Below, you’ll find an example of one of our most popular itinerary choices, but we can tailor-make yours from scratch to meet your exact requirements...

Athens - 4 day inclusive itinerary package £445pp*

Travelling February 2013

Our most popular visits in Greece for Classics school trips

Here are some of our most popular visits in Greece for Classics groups. We can tailor-make an itinerary to your exact needs. Call 0845 688 8988 to create your itinerary from scratch today.

Key Visits

An essential part of any tour of Greece for Classics students is Athens. The Acropolis will be your focus, but try not to miss the view across the valley from the Monument of Philopappos – it’s well worth the extra climb!

The Acropolis

No visit to Athens is complete without a visit to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, the symbol of classical Greece, as well as the Erechtheum. Explore the Acropolis Archaeological Museum and take in the spectacular view from the Acropolis of the Theatre of Dionysos, the first stone theatre ever built. Take our three hour guide and coach walking tour to see all this as well as The Sanctuary of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.

National Archaeological Museum

The most important archaeological museum in Greece has a vast range of exhibits. Introduce Greek sculpture or examine it in depth, use scenes from Greek vases to illuminate daily life or mythology or study the skills of the craftsmen of the Mycenaean world. Also see the golden mask of Agamemnon.

The Agora

Take a close look at the Temple of Hephaistos, and visit the museum which provides evidence of politics and daily life in ancient Athens. This is a fascinating place for archaeologists to explore and a place to walk in the footsteps of Socrates, Pericles, Cleon and more Classical figures.

Aegina Island

Take a cruise to the Island of Aegina. Here, your group can spend time visiting the Temple of Aphaea dedicated to the Greek Goddess. A separate full day cruise of the islands Aegina and Poros is also available. An ideal excursion for students studying the art and architecture unit of the A-level syllabus.

Kerameikos Cemetery & Museum

Here among the ruins of the Sacred Way and the Sacred and Dipylon Gate, archaeology students will be in their element. In the museum, Classicists can marvel at the grave monument of Dexileos and a recently discovered early kouros.

A Day in Delphi

Our four day Athens itinerary includes a guided coach excursion to Delphi. See page 21 and 22 for more information.

Other Visits & Attractions

Hadrian's Arch & Temple of Olympian Zeus

This Acropolis is a marvel of architecture with a full exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens.Various  attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze.

The Temple remains show the size of a fabulous temple and Roman arch that separated the new and old cities of Athens.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Dedicated to the study and promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean and Cyprus, with special emphasis on Cycladic Art of the 3rd millennium BC.

Former Royal Palace

A representative sample of the early period of Neoclassicism in Greece and today, the seat of the Hellenic Parliament.

Evzon Guards

See the changing of the guard at the Parliament.

Plaka Area

Starting at the foot of the Acropolis, the old area of Plaka is a maze of narrow, cobble-stoned, medieval streets that twist through ancient sites, tourist-packed squares and lovely Byzantine courtyards.

Other Key Destinations

On leaving Athens there are a number of key destinations that can be incorporated into a touring itinerary. Your touring guide will help you make the most out of your time away

Delphi

Climb up the Sacred Way past the Treasuries and the Temple of Apollo to the stadium - a must for students studying Greek religion. The museum contains the ‘Charioteer’ and the sculpture of the Siphnian Treasury. Imagine the Oracle where people came to have questions about the future answered.

Olympia

The sculptures and artefacts in the Olympia Archaeological museum help recreate the tumbled columns of the Temple of Zeus within the Altis (the Sanctuary of Zeus), a fascinating place to explore. Don’t miss the famous Hermes and the infant Dionysos statue here either. Students can also visit the Olympic Games Museum and Stadium site, venue of the first recorded Olympic Games in 776BC which is always of great interest.

Mycenae

Mythology brought to life! Pass through the Lion Gate and climb to the palace in the footsteps of Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks at Troy. Archaeology is made real here in the Treasury of Atreus and shaft graves. Mycenae is an ideal visit when en route to Tolon from Olympia.

Tolon

Tolon is the ideal centre for visiting the sites of the Argolid and a pleasant place to relax after a day spent sightseeing – a seaside resort.

Traditional Greek Night, Tolon

Enjoy an evening of Greek culture with some traditional folk dancing at your hotel in Tolon which includes a soft drink and Greek sweet for each member of your group. A popular optional extra, after evening meal.

Mystra

A great deserted, fortifi ed Byzantine city overlooking the valley of the Eurotas. Here groups like to climb to the walls of the Frankish Castle, builtin 1245.

Sparta

Once the dominant military power in Greece. Students enjoy exploring the city and visiting the Tomb of Leonidas. The broad fertile valley of the Eurotas makes it easier to understand the success of the Spartans.

Key En Route Visits

To break the journey up between the cities there are a number of fascinating sights that can be incorporated into a touring itinerary.

Epidaurus

A chance to see the best example of a Greek theatre (not transformed by the Romans), and test its perfect acoustics. The Sanctuary of Asklepios, a famous healing centre of the ancient world, is also worth exploring.

