Organised tours during the Olympics 2004
Not all tours and
cruises will be operated during the period
of the Olympic Games in Athens (August 2004). Therefore, we have prepared this
special page containing descriptions and operation days of land tours of Athens
and the surrounding area as well as of cruises which are available during the
Athens Olympics.
You may also check our relevant pages concerning
accommodation during the Athens Olympics and
travel packages
for the same period.
The tours are listed according to their duration, from half-day tours up to
5-day tours; you may also use the following
table in order to browse through them:
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Name of tour |
Duration |
Days of operation
during the Olympics |
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Sun. |
Mon. |
Tues. |
Wed. |
Thu. |
Fri. |
Sat. |
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Athens Sightseeing |
1/2 day morning |
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Athens by night |
night tour |
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Sounion |
1/2 day morning |
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Ancient Corinth |
1/2 day morning |
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Delphi |
1 day |
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Argolis
(Mycenae, Epidavros, Nafplio) |
1 day |
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Olympia |
1 day |
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Delphi |
2 days |
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Argolis
(Mycenae, Epidavros, Nafplio) |
2 days |
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Meteora (1) |
2 days |
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Corinth &
Olympia |
2 days |
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Delphi & Meteora (2) |
3 days |
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Delphi &
Olympia |
3 days |
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Nafplio
& Olympia |
3 days |
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Olympia, Delphi & Meteora |
4 days |
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Classical tour (Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi) |
4 days |
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Classical tour (Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora)(3) |
5 days |
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(1) extra departures on Wednesday
August 4 & 11 and on Sept. 1
(2) extra departures on Tuesday August 3, 10 & 31
(3) extra departures on Sunday August 1, 8 & 29 |
Organized coach tours and short cruises in Greece, during the
Athens Olympics
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Departure: 9:15AM & 2:00PM
Return: 1:00PM & 5:30PM
Highlights: The tour departs at 09:15 or at 14:00 for
Panathinaiko
Stadium, where the first contemporary Olympic Games took place in 1896
(visit). Before reaching the Acropolis (visit), the bus
passes by most major sights, monuments and museums in Athens including the
Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine Museum, the
National Gallery,
Zappion Garden,
Temple of Zeus,
Adrian's Arch,
St. Paul’s Church, the Parliament with the
Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, the University, the
Academy,
the National
Library and many other.
- see also: maps and photographs of Athens - |
Cape Sounion
(Olympic Games 2004: Daily)
|
Departure: 2:00PM
Return: 6:00PM
Highlights: The tour's focal point is the Temple of Poseidon (5th
century B.C.). The bus follows the coastal road to Sounion and passes
through some of the best suburbs in Athens (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni,
Varkiza). |
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  Departure: 8:30PM
Return: midnight
Highlights: The tour begins with a visit to Piraeus (the main port
of Greece), Marina Zeas (one of the busiest yacht harbours) and
Microlimano (a smaller, picturesque yacht and fishing boat harbour).
Afterwards, the party returns to Athens, and proceeds to a popular
Greek Taverna in Plaka for dinner with live bouzouki music and a
Greek floor show.
|
Ancient Corinth
(Olympic Games 2004: Monday, Friday)
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Departure: 8:15 a.m.
Return: approx. 1:30 p.m.
Highlights: Driving along the scenic west coast of Attica, after a
short stop at the
Corinth Canal with its breathtaking views, the tour reaches the
ancient town of Corinth (visit), where St. Paul lived and preached for two
years. Back in the ancient times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities
and this is quite evident by its remains, including the huge Agora and
Apollo’s Temple
(6th c. BC). Brief stop at the site of the ancient port of
Kechreae where St. Paul disembarked. Return to Athens in time for lunch. |
1-Day Delphi
(Athens Olympics 2004: Daily)
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:30PM
Highlights: The tour includes a detailed visit of the site, the
museum and the Oracle of Apollo in Delphi, the centre of the world in the
antiquity. On the way to Delphi, the bus makes a short stop at Livadia, a
small town. On the way back another stop is made in the village of
Arachova, a very pretty village on the slopes of the mountain. |
1-Day Argolis
(Athens Olympics 2004: Daily except from
Friday and Sunday)
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 7:00PM
Highlights: The tour places emphasis on two sites: Mycenae, the kingdom of the
doomed family of the Atrides, and Epidaurus, this astonishing
theatre with the 15.000 seats, the acoustics of which no modern theatre
has managed to replicate. On the way, a short stop is made at the
Corinthian Canal;
the lunch break takes place in Nauplion, one of the most charming
towns in the Peloponnese, which is gradually being restored to its past
glory. |
1-Day Olympia
(from August 9 to August 31 every Monday & Friday)
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Departure: 07:15AM
Return: approx. 09:30PM
Highlights: After a short stop at the Corinth Canal, and then passing
by Patras, the tour arrives in Olympia around noon (coffee break en
route). Visit of the impressive archaeological museum housing some of the
sculpture masterpieces of the Classical era, such as the famous statues of
Hermes by
Praxiteles and the Niki (Victory) by Paionios. In the archaeological site of Olympia
visit the temple of
Zeus, the temple
of Hera, the Gymnasium, the Palestra, and the
Olympic Stadium
in which the very first Olympic Games were held in 776BC. Have lunch in
Olympia and then start the drive back to Athens (coffee break en route). |
One Day Cruise to Aegina,
Hydra, Poros (Athens Olympics
2004: Daily)
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  Departure: 8:15AM
Return: 7:00PM
Highlights: The cruise boat stops at three islands of the Saronic
Gulf: Aegina, which is famous for its peanuts and the beautiful
temple of Athina Afaia (optional tour); Hydra, the beloved island
of all painters, with its beautiful houses, all in pastel colours, perched
up on the rocks, and its long history - it played a leading role during
the War of Independence; Poros, a pretty little island that
has also contributed a lot in the liberation.
