Classical 5-Day Tour To Magical Greece With Zakynthos Island

Experience delight with one of our Classical Greece tours. Explore the antiquities of Classical Greece and immerse yourself in the spectacular landscapes of Zakynthos island, with its cliff diving and turquoise waters. Sail in the Ionian sea and bask in the magnificent sunsets of Navagio while enjoying authentic cuisine and award-winning wines. If you wish to see the best of Greece, you should not miss the chance for our Classical Greece Tour, which is a 5 days private tour in Greece including the majestic island of Zakynthos.

Itinerary of the 5 days Classical tour in Greece:

Athens – Corinth canal – Epidaurus Nafplion – Mycenae – Olympia – Zakynthos island – Patras – Rio Bridge – Nafpaktos – Galaxidi – Itea – Delphi – Kalampaka – Meteora – Thermopylae (Hot Gates) – Athens

Highlights of the Classical 5-Day Tour To Magical Greece With Zakynthos Island

• The five days tour includes the major archaeological sites of Central Greece and the Peloponnese Peninsula
• You will be driving along the picturesque and beautiful countryside in Greece
• You will visit Zakynthos island with its blue skies, beach tavernas, turquoise sea, the buzz of cicadas, and the scent of pine and herbs
• Visit the Beach of Shipwreck (Navagio) and the famous blue caves in Zakynthos
• You will get to visit the important sites of Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Delphi, Meteora as well as Olympia, the original birthplace of the Olympic Games
• You will see the largest bridge in Europe, in a 20 minutes cruise from Rio to Antirio
• The private tour will pick you up from your hotel in Athens or cruise ship in the Port of Piraeus
• Your driver will be an experienced, English-speaking tour driver who will drive you safely during your private 5-day tour

Description of the 5 days private Classical tour in Greece

Day 1: Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Mycenae, Olympia

The Classical Greece tour starts early in the morning in Athens or the Port of Piraeus. The driver will drive you from the scenic coastal road of Athens towards Corinth so that you can admire the lovely views of the sea where the Aegean and Ionian Seas meet.

After a drive of an hour and a half, you will reach the Corinth Canal that connects two seas and offers breathtaking views.

Soon afterward the private tour will continue towards Epidaurus, where you will see the best-preserved ancient theater in Greece, famous for its acoustics.

The theater of Epidaurus is located amidst lush greenery and is the focal point of the cultural events during summer, with theatrical plays and music concerts.

 

Nafplion

The private tour will travel you later on towards the picturesque town of Nafplion that used to be the first capital of Greece. There, you will enjoy your lunch and have time to wander around its cobblestone paths that will bring you to small shops or to the spectacular promenade by the sea that offers you a view of the fortress of Mpourtzi and the nearby towns of Argolis.

You will also visit the fortress of Acronafplia that over crowns the town and take amazing pictures of Nafplion, the Palamidi fortress, the fortress of Mpourtzi, and the entire Argolic Gulf.

After Nafplion, you will head towards Mycenae that used to be one of the major state cities in the ancient years. At Mycenae, you will see the Royal Tombs of King Agamemnon and his family, the immense Cyclopean Walls and Lion’s Gate, as well as the Museum of Mycenae, located in the archaeological site, with important artifacts from the Mycenaean Civilization.

In the afternoon, you will head towards Olympia where you have a free evening and overnight.

Day 2: Ancient Olympia, Zakynthos Island

Start early in the morning, visiting the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place the first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. Olympia lies in the lush valley formed by the Alfios River. Here you will have the chance to experience the temple of Zeus which is the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece dedicated to the father of Gods Zeus which housed one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world and the gold and ivory statue of Zeus, which was sculpted by the most famous sculptor in the world, Phidias. Continue to visit the temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops (one of the oldest in the sanctuary), the Council house where the athletes took the Olympic oath, the Treasury houses, the Gymnasium, and the Palestra where they used to exercise for a month prior to the Games. It’s time to visit the first ancient Olympic stadium.

Here you will experience the first Olympic game…

… the 200 meters run where the marble starting blocks are still in position. So get ready and run! Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. After our visit to Olympia, we’ll go ahead to Kyllini Port in order to embark on the ferry that departs approx 03.15 PM to reach Zakynthos island. We’ll arrive at the port of Zakynthos approx 04.15 PM (almost after 1 hour). Drive and check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Explore the center of Zakynthos and enjoy dinner at a traditional tavern. Overnight in Zakynthos.

Day 3: ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND – DAY CRUISE

After Breakfast drive to Zakynthos Marina in order to embark on the local traditional cruise ship (boat) as it’s one of the best ways to explore the island. The cruise departs at 09:00 AM and returns approx 05:00 PM. Enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Ionian ocean with the exceptional blue sky till we have the first stop at the Blue Caves. These caves have a magical turquoise shade that changes into emerald green where the rays of the sun hit the water and it changes color. The next stop of our cruise is famous around the world Shipwreck (Navagio). When entering the cove the beauty it beholds is breathtaking with deep clear blue waters. Here we’ll spend 1 1/2 hours in order to enjoy a refreshing swim.

