Greece on a Shoestring
Greece on a Shoestring
Greece on a Shoestring
5 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Thermopylae
Tour operator:
Tour code:
299
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 45
Age range:
Over 9s
Special diets catered:
Please advise request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$925
$883
Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$42
NB: Prices correct on 17-May-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
This 5-day Greece tour is ideal for travellers looking to get a taste for the history and beauty of Greece in a short time and in comfort but on a reasonable budget. Starting in the Greece's historical capital of Athens, we'll make our way to some of its top attractions, such as the Panathenaic Stadium - the world's only fully-marbled stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament, Constitution Square, the National Library and the Acropolis - which is home to a selection of Greece's most significant architectural monuments. After spending some time in Athens, we'll travel to Delphi, exploring its archaeological site which is home to the last remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia. We'll also travel to the small town of Kalambaka - which is often known as the gateway to Meteora. We spend time exploring the spectacular mountain scenery of Meteora, visiting some of the monasteries which are perched on mountaintops and on the sides of cliffs, some seeming completely inaccessible. Extensions to the tour are available if you’d like to head into the Aegean Sea to visit a Greek island or two. Please contact us for details.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Athens, Airport To Hotel Transfers Included
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Upon arrival into Athens airport (ATH) you'll be met by one of our representatives who will then transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is then free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a look around the area independently before meeting the group and starting the first sightseeing tours tomorrow morning.
Day 2 : Exploring Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first full day of our Greece tour will see us head out on a city tour of Athens. Our first stop is at the Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the very first modern Olympics in 1896 and is the only stadium on the planet built entirely of marble. We'll also make our way to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch - which was built in 131 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as part of a wall separating the old and new cities of Athens.
Our journey through Athens also takes us to the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library and the Constitution Square.
Later in the day, we'll make our way to the Acropolis, which is an ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop above the city and houses some of Greece's most famous architectural masterpieces such as the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Parthenon - which was built to honour the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron.
Day 3 : Travel To Delphi
Location: Delphi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After spending the day exploring the beauty of Athens, we leave early as we make our way to the town of Delphi. The journey to Delphi takes you through Thebes, Levadia and Arachova - a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foothills of Mount Parnassus.
Once we arrive in Delphi, we'll make our way to its famous archaeological site, which houses the remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, as well as an ancient stadium and theater. Delphi Archaeological Museum displays artifacts found among the ruins. We'll also visit the marbled Treasury of the Athenians, which was used to store the rich offerings of the kings.
Later in the day, we'll say goodbye to Delphi as we make our way to the traditional Greek village of Kalambaka, the gateway to the ancient Meteora monuments. We'll spend the rest of the evening in Kalambaka.
Day 4 : Exploring Meteora
Location: Meteora, Thermopylae
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day starts with a trip to the unique rock formations at Meteora - A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to over twenty mountaintop and cliffside monasteries, some which are still in use today, these places of worship were used by Monks in the 14th century who were searching for a safe place to live and worship. As a result, the only way to access many of the monasteries was by rock climbing or being carried up in a basket. The scenery here is spectacular and a photographer's dream.
Note: The monasteries at Meteora have a strict dress code. Women need to wear a long skirt, dress or sarong (trousers or shorts covering the knees are not enough). Men must wear long trousers. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Please ensure you have appropriate clothing ready for this day.
Later in the day, we'll return to Athens by travelling through Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae, stopping along the way to see the statue of Leonidas, which was erected to commemorate the Battle of Thermopylae.
Day 5 : Your Greek Adventure Ends, Hotel To Airport Transfers Included
Location: Athens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. If your flight is later in the day, feel free to do some last minute shopping or exploring in Athens, before we transfer you to the airport to board your flight back home. You could also extend your tour by heading into the Aegean Sea to visit one or more of the famous Greek islands.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4* -
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary in approx. 4-star level hotels
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All transport and transfers in AC non-smoking vehicles
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24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
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Services of a professsional local tour guide for all sightseeing tours
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Meals as indicated in the itinerary (4 breakfasts, 1 dinner)
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Tips except driver and guide
What's Not Included
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International flights (available on request)
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Visa fees (if applied)
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Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
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Meals not indicated in the itinerary
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Entrance fees to sites visited (allow approx. EUR 43 (Apr-Oct) or EUR 27 (Nov-Mar)
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Hotel residence tax (see tour notes)
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Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
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Tips for guide & driver
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Optional tours
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Any other items not mentioned above
Mode of Transport
AC minibus/coach
Accommodation
4-star hotels
Athens hotel
Kalambaka hotel
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
This tour includes a professional multilingual tour guide to escort you on all the sightseeing tours in and around Athens, Delphi and Meteora.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. UK travellers visiting other European Union countries including Greece should also carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as it entitles travellers to reduced cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries. Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. No additional courses or boosters are normally recommended for Greece though you could conside Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis. More information is available here: Greece Malaria map - there is low to no risk of malaria in Greece, none in tourist areas. Yellow fever certificates are not required.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR). 1 Euro = 100 Euro cents. Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200. Euros Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Euro Cents and 1, 2. Credit Cards and Travellers Cheques are widely accepted in major cities and tourist resorts. ATMs are also accessible at all our destinations and generally offer the best exchange rate. A mixture of debit, credit cards and cash are the best forms of currency. You should split this up and keep some separately as a backup in case you lose your main money/cards. It is difficult for us to specify the amount of money that you will spend per day, however, as a general rule EUR 25 to 50 per day can provide you with additional meals, tipping, snacks & drinks. Should you wish to purchase many souvenirs or other luxuries, of which there is a diverse range, you will have to budget for these.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities. Some foreign nationals require a visa to enter Greece, though many do not (including UK, EUR, US, CA, AU, NZ, SA). More information is available at visas for foreigners.
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What is the tipping policy?
Tipping is common practice in Greece, though not as extensive as in nearby Turkey. For basic restaurants, taxis and local markets, leave the loose change. For more up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill. We include a 'tipping kitty' in your tour price which your tour guide/leader will use to tip a wide range of people along the way to help ensure the smooth running of the tour. This does not include your tour guide/leader, driver(s) or transfer staff though. Drivers: You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. For those you see for at least several days and who are more involved with the group, a tip of around EUR 1-2 per person per day is generally appropriate. Tour guide/tour leader: If you think you tour guide and/or tour leader has worked hard and provided a good service then s/he will appreciate a tip of a few Euros. How much you tip is subject to your satisfaction with their service and your personal budget. You should not feel pressured to tip any particular amount. As a guideline, we can suggest that for good service, a tip of EUR 3-5 per day for local tour guides or local tour leaders would be fine.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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