Greece: Legends and Landscapes 2026/2027

Time travel back over 3,000 years: the iconic Acropolis awaits! This astounding temple complex stands guard over the city – an enduring symbol of Greece’s classical spirit and the blueprint for Western civilisations to come. We’ll uncover its secrets with a local guide, including the extraordinary Parthenon – dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war and reason. Wisdom topped up, the rest of the day will be ours for exploring! Discover more remarkable feats of the ancient world at the National Archaeological Museum, or settle into a traditional taverna for a hearty serving of moussaka. (B)

Accommodation: Elia Ermou Athens Hotel (or similar)

The piercing blue waters of the Aegean are calling! Following breakfast, our path will lead us towards Naxos – a lesser-explored and unspoilt gem of the Cyclades islands. We’ll slow the pace with a scenic ferry journey, soaking up seafaring views as we go, before docking at the namesake island capital. This green, verdant island, hugged by mist-topped mountains, oozes authentic Greek charm. Take a stroll around the maze of lantern-lit cobbled streets before we dine together this evening. (B,D)

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

There’s an exclusive local experience in store today as we make tracks towards a working family farm. Here we’ll sample a selection of flavourful local cheeses and homemade marmalades. Then: roll up your sleeves and dive in! We’ll prepare our own traditional Greek lunches under the guidance of the experts, before touring the farm and digging into our creations. Appetites satisfied, when we return to the city the evening is ours to spend as we please. Why not round off a day of local discoveries with a tangy glass of kitron – Naxos’ trademark spirit, made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree. Yiamas! (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

Winding lanes blushing with crimson flowers. Neat sugar cube houses snuggling grand Venetian mansions. Twisted vines smothering cosy cafes. The treasures of Naxos are yours for the taking today! Meander up to the Kastro – a medieval citadel housing an archaeology museum. Or amble along the coast and indulge in a spot of people watching. As the sky transforms to pink, stroll along the causeway to Portara – or the ‘Temple of Apollo’ – a vast sixth-century marble doorway that stands proudly on a neighbouring islet. Behold as the sun sinks into the sea! And when darkness descends? Legend has it that Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, blessed Naxos with fertile land; so dine like gods and feast on the island’s bounty of rich cheeses and local meats! (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

Westwards! Today we’ve got the handsome coastal city of Nafplio in our sights. Once back on the mainland, we’ll wind our way through mountainous, vineyard-speckled landscapes – stopping at the striking Corinth Canal as we go. Wedged between sharp cliff faces, this distinctive canal is the narrowest in the world; a streak of blue connecting the two bordering gulfs. Though most modern ships would find it tricky to navigate its 25-metre width! Upon our arrival in Nafplio, take a moment to admire Bourtzi Castle – an atmospheric Venetian fortress floating in the middle of the harbour – before sampling the local fare in a homely tavern. (B)

Accommodation: Liberty Hotel (or similar)

857. That’s how many steps it takes to reach the top of Palamidi Castle (or a short taxi ride!). Snaking up a hillside, this formidable fortress looms over the city and offers spectacular 360-degree vistas of the sea and valley. The perfect way to spend your free morning, if you so choose! After enjoying a spot of lunch at our leisure, we’ll regroup and make our way to mysterious Mystras. This fortified medieval city – once the Byzantine capital – perches along a steep mountainside, and harbours plenty of nooks and crannies to explore! Later the road will lead us to the peaceful port town of Gytheio, where we’ll share stories of the adventure so far over our included dinner. (B, D)

Accommodation: Stavros Tou Notou Hotel (or similar)

It seems magical Diros Cave has leapt from the pages of a fairytale. After breakfast, we’ll delve into this subterranean wonderland with a local guide. A spellbinding maze of turquoise waterways and astonishing, lava-like rock formations, this otherworldly experience is truly unforgettable. Next: it’s back above ground as we pay a visit to the captivating town of Areopoli. Prepare to be charmed as our expert Tour Leader reveals the hidden corners of the rustic stone-built streets. When we return to picture-perfect Gytheio there’s an abundance of seafood restaurants to choose from for dinner. And it would be rude not to visit a traditional ouzeri for a taste of the country’s renowned liquor, wouldn’t it? (B)

Accommodation: Stavros Tou Notou Hotel (or similar)

Accommodation: Amalia Hotel Olympia (or similar)

Limber up! Our day begins with a locally guided tour of legendary Olympia – the birthplace of sporting glory. This landmark archaeological site sparked off the Olympic Games in 776 BC – the world’s greatest athletic event founded on values of peace and healthy competition. As you wander the shaded ruins imagine the roar of the crowd ringing as the athletes entered the arena. Leaving Olympia behind us, our next stop is the lovely seaside town of Nafpaktos. Brimming with history, Nafpaktos is one of the locals’ best-kept secrets – sporting a dramatic Venetian castle and delightful, historic port. Finally, Delphi – considered the centre of the world by ancient Greeks – is a fitting end to an evocative day. (B)

