The Best of Greece – 10-Day Escorted Journey
10 Days / 9 Nights THE BEST OF GREECE
Discover the best of ancient and modern Greece on this unforgettable 10-day escorted journey. Beginning and ending in Athens, this tour takes travelers through the heart of the Greek mainland and the Peloponnese, visiting some of the country’s most legendary archaeological sites, historic towns, and spectacular landscapes.
Explore the iconic Acropolis in Athens, cross the Corinth Canal, experience the ancient theater of Epidaurus, walk through the archaeological site of Mycenae, discover medieval Mystras, visit Olympia—the birthplace of the Olympic Games—and journey through Delphi before reaching the dramatic rock formations and monasteries of Meteora.
With hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, comfortable transportation, included meals, and the assistance of experienced Tour Directors and Local Guides, this tour offers an easy and affordable way to experience the highlights of Greece.
PACKAGE DETAILS
Tour: The Best of Greece – Cosmos Tour 6670
Destination: Greece
Tour Type: Escorted / Guided Tour
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Departure: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Return: Monday, October 12, 2026
Starts In: Athens, Greece
Ends In: Athens, Greece
PRICE
From $2,049 per person
Based on double occupancy.
Single Room: From approximately $2,529
Price is for the land tour and does not include international airfare. Rates and availability are subject to change until the reservation and required deposit are confirmed. Cosmos states that listed tour prices are generally per person based on two guests sharing a room and exclude international airfare unless specifically stated otherwise.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
ARRIVE IN ATHENS, GREECE
Arrive in Athens and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you time to begin discovering the Greek capital at your own pace.
Later, meet your local representative and prepare for the journey ahead.
Overnight: Athens
DAY 2 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
ATHENS
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Athens.
Travelers can explore the city independently, visit museums and historic neighborhoods, shop, or experience the restaurants and cafés of the city.
In the evening, consider exploring the atmospheric Plaka district, known for its narrow streets, traditional tavernas, nightlife, and Greek bouzouki music.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Athens
Optional Excursion: Saronic Islands Cruise – cruise among three Greek islands with lunch aboard the ship.
DAY 3 – MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
ATHENS – CORINTH – NAUPLIA
Begin the day with an included guided sightseeing tour of Athens, including a visit to the legendary Acropolis.
Then travel toward the Peloponnese and cross the famous Corinth Canal, the remarkable waterway connecting the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
Continue along the coast to Nauplia (Nafplio), one of Greece’s most picturesque seaside towns.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Nauplia
Optional Excursion: Caïque Boat to Bourtzi and Taverna Dinner – visit the Fortress of Bourtzi followed by dinner and traditional Greek music at a local taverna.
DAY 4 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
NAUPLIA – EPIDAURUS – MYCENAE – SPARTA
Travel through the scenic countryside to Epidaurus and visit its extraordinary ancient open-air theater. Built more than 2,000 years ago, the theater is famous for its impressive preservation and outstanding acoustics and can accommodate approximately 14,000 spectators.
Continue to Mycenae for an included guided visit to one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Discover the ruins of the civilization that dominated parts of the eastern Mediterranean during the second millennium BC and learn about its connections with Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
Later, travel deeper into the Peloponnese toward legendary Sparta.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Sparta
DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
SPARTA – MYSTRA – OLYMPIA
Visit Mystras, the remarkable medieval Byzantine citadel once described as the “Florence of the East.”
Continue toward Olympia, stopping along the way to visit an olive oil museum and learn about one of Greece’s oldest and most important traditions.
Arrive in historic Olympia for your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Olympia
DAY 6 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
OLYMPIA – PATRAS – DELPHI
Spend time exploring Olympia, the legendary birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games.
Travel north toward Patras, the largest city and major port on the western side of the Peloponnese.
The journey continues across the impressive Rion–Antirion Bridge, linking the Peloponnese with mainland Greece. Pass scenic coastal villages before arriving in Delphi, one of the ancient world’s most important religious centers.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Delphi
Optional Excursion: Discover Ancient Olympia – a guided exploration of the archaeological sanctuary associated with Zeus and the ancient Olympic Games.
DAY 7 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
DELPHI – KALAMBAKA
Enjoy an orientation of Delphi, once regarded by the ancient Greeks as the center—or “navel”—of the world.
Delphi was one of the most sacred places in ancient Greece and was home to the famous Oracle of Apollo.
After time to explore the area, continue north toward Kalambaka, the gateway to Meteora.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Kalambaka
Optional Excursion: The Wonders of Ancient Delphi – visit the archaeological site of Delphi and its museum with an expert guide.
