INTRODUCTION
Welcome to a magical trip to Greece! We take you by the hand and lead you into the joyful celebration of Greek life through exploring, adventuring, tasting, and sharing the hidden corners of this magnificent place.
Traveling in Greece does not only include amazing Greek food and wine, it also unwraps unique experiences that make you escape from your comfort zone, create lifetime memories, and broaden your horizons.
As we dive into the extremes of our home country, you will be embraced with an endless source of surprise and fascination. There is no doubt that Greece is much more than just the most beautiful country on earth. It is History, Culture, Nature, a brand new way of living!
As you unwind among its best-kept secrets, this heaven will ignite a sort of awakening and it will inspire and overwhelm you with passion for nature and life.
THE JOURNEY
Our tour of Mystical Mainland starts from Athens, the capital of Civilization and charming contradictions. We welcome you under the stars, with dramatic views of the Acropolis and a delicious Greek dinner. The next day, you have a life-changing experience with our in-depth private guided tour of Athens.
Delving into Delphi we stumble into one of the most gorgeous valleys we have ever seen and touch one of the most stunning places in the world. Its pan-Hellenic sanctuary where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the ‘navel of the world’. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century BC was indeed the religious centre and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. At night we enjoy a traditional dinner in Arachova.
We furthermore visit Nafpaktos, the seaside citadel, and enjoy a lunch under the shade of the plane trees with a view of the sea surrounded by the Venetian walls of its unique Castle. Off we go to Ioannina, one of the secret gem cities of the country. City life here revolves around the romantic, silver-grey Pamvotis lake which, according to geologists of Cambridge University, was formed between 20,000 and 26,000 years ago.
We visit Zagoria with the soul-stirring mountain vistas and those incredible skies which are patrolled by golden eagles, located high above the Vikos Gorge, the world’s deepest. Here, you will meet a different Greece at this crossroads of civilizations and landscapes in Western Greece, between the Pindus mountain range and the Ionian Sea. We visit one of the most stunning natural monuments in Greece and see stone-built traditional villages, arched bridges, divine fountains, and rare flowers and animals.
We enter the Byzantine Castle of Ioannina and visit the Silversmithing museum with its extraordinary collections. We reach Metsovo with its scenic mountain beauty and exquisite local wines of Katogi Averoff. Relive the atmosphere of centuries gone by with a visit to the “open” Folk Art museum of Metsovo housed in the renovated manor house of the Tossizza family which was originally built in 1661.
We arrive at Meteora where we will savor and slow down the spirituality of this epic place. The extraordinary hanging monasteries cling to the sides of the cliffs and ensure that only the most devoted followers will join them for prayer. Finally, we visit the memorial of Leonidas in Thermopylae before we head back to Athens.
| PERSONAL MANAGER | |
| CERTIFIED GUIDE | |
| LUXURY HOTELS | |
| FULL BOARD DAILY | |
| WINE TASTING | |
| PRIVATE MINIVAN | |
| PRIVATE TOURS | |
| MUSEUM TICKETS | |
| TRAVEL INSURANCE | |
| CREDIT & BANK FEES |
Off-the-beaten-track itinerary
Walk through history with our private guided tours
Catch one of the best-kept secrets of Greece, Zagoria
Taste Greece’s most celebrated wines in Metsovo
Visit the navel of the world, Delphi
Feel the energy of Meteora
Level 1: Flat route and leisurely walks
Level 2: Well-established footpaths and a few short hilly sections
Level 3: Uneven rural paths and a few sections over rough ground
A detailed description of each day’s pace level can be found under our weekly plan.
OUR WEEKLY PLAN
(Friday) - ATHENS
Pace level: 1
(Saturday) - ATHENS
Pace level: 3
(Sunday) - DELPHI & ARACHOVA
Pace level: 2
(Monday) - NAFPAKTOS & IOANNINA
Pace level: 1
(Tuesday) - IOANNINA & ZAGORIA
Pace level: 2
(Wednesday) - METSOVO
Pace level: 1
(Thursday) - METEORA
Pace level: 3
(Friday) - THERMOPYLAE & ATHENS
Pace level: 1
TOUR INFORMATION
Traveling with children
We always keep a calm atmosphere so that all people within the group can relax and learn from the useful information provided by the tour guide, therefore we have an age requirement: 16 and above. This is also the policy of some of the hotels we stay in. In case you travel with children, tailor-made trips can be planned for your group. Please send us your request.
Traveling with pets
No pets allowed.
Traveling solo
All hotel rooms provided are twins, double, or triple and the tour price is room-based with a minimum of 2 people per room. For solo travelers, there is a single supplement of €500.
Traveling in a group
All hotel rooms provided are twins, double, or triple and the tour price is room-based with a minimum of 2 people per room. In case you are three people, it is advisable to book a triple room. If you are a family of more than three people, you will be placed in one of the above room types or you will have the possibility to be upgraded to a family suite, depending on each hotel’s availability. Please send us your request by the time of booking.
Physical Demands
While this isn’t a rigorous trip and time to relax is incorporated into the itinerary, please understand that it is an active trip and involves a lot of walking. If you have mobility issues or concerns, please check with us ahead of booking to determine if this trip is right for you. A detailed description of each day’s pace level can be found under our weekly plan.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not allowed inside our vehicles, the archaeological sites, museums, and restaurants we visit. Generally, it is also not allowed on hotel premises but you can smoke on your balcony.
Payment Methods
Kindly note that we offer three payment methods: online payments, bank transfers, and payment links. A tailor-made payment plan (number of installments, due dates, etc) can be arranged after communicating with PICTOURS OF GREECE.
