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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highlights of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek sites and Peloponnese exploration from Nafplion base

Illustration of Highlights of Ancient Greece

Great Rail Journeys operates this 8-day escorted tour through the classical heartland of Greece, departing London Heathrow and based in Nafplion, the pretty Venetian city in the Peloponnese. The tour combines guided day trips to three World Heritage sites, two days of leisure to explore at your own pace, and several distinctive local experiences. Days begin with guided tours of Mycenae's Lion Gate and Agamemnon's tomb, the Acropolis and its museum in Athens, and Epidaurus' ancient theatre. A highlight is the Odontotos Rack Railway, which descends through the scenic Vouraikos Gorge to the coast. Between excursions, you will taste wines at a Nemea winery and sample olive oil at a local factory. The Amalia Nafplion, a 4-star hotel, serves as your base for all seven nights, and breakfast and dinner are included daily along with local wine and beer. This tour suits history lovers, couples seeking guided comfort without rushing, and food-and-wine enthusiasts.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of £1,599 covers the escorted package including hotel, meals, and internal transport; international flights and rail are included in this figure.
  • Two of the seven days are unguided leisure time; activities on those days are optional suggestions, not included excursions.
  • Maximum group size is 40 passengers; confirm current departure dates and availability with Great Rail Journeys before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Nafplion

    Welcome to beautiful Nafplion

    Your Greek holiday begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of the group before boarding a flight to Athens. On arrival, transfer by coach to the hotel on the outskirts of the historic Venetian city of Nafplion, crossing the impressive Corinth Canal en route (approximately two hours). The hotel was designed by famous Greek architect Nicos Valsamakis. Time to settle in before dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Nafplion

    Touring ancient Mycenae

    Excursion to the nearby archaeological site of Mycenae, a fortified city and once the prosperous centre of the Mycenaean civilisation. A guided tour covers highlights including the Lion Gate entrance, Agamemnon's tomb and the ruined Cyclopean walls. Return to the hotel in Nafplion for dinner with drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nafplion

    Odontotos Rack Railway

    Drive through mountainous landscape to Kalavryta, site of the 1821 Greek Revolution and the Agia Lavra Monastery. Board the Odontotos Rack Railway (opened 1896) for an hour-long journey through the scenic Vouraikos Gorge to Diakopto on the Corinthian Gulf shore, with free time for independent lunch. On the return coach journey, stop for a wine tasting at a Nemea winery, tour of facilities, tasting of three wines served with breadsticks and local cheese. Note: For departures 20th April and 11th May, due to landslides onto the track, the Mega Spilaio Monastery will be visited instead, followed by wine tasting and lunch at a local winery.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Nafplion

    A day at leisure in Nafplion

    Free day to explore the attractive Venetian city of Nafplion. A coach transfer is provided, or a taxi takes just five minutes. Wander cobbled streets, neoclassical mansions and flower-filled squares. Visit the Palamidi Fortress (over 200 metres above the town), Akronafplia fortress, Syntagma Square and the Bourtzi Castle on a small island. Note: For departure 27th April, Day 4 and Day 5 have been swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Nafplion

    Athens & the Acropolis

    Coach excursion to Athens and the Acropolis. A 20-minute uphill stroll along a paved walkway leads to the World Heritage citadel. Guided tour of the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena and other treasures, followed by a visit to the modern Acropolis Museum with its glass floor revealing the ancient Athenian city below. Free time to explore the Plaka district or the pedestrianised avenue beneath the Acropolis. Return by coach for dinner with drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Nafplion

    Epidaurus & olive oil tasting

    Trip to the World Heritage site of Epidaurus, the most popular health centre of ancient Greece, renowned for its theatre, a marvel of acoustic engineering still used for performances. Next, a tasting of olive oil at a local olive oil factory. Return to the hotel with time to relax at the outdoor pool or in the palm-filled gardens before dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Nafplion

    A free day to enjoy Nafplion or explore further

    Another day at leisure. Options include a trip to Sparta, visiting Mycenaean artefacts at the Archaeological Museum, admiring the Vouleftikon building (an Ottoman mosque that served as the first Greek Parliament), hiking up to the Palamidi Fortress for panoramic views, or relaxing at the hotel pool. Final dinner of the holiday at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    Coach transfer back to Athens airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Mycenae includes the Lion Gate entrance, Agamemnon's tomb, and the Cyclopean walls of this ancient fortified city.
  • Day 3One-hour journey on the Odontotos Rack Railway, opened in 1896, descends through the scenic Vouraikos Gorge to Diakopto on the Corinthian Gulf.
  • Day 5Guided tour of the Acropolis covers the Parthenon and Temple of Athena, followed by the modern Acropolis Museum with its glass floor revealing ancient Athenian remains.
  • Day 6Visit to Epidaurus, a World Heritage site, to see the ancient Greek theatre renowned for its acoustic engineering, still used for performances.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Heathrow to Athens
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • Local beer, wine and soft drinks each day with dinner
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Standard Class rail travel as part of the package. The main rail experience is a one-hour journey on the Odontotos Rack Railway through the Vouraikos Gorge.
What is the accommodation?
All seven nights are at the 4-star Amalia Nafplion, located on the outskirts of the Venetian city of Nafplion.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day, plus local beer, wine, and soft drinks with dinner. Lunch is independent unless specified (for example, free time on Day 3 after the train ride).
Is it an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the tour, and all major sites include guided tours. However, Days 4 and 7 are free to explore independently.
What archaeological sites are covered?
Guided tours of Mycenae, Athens and the Acropolis Museum, and Epidaurus. The tour also visits Kalavryta and its monastery, and includes wine and olive oil tastings.
How much walking is involved?
A 20-minute uphill stroll on a paved walkway reaches the Acropolis. Exploring Nafplion involves walking cobbled streets. An optional hike to Palamidi Fortress is available on the free days.

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