Start the day with sacred stories as a knowledgeable local guide shares Delphi’s secrets with us. This ancient mountainside site was the epicentre of religion and culture, as well as home to Pythia – the oracle or ‘high priestess’. Pythia made prophecies and was consulted about all major decisions taken in the classical world. Be sure to embrace the view of the stunning surrounding valley before we depart for our next destination – where a sweet treat’s in store! We’ll live out Winnie-the-Pooh’s fantasy with a delicious local honey-tasting experience in Itea. Later, upon our return to Delphi we’ll dine as a group for the final time and cheers to one extraordinary adventure. Opa! (B, D)

This morning we awaken to the final day of our Greek journey. But it’s not over quite yet! As we take the scenic trail back to Athens, we’ll call in at the elegant town of Arachova, which nestles along the foot of mighty Mount Parnassus. Back in the capital, it’s time to say our goodbyes. Until next time! (B)

Time travel back over 3,000 years: the iconic Acropolis awaits. We’ll venture up through the Propylaea gateway, building anticipation with every step, before the Parthenon appears. Vast, sun-bleached and somehow more impressive in person than any photograph has conveyed, it’s dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. A local guide will bring its layers of history, myth and whispered scandal to life – including the extraordinary Erechtheion, with its famous porch of the Caryatids, where stone maidens have stood watch for over two millennia. 

Wisdom well and truly topped up, the rest of the day is yours. The National Archaeological Museum is worth an afternoon if ancient bronze helmets and Mycenaean gold are your thing, and they should be. Or simply settle in at a taverna in the Monastiraki neighbourhood, order a plate of slow-cooked moussaka and a carafe of local wine, and watch the city unfold around you. Athens is very good at that. 

(B)

Accommodation: Hotel Cypria (or similar)

Did you know that Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, and arguably the least fussed about being famous? This morning we’ll transfer to the port of Piraeus and board our ferry, watching the open sea gradually give way to mist-topped mountains and the white geometry of Cycladic architecture as we approach. The great marble Portara gateway stands alone on a neighbouring islet as we dock, framing nothing but sky and sea. A sixth-century doorway to nowhere, and a silhouette you won’t forget.  

Green, fertile and laced with Venetian history, Naxos has a character that’s harder to pin down than its more famous neighbours. The old town rises in a web of lantern-lit cobbled lanes and whitewashed walls, Byzantine churches tucked between Venetian towers, cats occupying the best spots in every doorway. We’ll wander those lanes before sitting down together for dinner at a local taverna. Look out for loukoumades along the way: hot honey-drenched doughnuts sold from street stalls, ideal for the stroll back.  (B,D)

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

Roll up your sleeves, today we’re cooking! Our morning takes us to a beautiful family farm where the day begins not with a recipe but with a rustic spread – think homemade marmalades and sweet spoon preserves served alongside Naxian cheeses. Then the apron goes on and our host guides us through preparing a proper Greek lunch from scratch. Expect cheerful disagreements about oregano quantities and a heavy-handed helping of flour. 

We’ll tour the farm, meet the family behind it and sit down to eat what we’ve made together. By the afternoon, you’ll find yourself back in Naxos town with the rest of the day entirely your own. The causeway to the Portara is at its best when the sky turns pink and the marble glows in the last of the light. Take the walk, take the photograph, then find a kafeneio and order a glass of kitron, Naxos’ trademark spirit distilled from the leaves and fruit of the citrus tree. Yiamas! (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

There’s a particular wistfulness to leaving an island. The lightness of the air, the sound of water against the hull, the feeling that a different rhythm of life is being left behind. We’ll take it in from the ferry deck as the Cyclades dissolve into the blue, before the mainland rises ahead and the pace shifts again. 

Once ashore at Piraeus, our luxury minicoach heads south. En route, we’ll pull over at one of Greece’s most striking feats of engineering: the Corinth Canal. Standing on the bridge above it and looking down at the ribbon of deep turquoise water far below, wedged between sheer limestone cliffs, is a sight that takes a moment to fully take in. The canal is just 24.6 metres wide at sea level, the narrowest navigable canal in the world! A photo stop here is all but irresistible. 

We continue to Nafplio, the elegant first capital of modern Greece and our base for the next two nights. Find a table by the water for dinner and toast to the Peloponnese.  (B)

Accommodation: Liberty Hotel of Nafplio (or similar)

Nafplio rewards those who slow down and pay attention. This morning your Tour Leader will lead an orientation walk through its beautiful layered streets, past neoclassical mansions with crumbling plasterwork and window boxes dripping with bougainvillea, ornate fountains tucked into shaded corners, and the fortress of Bourtzi floating serenely in the middle of the harbour. The town’s history – Greek, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman – reveals itself in small details at every turn. 

