Athens & Northern Greece Soccer Classical Tour
DAY 1
Arrive at the airport of Athens where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy free time
in Athens for a firsthand look at the beauty and culture of this famous city which dates back to 1200 B.C. An orientation briefing will
take place before dinner. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
After your breakfast, follow your guide to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the architectural miracles of the Golden Age of
Pericles: the Propylea, the Erechtheum and, above all, the Parthenon (temple of Athena, goddess of wisdom). Take in a panoramic
view of the city and observe the Agora (marketplace) where many ancient philosophers spent their time. Continue with a bus tour of
the center of Athens and admire the Old Olympic Stadium, the National University, the National Library, the Academy, the
Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square with the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and much
more. You will also visit the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, one of the finest in the world. Its superb collections of
sculptures, ceramics, jewelry and frescoes really stand out and are not to be missed. You can learn more about mythology, ancient
religion, art and representations of divinities and various social groups like priests, soldiers or philosophers. Afterwards we will visit the
soccer stadium and training ground of Panathinaikos FC. You will have the chance to visit the famous Athletic Center in Paiania. For
the last 24 years, the athletic center in Paiania has been the only complete and modern athletic center in Greece and is considered to
be one of the best in Europe. The building of the center was part of the vision the Vardinoyannis family had, to upgrade Greek soccer.
The main functions of the center are the soccer Academy and the scientific and comfortable preparation of the professional soccer
team. The environment in the Athletic Center is of high standards. For this reason, top European teams visit the center every year and
many of them have conducted their preparation and training in Paiania. The Center was built in 1981 and consists of 70 acres of green
land. Finally, we will visit Panathinaikos’ soccer stadium which is situated in the center of Athens. The stadium’s capacity is for about
15,000 spectators. Your first friendly game in Greece will be with one of the toughest and best teams in Greece. Exchange team flags
and souvenirs before your game. Transfer back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3
Start your 4-day tour by traveling to scenic Delphi, one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth, according to a poet.
Drive through beautiful countryside, pass the cities of Thiva (Thebes) and Livadia and see the town of Arachova, well-known for its
local industry of rugs, carpets and leather goods. Arrive in Delphi and explore the archaeological site, which was once believed to be
the “navel” (omphalos) of the world. Walk on the Sacred Way to see the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo where the
oracle delivered her ambiguous prophecies, and the Theater. Also visit the Museum with its splendid collection of ancient works of art
including the Sphinx of the Naxians, the Silver Bull, the Column of the Dancers, the “Omphalos” and the pride of the museum,
the 5 th century B.C. bronze “Charioteer”. Dinner and overnight in Delphi.
DAY 4
In the morning you continue to Kalambaka. Check-in at the hotel and free time. In the afternoon you will play your second friendly
game in Greece with one of the oldest Greek soccer teams. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5
This morning you will get a taste of the beautiful countryside. In Kalambaka you will find scenery of unique and striking beauty:
perched on top of gigantic granite pinnacles, you will see the ageless Meteora Monasteries full of treasures of Christian art. Visit two
of the amazing Byzantine monasteries of Meteora, then drive from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
After your breakfast, drive to Edessa, the city of waters. Edessa is very famous for its fantastic waterfalls. The waterfalls didn't use to
be the same as they are today. Until the end of the 14th century, the main volume of the water was held in a small lake in the west of
the town. Then the waters (perhaps after a geologic or weather phenomenon) passed through the town and fell thematically from its
rock creating many small rivers as a result. At the same time, the lake they had come from ceased to exist. Many travelers of the 17th
and 18th century described the picture of a town with a rock from which a waterfall created multiple waterfalls. Today the waterfalls
are a well-known sight of great beauty in the whole of Hellas and even in the world. The big waterfall "Karanos" can now safely be
admired as it falls from a height of 70 meters. You can also see the double waterfalls and the cave next to them. At the edge of the
rock between the waterfalls and the traditional settlement Varosi lies the open-air water Museum. The mills which date from the
Byzantine times have been restored and show the close relation the town had with its water; There were wheat mills, sesame mills,
fulling mills and other workshops where several products were made. In the same area, big factories were built which are now
museums showcasing the industrial development of the town. Unique is the hemp factory where rope was produced. Afterwards you
will visit Greece’s second most famous training ground and athletic center of “3-5 Pigadia”. The athletic center of “3-5 Pigadia” is
situated very close to the beautiful town of Naoussa and most of the Greek professional soccer teams go there for their summer and
winter preparation. In the afternoon you will play your third friendly game. Back to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
In the morning, get acquainted with Thessaloniki. See the landmark of the city, the White Tower, as well as the Walls of the
Byzantine Acropolis, the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotonda. Visit two of the city’s oldest and most admired Christian
churches, the Basilicas of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom). Afterwards we will have the chance to visit the stadium
and training ground of one of Thessaloniki’s best soccer teams. Drive back to Athens on the national road with stops on the way.
Dinner and overnight in Athens.
DAY 8
Today experience the charm of the Greek Islands by visiting three of the most attractive isles near Athens. Aegina has a lovely town
full of neoclassical buildings and a well-preserved classical Temple dedicated to the local goddess Afea. Poros is as small green island,
closer to the Peloponnese than to Attica, which offers a pleasant walk on the promenade near the little shops. Finally, Hydra is an
extremely picturesque place because of the unique architecture of its fortress mansions which belonged to the ship-owners of the
island during the Ottoman Rule period. Return to Athens for overnight.
DAY 9
The morning is free and you can take the opportunity to explore the city of Athens. Don’t forget to visit the famous Plaka, with its
many shops and cafes! In the afternoon you will visit the stadium of one of the biggest soccer clubs in Athens. Afterwards you will
watch a professional soccer game. Tonight, your farewell dinner is at a Greek taverna with live music and dancing. Have a traditional
Greek dinner with music, while you can discuss with your teammates and your coaches about the soccer games you played and
watched during your trip to Greece. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10
Fly back home full of wonderful memories of your journey and valuable soccer experiences.
