Greece Express: Athens & Greek Riviera
Explore the ancient ruins, olive oil and thermal baths of Greece
Discover Greece on this six-day adventure, starting in Loutraki and finishing on the Athens Riviera. See the well-preserved 4th-century BCE Theatre of Epidaurus, wander through the ancient ruins of the Acropolis and visit a local ouzo distillery. Explore the archaeological sites of Acrocorinth and Corinth, learn about virgin olive oil (considered liquid gold in Greece) and enjoy a traditional Greek lunch made with fresh local ingredients. Hear how the town of Nafplio was founded on a guided walking tour, cross the Korinthian Canal and enjoy plenty of free time to create your own adventure!
What's included
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
- Loutraki - Ancient Korinthos guided tour
- Athens - Welcome Meeting at 10.30am
- Loutraki - Olive Oil tasting & lunch
- Loutraki - Olive Mill visit
- Loutraki - Epidauros guided tour
- Loutraki - Ouzo distillery visit & tasting
- Loutraki - Korinthian Canal visit
- Athens - Acropolis guided tour
- Athens Riviera - Farewell dinner
- Athens Riviera - Athens walking tour and leader led orientation walk
Start: Athens, Greece
End: Athens, Greece
- Duration
- 6 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Comfort
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Indulge in Greece’s famous flavours with an olive oil tasting, a traditional Greek lunch and a visit to a local ouzo distillery where you’ll sample this iconic drink.
- Take a guided tour of the Acropolis. Wander through the ancient ruins and learn how the town's religious festivals and historic events are connected to this sacred site.
- Visit Epidaurus. See the well-preserved 4th-century BCE Theatre of Epidaurus and the Sanctuary of Asclepius up close and personal on a guided walking tour.
- Unpack fewer times with comfortable accommodation as your base each night, then make the most of each day with convenient transfers to your activities.
- Enjoy plenty of free time to choose your own adventure, with optional daytrips and activities. Maybe visit the Holy Monastery of Saint Patapios or soak in a thermal bath in Loutraki.
Itinerary
Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10.30 am this morning. After the meeting, you’ll head towards the Peloponnese and Loutraki by private transfer, with your first stop at Ancient Corinthos. Join a guided tour with a specialist archaeologist to learn about the area’s historical and religious significance as you wander through temples, admire ancient statues and hear mythical stories. Next, visit a family-owned olive mill. Enjoy an olive oil tasting, learn about virgin olive oil (considered liquid gold in Greece) and sit down to a traditional Greek lunch made with fresh, local ingredients. The last stop of the day is Loutraki (your home for the next four days), a charming seaside resort on the Gulf of Corinth, renowned for its natural thermal springs, clear blue waters and relaxing atmosphere. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for an included dinner at a traditional restaurant.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Loutraki - Ancient Korinthos guided tour
- Athens - Welcome Meeting at 10.30am
- Loutraki - Olive Oil tasting & lunch
- Loutraki - Olive Mill visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
It is suggested you wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes today. If the weather is hot, please bring a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle and snacks.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Today is a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe take a day trip to Aegina or Agistri Island, or board a boat and cross the Corinth Canal from Isthmia, located approximately 8 km from Loutraki. If you’d rather stay in town, you could visit the Holy Monastery of Saint Patapios, discover the ancient Temple of Isthmia (Temple of Poseidon) or simply relax in a thermal spa. Your tour leader will be on hand to support you and help arrange any optional activities. Tonight’s included dinner will be at a traditional restaurant just across from the hotel.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
This morning, travel to Epidauros, a historic Greek sanctuary on the Peloponnese Peninsula. On arrival, set out on a guided tour of the ancient archaeological site. Known for its remarkably well-preserved 4th-century BCE Theatre of Epidaurus and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, this area offers an up-close look at Greece’s classical past. Then, continue to Nafplio. According to mythology, the town was founded by Nafplios, the son of the god Poseidon, and today it is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic towns in Greece. After a walking orientation tour with your tour leader, enjoy some free time before visiting a local ouzo distillery. Learn how one of Greece’s most iconic spirits is produced and sample it for yourself, before continuing back to Loutraki. Along the way, stop for photos at the Corinth Canal, which links the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Tonight’s dinner is included.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Loutraki - Epidauros guided tour
- Loutraki - Ouzo distillery visit & tasting
- Loutraki - Korinthian Canal visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
It is suggested you wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes today. If the weather is hot, please bring a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle and snacks.
