Greece and the Gods of Olympus

The most famous ancient sites, such as the Oracle of Delphi, the Acropolis in Athens, Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games, and an incredible diversity of landscapes await you on this extraordinary journey. Needle-like cliffs that support imposing monasteries, paradise gardens and pine forests, towering mountains and gently rolling hills, golden shimmering sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters – the gods have truly blessed Greece abundantly. Another highlight is the panoramic ride on the narrow-gauge railway from Diakopto through the mountainous region of the Peloponnese to Kalavryta, a charming mountain village.

Day 1 | Overnight stay in Rovereto (approx. 780 km)

Departure in the morning and drive to the overnight stay in Rovereto. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 | Rovereto – Ancona – At Sea

(approx. 440 km by bus)

After breakfast, you will drive to the port of Ancona. From here, you will take the ferry towards Greece to Igoumenitsa. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 3 | Igoumenitsa – Kalambaka –

Meteora Monasteries – Kastraki (approx. 200 km)

Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea before arriving in Igoumenitsa at noon. Disembarkation and drive accompanied by your local tour guide through the mountainous region of Greece to Kalambaka, famous for its conglomerate rock needles rising up to 300 m high with monasteries built on top that seem to float in the sky. Six of them are still inhabited and accessible to visitors. Afterwards, drive to the hotel in Kastraki.

Day 4 | Kalambaka – Meteora Monasteries – Volos (approx. 160 km)

In the morning, panoramic tour and visit of two of the Meteora monasteries (entrance fee to be paid on site), before driving past the ancient city of Pellinéon to Volos on the Pagasetic Gulf.

Day 5 | Volos – Pilion Mountains – Makrinitsa – Delphi (approx. 360 km)

The legendary Pilion is considered the home of the centaurs, those mythical beings with a human upper body and the body of a horse. Picturesque villages with traditional architecture cling to the densely forested slopes, giving the region its unique charm. Makrinitsa is regarded as the most beautiful village of Pilion, also known as the “Balcony of Pilion” due to its magnificent location. The village stretches up the slope over a height difference of about 300 m in a stair-like manner. While strolling through the winding alleys, you can enjoy the special atmosphere and impressive views over the surrounding landscape down to the Pagasetic Gulf. In the afternoon, continue to Delphi to your hotel.

Day 6 | Delphi – Arachova (approx. 30 km)

In the morning, you have ample time for a guided tour of the archaeological site of Delphi. Just a few kilometers from Delphi, in the afternoon you will visit the picturesque small town of Arachova, also located on the slopes of Parnassos. Its rugged beauty has a cosmopolitan charm and is a popular destination for active vacationers and nature lovers. While strolling, be sure to try the regional cheese Formaella and Greek thyme honey. In the evening, return to the hotel in Delphi.

Day 7 | Delphi – Athens – Isthmia (approx. 280 km)

Today you will leave Delphi and head directly to Greece's capital, Athens. When you hear about the 5 million city, you immediately think of the Acropolis with its huge Pantheon temple. But the Acropolis is not the only sight. There is also the Royal Palace, the ancient stadium, the Temple of Zeus, the Monastiraki district with its flea market, and the Theseion. After an extensive city tour including the Acropolis, you will continue in the evening to the Corinth Canal, to your hotel by the sea.

Day 8 | Isthmia – Narrow Gauge Railway

(approx. 230 km by bus / 35 km by train)

After breakfast, you will take the highway to Diakopto. At 9:50 AM, an adventurous train ride begins with the historic narrow-gauge Odontotos Rack Railway. Shortly after departure, the train follows the spectacular Vouraikos Gorge as it slowly climbs into the mountains of the Peloponnese. The route goes through narrow tunnels, over small bridges, and closely along steep rock walls. Along the way, impressive views of the river deep in the valley and the wild mountain landscape open up repeatedly. As the altitude increases, the nature becomes more alpine, and the air gets fresher and cooler. Finally, the train reaches the enchanting mountain village of Kalavryta, which is a popular winter sports resort in winter. In the afternoon, you will return by bus to the hotel, where you can relax in the hotel complex and by the sea.

