of Metsovo, a traditional village of northern Greece mostly famous for its cheeses and wines. From here we continue on to the capital of Epirus, Ioannina, and spread around the beautiful Lake Pamvotida. We continue to the nearby Vikos gorge, the deepest in the world and an amazing spot on the way to the village of Monodendri, our stop for the night.

Leaving the grey-stone Zagorian village of Monodendri, we ride all the way to the sea shore, crossing over to Lefkada Island. A short ferry ride in the afternoon brings us to Cephalonia, a relaxing island in the Ionian Sea. This is a Greek island the way they used to be; it pretty much goes its own way while you travel around and through it.

Explore the numerous sandy beaches on the island and swim in the crystal clear sea, do some water sports or take a boat trip to one of the neighboring islands. You can also spend the day riding on traffic-free roads around the mountains and visiting the pleasant village of Fiskado on the northern part of the island.

We'll skirt rugged mountains, progress through deeply carved coves, and make rest stops in beautiful mountain villages. We end our excellent journey day in ancient Olympia set against the mountains. It is known for having been the site of the ancient Olympic Games. We'll explore the excavations of the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Hera, and the enormous Sanctuary of Zeus, to whom the Olympic Games were dedicated. The archaeological museum houses the Hermes of Praxiteles, a classic sculpture masterpiece.

We'll journey undulated roads through dryer country. We'll hug the tight coastal road, in view of the spectacular Mediterranean, slowing only to pass through tight arcs high above beautiful azure-blue coves. Here you will see orange, olive and lemon groves, as well as sheep and goat herders tending flocks. This is Greece as it has been for hundreds of years, before the tourists. In the evening, we'll enjoy traditional Greek seafood and stay in a hotel built from the local stone and overlooking the spectacular coast.

Unknown to the observer, the rock has a medieval, stone-built town on the seaward side. During the 6th Century, barbarian incursions forced the inhabitants of the surrounding area to retreat to this natural rock fortress. With its nearly 360 degree views of the sea and quaint town built out of the local stone, Monemvasia is a great place to sit back on the terrace of the hotel with a drink and gaze out at the ocean.

Today you can have plenty of that! Take a walk in the labyrinthine picturesque town that offers wonderful views, with paths leading to the summit of the hill on which stands the ruins of the medieval castle. Take advantage of beautiful beaches, swim in the crystal blue sea and enjoy the atmosphere of lovely Greek taverns. Or go for a ride south and explore Kythera Island, the idyllic birthplace of Aphrodite.

It is filled with neoclassical mansions and perfumed with the flowers of the Mediterranean. Stroll the vast pedestrian shopping area to pick up the last of your souvenirs, or simply sit and enjoy dinner and the view at the lively waterfront. A tourist area for Greeks as well as foreigners, Nafplio has a variety of outstanding restaurants.

On the way, we'll make a short stop at the World Heritage-listed theater of Epidaurus and the Sanctuary of Asclepius. We also have the choice of stopping at Ancient Mycenae, where the Lion Gate entrance is Europe's oldest monumental structure. We'll also pass over the Canal of Corinth, a man-made canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth. Then we'll end the day back at our hotel in Athens, where our farewell dinner awaits.

Or spend time in this fabled city. Don't miss the last of the fabulous archeological sites available to you from this tour: The Acropolis, The Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the National Archeological Museum. Or hop to one of the many islands before heading back home.