Today you can choose your own adventure! Perhaps visit Vouliagmeni Lake, go kayaking or join a wine tasting tour. In the afternoon, you might like to see the Melagavi Lighthouse or wander through the Archaeological Museum of Isthmia. Tonight’s dinner is included at a traditional restaurant just across from the hotel.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
After breakfast, travel to Athens – the capital of Greece and once the heart of the powerful civilisation and empire of Ancient Greece. When you arrive, set off on a guided tour of the Acropolis, the city’s elevated and fortified settlement. Wander through the ancient ruins and learn how the town's greatest religious festivals, earliest cults and many decisive events in the city’s history are connected to this sacred site. Discover the city’s ancient temples and pass by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the hilltop citadel crowned by the colonnaded Parthenon. Then, join your local leader for an orientation walk in the center of Athens and enjoy some free time. Later in the afternoon, take a short transfer to Athens Riviera, where golden beaches, luxury marinas, and chic seaside resorts meet the timeless charm of ancient history - just minutes from the heart of Athens. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe find a local cafe for lunch or bask in the sun. Tonight, head out to a local restaurant for an included dinner with your fellow travellers – a perfect way to celebrate the last night of your Greek trip.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Athens - Acropolis guided tour
- Athens Riviera - Farewell dinner
- Athens Riviera - Athens walking tour and leader led orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
It is suggested you wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes today. If the weather is hot, please bring a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle and snacks.
Please be aware, there have been reports of travellers being pickpocketed in Athens.
As there are no further activities, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to Greece, why not stay a few extra days – just speak with your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
Private vehicle
Hotel (5 nights)
- Loutraki - Ancient Korinthos guided tour
- Athens - Welcome Meeting at 10.30am
- Loutraki - Olive Oil tasting & lunch
- Loutraki - Olive Mill visit
- Loutraki - Epidauros guided tour
- Loutraki - Ouzo distillery visit & tasting
- Loutraki - Korinthian Canal visit
- Athens - Acropolis guided tour
- Athens Riviera - Farewell dinner
- Athens Riviera - Athens walking tour and leader led orientation walk
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
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Before you book you should know
- This trip starts early on Day 1. Please review the Itinerary before booking other travel arrangements like flights. If you would like to extend your trip, just speak to your booking agent.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in many regions of Greece (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability for that season.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Athenaeum Grand Hotel
142 Syngrou Avenue, Kalithea,
Athens
GREECE
Phone: +30 211 7772200
Description
Ideally located just moments from the historic center of Athens and with direct access to the city’s commercial and cultural districts, Athenaeum Grand Hotel invites you to experience contemporary elegance and exceptional 4-star hospitality. 90 thoughtfully designed rooms offer a harmonious blend of comfort and style, while the two exclusive Penthouse Suites boast panoramic views of Athens. Each space features modern décor and premium amenities, creating a welcoming environment for both relaxation and productivity.
Instructions
From Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”
By Metro:
Follow the signs to the airport metro station. Purchase a one-way ticket (€10) and take Line 3 (Blue Line) toward Agia Marina. At Syntagma station, transfer to Line 2 (Red Line) toward Elliniko and disembark at Syngrou-Fix. The hotel is approximately 800 meters from the station. The total journey takes about 1 hour. Metro service operates daily from 06:00 to 23:30.
By Bus:
Bus X95 runs 24/7 from the airport to Syntagma Square, departing every 20 minutes. From Syntagma, take Metro Line 2 (Red Line) toward Elliniko and get off at Syngrou-Fix. The hotel is an 800-meter walk from the station. Alternatively, a taxi from Syntagma to the hotel costs approximately €8, with a surcharge between 23:30 and 05:30.
By Taxi:
A direct taxi from the airport to the hotel takes about 45 minutes and costs around €50. A night surcharge applies between 23:30 and 05:30. If you would like to arrange a transfer in advance, please contact us.
Pre booked arrival transfer from Athens Airport (ATH): If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, drivers will be waiting for guests at the arrival point in the Airport Arrival Hall (Section A or B), holding an Intrepid sign. In the unlikely event that a guest does not meet their driver at Arrival Hall A or B, they should proceed to the designated area at EXIT 4 (directly opposite the pharmacy), where an assistant will be available to help locate their driver. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +30 2286 800 870 , +30 694 561 3427
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip starts with a Welcome meeting on Day 1 at 10.30am in Hotel Athenaeum in Athens, followed by day group transfer to Loutraki and day activities. If you are running late, please contact us.
3. This trip finishes on Day 6 in the afternoon in Athens Riviera. If you wish to extend your stay in Athens Riviera or Athens capitol, please contact your booking agent.
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