Day 9 | Epidaurus – Nafplion – Mycenae – Corinth Canal (approx. 160 km)

You will explore the Peloponnese, the cradle of Greek culture. In Epidaurus, visit the ancient theater, whose acoustics are still unmatched today (entrance fee to be paid on site). In the former state capital Nafplion, you can stroll to your heart's content. In Mycenae, after the excavations of Schliemann and Dörpfeld, the home of the legendary Mycenaean king Agamemnon was uncovered with unique finds (entrance fee to be paid on site). To conclude the day, admire the venerable Corinth Canal, which unfortunately can only be traversed by small cruise ships like the MS Hamburg.

Day 10 | Isthmia – Olympia – Patras – Ferry to Venice (approx. 340 km by bus)

You will spend your last day in Greece again on the Peloponnese. Today's destination is Olympia, the glorious sanctuary of ancient Greece and the birthplace of the modern Olympics. For more than a thousand years, people from all over Greece and the Roman Empire came together here to cheer on athletes. When the pagan festivals were banned in 393 AD, Olympia fell into oblivion. Thanks to the work of archaeologists, central parts of the sanctuary are now uncovered (visit on site to be paid). In the afternoon, drive to Patras. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy one last Greek dinner in a tavern. In the evening, embark on the ferry to Venice-Fusina. Overnight on board.

Day 11 | At Sea

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea and reflect on the impressions of your journey. On board, there is time to relax and enjoy wonderful views of the Mediterranean.

Day 12 | Venice-Fusina – Return Journey

After breakfast, disembarkation and return journey.

• Travel in a modern coach with 5-star comfort and leg rests
• 1x overnight stay including half board at the 4-star Mercure Nerocubo Hotel in Rovereto (local category)
• 1x overnight stay including half board in 2-bed inside cabins during the ferry crossing
  Ancona – Igoumenitsa
• 1x overnight stay including half board at the 5-star Grand Meteora Hotel in Kastraki (local category)
• 1x overnight stay including half board at the 4-star Volos Palace Hotel in Volos
  (local category)
• 2x overnight stays including half board at the 4-star Amalia Hotel Delphi in Delphi (local category)
• 3x overnight stays including half board at the 4-star Corinth Kalamaki Beach Resort in Isthmia (local category)
• 1x overnight stay including breakfast buffet in 2-bed inside cabins during the ferry crossing
  Patras – Venice-Fusina
• Entry to the Delphi site and museum
• Entry to the Acropolis archaeological site
• Ride on the cogwheel train Diakofto –
  Kalavryta
• Overnight tax
• 1 complimentary drink per travel day
• Audio guides for the entire duration of the trip
• Continuous German-speaking
  tour guide from Igoumenitsa to Patras

All mentioned boarding and ferry times are subject to short-term changes in the shipping company's current timetable.

Entrance to Meteora monasteries each approx. 5,– € per person.

Entrance to Epidaurus, Mycenae,

Olympia each approx. 20,– € per person.

November 10 – 11, 2027: Rovereto

4-Star Mercure Nerocubo Rovereto Hotel

https://all.accor.com/hotel/8089/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

November 12 – 13, 2027: Kastraki

5-Star Grand Meteora Hotel in Kastraki

https://www.grandmeteora.gr/

November 13 – 14, 2027: Volos

4-Star Volos Palace Hotel

https://www.volospalace.gr/en

November 14 – 16, 2027: Delphi

4-Star Amalia Hotel Delphi

https://www.amaliahotels.com/delphi/hotel/

November 16 – 19, 2027: Isthmia

4-Star Corinth Kalamaki Beach Resort

https://www.kalamakibeach.gr/

11.11. – 12.11.2027: Ship Passage

Ancona – Igoumenitsa

19.11. – 21.11.2027: Ship Passage

Patras – Venice-Fusina

Optimized itinerary