The Beautiful Aegean, Peloponnese and Northern Greece Ext (2025)

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Arrival in Athens-Piraeus at 7:00 a.m. We’ll disembark and travel to the Peloponnese, making a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, an impressive engineering marvel from the late nineteenth century. Continuing through the mountains, we’ll reach Tripoli, the capital of the Arcadia region. Here, we’ll take a break, and you’ll have time for a stroll in the bustling Aeros Square with its cafes and restaurants. Our journey will then take us to Olympia, where we’ll visit the Archaeological Site with a local guide (ticket included). The first Olympic Games were held here in 776 B.C., attracting athletes from all over Greece and its colonies. Highlights of the site include the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, and the Arena. Next, we’ll proceed to Patras, the third largest city in Greece, with a remarkable medieval fortress and the largest cathedral in the country. Adjacent to the cathedral is the small church of St. Andrew, a significant place of pilgrimage. Dinner will be included.

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After breakfast, we’ll cross the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, a spectacular suspension bridge that connects the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland. We’ll travel through the regions of Central Greece and Epirus. Upon arrival in Igoumenitsa, a port town, there will be time for a stroll before boarding the ferry to the beautiful island of Corfu. During the one-and-a-half-hour cruise in the waters of the Ionian Sea off the coast of Albania, we recommend having lunch. On the island of Corfu, known as the pearl of the Ionian Sea, we’ll visit its capital, Kerkyra, which boasts a well-preserved Venetian-style historic center. We’ll also explore Kanoni, a beautiful Byzantine church on a small island. Afterward, we’ll board the ferry back to mainland Greece. Accommodation will be in Igoumenitsa or a nearby area.

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After breakfast, we´ll journey through the tall mountains of Epirus to reach Metsovo, a charming Balkan village nestled between mountains. Isolated by rugged terrain, this area retains a unique culture influenced by Slavic and Turkish traditions. Take time to wander its streets lined with traditional stone houses, red tile roofs, and intricately carved wooden balconies. Continuing into Thessaly, we´ll stop in Kastraki, a quaint village offering stunning views of the Meteora Valley. Enjoy lunch before exploring the Meteora, a remarkable World Heritage Site. The name "Metéora" in Greek means "suspended in the air" or "in the sky," aptly describing the towering rock formations crowned with monasteries. These secluded sites have been havens for monks seeking solitude and tranquility for centuries. Our visit includes admission to one of its most renowned monasteries. We´ll end our day in Kalabaka, where dinner will be included.