Our program continues…

… with a 10 min photo stop at Porto Vromi, then our boat pulls up next to the Agalas Caves and the Keri Caves for a reasonable amount of time to admire the beauty of nature. Our next stop will be at Turtle Island. Here you will have the chance to take beautiful photos as you will have enough time to experience the whole gulf of Laganas and Kalamaki that are full of turtles swimming in the seawater. The Turtles are huge but so friendly that you can swim along with them safely. Our next major swim stop is in the area of St Nickolas, Basilikos where the boat anchors for approx an hour. Swimming is only possible by diving off. Besides the 8 to 9 stops the program has, the actual tour all around the island beholds many views that are only possible to see by boat. Some of the stops may not be done depending on the weather conditions on that day. In the afternoon at about 05.00 PM, we’ll return to the Marina. Drive back to your hotel.  Evening at leisure. Overnight in Zakynthos.

Day 4: Zakynthos, Delphi, Meteora (Kalambaka)

Breakfast and drive to the port, embark on the ferry that departs at 08.00 AM in order to reach Kyllini port after 1 hour approx at 09.00 AM. We’ll drive towards Patras in order to cross Rion – Antirion, in a short 20-minute cruise to admire the largest bridge in Europe and the longest cable-supported bridge in the world with a continuous deck of 2,250 meters, that connects the Peloponnese Peninsula with Central Greece, and have a short break while cruising. From there we’ll drive along the coastal road in order to reach Delphi and to admire the picturesque seaside of the way! On our way, we’ll stop at Galaxidi, a beautiful seaside small town on the water, where you can have lunch and enjoy the scenery. After lunch, drive and visit ancient Delphi (which was believed to be the center of the known world).

Visit the archaeological site of Delphi…

… the famous sanctuary of God Apollo. Here is where God gave his oracles and would influence all the events and lives of people that came to Delphi to ask for advice.

You will have ample time to visit the Museum of Delphi that houses some of the most impressive statues in Greece, such as the Naxian Sphynx and the bronze Charioteer. You will also visit the Temple of Apollo and the temple of Athens Pronea in Gymnasium, which is one of the highlights of Delphi. The tour then will drive you towards

Kalambaka through Central Greece, which is a small town resting at the feet of the Suspended Rocks of Meteora and the Monasteries of Meteora.

You will be reaching Kalambaka late in the afternoon, so you can enjoy your dinner and evening (free). Overnight at Kalambaka or Kastraki village.

DAY 5: Meteora, Thermopylae, Athens

The fifth day of the tour will bring you to the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora, built on the top of the huge rocks. This is one of the most imposing sites you have ever seen and breaths history and beauty at the same time.

After the visit to the Monasteries, you will have lunch at Kalambaka and the tour will start heading back to Athens. On the way back, you will pass by Thermopylae, the famous Hot Gates where the Spartans and Persians met in the famous battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.

The five day Classical Greece tour ends in Athens. You will be arriving at your hotel or any other place you want in Athens late in the afternoon.

Important notes

Tour Type

• Shore Excursion - Private tour
• Activity level: Moderate

Included in the tour

• Car and Driver
• A professional English-speaking driver or escort with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have a licensed state tour guide to escort you inside the sites and museums, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
• Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
• Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
• Pick-up from and return to your hotel
• Pick-up from the Port of Piraeus
• Private tour, Road tolls and local taxes
• Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.

Excluded from the tour

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
• Olive oil tasting fee (olive oil tasting tours)
• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and beverage
• Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the difference between a STATE LICENSED TOUR GUIDE and a TOUR DRIVER GUIDE in Greece!

Additional info

• Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
• Terms & Conditions and Frequent Questions
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
• A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
• This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.

Persons with Disabilities

• Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
• In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Restrictions:

• Please note that on this tour, your tour driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb. If you want this service you may book a licensed by-state tour guide for an extra cost.
• In case a group is followed by a licensed tour guide or an English speaking tour-escort the professional driver is not obliged to speak English!

Opening hours & Admission fees

• Opening Hours:Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
• Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
• Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
• Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.

Free admission days

• March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
• June 5: Environment international day
• April 18 : International monuments day
• May 18: International museums day
• September 27: International tourism day
• The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
• National Holidays
• Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
• The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
• NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day

Holidays in Greece

• January 1: closed
• January 6: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• Shrove Monday: 08:30AM - 03:00 PM
• March 25: closed
• Good Friday: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
• Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• Easter Sunday: closed
• Easter Monday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• May 1: closed
• Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• 15 August 15: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
• December 25 & 26: closed