zUndiscovered Greece

On arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the elegant King George Hotel. With a privileged location on Constitution Square, our luxury landmark has been welcoming distinguished guests for nearly a century. Museum, storied landmarks and the inviting shops and cafes of the historic Plaka district are all within walking distance. This evening, we’ll take you to one of our favorite Athenian tavernas for a congenial welcome dinner.  Meals D

Inhabited for more than 7 millennia, Athens is a vibrant modern capital filled with some of the world’s most celebrated sites of antiquity.  After breakfast, your walking tour will transport you to the ancient days of Greece. With insight from our expert guide, you’ll learn about these early days of Western Civilization as you explore landmarks like the Monument of Lysicrates, erected in 334 BC, the Theater of Dionysus and the magnificent Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
 
Ascending the fabled Acropolis in the center of Athens, you’ll behold world-famous monuments including the Parthenon and the Erechtheion with its famous statues of six maidens known as Caryatids. Then tour the Acropolis Museum with its outstanding collection of sculpture and artifacts from the ancient citadel. In the afternoon, your sightseeing continues in the Agora, the commercial and civic center of ancient Athens. Standing it the large open square that comprises the heart of this amazing archaeological site, you’ll gain deeper insight into the daily life, culture and politics of classical Greece. This evening’s dinner of traditional Greek dishes includes a lively culinary demonstration.
 
For guests making a return visit to Athens, you can forego the city tour and instead enjoy a full-day excursion to places you may not have explored before. Traveling into the countryside, you’ll visit the Sanctuary of Artemis and a nearby museum with artifacts excavated from this once-venerated site. In the afternoon, you’ll tour the Vorres Museum, a wonderful private collection of contemporary art housed in the handsome villa of Ion Vorres. In the 19^th-century buildings, gardens and courtyards that surround the main house, you’ll find antiques, ancient icons and artifacts of daily use that offer a unique look into centuries of Greek life and culture. You’ll be back in Athens in time to join your fellow travelers for tonight’s cooking demonstration and dinner.  Meals B+D

After a leisurely morning to enjoy and explore on your own, you’ll depart Athens leaving the city behind as you journey northward through the fabled Thermopylae Pass. In 480 BC, this was the site of the famous battle between 300 Spartans and a much larger invading Persian Army. Your drive continues into the beautiful and unspoiled landscapes of Pelion.  With deep forests and ancient chestnut groves, this mountainous peninsula is dotted with small towns that have changed little over the centuries. Your destination this afternoon is the lovely village of Portaria where you’ll check in to the Hotel Despotiko, set in a handsome 19^th-century mansion. After time to refresh, you’ll dine this evening here at our inviting hotel.  Meals B+D

This morning is yours to explore at your own pace along the evocative stone-paved streets of the Portaria, graced with handsome old villas, cafes and boutiques. In the afternoon, we’ll take you to nearby Makrinitsa. This is one of the region’s most evocative villages, filled with winding cobbled streets, fine mansions and erstwhile noble residences embellished by tall windows and old stone walls. Situated on the side of a verdant mountain more than 2,000 feet above sea level, it’s often called the “Balcony of Pelion” and indeed the town’s main square is like a lovely terrace overlooking the surrounding hills and countryside . There are several frescoed churches from the 18^th century to be explored and the village shops are known for their handicrafts and aromatic, locally-grown herbs. This evening, you’ll enjoy the fine Greek cuisine of one of our favorite local tavernas.  Meals B+D

After breakfast, you’ll spend this day exploring along the scenic deeply forested roads of Pelion, traveling deeper into the massif that defines this historic and beautiful peninsula. In the village of Zagora, one of the largest in the region, you’ll find charming homes decorated in the traditional style with carved wooden doors and windows. The hills outside of town are home to rushing streams, chestnut forests, olive groves, and fruit orchards. You’ll also stop in Tsagarada to visit its ancient churches. In Milies, one of Pelion’s most picturesque villages, you’ll sit down to a congenial lunch prepared and hosted by some of the friendly residents. Back in Portaria, the rest of your afternoon and evening are at leisure to enjoy as you wish.  Meals B+L

Steeped in myth and legend, the ancient Mycenaean city of Iolkos was famed as the birthplace of Jason, the leader of the Argonauts who journeyed to the shores of the Black Sea to secure the fabled Golden Fleece. Today, the lively university town and port of Volos stand close to this ancient site. Descending from Portaria this morning, you’ll travel down to the shores of the Pagasetic Gulf to explore the archaeological sites that surround Volos. At Sesklo, you’ll see the ancient remains of a Neolithic settlement that flourished more than 7,000 years ago. Not far away, the excavations at Dimini have shed much light on Neolithic life in the 5^th millennium B.C.; scholars also believe that this was the ancient settlement that eventually grew into the Mycenaean town of Iolkos. Your last stop of the morning will be along the coast at Nea Anchialos; regarded as one of the country’s most important Early Christian sites, your exploration of its archaeological excavations will include the remains of nine ancient basilicas.
 
For lunch, we’ll take you to one of our favorite restaurants in the modern city of Volos, celebrated for its culinary scene. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Archaeological Museum, esteemed for its fine collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient sites around Volos; it’s the perfect summation of this morning’s foray into antiquity! Then return to your charming hotel in Portaria where the balance of this day is free to relax, enjoy and explore as you wish.  Meals B+L

After breakfast, you’ll set out from Portaria to experience one of the world’s most awe-inspiring architectural assemblages. Here in a region of seemingly inaccessible sandstone peaks, medieval monks settled upon these towering pinnacles from the 11th century onwards. In the 1400’s, overcoming enormous logistical and engineering challenges, twenty four monasteries were built atop these “columns in the sky.” A century later, their remarkable frescoes heralded a key chapter in the development of post-Byzantine art. Only six of these ancient monasteries remain and today you’ll join Smaragda to visit several of the most important and impressive ones. For lunch, we’ll take you to a nearby restaurant that promises breathtaking views over the Meteora landscape. After this unforgettable day, you’ll return to Portaria for another delightful evening and overnight.  Meals B+L

Another delightful day begins this morning as we travel to the seaside village of Kala Nera. Boarding a private motor boat that’s been chartered exclusively for our intimate group, you’ll set out onto the beautiful azure waters of the Pagasetic Gulf for a sightseeing cruise. We’ll sail by the picturesque uninhabited islet of Prasouda to the mouth of the Gulf where we’ll step off on Paleo Trikeri, a tiny island of about 100 residents. It’s closed to motor traffic and we’ll enjoy a guided stroll through the village to experience its timeless charms and to visit an ancient Byzantine castle. The island is famed for its fine seafood, and we’ll have lunch here before continuing our cruise back to the mainland. Disembarking in the pretty village of Argalasti, we’ll continue overland to the nearby Patistis Estate, where the master vintner will introduce us to the long history of winemaking in the Pelion region. We’ll have a chance to sample some of the Estate’s fine wines before returning to our hotel in Portaria.  Meals B+L

Take this last morning in Pelion to delight in the charms of your boutique hotel and the timeless village ambiance of Portaria. This afternoon, we’ll take you back to the capital where you’ll check in to the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel, conveniently located near the departure terminal.  Meals B

After breakfast, you can make your way to the nearby terminal for your departure flight.  Meals B