Day 1:
Arrival in Athens Welcome to Athens! You will be met, on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Athens. Time at leisure to discover Athens! Redolent with history and mythology, Athens is a vibrant city, enlivened by bustling outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets that wind through the city's ancient sites and its fair share of urban eccentrics, a city full of contrasts. Overnight.
Day 2:
Athens sight-seeingThis morning enjoy a city tour of Athens. Your expert guide will reveal to you the secrets of the Acropolis & the Parthenon, the Acropolis museum, and the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Kallimarmaro Stadium, built of marble for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Enjoy the ancient wonders and explore the birthplace of democracy. Twist and turn through the Plaka’s narrow streets and find ancient sites, cafes and shops full of history and character. Free time to enjoy the local food around Monastiraki and Psyrri area and rest in the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 3:
Athens-OlympiaEnjoy a nice breakfast at the hotel and check out. You will take the way to Olympia. Upon arrival stay at the Port of Katakolon, don't miss the chance to visit one of the most important archaeological sites of Ancient Greece. Join us in reliving the wonder and thrill of the original Olympic Games, which were held from 776 BC. to 393 AD. as you explore the ruins of the great monuments. We will enter the famous archaeological site of Olympia and marvel at the Temple of Hera, in front of which burns the Olympic Flame during modern day Olympic Games. See the Temple of Zeus, which once housed the Golden and Ivory statue of Zeus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and the original Stadium and Bouleuterion, unique in history, where once competitors swore an oath to conform to the rules. Follow your guide and walk a short distance in order to visit the world famous Archaeological Museum of Olympia where you can admire, amongst many priceless exhibits, the marble statues of the Temple of Zeus and the unique statue of Hermes, carved by the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles. Return to your coaches and drive back to the ship on time. Arrive to your hotel in Olympia, check in, dinner.
Day 4:
Olympia-Kyllini-ZanteBreakfast and check out. Take the way to Kyllini port, and sale to Zante. Arrive to Zante and transfer to the hotel Matilda. Enjoy your day by the pool, or to the sea. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Day 5:
ZanteBreakfast at the hotel and enjoy your free day to Zante. We suggest to take the local boat and sail to Navagio(Shipwreck), the most well-known beach in the Ionian Pelagos, where you can enjoy the sun…Dinner at the hotel, overnight.
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| Day 6:
ZanteBreakfast at the hotel and be picked up for your full day in Zante. Discover Zakynthos, with a fantastic island tour steeped in history and culture. Very proud of many local products and crafts from olives, oil, sweets, honey, wines to lace, rugs and pottery. First stop the traditional village of Macherado. Here you will see the museum church of Agia Mavra (The Black Madonna) one of the most famous churches on the island. On the way to the mountains we will stop in Lithakia and visit an olive factory. Here we can see how the famous olive oil from Zakynthos is produced in the winter. Continuingnorthwest passing the mountain village of Kiliomeno onwards through Agios Leon to the village of Kampi. Here we see the spectacular views over the cliffs and the magnificent view of the out stretched Ionian Sea.
Following on then to Maries, where it is said Mary Magdalene stopped on her way to Rome to protest the crucifixion of Christ and started preaching Christianity. Porto Vromi is an area surrounded by myths and legends. According to tradition ships dropped anchor here and it is said Mary Magdalene came ashore to spread Christ’s gospel. Her footprint apparently can still be seen on the rock. Close by in a cave is the stunning rock profile of the sea god Poseidon only visible from the sea. Here you can take an optional boat trip to the caves. Anyone not wishing to go out on the boats can relax on shore or take a quick dip. The next stop will be Anafonitria here we will stop for lunch and visit the famous monastery of St Dennis- the patron Saint of the Island. Here St Dennis served as an Abbott for the majority of his life until his death on the 17th December 1624. St Dennis was well known for his healing powers and compassion. In 1703 he was declared a Saint. It is worth knowing that the monastery has recently been renovated uncovering 15th Century frescos. We will have a shopping stop to sample and purchase various local produce. The bus will now cross over to the North East and head to stunning photo stop in Katastari overlooking Alykes and beyond. In the afternoon back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Zante
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your Keri Kaiki Cruise. Your day cruise will begin at the port of Agios Sostis, where your kaiki boat will await you. Here you will embark on your 3 hour cruise tour taking in the beautiful scenery. Sailing south to the stunning Keri Caves for your first stop where you will have some fantastic photo opportunities (Approximately 20 minutes).
From here you will cruise to the small island of Marathonissi. The island is situated in Laganas Bay. There are seven discrete nesting beaches for the Loggerhead Turtle, one of them being Marathonissi. The nature on this tiny island is purely exotic as there are no inhabitants. Here you will have approximately 30 minutes swimming stop, in the clear blue waters. Back on to the Kaiki now, where you will gently cruise around Marathonissi and Laganas Bay for turtle spotting. The Caretta-Caretta is a protected species and is one of Zakynthos' most famous inhabitants. Returning to Agios Sostis port, where your coaches will be waiting to return you to your resorts. Return back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Zante-Athens
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and take the way back to Athens and the airport of Eleftherios Venizelos, where you can catch the flight back home.
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