Uncovering the History & Culture of Greece Vacation

What to expect on this itinerary
History and culture of Western Civilization will reveal 4,000 years of tradition on your 14-day historical Greece tour. From the famous images of the Parthenon to gilded Byzantine churches, the dramatic walls of Mycenae to the Venetian streets of charming harbors, you will step into history in a time-honored setting uncovering the often-overlooked treasures of Greece along the mainland, islands, and Peloponnese Peninsula.
Customizable Itinerary
Athens – Dining Beneath Mythology
Illuminated columns provide a famous welcome to Athens, the Acropolis softly lit as it stands above the city. Over the next three days, you will find this landmark to be a compass point, helping you make sense of where you are and what stories surround you. Touch down, check-in, and take a wander through the neighborhood. It looks and feels like the 17th century, all narrow lanes, squat archways, quiet chatter, whitewashed houses, and floating smells. You will be in the heart of Athens, getting a feel for how the city ticks after dusk. Over the next two weeks, you will jump far back in history, but for now, just relax and feel how history is able to flow right through you.
What's Included:
Athens – Ancient Greece to Lively Athenian Neighborhoods
Athens – Intimate Streets and Markets Food Tour
Nafplio – 4,000 Years Of History Comes Alive
Nafplio – Venetian History and an Epidaurus Performance
Nafplio – Discovering Ancient Greek Viticulture
Mystras – The Wonderful Ruins of a Byzantine Citadel
Monemvasia – Beautiful Old Cobbles On the Coast
Aeropoli – Exploring Traditional Mani Peninsula Villages
Pylos – Mycenaean Ruins and an Afternoon By the Sea
Nafpaktos – Ancient Greece on a Phenomenal Scale
Nafpaktos – Immersed in Ottoman and Venetian Eras
Galaxidi – A Fabulous Myth To Finish On
Athens – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Dive into Greece’s unknown Byzantine history with a day spent in Mystras
- Watch a theater performance at the ancient Epidaurus amphitheater
- Immerse yourself in Venetian eras, spending three nights in Nafplio and two in Nafpaktos
- Explore the myths and wonders of Ancient Greece, especially in Olympia and Delphi
- Discover the enigmatic remains of the Acropolis and Agora in Athens
- Go local and feast on the inimitability of the Mani Peninsula, where traditional villages transport you to a historic time
- Live the world of the Mycenaeans, in destinations like Pylos and Mycenae
- Travel through the 17th and 18th centuries with a tour of key Athenian neighborhoods with a focus on food
- Uncover hidden towns on the coast, including 12th-century Monemvasia, which was previously only accessible by water
Detailed Description
For most visitors to Greece, history begins and ends at the Athens Acropolis and Agora. Perhaps there is another set of ruins as well, but it is rare that the historical narrative goes beyond a handful of Corinthian columns. As grand as it may be, the Acropolis is just one piece in the great historical patchwork. There is all that came before, such as Mycenaean culture, and then all of those stories that followed, most notably the Byzantines, Ottomans and Venetians. Local traditions have been preserved, especially along the coast. On the Greek mainland, you can find many fragments to a country’s tale, each proudly preserved so it seems you are living out a specific time and place. And while the Acropolis and Agora are highly popular, much of the mainland’s history goes undiscovered.
This tour will stitch together the last 4,000 years, hopping between the eras as you travel from Athens, and then through Peloponnese. Each day, you will be in a different century, often an entirely different civilization, making sense of how and why the land you stand on is so coveted. Local guides lead your way throughout, experts in a particular time and place. For most nights, you will be sleeping amid the history, such as inside a Byzantine citadel or on the edge of a grand set of ruins. You will also understand how history has become the here and now, in villages and destinations that have effortlessly moved their traditions forward into today.
Your first six nights will be split across Athens and Nafplio. The Greek capital provides a very classical introduction, with the Acropolis and Agora worthy of their fame. Go beyond that mythology by exploring Athenian neighborhoods, to find yourself in the 17th and 18th centuries. Crossing into Peloponnese on day four you can stop in Corinth and Mycenae, epic old cities that stretch the Greek story back another millennia. Nafplio is part Mycenaean part Venetian, a charming place on the coast to rest and relax. Seeing a performance at the Epidaurus amphitheater is just one way the past and the ancient past blur together around Nafplio.
