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Traveling with Atlas Obscura amid COVID-19 How We’re Adapting Our Trips Destination Requirements (via Embassy Pages)This classic Greece trip will take you to all the must-sees from the Acropolis to the Monasteries of Meteora to Ancient Olympia, making sure to connect these ancient sites with modern-day Greece by opening the door to modern-day culture. Be ready to connect with the community, experience traditions first-hand, and dig into hyper-regional food culture — this is Greece after all, a foodie’s dream! This whirlwind road trip will be balanced with plenty of fresh air through amazing scenery, optional hiking opportunities, and longer stays at each hotel.
**ITINERARY NOTE: While all departures include the same basic elements, there are a few special departures that include some special activities: Greek Easter (April 22-22, 2003), Olive Harvest (October 24- November 3, 2023), Carnival (March 15-25, 2023)
Please note that the Carnival departure will run the same route as all others, only in reverse; Athens-Delphi-Kalambaka-Kyparissia-Athens
We’ll start our trip off in Athens, named after the goddess Athena who became the city’s patron after a contest with Poseidon. Look for your driver with the Atlas Obscura sign at the airport who will bring you to the hotel for a chance to settle in before meeting with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Lighthouse Hotel, Athens
Welcome Dinner
This morning you’ll have an introduction to both ancient and modern Athens with a walk through the mainly pedestrianized neighborhoods below the Acropolis. Later in the afternoon, we’ll ascent to the famous Acropolis and watch the sun set over Athens while hearing about the Golden Age of Ancient Greece and the story behind one of the most recognizable monuments. We’ll also get a taste of Greek storytelling near the Roman Odeon of Herod Atticus. In the evening we’ll learn about the cuisine and culinary etiquette of Ancient Greece and enjoy a legendary feast fit for Greek philosophers, with original recipes that have been researched, preserved, and revived by a team of local enthusiasts.
Lighthouse Hotel, Athens
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll see a more local side of the city where not many travelers get to. In the morning we’ll stroll through the flea, spice, and meat markets, lunching at a traditional mageirion—a local meal du jour restaurant, that is usually open only for lunch, serving up only what’s fresh and in season.
Afterward, we’ll head out from Athens to Delphi, home of the famous Delphi Oracle, an incredibly powerful woman that you’ll later learn more about. To break up the drive, we’ll be making a stop near Corinth for a sot of railbiking; riding specially constructed velocipedes on the disused 19th-century railroad tracks near Corinth. You’ll take in spectacular views of abandoned lime kilns and forgotten ancient temple ruins. While definitely a thrill ride, this is a low-impact activity that requires about the same peddling you might do in a pedal- or pedalo- boat. There's an option to ride along in the electric support vehicle for anyone who would rather not partake.
Kyparissia Blue Hotel (or similar), Kyparissia
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
**ITINERARY NOTE, if you are joining our Carnival Departure (February 2022), at this point, you will head towards Kyparissia and do the following itinerary in reverse (Kyparissia-Kalambaka-Delphi- Athens), meaning the railbiking will take place toward the end of your trip instead.
Today we will be wandering around the ruins of the Medieval ghost town of Mystras, the last seat of the Byzantine emperor, with views of the majestic landscape of the Spartan plain below. The cobbled alleyways and ruined stone houses once housed the Despots of Mystra, as well as the last emperors of Byzantium. Hear about the final days of the rivalries, machination, and betrayal that beset the final days of the Empire, and the surprising ultimate fate of the Imperial Title and Emblems from a certified local guide. If you’re feeling pekish, the opportunity might arise to sample the legendary kolokythokorfades, fresh zucchini flowers stuffed with rice and kagianas with syglino, a local staple of egg scramble served with salted pork. Tonight you’ll have free time to explore Kyparissia and perhaps join in a backgammon game at the local agora.
Kyparissia Blue Hotel (or similar), Kyparissia
Breakfast, Lunch
Today we’ll spend the day with a local family, invited to help prepare and consume one of Greece’s more complex, labor-intensive meals: gemista, oven-baked vegetables stuffed with rice, or moussaka, the divine-tasting layered mince, vegetable, and thick cream bake. We will also experience the collection of horta, the several varieties of wild greens found everywhere in the green countryside. Somewhat akin to collecting mushrooms, if you know what to pick you are in for a refreshing boiled horta salad! In the afternoon, we will visit the Fairytale Castle, an odd-looking local folly with an interesting history.
Kyparissia Blue Hotel (or similar), Kyparissia
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and even experience running on the very track those ancient athletes competed at! We will learn about the history of the Games and their social and religious significance in the Classical World with a certified local guide. Afterward, on our way to our next hotel at Kalambaka, we’ll stop by Byzantine and then Ottoman Acropolis of Ic-Kale and learn about the city’s unique heritage and history at the majestic lakeside town of Ioannina. Tonight, we’ll feast on a Byzantine-themed lunch prepared and presented by experts from the local gastronomy club.
