Discounted

Highlights of Greece

Greece - Trip code GG Discovery
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331Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
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Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Journey around the cradle of Western civilization as we visit Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, and the delightful coastal town of Nafplion, all epicentres of the ancient Grecian world. Explore the famous Pantheon in Athens, spend the night in a mountain lodge close to Arachova and take a breathtaking train journey to Kalavryta, a small village with a gigantic history. All while soaking up the atmosphere dipping into traditional tavernas and watching the sun sink into the sea.

Why we love this trip
  • Athens - Explore the history and culture of one of the world's oldest cities, including the impressive Acropolis.
  • Delphi - Perched on the rocky slopes of Mount Parnassos, take a guided tour of the Temple of Apollo.
  • Olympia - The birthplace of the Olympic Games, discover the magnificent ancient ruins including the arena.

  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 7

    Lunch: 1

    Dinner: 2

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

    Local Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Bus

    Train

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    Accommodation

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    Trip pace:

    Full on

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 10

Itinerary

Trip information

Climate and country information

Greece

Climate

Greece has such a vast geographical difference between the mainland and the islands, and travel is possible at all times of year but the climate can vary depending on when you go. Generally speaking in Greece, during late spring or early autumn, in the months of April-May or September-October, temperatures tend to be warm and pleasant, usually hovering around 25 degrees. Rainfall is low, but can be erratic during these months. Cooler evenings take the heat off the day. If you have booked a walking holiday, wild flowers bloom during the spring, adding colour to the hiking trails. If staying in an island such as Corfu, the winter months tend to be quite rainy, meaning the island becomes exceptionally green over the rest of the year. However, it also means there may be some rain in May and late September-October. On the whole, Greek Summers are hot and dry, with plenty of sunshine and little rain. Temperatures can head north of 35 degrees in July and August. On the islands, restaurants and bars may be busy with cruise ship passengers. While this period definitely gives you a ‘summer holiday’ feeling, those wishing to explore Greece’s ancient sites may find the heat challenging. When travelling in winter, from late November to early March, the villages will be very quiet. Temperatures in Athens at this time are around 10-15 degrees, while the nights will be colder. Hotels in northern Greece in particular are well adapted to deal with cold winters, having proper heating and warm fires to retreat to after a day of exploring. This makes it a good destination for travel between November-March.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Orthodox

Language

Greek

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


A selection of optional activities are listed below to help you budget for your trip, please note that some of the walks and boat trips will be weather dependent, trips departing in the early season (in particular in April) are more likely to be affected.

Athens:
On the afternoon of day two you may like to do the following:
Acropolis Museum entrance €20 per person
National Archaeological Museum entrance €20 per person
Olympic Stadium entrance €15 per person
Trams - 24 hour ticket costs €4.10 per person

If you are under 18, please carry ID for free entry to museums.

Clothing

July and August are the hottest months, but early and late in the season go prepared with clothing to suit drops in temperature and the odd shower. Women in trousershorts are not permitted to enter monasteries - please bring a skirt.

Footwear

Comfortable, well broken-in walking boots or shoes with good heel support are necessary for participating in walks and visiting the sites. Trainers and sandals are also recommended for relaxing.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a daysac. Remember, porters are not available at all locations, so don't overload yourself. You'll also need to carry your luggage on/off buses.

Equipment

Water bottle, sunhat and sun cream.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we would recommend £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.
Local crew
Although voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly, you should allow approximately £16 of local currency for tipping.

In order to make things easier for you, the Explore Leader may organise a group's tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the trip.

Greece

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Dinner price
£15.00 - 26.00
Beer price
£4
Water price
£0.9
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Euro
Recommended Currency For Exchange
GBP Sterling or US Dollars, cash.
Where To Exchange
We recommend that you change any currency into Euros prior to arrival. Currency Exchange locations are generally only found in major cities and large airports
ATM Availability
Cash can be drawn from ATMs from all types of cards in most areas in Greece, including the islands.
Credit Card Acceptance
In major restaurants.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, Train

Accommodation notes

During our time in Athens, we'll stay close to the city centre, just a 15-minute walk away from the Acropolis and the Plaka quarter. Our hotel is tucked away from the bustling centre. The breakfast buffet includes products from the Mediterranean including seasonal fresh fruits, cereals, scrambled eggs, honey, cakes, bread rolls with olives, raisins or multi-grains, croissants, and hot and cold beverages.

In Delphi, we'll stay outside of the main town in the mountainous village of Arachova, a ten-minute drive from Delphi. A ski lodge in the winter season, our delightful hotel features large panoramic windows overlooking the mountains, a big indoor swimming pool and a cozy fire in the reception area to take the chill away from the higher altitude.

Moving on to Olympia, we'll stay in a resort-style property with views of Alfeios River. Featuring a large terrace and swimming pool, and surrounded by gardens, it's an ideal location, close to the Olympia site. Dinner is included tonight.

Finally in Nafplion, we'll stay in a centrally located hotel, chosen for its proximity to the sea (just a 10-minute walk away). All rooms have air conditioning and satellite TV.

All hotels on this tour offer free WiFi. Breakfasts are included at our accommodations. It's worth noting that Greek breakfasts tend to be simple, continental buffets, consisting of bread, jams, cheese, cereal and occasionally fruits and yogurt. Cooked options are rare.

Greece

Food and drink

Eating out in Greece
Depending on where you're staying in Greece the cost of eating out will vary. In the popular islands such as Santorini or Corfu, you can expect to pay more for an evening meal, than if you are staying in mainland Greece.
In the islands, we'd recommend allowing yourself a slightly higher budget for your evening meals, as taverns and restaurants in the more touristic islands will set you back between €18-€26. If you are on the mainland you will have more options as to eating out, so if you're wanting a cheaper bite to eat one evening, you might find some typical Greek street food for an average of around €5. Alternatively, a typical restaurant or tavern will set you back €15-€25 per person.

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Greece: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Ability to swim

No

Greece

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against tetanus and polio. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
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Price Guarantee Promise
Find out more
Airport Transfers
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Print Trip Notes

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