Ancient Athens

Explore this ancient city that has been continuously inhabited for over 7000 years! As you stroll the streets and neighborhoods of Athens, you’ll see awe-inspiring architecture, such as the Acropolis, the ancient citadel of Athens, with the nearly 2,500 year old Parthenon perched atop the its rocky outcropping. A glance in the opposite direction and you’ll see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, all within eye-sight of one another. Don’t forget to spend time in the shopping district or enjoying a Greek meal on one of the restaurants lining the cobblestone streets of this wonderful city.

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Day 1

You should plan to arrive in Athens today by mid-day as your first tour starts this afternoon.

When you arrive in Athens, check in to your 4-Star hotel, perfectly located in the Athens city center, surrounded by thousands of shops, tavernas, restaurants and monuments! Your Go Get Lost group leader will have a short “Welcome to Athens” get acquainted meeting in the lobby of the hotel at 3:30, then you'll embark on a fascinating walking food tour. Athens came together through a mixture of cultures across the centuries, and there’s still a lot of that history around, in the food as well as in the neighborhoods – this combination tour lets you see and taste your way through the complex heritage that created contemporary Greek culture and cuisine.
You'll explore different neighborhoods, ranging from working-class havens to boutique boulevards, and hear how Athens was transformed from a town into a modern city, all in the shadow of its own ancient glory.
Immerse yourself in the world of Greek food as the smells and the range of products in specialty food shops and the bustle of open-air markets will all make your taste buds sing!
Sample unique local delicacies, from small-batch olive oils and feta cheese to scrumptious Greek meze and bougatsa (cream-filled phyllo pastry).
In many ways, Athens is four different cities: the ancient, the Ottoman, the neoclassical and the modern city. Discovering each of them requires knowing where to go, what to notice and what to eat, which is where your guide comes in.

From the Parliament building in Syntagma Square to the posh neighborhood of Kolonaki area and the rebellious downtown district of Exarchia, you’ll stop off at special spots to taste local products like olive oil, honey, cheese, wine, vinegar, liquor, and sweets, all made by small producers from all over Greece. Next, it’s a treat from the street, as you sample a koulouri, one of the all-time classic snacks on the go and then a cup of authentic Greek coffee in a wonderful old café. After this, get ready to duck into a boisterous visit to the central fish and meat market, where butchers and fishmongers compete for the attention of Athens’ serious food shoppers. Around the corner is the famous spice street of Athens, lined with traditional herb shops that also carry amazing specialty meats and other traditional delicacies.
In the Psirri area, you’ll see a neighborhood that is still in the middle of reinventing itself – one of the poorer working class areas of Athens for nearly all of the 20th century, it is now one of the hottest food and drink destinations, but everywhere in its narrow streets there are reminders of a simpler past.

Don’t miss the Ottoman influences in this part of the city as you stop for a sweet bite at one of the many pastry shops in this area, and then it’s off to a charming little taverna that specializes in traditional Greek dishes to try a selection of scrumptious Greek meze (like tapas, only better).

Our tour ends in Monastiraki, at Athens’ flea market, a perfect amalgam of everything Athens has to offer. By now, we hope that you’ll have seen (and tasted!) the true soul of Athens, a city with a thousand stories still standing, as it has since ancient times, right on the border between the East and the West.

An evening stroll through the lively winding streets of the old city will cap the perfect first day in Athens.

Day 2

After breakfast this morning we’ll meet our local Athens guide and begin our walking tour exploration of this fascinating city.
This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens sucha fascinating city.Your expert guide will take you to see the see the Prime Minister's residence, formerly the Royal Palace, guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uniform, the Temple of Olympian Zeus,the Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, and the Constitution Square (Syntagma).

As you begin to ascend the sacred hill of the Acropolis a breathtaking view of the city below will unfold. Your guide will give you a detailed explanation of the glorious monuments of the Acropolis and the 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. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum. After your guided tour at the New Acropolis Museum, you will walk done to Plaka traditional neighborhood, where the guide will leave you enjoy a complimentary treat from us at local café before returning to your hotel. Your day ends early in the afternoon, full of color, memories and beauty!

This afternoon you're free...and Athens is the perfect place to be cut loose on your own. You can shop ‘til you drop in the lively Plaka district or head to one of the other amazing spots in Athens that wasn't on this tour.

This evening you’re free to wander and Get Lost as you search for the perfect restaurant for dinner. After your food tour yesterday you'll have plenty of ideas on where to go.

Day 3

You'll local tour leader will meet and accompany you this morning for your private airport transfer to board your onward flight to the islands. On the islands we'll have a private transfer waiting for you to whisk you to your hotel.

HOTEL

Due to availability at the time of booking, hotel listed may change to similar hotels

Athens - 4 Star Electra Rhythm Hotel: Electra Rhythm Athens is a fusion of Athenian legacy and modern charm, meticulously crafted to offer a cosy nest in the bustling heart of the city. A stone’s throw away from the iconic Syntagma square and boasting rooftop views of the Acropolis, the hotel is tailored for those who lead an active and vibrant lifestyle.
Electra Rhythm Athens is located on Ermou Street, a historic commercial road; it is inspired by the heartbeat of Athens and designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the modern traveller, whether they are visiting for business, leisure, or both.
Infused with a sense of place in every aspect, the hotel is created to embrace a thriving community in tune with the urban tempo.

• 2- nights accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in the Athens city center
• 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner
• Guided food tour
• Guided half-day walking tour of Athens
• All entrance fees
• Private departure transfers to Athens airport
• Private arrival transfers on Rhodes or Kos

• Airport arrival transfers
• Gratuities for your guides or drivers
• Visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
• Single supplement charge
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.