3* Local Hotel, Kalambaka
Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, we will visit the grand Byzantine monasteries perched on the rocks above Kalambaka. Learn about the important prehistoric human presence in the area, as well as the medieval monastic history of the region - and imagine the life and commitment of the hermits who sought refuge and divine illumination atop the awe-inspiring rocks. You can choose to hike the ancient trail to the monastery, the route is 7km and ascends 320m and while not considered to be strenuous, hiking shoes will be required. For those not wishing to hike, a coach will be available.
After a rest in Kalambaka, visit a hagiography workshop to learn about the intricate art of Byzantine hagiography, the centuries-old art of representing religious scenes on icons.
3* Local Hotel, Kalambaka
Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy the morning in Trikala, a picturesque old town while experiencing the local culinary delights, such as the making of halva, a local sugar and almond delicacy traditionally made in a bronze cauldron. We will also have a bit of tsipouro, a clear spirit distilled out of grape pomace with associated mezes, usually the Trikalino, the local leek infused pork sausage. After lunch, we’ll make our way towards Delphi with a stop in Thermopylae, the legendary battle site where 300 Spartan warriors found glory against a host of invading Persians.
3* Local Hotel, Delphi
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the iconic Sanctuary of Delphi on the slope of Mt Parnassus. Hear stories of the Oracle, whose strange omens once commanded the fates of the Ancient Greek world in a tour led by a local certified guide. The afternoon will be dedicated to a deep dive into the region’s culinary delights. We will wander Delphi and nearby Arachova to sample the local cheese formaella, and a hands-on food experience making something that’s in season.
3* Local Hotel, Delphi
Breakfast, Lunch
Trek the Corycean Cave on the southern slopes of Mt. Parnassus north of Delphi. A sacred space since the Neolithic era, its name comes from the nature spirits who were said to inhabit the cave. Learn the mythology of the cafe from serving as a place of worship to the imprisonment of Zeus. For those interested there will be an option to hike the ancient trail to the cave, the route is 6km and ascends 300m and while not considered to be strenuous, hiking shoes will be required.
Afterward, we’ll travel back to Athens for our Farewell Dinner together.
Lighthouse Hotel, Athens
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
While all of our trips include the same route, activities, and inclusions, we’ve put together a few special seasonal departures where you can partake in traditional activities alongside the local Greeks.
Join a family for a Greek Easter meal and even partake in the local midnight mass if you wish (April 20-30, 2022), roll up your sleeves to help out with the yearly olive harvest (October 24- Nov 3, 2022), or experience a beautiful day flying kites followed by an epic Lent lunch as part of Carnival traditions that are harder to find in modern-day Greece (February 24- March 6, 2023).
The listed price of this trip is per person based on double occupancy.
If you’re traveling solo, you’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. We have two options for you:
Shared Room (subject to the latest Covid-19 guidelines): You'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Private Room: Have your own room, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $575. After booking your trip, please request a private room when you fill out your traveler information form and we’ll add the option to your booking and final balance. The capacity for private rooms is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles over the course of each day, and walking on uneven terrains such as cobblestones or ruins. Several sites required stairs to access.
There are two optional hikes, one 4.3 miles (7 km), and one 5.6 miles (9 km) - for those who choose not to hike to the destination, the coach will be available.
This trip also includes railbiking, an activity where you sit and pedal a velocipede along a railroad track. While definitely a thrill ride, this is a low-impact activity that requires about the same effort you might use in a pedal- or pedalo- boat. There's an option to ride along in the electric support vehicle for anyone who would rather.
This trip includes airport transfers to and from the Athens airport at the beginning and end of the trip.
Our trip begins with a welcome dinner on Day 1. To give yourself time to settle into your accommodations before dinner, we recommend arriving in Athens by 5 PM.
The trip concludes on the morning of Day 11. If leaving Athens directly after our tour, you can depart anytime after breakfast.
There is a strict dress code Monasteries at Meteora.
For men: Shirts that cover the shoulder and trousers or shorts over the knee length. Sleeveless clothing and shorts shorter than the knee are prohibited.
For women: Skirts (yes, skirts) over the knee length and clothing that covers shoulders and chest are required in order to enter the monasteries. Sleeveless clothing, shorts, or trousers are prohibited for women.
A variety of dietary restrictions can be accommodated in Greece but please keep in mind that for any meal on this trip that is hyper-local or related to a specific dish, alternative options- while available- might be limited. It is very important that you mark this in your trip form and have that sent to us early on so that we can make arrangements ahead of time as needed.
If you have a severe allergy, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
On this trip we will participate in local customs and family-level activities that aren't typically experienced outside the Greek community. Through these activities, we'll be helping local communities preserve these ancient customs, traditions, and recipes, hopefully becoming ourselves, ambassadors of this cultural heritage to a broader global community.
The trip also makes a point to incorporate local businesses and suppliers with very few exceptions.