For the next seven nights, you will be on the road, hopping across Peloponnese to discover the complete wealth of stories. Mystras is a Byzantine citadel in a wonderful state of preservation while Monemvasia is all medieval cobbles and millennia-old churches. The Mani Peninsula villages showcase local life unchanged, along with an ancient war against pirates. Mycenaean Pylos evokes Homer’s Iliad, and then jumps into Hellenic and Byzantine stories. Traveling onwards, you can spend half a day in ancient Olympia before the Ottoman-era charm of Nafpaktos. Then on the way back to Athens, there will be the oracle at Delphi and neoclassical style in Galaxidi. And while you visit the huge abundance of historical sights, 14 days allows you to travel slowly and really take it all in. Don’t take just our word for it - consider reading some of our travelers’ reviews of Greece, and see how you can customize your own dream vacation.
Starting Price
$5,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 371 reviews
This was my husband’s and my first trip to Greece and, like any incredible country, it was so tough to decide what to see and do. Luckily, we found Zicasso's tour specialist and, suddenly, our dream trip became a reality. She worked with us for about a year to customize an itinerary that met all our needs, while introducing us to hidden gems we might never have discovered on our own.
We spent 11 unforgettable days exploring Athens, Delphi, Nafplio, and the island of Naxos. Each day was thoughtfully planned, offering a fantastic mix of excursions, dining experiences, and cultural activities. From touring breathtaking archaeological sites to indulging in cheese and olive tastings, taking an amazing cooking class, and visiting the Citron distillery, every experience was uniquely special. Despite the busy schedule, we still had plenty of time to wander, soak in additional sights, and relax on Naxos' stunning beaches.
What truly set this trip apart was the exceptional service. The drivers were friendly and polite, and our tour guides were so knowledgeable and so engaging, making us feel at home in each destination. Wherever we went, the guides enriched our experience with captivating insights and expertly answered all our questions. Their warmth and professionalism made us feel completely at ease.
Once we arrived in Greece, her team remained incredibly accessible. When a flight delay between Naxos and Athens Airport put our connection at risk, we reached out to her. She and her team immediately arranged for someone to meet us at the Athens airport, helping us navigate smoothly and ensuring we caught our flight.
They truly went above and beyond to ensure that our trip was fun, enriching and seamless! We highly, highly recommend this tour company.
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Our trip to mainland Greece, organized by Zicasso's tour agency, was the best luxury trip my husband and I have enjoyed to date. Every hotel and site tour guide was carefully selected for our needs and interests, and they were all outstanding! Our driver for the entire trip was warm, courteous, and highly professional. We saw all the sites we'd requested and a couple of fun surprises along the way.
We travelled from Athens to various spots in the Peloponnese, then through the lush plains of Thessaly to Meteora, and then, finally, Thessaloniki. The accommodations were superb, with special shout-outs to the hotels in Athens, Nafplio, and Thessaloniki. We spent our last night at the Athens airport hotel and were so glad we did. The suite was stunning and completely soundproof. The food during our trip was incredible (especially at the hotel roof restaurant in Thessaloniki) and traveling by car allowed us to fully appreciate the gorgeous mountain and sea views. The Greek people were warm and super-friendly. Nearly everyone spoke English.
When we arrived in Athens, our travel consultants met us at our centrally located, fabulous hotel with all the info we needed, as well as a Greek cell phone and lovely gifts. All instructions were clear and details perfectly arranged. We really can't exaggerate how wonderful this trip was and we'll definitely return to this company for our next trip to Greece. 10/10 stars, though they deserve an even higher rating.
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This was a dream vacation made reality–five stars!
We just returned from the most unforgettable two-week adventure through Greece, all thanks to the exceptional planning and care of Zicasso's travel operator and her team! From the moment we landed until our final farewell in Athens, every detail was flawlessly executed.
Our journey began in Crete, where we were welcomed by a warm, knowledgeable guide who brought Chania's rich history to life during all of our many activities. From touring the many villages to hiking Imbros Gorge to the Palace of Knossos, we felt immersed in the true spirit of Crete.
Next was Santorini, where the sunsets were just as magical as we’d hoped. Our stay was filled with stunning cliffside views, wine tastings, and personalized recommendations that made it feel like we were exploring the island with a local friend.
Naxos was an unexpected gem—less touristy, but bursting with charm. The tour guide here was particularly fantastic, taking us to authentic villages, ancient ruins, and serene beaches that felt like our own private paradise.
Our final days in Athens were the perfect ending to this epic journey. The historical sites were breathtaking and our guide’s passion for Greek history made every moment at the Acropolis and the museums feel deeply meaningful.
