Tours

Should you wish to book an excursion, please contact the ICG Hospitality Team by e-mail (hospitality@athens2009icg.gr) until Friday, June 19th, 2009.

After this date you can book your excursions at the hospitality desk of your hotel during your stay in Athens or in Zappeion

Athens sightseeing

This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you to see the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the acropolis you will see the Hadrian's Arch, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and finally "the harmony between material and spirit", the monument that "puts order in the mind", the Parthenon. You complete the visit with the Museum of Acropolis.

Cape Sounio

Departure for a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which offers a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza). Arrival at Cape Sounio, where you will visit the 5^th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world. The precipice is a sheer 197 foot drop to the sea.

One day excursion to Delphi

Drive through the fertile plain of Boeotia, crossing the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus - Levadia and Arachova (short stop on the way back). Arrive at Delphi, the center of Ancient World - the "Omphalos "(Navel of Earth) - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic World. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such masterpieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch in the modern village of Delphi, return to Athens by the same route.

One day excursion to Argolis

Leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea, (short stop). Drive to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides - the city "rich in gold "of the ancient's poets. Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs e.t.c. Depart for Nauplion through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Afternoon, leave for Epidauros to visit the Theatre (4^th century B. C.) famous for its astonishing acoustics. Return to Athens by the National road connecting Epidauros with Corinth. Lunch in Mycenae or in Nauplion.

Two days at Meteora

1^st Day: Departure for Delphi through Thebes, LEVADIA (short stop) and Arachova for DELPHI, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Two hours at leisure or optional visit to the archaeological site and the MUSEUM of Delphi. In the afternoon depart through Central Greece and the cities of LAMIA (short stop), Trikala to KALAMBAKA (a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, and crowded by the METEORA Monasteries(short stop for souvenirs). Overnight stay in Kalambaka.

2^nd DAY: Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the BYZANTINE MONASTERIES. Return to Athens passing by the heroic monument of Leonidas in THERMOPYLAE (short stop for photos).

3 DAYS CLASSICAL TOUR

1^st DAY: Depart from our terminal for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to EPIDAURUS and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to NAYPLIA (short stop) and through the plain of ARGOS arrive to MYCENAE. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) depart for OLYMPIA, the birth place of the Olympic Games, through the cities of Tripolis and MEGALOPOLIS (short stop).

Overnight stay in Olympia.

2^nd DAY: Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via PATRAS (short stop) to RION, cross the Corinthian bay by the new bridge to ANTIRION. Pass by the city of NAFPAKTOS and from there on,  along the coastal road to DELPHI, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of ARACHOVA. Overnight stay in Delphi.

3^rd DAY: Visit the archaeological site and the MUSEUM of Delphi. In the afternoon return to Athens.

3 DAYS DELPHI -METEORA

1^st DAY: Depart from our terminal; via the national highway passing by  Thebes, LEVADIA (short stop) and Arachova for Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by CASTALIA SPRING, visit at the archaeological site the TEMPLE of APOLLO famous for its oracle and the MUSEUM of Delphi, with it's spectacular finds, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinoos.   Free afternoon. Overnight Delphi

2ND DAY: Depart for KALAMBAKA via Central Greece (short stop by Lamia). Overnight stay in Kalambaka (a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks and crowned by the METEORA Monasteries).

3 DAY: Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the BYZANTINE MONASTERIES. Return to Athens passing the heroic monument of Leonidas at THERMOPYLAE.

4 DAYS CLASSICAL TOUR WITH METEORA

1^st DAY: Depart from our terminal; for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to EPIDAURUS and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to NAUPLIA (short stop) and through the plain of ARGOS arrive to MYCENAE. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) depart for OLYMPIA, the birth place of the Olympic Games, through the cities of Tripolis and MEGALOPOLIS (short stop).

Overnight stay in Olympia.

2^nd DAY: Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via PATRAS (short stop) to RION, cross the Corinthian bay by the new bridge to ANTIRION. Pass by the city of NAFPAKTOS and from there on,  along the coastal road to DELPHI, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of ARACHOVA. Overnight stay in Delphi.

3^rd DAY: Visit the archaeological site, and, the MUSEUM of Delphi. Depart for KALAMBAKA via Central Greece (short stop by Lamia). Overnight stay in Kalambaka (a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks and crowned by the METEORA Monasteries),(short stop for souvenirs).

4^th DAY: Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the BYZANTINE MONASTERIES. Return to Athens passing the heroic monument of Leonidas at THERMOPYLAE.

ONE DAY CRUISE TO HYDRA, POROS, AEGINA

At 8h15 the ship sails for the three beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf.
The order in which we shall visit the islands is either Poros - Hydra - Aegina or Aegina - Poros - Hydra which does not change the duration of stay on any of the islands. Within 2 hours, we will arrive to the island of Poros, the smallest of the three islands, separated from the Peloponnesus by a narrow strait and offering a most enchanting view of Poros Town. Your time at leisure in Poros will be about 50 minutes. An hour and 15 minutes later, we enter the port of Hydra, whose amphitheatre shape once served as a safe shelter for Saronic Pirates. From the decks, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history. You will have about 1 hour and 30 minutes at leisure to enjoy the unique charms of Hydra and while returning back on board you will receive a homecoming welcome. After a two hour trip we shall arrive to our last port of call, the island of Aegina. AEGINA is the largest of the three islands. Apart from its harbour there are numerous interesting sites to discover on the island. After such a full and enjoying day, the ship will depart for the port of Piraeus.

Athens by night

The tour starts with a visit to the main Greek port of Piraeus, passing by the most important points of the city (City Hall, picturesque yacht's harbour of Microlimano etc). Following the principal avenues and passing by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Garden, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament we arrive at Plaka. Short pleasant walk through the old unique Athens city to one of the popular taverns for dinner with live bouzouki music and Greek folk dances.