- If you wish to make an online payment, please note that we accept VISA, MASTERCARD, and MAESTRO cards.
- If you wish to pay by bank transfer, you will have the option to submit the payment receipt from your bank on your dashboard page. Please wait for the verification process after submitting the receipt. Your booking will be automatically canceled if the payment is not processed within 7 days.
PICTOURS OF GREECE does not charge any additional fees for using VISA, MASTERCARD, or MAESTRO cards, or when you choose to pay by bank transfer for our tours. Therefore for bank transfers feel free to choose BEN (beneficiary).
For more information about payments, deadlines, and cancellation fees please see our Terms & Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
In case you decide to cancel or change your booking in any way (your chosen departure date, passenger’s name, etc), please note that a fee will be payable unless your request is sent 30 days prior to departure. Any request must be made in writing.
Days prior to Departure / Fee as per % of the paid amount
>30 0%
30 and =<21 20%
21 and =<14 30%
14 and =<7 40%
>7 and =<1 50%
Non-show 100%
For more information about payments, deadlines, and cancellation fees please see our Terms & Conditions.
Travel Insurance
All our packages are covered by a Travel Insurance program that includes covers for common situations such as trip cancellation, travel delays, or the loss/delay of luggage and/or documents, as well as 24/7 medical assistance providing help in case of any emergency during the trip.
Hygiene Measures
Our vehicles are thoroughly sanitized before the start of each tour and we will be cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces daily. Furthermore, we offer hand sanitizer throughout the whole tour. All our accommodation and restaurant partners follow hygiene protocols, appropriate physical distancing of tables, in the lobby, and other public areas. All museums and sites we will visit during the tour fully comply with the hygiene standards.
COVID-19 Information
All our employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. For the safety of our customers, each participant should be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the start of the tour. You will be requested to present your vaccination certificate upon your arrival.
Visa Information
A Greece tourist visa is required in some cases depending on your country of origin. Please check at https://greece.visahq.com/
Currency Information
The EURO (€) is the official currency of Greece as part of the European Union.
Dietary Requirements
Our tours focus on authentic local Greek food which is one of the main aspects of the total experience offered. However, in case some of our clients have special food requirements we can provide vegetarian meals. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have about food, we shall do our best to please you.
Weather
Before you pack for the trip please check the average weather conditions and bring the appropriate clothing with you.
What you Should Bring
Here is a rundown of what items you may want to pack:
Lightweight clothing that can be layered
Long-sleeved shirts
Sweaters or fleece jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat or sun visor
Electric converters and adapters. In Greece, the power sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Please note that a raincoat or an umbrella will be offered to each participant in case of rain.
Arrival Information
When you book your flight tickets to Athens, please keep in mind that this tour starts on Friday at 7 pm in the lobby of the Royal Olympic Hotel (Athanasiou Diakou 28, Athina 117 43) with our welcome meeting followed by your first Greek dining experience. The check-in opens at 3 pm but if you arrive earlier you will be able to leave your luggage in the storage room of the hotel – the front desk receptionist will assist you. Early check-in before 3 pm is subject to the hotel’s availability.
Should you experience any arrival complications please call our emergency number: 0030 6972026519 (24/7).
Departure Information
When you book your flight tickets back to your country please keep in mind that this tour ends on Friday at 6 pm once we return to Athens. Since you need at least one hour and a half to reach the international airport of Athens, it is advisable to book your return flight after 9:30 pm or arrange to stay one more night in Athens. Should you need any hotel recommendations, please feel free to contact us.
Transfer from/to the airport
Kindly note that you always have the option to add our extra service of a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Athens, or vice versa. If you do so, please add a note with your flight schedule and the code of your flight when you book one of our trip packages or send us an email at least two days before your arrival. Our private driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport, holding a placard with our company’s logo and your name on it.
Accommodation
In Athens, our guests stay in the Royal Olympic Hotel, a modern 5-star hotel for two nights, located in the heart of the city with unique views of the Acropolis.
In any other destination in Greece, our guests stay in traditional 4 or 5-star hotels.
Luggage
For reasons of travel flexibility, it would be advisable that your luggage pieces may not be large as we often change destinations.
Meals
A traditional Greek breakfast made with local products is offered daily at your hotel. Lunch and dinner made of traditional Greek recipes are offered daily at high-end restaurants or in wineries and hotels privately. For more information, please see the daily description of our journeys. Although all our menus are plenty, extra dishes can be obtained at your own extra cost. Drinks are not included.
Transportation
For our group’s transportation, we have the most modern fleet of minivans. Highly experienced staff perpetuates commitment to quality of service and safety in transportation. All minivans are fully air-conditioned, feature comfortable seats, and have large panoramic windows.
Guide
The guide is English-speaking and certified to offer private tours in museums and archaeological sites. The guide has excellent knowledge of Ancient and Modern Greek history and stays with the group throughout the whole trip.
For tailor-made trips, you can request a guide speaking in your language.
Museum Tickets
All museum tickets are included in our trip packages.
Communication
During our introduction meeting, we will set up a WhatsApp group to send important updates if necessary and to facilitate communication among group members and tour leaders during the trip.
Group Size
The maximum group size is 6 people and the minimum is 2. If you wish to run the tour as private, or if you are a bigger group of people, please send us a request.
Safety and Medical Information
Our staff will have a first aid kit and medical information for each participant. We take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of all participants. Emergencies will be handled with due urgency and care. Of course, an emergency may incur additional costs to the participant which are beyond our control.
Reviews
You can leave us a review describing your personal experience after completing one of our trip packages, only by login to your account, to protect our website against fake reviews.
Tipping Information
If you are pleased with our services you can tip your tour guide and your manager separately at the end of the trip.