DAY 8 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
KALAMBAKA – METEORA – ATHENS
Experience one of the most dramatic landscapes in Greece: Meteora.
Massive sandstone rock formations rise dramatically above the surrounding countryside, crowned by centuries-old Christian Orthodox monasteries. The monasteries were originally established by hermit monks seeking isolation in the area’s caves and inaccessible cliffs.
An included Meteora visit provides the opportunity to experience this extraordinary historic and spiritual landscape.
Afterward, travel south to Athens.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Athens
DAY 9 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
ATHENS
Enjoy your final full day in Greece at leisure.
Explore areas of Athens you may have missed, visit one of the city’s museums, enjoy shopping, experience Greek cuisine, or simply relax and take in the atmosphere of the capital.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Athens
Optional Excursion: Greek Dinner & Culture – an evening featuring authentic Greek food, traditional music, bouzouki, and Sirtaki dancing.
DAY 10 – MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
ATHENS – DEPARTURE
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Your Best of Greece tour concludes this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
ACCOMMODATIONS
The tour includes 9 nights of hotel accommodations. Properties are selected for comfort, convenient locations, and value.
Hotels currently listed for the 2026 program include properties such as:
- Athens: Gallery Central Hotel / Novotel Athenes / Acropolis Select / Dorian Inn or similar
- Nauplia: Rex or similar
- Sparta: Maniatis or similar
- Olympia: Olympia Palace or similar
- Delphi: Apollonia or similar
- Kalambaka: Antoniadis or similar
Current public 2026 listings show these hotels as representative accommodations. Hotels are provisional and subject to change and may be replaced with accommodations of a similar standard; final hotel information is generally confirmed closer to departure.
MEALS INCLUDED
The package includes a total of 12 meals:
9 Breakfasts
3 Dinners
This arrangement gives travelers the opportunity to enjoy included meals while still having free time to discover local restaurants and Greek cuisine independently.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 10-day escorted tour of Greece
- 9 nights of selected hotel accommodations
- 9 breakfasts
- 3 dinners
- Professional Cosmos Tour Director
- Expert Local Guides where indicated
- Private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on the motorcoach where available
- Complimentary headsets for guided sightseeing
- Guided sightseeing tour of Athens
- Admission and visit to the Acropolis
- Corinth Canal crossing/stop
- Visit to the ancient theater of Epidaurus
- Guided visit to the archaeological site of Mycenae
- Orientation of Mystras
- Visit to an olive oil museum
- Orientation of Delphi
- Included visit to Meteora
- Transportation between destinations included in the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
The land-tour price does not include:
- International airfare to and from Athens
- Airline baggage fees
- Airport transfers unless specifically included or arranged with qualifying Cosmos airfare
- Optional excursions
- Meals not specifically listed in the itinerary
- Beverages or alcoholic drinks outside included menus
- Gratuities for Tour Director, driver, Local Guides, and other service personnel
- Travel insurance / Travel Protection
- Passport or visa expenses, if applicable
- Vaccinations or government travel documentation fees, if applicable
- Laundry, minibar, telephone, and other personal expenses
- Porterage at airports and train stations
- Any services not specifically listed as included
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Guests may have the opportunity to enhance their trip with additional excursions available at extra cost, including:
Saronic Islands Cruise
Cruise to three beautiful Greek islands with lunch aboard the ship.
Caïque Boat to Bourtzi & Taverna Dinner
Enjoy a boat ride to the Fortress of Bourtzi followed by an evening of Greek cuisine and traditional music.
Discover Ancient Olympia
Take a guided tour through the birthplace of the Olympic Games and explore the sanctuary dedicated to Zeus.
The Wonders of Ancient Delphi
Explore the famous archaeological site of Delphi and its museum.
Greek Dinner & Culture
Spend an evening enjoying traditional Greek cuisine, bouzouki music, and Sirtaki dancing.
Optional excursions are subject to availability and are not included in the base tour price.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This itinerary involves walking over uneven terrain, particularly at archaeological sites. Travelers with limited mobility should consider the physical requirements before booking.
Hotels and itinerary details may be adjusted for operational reasons. If a hotel substitution is necessary, Cosmos states that it may replace the property with one of a similar standard.
PRICE
FROM $2,049 PER PERSON
October 3 – October 12, 2026
10 Days / 9 Nights
Athens Round Trip
Price based on double occupancy. Land package only. International airfare is not included. Price and availability are subject to change until booking is confirmed.