Highlights of Ancient Greece

Starting in the capital city of Athens, we’ll visit some of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, including the Acropolis, Ancient Mycenae, and Epidaurus. We’ll also visit the medieval castle town of Mystras, Ancient Olympia, where the first Olympic Games took place, Delphi, where heaven and earth met in the ancient world, and the unique 'stone forest' of Meteora, one of the largest Orthodox communities in Greece and the Balkans. At the same time, we’ll cover a large part of mainland Greece, including the Peloponnese Peninsula and Central Greece, enjoying both the beautiful coastline and lush forests and mountains.

We stay in small, family-run hotels where possible, favouring traditional properties that highlight the architecture of each destination. Most offer free wifi and some have a swimming pool. The normal accommodations used on this trip can be found on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay.



Mystras: Hotel Byzantion (night 4)







The Byzantion is a wonderfully quaint family-run hotel in the centre of Mystras village. Wrapped by mountains, the property has an alpine feel, while the hotel has plenty of retro touches, such as wood-paneled ceilings and an old phone booth. Our groups particularly like to gather in the green garden, where there’s a dipping pool and shady spots where you can shelter from the sun.



Pylos: Hotel Karalis (night 5)







This 35-room hotel is just moments from the main town square and overlooks the Bay of Navarino. Nearby, there’s plenty to explore. The Three Admirals Square, named for the monument in its centre, has cafe seating under the shade of plane trees – an essential experience in this beautiful part of the world. Meanwhile, the hotel has a bar for post-exploration, pre-dinner drinks.



Delphi: Nidimos Hotel (night 7)







The Nidimos is consistently a standout hotel for our groups. There are 34 modern rooms, each with a large balcony and seating area. There’s also a light and bright bar where you can gather for post-exploration drinks – make sure to check out the views of the mountains and Bay of Itea.