Athens and surrounding area, Athens

The best of mainland Greece by car 3^*

Welcome to Greece! As soon as your flight lands at Athens International Airport, head to the car hire office to pick up your vehicle!

Your adventure in mainland Greece starts today! Take the coastal road to reach the Corinth Canal. It is essential to visit two of Greece's most important archaeological sites: Mycenae and Epidaurus. Mycenae, the kingdom of the mythical Agamemnon, was the richest palatial centre in Greece during the Late Bronze Age. Just an hour's drive away is Epidaurus. En route, you will pass through small villages where you can stop for lunch (not included). In Epidaurus, you can admire the ancient theatre, which was built to host religious ceremonies in honour of the god Asclepius. It is world-renowned for its symmetry and incredible acoustics.

In the late afternoon, head to Tolo, check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight stay in Tolo.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

Then hop in your car and lose yourself in the streets of the beautiful little village of Tolo, which has become a thriving tourist resort while retaining its traditional Greek charm. Stop at one of the beaches scattered around the area and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. After cooling off, hit the road to Olympia. Just 20 minutes from Tolo, you will find Nafplio, the ancient capital of Greece and one of the most beautiful towns in the eastern Peloponnese. There you will find many tavernas offering local cuisine to satisfy your hunger.

In the afternoon, you can either take the road across the mainland to Olympia or drive along the Gulf of Kyparissia.

Once you arrive at your hotel, enjoy this lively ancient Greek afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight in Olympia.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a drive to Olympia!

In the west of the Peloponnese, in the magnificent Alpheus Valley, lies the most famous sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it is the birthplace of the most important sporting event of all time: the Olympic Games. A visit to the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus is a must. The archaeological museum is also just a few minutes' walk from the archaeological site. Your journey continues. You will pass through dozens of small villages where you can sample delicious local dishes.

It is also worth making a little effort to visit Patras, Greece's third largest city, before ending up in Delphi for the night.

Overnight stay in Delphi.

Fuel up for the day ahead with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

Delphi offers a landscape of wild beauty and was considered the navel of the world by the ancient Greeks. At the foot of Mount Parnassus lie the Panhellenic sanctuary of Apollo and the famous oracle of ancient Greece, which you can visit along with the museum. As the road to Kalambaka is quite long, it is advisable to make one or two short stops. Along the way, you will find many small towns to suit all tastes. Arrive in Kalambaka before nightfall and admire the amazing Meteora complex as you enter the town.

Overnight stay in Kalambaka.

After breakfast, get ready to discover an exceptional site!

Visit Meteora, where you will find yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Perched atop enormous rocks that seem to hang in the air are timeless monasteries, home to magnificent examples of Byzantine art. The word 'Meteora' literally means 'to soar through the air'. The creation of this rare geological phenomenon remains one of nature's mysteries. Due to its uniqueness, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Head to Athens as soon as your visit is over. On your way back, you can stop off in any towns that you didn't have time to visit the previous day.

Then proceed to Athens Airport to return your car.

All excursions mentioned in the programme are suggestions and are not included in the offer (unless otherwise stated).

• The itinerary of the tour may be subject to changes or a reordering of the tour sequence due to local requirements.
• The itinerary provided is a suggested itinerary. No visits or excursions are included in the offer (unless stated differently).

• The package includes the hire of a category B car for five days. With unlimited mileage

The vehicle will be collected and returned to Athens International Airport.

Driver age: between 21 and 75

Licence validity: must have held a driving licence for at least one year, in the name of the main driver.

Vehicle hire includes:

• CDW (collision damage waiver)
• TP (theft protection)
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Safety equipment (warning triangle, high-visibility vest, fire extinguisher)

Vehicle hire does not include:

• Any additional equipment (GPS, baby seat, etc.)
• Additional charges for pick-up outside working hours
• Damage to the vehicle or to persons caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances
• Theft of the vehicle with the keys left in the ignition
• Fuel, fines, tolls, parking

Additional information:

• Drivers who are not citizens of the European Union must present an international driving licence as well as the original licence from their country of origin.
• Deposit by Visa or MasterCard credit card only
• Accident and theft reports must be notified within 48 hours of the incident
• A hire day is calculated as 24 hours and 29 minutes. An additional day will be charged if the hire exceeds this period.