2-Week Luxury Tour of Mainland Greece

Zagororhoria represents the grandeur of mainland Greece with 48 tiny villages that are nestled into the local gray stone and mountains. Stone pathways link the divergent towns among winding staircases and elegant arching bridges. Your flight will land at Ioannina Airport, where you will pick up your preferred car for the scenic drive to Zagoria. Upon your arrival, you can relax in the comfort of your luxurious hotel. Your accommodation will be surrounded by the lush charms of nature. You can view snow-capped peaks and the dramatic divide of Vikos Gorge.

After breakfast, the day will be yours to explore the wonders around Zagori at your preferred pace. You can take to the shores of Drakolimni alpine lake or the carved rocks that peek out of the streams at Ovires. At Kalogeriko, you can stroll over the gorgeous stone bridge that is known for its harmonious lines and arches. The striking figure resembles a moving caterpillar and dates back to the 18th century. The Agapios Tolis Museum, in the nearby village of Kipi, displays an impressive collection of 40,000 artifacts related to Greek folk art.

Your day will once more take you into the stunning scenery around the traditional villages. At Monodendri, you can enjoy the charming cobbled lanes and blossoming flowers of the antique village that dates back to 1753. The charming ambiance stems from the stone architecture, lavish mansions, and a connection to the famous Vikos Gorge. You can stand at the cliff edge of the gorge and look into the steep chasm, which reaches 2,952 feet deep. You can witness the stunning stone forest at which horizontal layers of stone emerge from the canyon floor.

You will make your way toward Meteora after breakfast and stop in the singularly charming town of Metsovo. The aroma of the alpine forest will blend with the scent of Greek coffee along the main streets that draw Greeks throughout the year to ski in winter or hike in summer. Boutique shops display a variety of local cheeses that showcase the community culture. Large homes have wooden doors and conventional balconies, while the 15th-century Agia Paraskevi church personifies a timeless heirloom revealed as a wood-carved temple.

The wonders of Meteora stem from the medieval monasteries that crown the surrounding karst and the stunning villages that wrap around the base of the soaring cliffs. Your private guide will meet you at your hotel after breakfast and lead you on a fascinating tour of the monasteries, beginning with Moni Agias Varvaras Roussanou. A narrow wooden bridge connects the steep pinnacle to the mountain. The scent of honey will fill the halls before you reach the main chapel, which glows with colorful stained glass. Here, frescoes that depict Biblical scenes date back to the 16th century.

The Oracle at Delphi has drawn kings and tourists from around the world for millennia, each following the alluring path of the Sacred Way. Your guide will lead you on a private tour of the ancient powerhouse that once clung to the decadence of the Temple of Apollo. The remains of the city are perched on the plateau of Mount Parnassus around olive groves and blossoming wildflowers. The foundations of the sanctuary of Athena Pronea date back to the 4th century BC. Three of the original 20 columns remain on the tiered podium with the original marble interstitched between newer segments.

Your scenic drive to Nafplio will take you along the Rio-Antirio Bridge. The gorgeous structure resembles expanded sails that ripple in the wind and spans more than 9,450 feet. Once in Nafplio, you can indulge in the luxuries of your glamorous accommodation in one of Greece's prettiest towns. Pedestrian lanes paved with marble connect the city center that leads to the quiet marina and soothing esplanade. Venetian houses embody the elegance of the town, and the Palamidi Fortress looms large atop a rugged outcrop at 708 feet above sea level.

Your private guide will take you deep into the ancient marvels of the Peloponnese in the morning, beginning with the ruins at Epidaurus. The remains of the Sanctuary of Asclepius carry images dedicated to the god of medicine. The nearby theater climbs the mountainside with stadium seating that accommodates up to 14,000 people. The structure dates back to the 4th century BC and retains its sensational acoustics. You will continue to Mycenae, which is the home of Agamemnon from Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. Cyclopean stones create the defenses and capture the dramatic prestige of the former kingdom, culminating in the Lion’s Gate.

Your scenic drive to Monemvasia will end with your arrival at the storied castle town that was built on a small island and wedged between the coastal cliff and the sea. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy the charms of your boutique accommodations while basking in the unique ambiance of the secluded town. The cobbled lanes and stone staircases terrace the rugged slopes and lead from the water. Byzantine churches, Venetian flourishes, and Ottoman embellishments provide a timeline of the city's cultural history.

Your guide will take you through the remarkable history of Monemvasia on a private tour as you trace the foundations that date back to the 6th century AD. The Church of Panagia Chryssafitissa was built in the 17th-century and shines against the backdrop of the steep cliff with whitewashed walls and a terracotta dome. The Church of Agia Sofia crowns the summit of the cliff above the town and represents one of the oldest Byzantine churches on the Peloponnese. Fine marble capitals and fragments of a 13th-century fresco continue to decorate the interior and are protected by the Venetian facade.

The day will be yours to indulge in the beauty of Monemvasia and its surroundings. The majestic ambiance stems from the mixture of aromas with Greek coffee that drift out of the cafes. Boutique shops fill with colorful Byzantine jewelry and pottery inspired by local history. The newer streets of Nea Monemvasia line the coastline away from the castle settlement with a marina that glows with colorful wading fishing boats. The esplanade bustles with tavernas, bars, and cafes.

After breakfast, you will travel to Athens at your preferred pace and take a scenic drive across the Peloponnese. You will arrive at your luxurious hotel near the airport, where you can deposit the car at your convenience. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to relax or explore the endlessly layered splendor of Athens. The marbled lanes of the Plaka linger beneath the silhouette of the Parthenon. The scent of honey and filo dough will drift from the cafes hidden within the whitewashed walls of the Cycladic architecture of the Anafiotika neighborhood.

Athens remains an intriguing city that harnesses the wonder of the past and the ambiance of contemporary culture. Each hour, the guards that stand in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change their station and represent the elite branch of the military. If you have time, you can witness the fascinating choreography before you make your way to the airport for your flight home.