Greece on a Shoestring
Greece on a Shoestring
Greece on a Shoestring
5 Days Starting and ending in 37.983810,23.727539
Visiting: Greece
Tour operator:
Tour code:
299
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 48
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Please advise request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
This 5-day Greece tour is ideal for travellers looking to get a taste for the history and beauty of Greece in a short time and in comfort but on a reasonable budget.
Starting in the Greece's historical capital of Athens, we'll make our way to some of its top attractions, such as the Panathenaic Stadium - the world's only fully-marbled stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament, Constitution Square, the National Library and the Acropolis - which is home to a selection of Greece's most significant architectural monuments.
After spending some time in Athens, we'll travel to Delphi, exploring its archaeological site which is home to the last remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia. We'll also travel to the small town of Kalambaka - which is often known as the gateway to Meteora. We spend time exploring the spectacular mountain scenery of Meteora, visiting some of the monasteries which are perched on mountaintops and on the sides of cliffs, some seeming completely inaccessible.
This is a 'seat on coach' departure, shared with other operators. Extensions to the tour are available if you’d like to head into the Aegean Sea to visit a Greek island or two. Please contact us for details.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Your Greek Adventure Begins In Athens. Airport To Hotel Transfers Included
Accommodation Name: Athens hotel
On your arrival in Athens airport (ATH) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and have a first look around. Extra nights in the Athens hotel are available on request.
Extra day in Athens - pre-tour; Single room supplement (required for solo travellers if no same-sex room share available)
Day 2: Journeying Through Athens
Accommodation Name: Athens hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll embark on a city tour of Athens, starting with a visit to the location of the first of the first modern Olympics in 1896 - the fully-marbled Panathenaic Stadium before we travel to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. Our Athens city tour also includes a visit to the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library and the Constitution Square.
Last but not least, we'll travel to the famous Acropolis - an ancient citadel which towers above the city. We'll explore its famous architectural masterpieces such as the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the iconic Parthenon - a former temple built in the mid-5th century BCE and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos.
Day 3: Travel To Delphi
Accommodation Name: Kalambaka hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We'll say goodbye to Athens today, as we travel to the town of Delphi via Thebes, Levadia and the mountainous village of Arachova - which is perched at the base of Mount Parnassus.
Upon arrival in Delphi, we'll explore its famous archaeological site, famed for being the home of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia. We'll also make our way to the Treasury of the Athenians, which was used to store offerings given to the Kings who once ruled the area.
This afternoon, we'll leave Delphi towards the village of Kalambaka, which is often regarded as the gateway to the impressive Meteora rock formations and monasteries.
Day 4: Marvelling At The Ancient Meteora Cliffs And Monasteries
Accommodation Name: Athens hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After spending the night in Kalambaka, today is all about exploring the unique rock formations at Meteora - a current UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meteora was originally home to over twenty cliff-side and mountaintop monasteries, several of which are still being used today. The monasteries were originally built and used by Monks in the 14th century, who were in need of a safe haven. The only way to access the monasteries was to climb up the rock faces or to be hoisted up in a basket.
Note: The monasteries at Meteora have a strict dress code. Women need to wear a long skirt, dress or sarong (trousers or shorts covering the knees are not enough). Men must wear long trousers. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Please ensure you have appropriate clothing ready for this day.
After taking in the beauty of Meteora, we'll travel back to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae, stopping along the way to see the statue of Leonidas, which was erected to commemorate the Battle of Thermopylae.
Day 5: Your Greek Tour Ends. Hotel To Airport Transfers Included
Meals Included: Breakfast
We really hope you enjoyed your Greece tour! If your flight is scheduled later in the day, you can head out to do some shopping or explore in Athens a little more, before we transfer you to the airport to board your flight back home. Extensions to some of the Aegean Sea’s Greek islands are available if you’d like to add some more time seeing a different side to Greece.
Extra day in Athens - post-tour (EXGR2E), Greek island extensions
What's Included
What's Not Included
Mode of Transport
AC minibus/coach
Accommodation
4-star hotels
Athens hotel
Kalambaka hotel
Check out our Q&As
-
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.
Some foreign nationals require a visa to enter Greece, though many do not (including UK, EUR, US, CA, AU, NZ, SA). More information is available at visas for foreigners. -
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. UK travellers visiting other European Union countries including Greece should also carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as it entitles travellers to reduced cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination.
You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. No additional courses or boosters are normally recommended for Greece though you could conside Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis.
More information is available here: Greece
Malaria map - there is low to no risk of malaria in Greece, none in tourist areas.
Yellow fever certificates are not required. -
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
This tour includes a professional multilingual tour guide to escort you on all the sightseeing tours in and around Athens, Delphi and Meteora.
-
What is the tipping policy?
Tipping is common practice in Greece, though not as extensive as in nearby Turkey. For basic restaurants, taxis and local markets, leave the loose change. For more up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill. We include a 'tipping kitty' in your tour price which your tour guide/leader will use to tip a wide range of people along the way to help ensure the smooth running of the tour. This does not include your tour guide/leader, driver(s) or transfer staff though.
Drivers: You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. For those you see for at least several days and who are more involved with the group, a tip of around EUR 1-2 per person per day is generally appropriate.
Tour guide/tour leader: If you think you tour guide and/or tour leader has worked hard and provided a good service then s/he will appreciate a tip of a few Euros. How much you tip is subject to your satisfaction with their service and your personal budget. You should not feel pressured to tip any particular amount. As a guideline, we can suggest that for good service, a tip of EUR 3-5 per day for local tour guides or local tour leaders would be fine. -
What currencies are required for this tour?
The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR). 1 Euro = 100 Euro cents. Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200. Euros Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Euro Cents and 1, 2.
Credit Cards and Travellers Cheques are widely accepted in major cities and tourist resorts. ATMs are also accessible at all our destinations and generally offer the best exchange rate. A mixture of debit, credit cards and cash are the best forms of currency. You should split this up and keep some separately as a backup in case you lose your main money/cards.
It is difficult for us to specify the amount of money that you will spend per day, however, as a general rule EUR 25 to 50 per day can provide you with additional meals, tipping, snacks & drinks. Should you wish to purchase many souvenirs or other luxuries, of which there is a diverse range, you will have to budget for these.
-
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
-
When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
-
Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Thursday
Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024Monday - Friday
Sep 23, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024Tuesday - Saturday
Sep 24, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 25, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Thursday - Monday
Sep 26, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024Friday - Tuesday
Sep 27, 2024 - Oct 01, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 03, 2024Monday - Friday
Sep 30, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024Tuesday - Saturday
Oct 01, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Thursday - Monday
Oct 03, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024Friday - Tuesday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 09, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 10, 2024Monday - Friday
Oct 07, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024Tuesday - Saturday
Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 09, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Thursday - Monday
Oct 10, 2024 - Oct 14, 2024Friday - Tuesday
Oct 11, 2024 - Oct 15, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 16, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 17, 2024Monday - Friday
Oct 14, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024Tuesday - Saturday
Oct 15, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 16, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024Thursday - Monday
Oct 17, 2024 - Oct 21, 2024Friday - Tuesday
Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 22, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 19, 2024 - Oct 23, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024Monday - Friday
Oct 21, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024Tuesday - Saturday
Oct 22, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 23, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 26, 2024 - Oct 30, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Oct 27, 2024 - Oct 31, 2024Monday - Friday
Oct 28, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.