Greek Experience -Self Drive 2020 Summer

Breakfast at hotel. Meeting with your English Speaking Guide and departure by private car for an Half day Sightseeing tour in Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. You will see the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896 (short stop). Continue and pass by the Prime Minister's residence (ex-Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architectural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. In the afternoon, you have the possibility to visit by your car the Cape Sounion. Drive along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni & Varkiza to the most Southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. On the way, you have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the little islands offshore. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Sounion. Late in the evening you will enjoy a WINE TASTING in Chocolat Royal Restaurant in Thissio. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: -ATHENS MARKET SHOPPING & COOKING CLASS 85€ per pax Overnight in Athens

Breakfast at hotel and drive through the fertile plains of Boeotia. Visit the Monastery of Osios Loukas in Distomo. It is an 11th century monastery located in the area of Distomo, about 30 km from Arachova. This monastery is the epitomy of the Byzantine architecture while it is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Arrive in Arachova, the famous mountain town, with a panoramic view, uphill small houses and cobbled streets that show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. At the top of the tower is a large 10m height clock. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its "brusque", the colorful textiles, carpets and rugs, handicrafts and woodcut creations as well. Visit Delphi, the center of Ancient World - the "Omphalos" (Navel of Earth) whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. See the Archeological Site of Delphi with the temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Stoa of the Athenians, the ancient Theater, the ancient Stadium, the Gymnasium and Tholos. Also visit the Delphi Archeological Museum, one of the most significant in Greece. Only 2km from the western exit of Delphi in the direction of the Amphissa/Itea road you will find an amazing road that leads to one of Delphi's most beautiful natural balconies. At the end of this road, the ancient altar of the first church in honor of Hosios Loukas, who was born in Delphi, has been salvaged. The view towards the Delphic Landscape is breathtaking. Late in the afternoon WINE TASTING in Argyriou winery and accommodation at Guest House Argyriou in Polydrossos area. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: -A TOUR TO VAGONETTO (a tour through Vagonetto gives the visitor the change for a step-by-step introduction to the bauxite mining process). TICKET : 12€ per pax Overnight in Arachova or surrounding area

Breakfast at hotel leave for a wonderful trip through traditional cities and villages. Make a stop in Itea, a modern town, where you can enjoy its splendid esplanade. Continue to Galaxidi, known as the "island on land". Galaxidi is a maritime town that has preserved every aspect of its traditional character. Stroll through the town's quaint alleys, which still bear the picturesqueness and beauty of centuries gone by. Visit the Maritime Museum of Galaxidi, one of the leading maritime museums in Greece and see the famous "Sailor's wife" monument. Swim in the organized or isolated inlets and enjoy the seafood and local delicacies. Pass by the picturesque town of Nafpaktos (Lepanto) which is considered to be amongst the most scenic and romantic destinations of the Greek hinterland. The idyllic beaches face the Corinthian gulf; the majestic mountain embraces the town of Nafpaktia; the rich history is reflected upon two monuments, the Venetian castle and the Venetian port. The first things that strike visitors in Nafpaktos are its comfortable plane-shaded roads, its traditional buildings, and its people of all ages enjoying the sun in open air restaurants and cafés, often by the sea. Start strolling around the cobbled streets with the naval houses and the well-preserved mansions. Before arriving in Ioannina, make a stop to Pavlos Vrellis Wax Museum. Then we strongly suggest a detour to see Dodoni, one of the most important archaeological areas, ca 22 km from Ioannina. The area is thought to be the cradle of the greek-spaiking tribes. The theatre (with a capacity of 17.000 seats), the ancient Parliament (Vouleftirio), the Prytaneio, the Stadium, surround the ancient Shrine, considered as one of the most ancient oracles in the broader area of Greece. Continue to Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, a lively city with many centuries of history, on the shores of an idyllic lake. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: -COOKING LESSONS IN IOANNINA 50€ per pax Overnight in Ioannina or surrounding area.

