Greece: Ancient Wonders

We’ll start out in Athens (where else?) Say hey to your Trip Manager and get to know your Contiki crew who’ll be your fav people in the world in 11 days’ time (trust us.) Our first activity is an Athens orientation walk, where we’ll explore the Plaka neighbourhood – famed for its cobbled streets, ancient monuments and saucy ceramics.

Welcome to your first full day in Athens. We’ll head out on an orientation walk and even visit the Acropolis. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to keep exploring, and we’d recommend popping into the nearby museums if you’re keen. Feeling peckish? You’ll have the option to join a Greek cooking class and learn how to make the classics you already know and love.

Rise and shine, Greek explorers! We’ll start with breakfast and then hit the road. Bucket lists at the ready, folks. We’re stopping off in Delphi, where you’ll have free time to explore the town or choose to visit the archaeological site at your own pace. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a local lunch before continuing on our journey to Galaxidi. Oh, and you’ll also have the chance to get closer to local life with a beekeeping experience — a sweet little insight into one of the region’s oldest traditions. After views of Venetian fortresses on our journey, we’ll touch down in the magical Galaxidi. Once you get settled at tonight’s accom, we recommend a stroll down to the harbourside and sampling the local fish.

This morning we’ll eat breakfast and then set off for one VERY picturesque drive to Meteora. Meet Meteora, one of Greece’s truly breathtaking sites, where natural and man-made beauty come together like flowers in a vase. Mystical monasteries perched on enormous sandstone rocks. Seriously. You’ll think you’ve walked into a scene from Lord of the Rings. Tonight will probably be reserved for pics, pics and more pics.

Today we’re off to the mountains as we continue fattening up our insta feeds. Zagori averages about 4 inhabitants per square kilometre, so it’ll feel like a proper dose of zen. You’ll have free time to wander the riverbanks and take in the stone villages and mountain air at your own pace. Next, you can choose to head out on an optional hike from Vitsa to Kipoi (with a Local Guide, of couse), following old footpaths past the Vitsa Steps, the Misios Bridge, and those iconic arched stone bridges. Best part? You’ll finish with a relaxed glass of tsipouro and a good chat.

Home to stone villages, epic caves and traditional monasteries. There's plenty in Zagori to keep you wide-eyed with wonder... especially Vikos Canyon, which might be one of the best views on planet Earth. Feeling adventurous? You’ll be able to jump on a beginner-friendly rafting trip down the Voidomatis River, floating through Vikos Aoos National Park past plane trees, the old monastery ruins, and under the Klidonia stone bridge. Then you’ll have the rest of the day to roam however you like.

Zo long, Zagori. It’s been delightful… truly. En-route to Corfu, we’ll stop off at Ioannina to admire Lake Pamvotis and learn all about the fascinating history surrounding the Agios Panteleimon monastery. (His Dark Materials fans, this is your moment…) Ferry good. We’ll travel on the water to Corfu, where you'll have a free evening to relax and wander to your heart’s content.

Today, you’re be free to soak up this sun-kissed island however you like. Keen on checking out water sports by the sea? You have the option to hop on a RIB boat tour from Paleokastritsa, zipping along Corfu’s northwest coast, finishing off with a stop at the Mavromatis Kumquat Factory for tastings of Corfu’s signature sweet stuff.

We’ll take a ‘marathon’ journey to a destination that’s worthy of at least a silver medal. (Wink wink nudge nudge.) On route we'll stop in the picturesque village of Parga, the perfect place to grab lunch. Yup, we're off to Olympia - the birthplace of the Greek Olympics.

Today is yours to explore. Wander Olympia in your free time, check out the ancient sights at your own pace, and soak up the energy of one of Greece’s most iconic spots. Hungry? You can opt into a farm-to-table lunch just 10 minutes from Olympia, with a homemade meal fresh from the land and a glass of red. Not joining? No stress — you’ll have free time in Olympia to grab lunch and do your own thing. Next, we'll head to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, where you’ll have free time to stroll the waterfront, take in the neoclassical streets, and settle into that laid-back, seaside-town pace.

You’ll wake up to waterfront views and neoclassical streets that look way fancier than they feel. It’ll be grand, sure, but still super easygoing. On the way to Athens, you’ll stop in Nemea for a winery tour and guided tasting at family-run Palivou Estate, including a walk through the vines and a peek into the barrel cellar. This afternoon, you’ll arrive in Athens. Then you're free to do just what you please. One last wander? One last souvenir? Your call.