Inspirations Travel & Tours
Tel: +27 (0)31 266 0030
info@inspirations-travel.co.za
www.inspirations-travel.co.za
9 Kensington Drive, Westville 3629,
Durban, South Africa
ATHENS – DAY TOURS 2014
Escorted Coach Tours
Athens City and Acropolis Museum
(Half-day morning tour (approx. 5 hrs) – departs daily except Mondays – min. 2 pax)
This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a
fascinating city. Start the tour with a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first
Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. See the Prime Minister’s Residence (ex
Royal Palace) guarded by Euzones in their colourful uniforms; see the Temple of Olympian Zeus,
Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier. View the Academy, the
University, National Library and Constitution Square (Syntagma Square).
Visit the Acropolis and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens are amazing:
the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erecteion, and “the harmony between material
and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the world famous Parthenon. Walking
down the Acropolis, pass the Herodion and Dionysos Theatre. Stop at the Acropolis Museum, one
of the most important archaeological museums in Athens.
Athens City
(Half-day morning tour (approx. 4 hrs) – departs Mondays – min. 2 pax)
This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a
fascinating city. Start the tour with a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first
Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. See the Prime Minister’s Residence (ex
Royal Palace) guarded by Euzones in their colourful uniforms; the Temple of Olympian Zeus,
Hadrian’s Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier. View the Academy, the
University, National Library and Constitution Square (Syntagma Square).
Visit the Acropolis and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens are amazing:
the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erecteion, and “the harmony between material
and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind”, the world famous Parthenon.
Cape Sounion
(Half-day afternoon tour (approx. 4 hrs) – departs daily from April to October – min. 2 pax)
Drive along the coastal road, past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, to
the southernmost point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where you will see the white marble pillars of
the Temple of Poseidon. On the way you have splendid views of the Saronic Gulf and the islands
offshore. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you have time for a walk at the rocky promontory
of Sounion.
Ancient Corinth
(Half-day morning tour (approx. 4 hrs) – departs Fridays from April to October – min. 2 pax)
Depart Athens and drive south-west to the Corinth Canal, which connect the Aegean Sea with the
Ionian Sea (a short photo-stop. Continue to the ancient town of Corinth where St. Paul lived and
preached for two years. The remains of the city include the Agora (market place) and Apollo’s
Temple (6th century BC) clearly shows how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times. A
short stop at the site of the ancient port of Cehries, where St. Paul disembarked, ends the visit.
Return to Athens.
Delphi
(Full-day tour (approx. 10 hrs) – departs daily from April to October – min. 2 pax)
Drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes which is connected with
the tragedy of king Oedipus, pass Levadia and Arachova - famous for its colourful rugs and
carpets (a short stop here on your return). Arrive at Delphi which was the centre of the ancient
world. It was referred to as the “Omphalos” (Navel) of the earth – whose prestige extended far
beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of
unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the
Treasury of the Athenians; the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing masterpieces of
ancient Greek sculpture such as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch in
the modern village of Delphi before returning to Athens. (L)
Argolis
(Full-day tour (approx. 10 hrs) – departs Monday; Tuesday; Thursday & Saturday from April to
October – min. 2 pax)
Depart Athens and drive south-west to the Corinth Canal, which connect the Aegean Sea with the
Ionian Sea (short photo-stop). Continue to the ancient town of Mycenae, the Homeric city of the
Atreides – referred to as the city ‘rich in gold’ by the ancient poets. Visit the Lion’s Gate, the
Cyclopean Walls, the Royal Tombs and more. Continue to Nafplion, driving through the fertile
plains of Argolis. Nafplion is a picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the
mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic
Republic, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. After lunch in a local
restaurant, depart for Epidaurus to visit the 4th Century Theatre. The theatre is marvelled for its
exceptional acoustics, which allows all 15000 spectators to hear the dialog from the scene almost
perfectly, regardless of their seating. A recent study indicates that the astonishing acoustic
properties are the result of the advanced design: The rows of limestone seats filter out lowfrequency sounds, such as the murmur of the crowd, and amplify high-frequency sounds from
the stage. Return to Athens. (L)
Athens by Night
(Evening tour – departs Monday; Wednesday; Thursday, Friday & Saturday from April to October
- min. 2 pax)
Your evening begins with a short panoramic drive through Athens city centre, and at the slope of
the sacred hill you will be able to see, admire and photograph the illuminated Acropolis. Visit a
museum and learn about the origin of ancient Greek musical instruments, history and sounds.
Explore the greatest and only collection in the world, of more than 60 reconstructed Ancient
Greek musical instruments. Then a pleasant walk through the narrow picturesque streets of
Plaka, the old city, before arriving at a typical Greek Taverna where you will enjoy dinner
followed by a floor show with live music and Greek folk dancers in traditional costumes. (D)
Three Islands Cruise
(Full day tour – departs daily – min. 2 pax)
A full-day cruise to three of the Saronic Islands: Hydra, Poros & Aegina. You will be collected at
your hotel in Athens and transferred to the port for your cruise. The first stop is in Hydra, here
you have free time for a walk or a swim. Hydra is considered to be the “smartest” of the Greek
islands, the island is the favourite resort of the International “Jet Set” and the unique
architecture of its houses, the pedestrian narrow streets full of boutiques, exclusive jewellery and
handicrafts attracts both shoppers and photographers. There are no cars in Hydra, donkeys are
used to transport people and goods on the island. The port of Hydra is filled with little and big
yachts, boats and cruisers. Continue to Poros, the smallest of the three islands of the Saronic
islands. The island is covered with pine and lemon trees. Enjoy a beautiful walk up to the clock
tower and admire the panorama. Sail to Aegina where we arrive mid-afternoon. Aegina is the
biggest island of the Saronic Gulf, and has two important archaeological sites, a large Cathedral
dedicated to St. Nektarios, a wonderful fish market, a unique fruit floating market and an
economy based on pistachio nuts. Sail back to Piraeus and transfer to your hotel in Athens. (L)
DAY TOURS
Duration
Per person
Athens City & Acropolis Museum
Half day
EUR 68
Athens City
Half day
EUR 59
Cape Sounion
Half day
EUR 43
Ancient Corinth
Half day
EUR 81
Delphi (incl lunch)
Full day
EUR 101
Argolis (incl lunch)
Full day
EUR 101
Athens by Night (incl dinner)
Evening
EUR 64
Three Islands Cruise (incl lunch)
Full day
EUR 111
All rates will be converted at time of final payment according to our Bank’s selling rates for the
Euro. Please check final ZAR amount with us on day of payment.