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Departure: 11:00AM
Return: 04:00PM
Highlights: Visit the biggest island of the Saronic Gulf, inhabited
as from the 2nd mil. B.C. with two important archaeological sites, a large
cathedral dedicated to St Nectarios -the last canonized Saint of the Greek
Orthodox Church-, a wonderful fish market, a unique fruit floating market,
and an economy based on pistachio nuts. |
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:30 PM on the second day
Highlights: Leave Athens at 8:30AM, via the National highway,
passing Thebes, Livadia (short stop), Arachova. The tour continues with a
detailed visit of the site, the museum and the Oracle of Apollo in
Delphi, the centre of
the world in the antiquity. Afternoon free. Overnight in Delphi. On the
second day you have the morning free to explore the village or go back to
the site for a second visit. After lunch, departure to Athens. On the way
back a short stop is made at the village of Arachova, a very pretty
village on the slopes of the mountain. |
2-Day Argolis
(Athens Olympics 2004: Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday)
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 7:00 PM on the second day
Highlights: Participants in this tour will have an afternoon and a
morning free in order to see more of the picturesque town of
Nafplion that the
Venetians called "Naples of Greece".
1st day: The bus
takes the new highway to Corinth. After a short stop at the
Corinth Canal,
the bus proceeds to Mycenae, where an extensive
visit of the site and museum is scheduled. The bus reaches the first
capital of liberated Greece, Nafplion, on time for lunch. The
afternoon is free.
2nd day: You have the morning to explore the
beautiful town with the many monuments, including the Palamidi Castle, the
Ancient Gate of the town, the small museum and the beautifully preserved
buildings. After lunch you will visit Epidaurus, the world famous
theatre with the outstanding acoustics. In the afternoon the bus brings
you back to Athens.
|
2-Day Meteora Monasteries
(Athens Olympics 2004:
Thursday, on August 4 & 11 and on Sept. 1)
|
 Departure: 8:15AM
Return: 7:00 PM on the second day
Highlights:
1st day: Depart at 08:15.
Transfer to renowned
Delphi. Two hours at leisure to stroll in the picturesque village,
enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the slopes of Mount Parnassus till
Itea, take pictures and enjoy a "Greek Coffee". Depart for Kalambaka,
passing through picturesque villages and towns of Central Greece. Dinner
and overnight.
2nd day: Visit Meteora and enjoy a
unique and most impressive scenery with ageless Monasteries, containing
priceless historical and religious treasures, standing between Earth and
Sky atop huge rocks. Return to Athens (approx. 18:30) via Trikala,
Lamia, Thermopylae (visit the Leonida’s Monument) and Kammena Vourla.
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:00PM on the next day
Highlights:
1st day: The trip begins
with a visit of Ancient Corinth, one of
the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece, where St. Paul preached
for 2 years. On the way to Ancient Corinth, you will make a short stop
at the Corinth
Canal, a technical achievement of the time. The end destination and
overnight area is
Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games. Dinner and overnight.
2nd day: The Olympic games are a landmark of
the antiquity. In 776B.C. is confirmed date of the first Olympiad. You
will visit the extensive site, including the Temple of Hera, the
Temple of Zeus,
and the
Palestra as well as the museum. After the visit, departure for
Athens (with a short stop in Patras).
|
3-Day Delphi & Meteora
(Olympic Games 2004: Wednesday
and on August 3, 10 & 31)
|
Departure: 8:15AM
Return: 6:30PM on the third day
Highlights:
1st day: Leave Athens at
8.30am, via the new National highway for Delphi, passing by Thebes, Livadia
(short stop) and Arachova. Visit the Museum of Delphi with the unique statue of the
Charioteer
and the Sanctuary
of Apollo. Afternoon free. Overnight in Delphi.
2nd day: Morning free in Delphi. Drive through
Central Greece and the town of Lamia, to Kalambaka (Meteora). Overnight
in Kalambaka.
3rd day: Leave in the morning for nearby
Meteora to visit the Byzantine Monasteries. On the way to
Athens visit the monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae.
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:00PM on the third day
Highlights:
1st day: The bus takes the
new highway to Corinth. After a short stop at the Corinth Canal, the bus
proceeds to
Mycenae, where an extensive visit of the site and museum is
scheduled. After this visit, the bus will proceed to Epidaurus, the world famous
theatre with the outstanding acoustics. In the afternoon, you will reach
your overnight areas for the day, Nauplion, the first capital of
liberated Greece. We recommend a stroll through the charming old town,
with the imposing fortress Palamidi and the fortified
islet of
Bourtzi afloat in the middle of the bay. Dinner and overnight.
