7D6N Mainland Greece by Train (211222)
From 21 Dec 2022 to 27 Dec 2022
Location
- Country
- Greece
- State
- Attica
- City
- Athens
Details
- Duration
- 7 Day 6 Night
- Gender
- All Gender
- Adult Age
- 12 to 65
- Child Age
- 2 to 11
Description
Overview
Featured itinerary:Enjoy a 7-days mainland Greece by train tour. Your journey will include
Hop On Hop Off Tourist Bus-48-Hour pass, Day Cruise, train to Meteora and Thessaloniki.
What is included in this package: -
- 3-night 4 stars accommodation Athenaeum Smart Hotel or similar in Athens with 2BF.
- 1 night 4 stars accommodation Grand Meteora or similar in Kalambaka with 2BF.
- 2-night 4 stars accommodation Egnatia Palace or similar in Thessaloniki with 2BF.
- Guided evening walking tour through Monastiraki, Plaka and Anafiotika.
- Tourist Bus Hop On - Hop Off valid for 48 hours.
- One-Day cruise to the islands of the Saronic Gulf with lunch.
- Sunset Tour in Kalambaka.
- Morning Tour in Kalambaka.
- Train tickets Athens - Kalambaka.
- Train tickets Kalambaka - Athens.
- All necessary transfers as mentioned in this itinerary.
- 24/7 Emergency phone line.
- Daily breakfast.
Not included in this package: -
- Personal expenses, Gratuities (optional) & Municipality Tax.
- International air tickets.
Itinerary
Day 1 Athens-Cradle of Civilization (-/-/-)
- After your arrival in the mythical city of Athens, the transfer to your hotel will be conducted in one of our private vehicles. A member of our English-speaking team will meet you at your hotel, help you with the check-in, inform you of all the details of your trip, introduce you to the city and its everyday way of life and answer any questions you may have.
- The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy Athens at your own pace.
Day 2 Hop On Hop Off Tourist Bus-48-Hour pass (B/-/-)
- Take your seat and enjoy the city of Athens and its suburbs in a comfortable open top, double-decker bus with this unique 48-hour pass and for as many times as you wish. Available in more than 16 languages including English, Spanish and Chinese with departures from selected points all over Athens as well as from the cruise terminal.
- In the evening you can join our English-speaking guide in a leisurely but very informative walk through the prettiest districts of Athens, such as Anafiotika, Tiseo, Monastiraki and Plaka.
Orange Line
Visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The orange line will take you on a tour of the most beautiful attractions of the Athenian historic center, where among others, you can see the neighbourhoods of Plaka, Thisseo, and Monastiraki, considered to be some of the most traditional and lively areas of Athens! You can also visit the famous "Adrian’s Gate" in honour of the Roman Emperor, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built during the Roman period and the largest temple in Greece at the time, the Hellenic Parliament in order to witness the change of Guards at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Ermou Street, the heart of the capital’s commercial district. Do not hesitate to explore the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held, the National Library and a little further away the National Archaeological Museum.
Blue Line - Piraeus
If you arrive by cruise, you can begin your tour immediately upon disembarkation from any of the stops specifically located in the vicinity of the cruise terminal. You will marvel at the charming ports of Pasalimani, Turcolimano, the yacht marina and even "Mikrolimano", the old port of Piraeus. By combining the Orange Line with the Blue Line, you will not miss out on the impressive new Acropolis Museum or the Acropolis Hill with superb views of the Parthenon.
Yellow Line - Glyfada
Begin your tour of the Athenian Riviera from the "Planetarium" stop of the Blue Line. Discover how once one of the least populated places has now become one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Greece. From the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to the largest marina, in the Mediterranean "Marina Alimou", the Yellow Line to Glyfada is a mixture of history and modernism; a combination of old-time culture and contemporary entertainment. Do not miss the sunset seen from the Marina Flisvou, or sunbathe and swim in the Aghios Kosmas beaches. In the Glyfada Terminal, you can also stroll in the most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods of the capital, shop in the luxurious department stores, relax in the beautiful cafes and enjoy a delicious cocktail in one of the sea-front bars.
