Family Holiday in Athens and Nafplio - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Athens, Welcome Dinner

Welcome to Greece! You'll begin your trip in Athens, home to both the iconic Acropolis and so much more. The mythology of this spectacular city precedes it, with towering temples to Classical deities and the ruins of ancient marketplaces rubbing shoulders with lively nightlife, crowded flea markets, and contemporary cuisine. Make the most of your time in the city at some of these spots:

• Check out the views of the can't-miss Parthenon. (Pro tip: The Parthenon is the temple, the Acropolis is the hill.) This temple to Athena has enchanted visitors since its construction was completed in 438 BC. It's probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of ancient Greece and is visible from many of the city's high points.
• Stop at the sprawling National Museum for a crash course in ancient iconography. Be sure to seek out the room housing the Antikythera mechanism, essentially an ancient astronomical computer.
• Visit a smaller archaeological site at the Tower of the Winds, then stroll down neighboring pedestrian Aiolou Street to stop at shops and cafes. 
• Find your perfect souvenir or sun hat in the busy stalls of the Monastiraki flea market. 

In the evening, you'll sit down to enjoy either a welcome dinner with views of the Acropolis or wine tasting in a bar in downtown Athens.

Day 2: Interactive Mythology Experience

Experience the stories of Classical Greece from a new perspective during this interactive session. Start at the Acropolis, where you'll visit the Parthenon and other sites with guides specializing in children's education. Reenact the battle between the gods and giants for control of the world on the lands where it took place.

You'll visit the National Gardens next, where professional performers will present you with stories of adventure, gods and goddesses, giants, and more in the shadow of the archaeological site. In addition to the stories, the games will also continue, including weaving while hearing about Athena's loom, a puzzle challenge that represents the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the heart of the Athenian people (guess who won), and more.

Visit the Plaka neighborhood after the curtain goes down, also known as the neighborhood of the gods. As the oldest neighborhood in Athens, Plaka is home to neoclassical homes rubbing shoulders with outdoor tables lining the streets. Feast on Greek favorites such as the classic horiatiki salad, souvlaki, lamb dishes, and more. Go mezze-style to try them all.

Day 3: Athens to Nafplio, Family Cycling Tour

This morning, you'll wrap up your stay in Athens with breakfast before you head to Nafplio, one of the prettiest seaport towns in the Peloponnese peninsula. Once believed to have been founded by the son of Poseidon, the town was the first capital of the new Greek state after the war of independence in the 1800s. 

Explore the city under the power of two wheels with a cycling tour. A guide will take you past the highlights of the city and stunning views of the Argolic Gulf. You'll ride for roughly 2.5 hours, including some time to stop for a snack whilst enjoying the views, across terrain easy enough for riders of any age.

Take a stroll through the old town in the evening, where you'll pass statues honoring significant figures from Nafplio's history alongside Ottoman fountains, and Venetian architecture along its winding streets, topped off by the Bourtzi Castle in the middle of the harbor. Accessible only by boat, the castle was built in the 1470s to defend the city from pirates, and it still keeps watch at the entrance to Nafplio Bay. Visit the Vasileos Konstandinou pedestrian street to take you across the old town, ending in Syntagma Square where you can choose between a variety of tavernas for dinner.

Day 4: Explore Nafplio and Epidaurus Theater Experience

Take the morning to relax and explore peaceful Nafplio at your own pace, perhaps lingering over a coffee and Greek yogurt or pastry. If you're feeling active and haven't climbed the Palamidi Castle yet, now is the perfect day to do so.

In the afternoon, you'll set out for a full theater experience that will provide you with a thorough understanding of the world of ancient Greek plays. On a guided tour, you'll visit the real-life location where the action of an ancient play took place, before viewing the play itself (with English subtitles, of course) in the third-century BCE theater of Epidaurus, one of the best remaining examples of its type due to the excellent acoustics and aesthetic arrangement. Learn the connection between the works of Aristophanes and the Ancient Cemetery of Keramikos, Aeschylus, and Mycenae, or Electra and the city of Argos with this immersive outing.

Day 5: Nafplio to Athens and Depart

Time to say goodbye to Greece! You'll be transferred back to Athens International Airport after breakfast.