Tiryns World Heritage Site

In Mycenaean times Tiryns stood by the sea, commanding the coastal approaches to Argos and Mycenae. On a small scale and easy to understand it provides a great site for archaeology students to study a Mycenaean palace and Cyclopean walls. The store rooms are particularly worth seeing.

The Ancient Corinth

A popular stop en route to or from Athens. Students enjoy exploring the ruins of the once-great Roman city with its marketplace and shops overlooked by the archaic Greek temple of Apollo and the towering fortress of Acrocorinth. The well-preserved remains and the Archaeological Museum on the site help visualise the city as it was.

Ossios Loukas

The peace of the monastery at Ossios Loukas, one of the most impressive examples of Middle Byzantine art and architecture, provides a welcome break on the journey from Athens to Delphi.

Below, you'll find some of our most popular accommodation options for school groups.

This is just a sample of our full range, so for full details of all properties available, please call 0845 688 8988 to speak to one of our Educational Travel Advisors today.

Athens Atrium Hotel

The hotel was built in 1978 and has undergone substantial refurbishment in recent years. Decorated to a high standard with modern furnishings throughout and a bright airy feel.

Athens Atrium Hotel

A comfortable hotel offering a high standard of accommodation. With good transport links into the centre of Athens and main historic sites. Groups are assured a warm welcome and a enjoyable stay.

Address 21 Okeanidon Street Athens View map of location	Local Rating B class superior (equivalent to 3* superior).
	Capacity 56 rooms 98 beds over five floors. The hotel has been completely renovated to a high standard.

Location Information

This hotel is located in a residential area south from the centre of Athens, approximately 45 minutes transfer from the airport. The nearest bus stop is approximately 5-10 minutes walk from the hotel and is located behind the church of Agios Sostis on Syngrou Avenue. The nearest metro station is Syngrou-Fix which is approximately 30 minutes walk from the hotel, two stops will take you to the Plaka in the centre of Athens.

View map

Download PDF datasheet

Accommodation Facilities

• 24 hour Reception
• Bar
• Restaurant
• TV Lounge with internet access
• Meeting room
• Disabled facilities: There are no specially adapted rooms for disabled guests.

 Student Rooms

• 2-4 bedded rooms
• En suite facilities
• Satellite TV
• Air conditioning
• Refrigerator
• Safe

 Staff Rooms

• Twins/Singles
• En suite facilities
• Satellite TV
• Air conditioning
• Refrigerator
• Safe

 Safety Guidance

The hotel conforms to all local standards, which does not require fire doors that self-close. Therefore groups are advised, for additional security, to ensure doors are shut at night.

The hotel conforms to all local standards, which does not require plate glass windows/patio doors to have anti-collision motifs to ensure that people are aware glass is present.  Group leaders are advised to consider this in their risk assessments/group management plan and ensure appropriate control measures are put in place.

The hotel conforms to all local standards, which does not require windows to have restricted opening.  Group leaders are advised to consider this in their risk assessments/group management plan and ensure appropriate control measures are put in place.

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Candia Hotel

The hotel was built in 1970 and was last renovated in 2004. Large, spacious hotel with ample space for meetings.

Candia Hotel

A spacious hotel in an excellent central location offering traditional Greek hospitality.

Address 40 Diligianni Str Attiki Athens View map of location	Local Rating B class (equivalent to British 3*)
	Capacity The hotel has 142 rooms, spread over 7 floors. The maximum capacity is 252 guests at any one time.

Location Information

The Candia hotel is located in the centre of Athens, opposite Diligiani railway station. It is situated between Larissis and Metaxourgio metro stations (just 5 minutes on foot).

View map

Download PDF datasheet

Accommodation Facilities

• 24 hour Reception
• Fully air conditioned hotel
• 2 Lifts
• Bar
• TV Lounge
• Dining room
• Disabled facilities: There are no specially adapted rooms or facilities.

 Student Rooms

• 3-4 bedded rooms
• En suite facilities
• Air conditioning
• Direct dial telephone
• TV
• Safety deposit box

 Staff Rooms

• Twins/Singles
• En suite facilities
• Air conditioning
• Direct dial telephone
• TV
• Safety deposit box

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Local On-Site Guides

At key historical sites, an additional local guide is available to deliver enhanced Classical background to each visit. Highly recommended at:

• The Acropolis
• National Archaeological Museum
• Delphi and Olympia

Touring Guides

Your group can be accompanied, on their departure from Athens, by a local English-speaking guide. They will enhance the tour by using their local knowledge to bring Greece’s history to life and lead the group, enabling you to deliver individual learning.

Free Educational Resources

For a study visit that delivers the curriculum, our Educational Resource Packs developed by our Classics Advisor, Gill Greef, are ideal for use before, during and after your tour.

These A5 booklets focus on the classical relevance of key sites to really enhance your group’s tour and also act as a pre-visit planning aid to make tour preparation easier for you.

Click here to view a sample of our Rome & the Bay of Naples resource pack for Classics & Ancient History groups