2nd day: Depart for Olympia, the birthplace of the
Olympics. You will visit the beautiful site, including the
Temple of Hera,
the Temple of Zeus,
and the
Palestra as well as the museum. Dinner and overnight in Olympia.
3rd day: After breakfast, departure for Athens,
with a short stop on the way to Patras.
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:00PM on the third day
Highlights:
1st day: The trip begins
with a visit of Ancient Corinth, one of
the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece, where St. Paul preached
for 2 years. On the way to Ancient Corinth, you will make a short stop
at the Corinth
Canal, a technical achievement of the time. The end destination and
overnight area is
Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games. Dinner and overnight.
2nd day: The Olympic games are a landmark of
the antiquity. In 776B.C. is confirmed date of the first Olympiad. You
will visit the extensive site, including the Temple of Hera, the
Temple of Zeus,
and the
Palestra as well as the museum. After the visit, departure for
Delphi, including a short stop in Patras a short ferry crossing (from
Rion to Andirrion). The overnight area is Delphi. Dinner and overnight.
3rd day: Delphi was a sacred place for ancient
Greeks. Known as the navel of the world, Delphi was renowned for the
Oracle, consecrated to God Apollon, and people from all over the then
known world would offer hefty amounts and valuable gifts, hoping for a
favourable prediction. After the visit, return to Athens.
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:30PM on the fourth day
Highlights:
1st day: Leave Athens at 8.45
a.m. for the
Corinth Canal via the new scenic highway (short stop). Pass by
Ancient
Corinth then on to Mycenae (visit). Proceed to
Nauplia and then on to Epidavros to visit the Ancient theatre. Overnight
in Nauplia.
2nd day: Leave Nauplia in the morning, via
Tripoli-Megalopolis, for Olympia. Visit the Sanctuary of Zeus and
Museum.
Overnight in Olympia.
3rd day: Departure from Olympia in the morning
via Patras to Rion, cross the Corinthian bay by ferry-boat to Antirion.
Drive to picturesque Nafpaktos and from there on, via the scenic new
road along the coast, to
Delphi. Visit part of the antiquities and Museum of Delphi.
Overnight in Delphi.
4th day: Further sightseeing of Delphi to
complete visit. Return to Athens with short stop at the picturesque
village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, and famous
for its attractive hand-woven carpets and quilts, as well as for its
wine and cheese.
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:00PM on the fourth day
Highlights:
1st day: The trip begins
with a visit of Ancient Corinth, one of
the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece, where St. Paul preached
for 2 years. On the way to Ancient Corinth, you will make a short stop
at the Corinth
Canal, a technical achievement of the time. The end destination and
overnight area is
Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games. Dinner and overnight.
2nd day: The Olympic games are a landmark of
the antiquity. In 776B.C. is confirmed date of the first Olympiad. You
will visit the extensive site, including the Temple of Hera, the
Temple of Zeus,
and the
Palestra as well as the museum. After the visit, departure for
Delphi, including a short stop in Patras a short ferry crossing (from
Rion to Andirrion). The overnight area is Delphi. Dinner and overnight.
3rd day: Delphi was a sacred place for ancient
Greeks. Known as the navel of the world, Delphi was renowned for the
Oracle, consecrated to God Apollon, and people from all over the then
known world would offer hefty amounts and valuable gifts, hoping for a
favourable prediction. In the afternoon, the bus will depart for
Kalambaka, a small town built at the feet of the Meteora rocks. Dinner
and overnight in Kalambaka.
4th day: Leave in the morning for nearby
Meteora to visit two of the seven magnificent Byzantine
Monasteries that are perched on the rocks. On the way back to
Athens, you will pass by the monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae, the
Spartan hero who, along with only 300 men, fought to death against a
Persian army of thousands.
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Departure: 8:30AM
Return: 6:30PM on the fifth day
Highlights:
1st day: Leave Athens at
8.45am for the
Corinth Canal via the new scenic highway (short stop). Pass by
Ancient
Corinth then on to Mycenae (visit). Proceed to Nauplia and then on to
Epidaurus
to visit the Ancient theatre. Overnight in
Nauplia.
2nd day: Leave Nafplion in the morning, via
Tripoli - Megalopolis, for Olympia. Visit the
Sanctuary of Zeus
and Museum.
Overnight in Olympia.
3rd day: Departure from Olympia in the morning
via Patras to Rion, cross the Corinthian bay by ferry-boat to Antirion.
Drive to the picturesque Nafpaktos and from there on, via the scenic new
road along the coast, to
Delphi. Visit part of the antiquities and Museum of Delphi.
Overnight in Delphi.
4th day: Further sightseeing of Delphi to
complete visit. Drive through Central Greece and the town of Lamia, to
Kalambaka (Meteora). Overnight in Kalambaka.
5th day: Leave in the morning for nearby
Meteora to visit the Byzantine Monasteries. On the way to Athens
visit the monument of Leonida at Thermopylae.
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