The rest of the day is entirely yours. The steps to the summit of Palamidi Castle reward with sweeping views over the Argolic Gulf. It’s steep going, but the galaktoboureko at the bakery at the bottom makes for excellent motivation. Or simply browse the galleries and boutiques of the old town, find a seafront table and watch the afternoon unfold in front of you.  (B)

Accommodation: Liberty Hotel of Nafplio (or similar) 

After breakfast in Nafplio, we’ll set off into the Peloponnese heartland towards mysterious Mystras. The landscape shifts: dry scrub and wild thyme, the air cooling as we rise into the Taygetos foothills. This fortified Byzantine city perches dramatically along a steep mountainside, its UNESCO World Heritage status well earned. Palaces, churches and monasteries tumble down the hillside in various states of beautiful ruin, frescoes still vivid in dim stone interiors and the faint ghost of incense lingering in centuries-old air. 

As the afternoon deepens, we’ll descend to the coast and the pretty port town of Gytheio, built amphitheatrically around a natural bay with colourful neoclassical houses stepping down to the waterfront and fishing boats knocking gently against the quay. Tonight’s group dinner is shared at a local restaurant, a chance to unwind and reflect on the day. (B, D)

Accommodation: Infinity Hotel Gytheio (or similar) 

We head out this morning into the stark, tower-house-strewn landscape of the Mani peninsula, a place that carries a slightly otherworldly quality, as if the myths are still being written. Our first stop takes us underground into the spellbinding Diros Caves with a local guide, where a boat carries us silently through subterranean waterways. The water is so still and turquoise it looks painted, stalactites reaching down to meet their own reflections through chambers shaped over millions of years before humans arrived to marvel at them. 

Above ground again, we’ll make our way to the captivating village of Areopoli for a Tour Leader-led walk through its rustic stone streets, past tower houses and the Church of the Taxiarchs with its distinctive Mani-carved reliefs. 

Back in Gytheio by the afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. The long promenade, the stone-paved streets, the tiny islet of Kranae just offshore – according to Homer’s Iliad, it was here that Paris and Helen spent their first night together on their fateful journey to Troy. An abundance of seafood tavernas lines the waterfront when hunger calls: order the grilled tsipoura and make time for an ouzo at a traditional ouzeri. It would be rude not to.  (B)

Accommodation: Infinity Hotel Gytheio (or similar)

Accommodation: Amalia Hotel Olympia (or similar)

Limber up: this morning we’ll walk in the footsteps of the ancient world’s greatest athletes on a locally guided tour of legendary Olympia. The first Olympic Games were held here in 776 BC, and the ancient stadium is still here, the same starting line visible in the stone, the same earth beneath your feet that competitors ran across while 40,000 spectators roared from the embankments. The Archaeological Museum that follows, with its collection of bronze helmets, marble statues and the extraordinary statue of Hermes by Praxiteles, only deepens it all. 

Leaving Olympia behind, we’ll stop in the lovely seaside town of Nafpaktos, with a dramatic Venetian castle rising above a perfect horseshoe harbour. Grab a frappe at a cafe by the waterfront and watch the boats for a while. It’s the kind of place the guidebooks haven’t quite caught up with yet, and all the better for it. 

By late afternoon we’ll arrive in Delphi, set high on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. The valley of olive trees stretching to the sea far below is reason enough to understand why the ancient Greeks called this the navel of the world. (B)

Sacred stories await this morning as a knowledgeable local guide leads us through the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most dramatically situated archaeological sites on earth. For centuries this was the religious and cultural heartbeat of the Hellenic world. Kings, generals, merchants and farmers all made the long pilgrimage here to consult Pythia, the oracle, before any decision of consequence. Walking the Sacred Way up through the ruins, past the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the ancient theatre, the weight of all those centuries of belief is palpable. 

This afternoon we’ll wind down through the olive groves to the coastal village of Itea for a honey-tasting experience that changes the way you think about this sweet condiment entirely. Dressed in beekeeping suits, we’ll step closer to the hives for a glimpse into the craft behind it, before tasting the results. The bees of this mountainous region, feeding on thyme, pine and wildflowers, produce something complex and fragrant and entirely unlike anything from a supermarket shelf. 

Back in Delphi, we’ll gather for our final group dinner: twelve days of myth and landscape, ancient stones and island light, generous food and new friendships. Opa! (B, D)

One last drive through the Greek landscape, and one final stop worth savouring. The mountain town of Arachova clings to the slopes of Mount Parnassus at nearly 1,000 metres, its stone houses stacked above one another along steep winding lanes, bright handwoven rugs and wheels of formaela cheese spilling from shopfront doorways. It’s celebrated across Greece for its wine and its wool, its pasta-like trachanas and its bakaliaros, and a slow wander through the old quarter makes for a deeply satisfying final chapter. Then it’s back down to Athens, where we’ll say our farewells. Until next time, Greece. (B)