Green Line - Vouliagmeni
Vouliagmeni may have been associated with beaches, but the area is a history lesson in itself. From the Allied Forces Cemetery to the Byzantine Museum, Vouliagmeni is certainly worth visiting with Green Line. Relax on the beautiful Kavouri Oceanis beach, one of the most popular beaches in Athens. Discover Vouliagmeni Lake, the hidden treasure of Attica’s nature and have a truly natural and unique thermal spa experience.
Train of Happiness - Piraeus
If you arrive by cruise, you can start your visit immediately upon disembarkation at one of the stops located in the vicinity of the cruise terminal. With Blue Line or with this train line operating its distinctive vehicles, you can roam in the narrow streets of Piraeus and get a closer look of this sizeable teeming port. Among others, important landmarks are the impressive Municipal Theatre, the Nautical Museum, the Pasalimani port as well as Korai Square, the commercial center of Piraeus.
Day 3 Day Cruise - Navigating Like Odysseus (B/L/-)
- In the morning you will be transferred to the port to commence your full day cruise to three of the most beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. Aegina is famous for its variety of pistacios, Poros for its scenic beauty and Hydra, the greenest of these islands, for its elegant stone mansions, serene atmosphere and vehicle free roads.
- While on board the ship, you will also have the chance to enjoy lunch in the accompaniment of traditional Greek music and dance. At the end of the day, you will be comfortably transferred back to your hotel.
Day 4 From Athens to Meteora by Train and Sunset Tour (B/-/-)
- The tour begins at Larissa train station in central Athens, where you will board the train at 07:20 am to Kalambaka station (Meteora). Enjoy a picturesque train journey through the beautiful Greek countryside and at around 11:30 am you will arrive in Kalambaka. Your driver will be waiting for you to welcome and transfer you to your hotel.
- In the afternoon, you will begin your sunset tour of the area, starting from one of the six operating monasteries of Meteora, Agios Stefanos or Roussanou. You will visit the oldest standing monument, the Byzantine church of Virgin Mary located in the old town of Kalambaka. This church, built in the early Christian period and with ancient marble embedded in its walls, tells the story of the city spanning 27 centuries. You will then head to the ancient hermitages of Badovas, hear about the stories and legends and enjoy the breath-taking panoramic views. As the sun begins to set, slowly descending upon the mountain ridges, you will climb to the top of the Meteora rocks, a magical place, for a pure, joyous and uninterrupted experience. Up there, you will feel the night breeze blowing amidst these cliffs and you will fill your senses with the splendour of nature. This will be the perfect way to end a beautiful day at Meteora. After sunset, you will return to your accommodation and enjoy a good rest.
- Dress code in the monasteries: Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not permitted. Visitors can use the skirts, shawls and trousers available at the entrance of the monasteries, in the event that they do not carry appropriate clothing to cover themselves with.
Day 5 Morning Tour of Meteora and Train to Thessaloniki Via Paleofarsala (B/-/-)
- After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will meet you at the hotel's lobby to begin an unforgettable tour of Meteora.
- You will learn which monastery was the first to be built and the reasons behind the monks' decision to climb the steep rocks and build the monasteries there. In the panoramic tour that will follow you will enjoy the incredible views and have the chance to take photos of the majestic scenery. At around 45pm, your driver will pick you up to transfer you to Kalambaka train station.
- At 15pm, the train will depart from Kalambaka and at Paleofarsala you will connect to the train bound for Thessaloniki. Upon your arrival in the second largest city of Greece and the most important centre of the area, at about 8.30pm, your driver will meet you at the station and drive you to your hotel.
Day 6 Thessaloniki: Relax, Sea and History (B/-/-)
- Free day to enjoy this magnificent city. Thessaloniki is the largest city of northern Greece and the second biggest in the country.
- It is famous for its history, the dazzling shops and the vibrant nightlife.
- In the Byzantine era it was one of the most important cultural centres and in modern Greek history one of the most multicultural cities.
Day 7 Goodbye Thessaloniki (B/-/-)
- At the appointed time, one of our vehicles will drive you to the airport, port or train station and it is time to say farewell to the city.
- From all of us, we hope to see you again soon to create yet more wonderful moments that will remain in your memory forever.
- Have a nice trip! Or as Greeks say: "Kaló taksídi"!