What truly set this experience apart was how responsive and supportive our agent and her team were throughout the trip. Any time we had a question—whether about transportation, recommendations, or small changes in plans—they replied quickly and helpfully, making us feel completely at ease and well cared for.
Throughout the trip, the logistics were seamless—beautiful accommodations, smooth transfers, and thoughtfully curated excursions. Every guide was not only professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly kind and engaging. It felt like we were traveling with friends who truly cared about our experience.
We can’t thank our agent enough for crafting such a memorable and enriching vacation. Greece was always on our bucket list and now we’re already dreaming of our return!
Highly, highly recommended!
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If you're considering a trip to Greece, look no further than Zicasso. Our travel expert planned an unforgettable journey for our family; Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, and every detail was executed with care, expertise, and passion.
From the moment we arrived in Athens, we were immersed in the country’s warm hospitality. Our agent made sure we had the perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. The historical sites in Athens, like the Acropolis and the ancient Agora, were must-sees.
Mykonos is vibrant yet relaxed. The beaches were beautiful. Every meal on this trip was a highlight. Fresh seafood, local cheeses, olive oil, and delicious pastries—each bite told a story of Greece’s deep culinary heritage.
In Santorini, we were captivated by the island’s charm—whitewashed buildings, breathtaking sunsets, and the deep blue Aegean Sea. We visited traditional villages, giving us a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions that are still very much alive.
Throughout the trip, what stood out most—beyond the stunning landscapes and ancient history—was the friendliness of the Greek people. Their warmth and pride in their culture made every moment feel welcoming and genuine.
Our agent didn’t just plan a vacation—he created an experience rooted in history, tradition, and hospitality. I can’t recommend him and Zicasso highly enough.
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Me and my five friends did a girls' trip to Greece for 11 nights. I was nervous about planning a trip that far and did my research online. Zicasso received great reviews and I thought it was great to connect with a travel team in Greece. We worked with our travel agent for months to plan our trip of a lifetime. She took the time to listen to our needs with patience and also asked lots of questions to determine what the best itinerary for our vacation would be. She was amazing.
The transportation company that picked us up from locations and took us from hotel to hotel was amazing too.
We stayed in Athens the first few days and that was a great hotel. The rooms were spacious and we were right in the middle of town. We could walk anywhere we wanted to go, even to the Acropolis. We had wonderful tour guides, doing mostly private tours, and the guides felt like family at the end of our trip. We loved Athens, all the shopping and food and hustle and bustle of the city.
Our next adventure was Chania. That hotel was fabulous too. We loved the city and again, our hotel was within walking distance to everything. Our agent also provided us with ideas for restaurants the days we didn't have tours planned, as well as other things to see. Chania was one of our favorites, especially the tour of the 7 Villages of Apokoronas. What a beautiful tour, and we got to stop at a cheese factory, try cheese, hike, and learn about the olive trees and history. Our tour guide was amazing; so full of knowledge and such a wonderful and friendly personality.
Our next leg was the town of Rethymno. We loved it. It was so quaint and our hotel was the most beautiful boutique hotel, with so much history. We also did a walking tour of Rethymno Old Town and learned about the town and its historical places while snacking on Greek cookies and coffee. Our guide was amazing too. We had another private tour the next day of the Eleftherna and Rethymno villages, which were amazing to visit. Our agent kept us busy with lots of tours and we loved every minute of it.
We saw monasteries and also visited Heraklion, where we did a food and wine tour. That was so amazing too. The food in Greece and all the villages was also fresh and delicious. Every place we visited was fabulous. Our tour guide and his team did an amazing job.
We did a Heraklion Village tour and toured the Lasithi Plateau, which was beautiful. We stopped at a little café for coffee and ate lunch at a wonderful restaurant the tour company's owner suggested. It was the best food ever.
The hotels we stayed in were all top-notch. We requested four- and five-star hotels, which we got. Our drivers were always on time and went out of their way to make us happy. The breakfast in every hotel was amazing and delicious.
I had never been to a country that was so stress-free and where everyone was so nice and accommodating. I felt like we needed to stay another two weeks, but we will be back. Our agent was in touch with us the entire time and we appreciated that. She went above and beyond to ensure we were happy and having a great trip. We had no mishaps and can't wait to go back.
Thank you, Zicasso and our travel company, agent, and teams, for making the trip a memorable one and the trip of a lifetime. We love you all and you are family now.
Yamas!! Roxanne, Barbara, Nora, Frances, and Annette – California girls and Texas girls!
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