Breakfast at hotel. Morning sightseeing of Ioannina, the city of legends and traditions and visit the main attractions, to experience its unique culture and rich history. Stroll around the historic center, visit the Castle (Aslan Mosque, Fethiye Mosque, the Byzantine Museum) and the Archaeological museum. Explore Perama Cave, located ca 5 km away from the city center, on the Goritsa hill. It was created 1.500.000 years ago. The formations of the stalagmites and stalactites in combination with the natural richness and colors create a landscape of unique beauty. Discover the beauty of the lake Pamvotida, one of the main attractions of Ioannina, an ideal place for long strolls along it. You can take the small boat to visit the islet within the lake, which is home to beautiful monasteries and a few restaurants, where local delicacies, such as fish, eels, frog-legs, are served. On the island there is the museum of Ali Pasa that houses many artifacts of the Ottoman period and some of his personal items. Leave for Metsovo, one of the most well-known big traditional villages, located at an elevation of 1.160 m. It is situated in a wonderful part of the Pindos Mountains and its locals have a long tradition in the production of top-quality wood-carved items and embroideries. Metsovo’s artisans, sew traditional Greek costumes by hand and engrave ornate wooden ceilings in homes and church altars. Metsovo is also considered as one of the most popular ski-resorts around Greece. Stroll around the narrow paths and admire the exquisite wooden verandas which adorn the facades of the houses and their clean and full of flowers courtyards. 25 stone fountains adorn Metsovo, with crystal-clear, pure water. The most famous are those of the Fontana Nti Kambouri Ntisoupra of St. George, of Gouras and the Floka. Places to see and visit: The Gallery of Evangellos Averoff Tositsa Foundation, the Garden Averoff, the famous winery Katogi Averoff, monasteries of St. Nikolaos of Zoodochou Pigis, Koimisi Theotokou. Taste the local cuisine: lamb with cauliflower, kontosouvli, sausages and the famous smoked cheese Metsovone. Leave Metsovo and drive to Kalambaka, a small town situated on the foot of the most extraordinary Meteora rocks. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: -WINE TASTING IN WINERY KATOGI AVEROF IN METSOVO 20€ per pax Overnight in Kalambaka or Kastraki area

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Meteora, among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. The 24 monasteries emerged on the countless summits of the rocks from the 14th until the 16th century, 6 of them remaining to be explored and admired by all. These monasteries became the centers of the Orthodox creed in the Byzantine era, having produced some of the best pieces of religious art and craft and still possessing a collection of precious manuscripts, which today are on display in their museums. The Meteora monasteries have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Meteora-Antichassia region has been officially declared a Natura 2000 Ecological Zone by the Greek Ministry of Environment, for the protection of rare species of birds and flowers. After the Metora visit, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the largest Icon-painting workshops in Greece. In this atelier, icons are created with the use of old traditional methods, while our visitors have the chance to watch this process in detail. Experienced and talented artists are happy to share with you the secrets of their work In the atelier, you can also find icon creations of the monks of Mount Athos. Don’t miss out Kalambaka’s old picturesque district, with narrow cobble-stoned streets and traditional houses, some of them built right next to the rocks! The village of Kastraki has been classified by the Greek State, following a Presidential Decree, as a traditional resort under preservation, for three consecutive times! It is a pole of natural beauty and Tourism, very distinct in the wider region of Meteora, included in the list of Cultural Heritage Sites of UNESCO. The people of Kastraki have a special affection for flowers. You can see flowers even in the yards of the most humble houses. Very often in difficult times of the past the housewives of the flowerpots make flowerpots out of tin cans, with which they decorated their houses and yards. Return to Athens via Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road the Leonida’s Monument) and Kammena Vourla, a city best known for its thermal springs. OPTIONAL ACIVITIES -TRUFFLE HUNTING IN KALAMBAKA rates depend on the participation -MAJESTIC SUNSET METEORA TOUR 25€ per pax -AUTHENTIC HIKING METEORA TOUR 25€ per pax Overnight in Athens

Breakfast at hotel. Free time until your departure to the airport of Athens. Deliver the car and take the flight for your return.