Introduction

Every marathon enthusiasts have in mind a Holy Land, that is the birthplace of the marathon - Athens, where every marathon lover must go to at least one time in his lifetime.

2500 years ago, the Athenian Messenger Phiedippides from the battlefield in town of Marathon , run ceaselessly 40 kilometers for returning to Athens to deliver the good news of victory. Several days' trek and the atigue of the battle, combined with40-kilometers fast run , Phiedippides fell to the ground dead after he announced the victory. This story became afterwards the origin of the marathon.

Day 1 10/11

Welcome to Athens! Ancient, yet vibrant, luminous and spontaneous, full of legends, myths, yet a modern metropolis. Athens is seductive, a visitor's heaven surrounded by beaches and beautiful islands. Discover the heartbeat of a historical but also modern city and enjoy shopping at the elegant city center shops.

Arrival and transfer to the hotel, relax, stay in or have a first encounter with Athens center. After lunch take a walking tour around Syntagma square for sightseeing and shopping. Discover the heartbeat of a historical but also modern city and enjoy shopping at the elegant city center shops.

For the afternoon, you may choose one of our below options：
ATLETES’ OPTION: Relax after the jet lag and maybe enjoy a personal massage in the hotel’s Spa.
OPTION: Τry the Ottoman Hammam in Athens, relax in the imposing steam room and have enjoy a Middle Eastern Mediterranean style massage.
OPTION: Flavors of Athens tour to taste appetizing treats that locals enjoy as part of their daily routine.
OPTION: Athens unique and unexpected shopping tour! Visit carefully selected upscale independent stores, each with a special character and story, offering beautiful clothing, shoes, artifacts, souvenirs, jewelry, accessories and cosmetics as well as delicatessen products.

We suggest enjoying dinner in Grande Bretagne roof garden restaurant overlooking the Acropolis. Return back to the hotel by private car.

Day 2 11/11

Visit the ancient city of Athens and its unique monuments, from the world known Acropolis to the Panathinaiko marble stadium, where the first Olympic games of modern times took place in 1896.

In the morning the athletes will go the Registration center and then they will have a training session with a personal trainer at a route around Athens for customization with the climate and the atmosphere.

We suggest a lunch break in a traditional tavern in Plaka and try the interesting Mediterranean tastes or in a modern “souvlaki” restaurant nearby to discover what Greeks love eating in anytime of the day!

After lunch Private sightseeing tour of Athens city center; You will visit Acropolis by a unique 3D tour, using tablets that will be presenting the site, as it used to be, with three-dimensional representations. After the your you will visit the museum of Acropolis and later you may visit the Temple of Zeus, Kallimarmaron Stadium and Panepistimiou Street monumental buildings of new Athenian era. You will have a tour through times, from the Acropolis to the Panathinaiko marble stadium, where the first Olympic games of modern times took place in 1896.

In the evening, you can enjoy your dinner in a nice Acropolis view restaurant and return back to your hotel.

OPTION: Athens Gourmet cooking lessons. Discover what cooking like an Athenian chef is like and to learn about local culinary traditions.
You will participate in every stage, including the preparation of a perfect Greek meal, after which you will enjoy the fruits of your efforts in a private and comfortable setting with lovely company.
OPTION: Athens Foto Safari, customized photography tour with professional photographer. Discover the most visually exciting places of Athens at your own pace with our professional photographer who will help you enhance your photography skills, unlock your creativity and show you the most interesting photography spots off the beaten track.

Day 3 12/11

Experience a unique exploration of Attica and discover the ancient history of Athens’regional area, admire great landscapes and take dozens of unforgettable pictures.

After breakfast you will depart for the Attica tour by your private car. You will drive through the northern suburbs to the Marathon Lake to explore the beautiful landscape. Visit to the archaeological site and the archaeological museum of Marathonas with English speaking guide and learn about the ancient battle and the world famous Marathon Race which starts from this place!

Later you will enjoy lunch in a seafood tavern at the eastern Attica coast, enjoying your meal on the waterfront.
Afternoon drive to Cape Sounio to visit the famous temple of Poseidon and admire a stunning sunset over the Aegean sea!
Evening return back to your hotel and relax.

Day 4 13/11

Athens Classic marathon day.

Athletes run the Marathon race and spectators take their seats at Kallimarmaron stadium in Athens for the race finish.

After the Marathon race free time to relax. Or afternoon visit of Lycabettus hill for the panoramic sunset.

Day 5 14/11

Meet one of the most sacred places of the ancient world in Epidaurus, where the god of Health was worshiped and walk on the stage of the famous ancient theatre just like actors used to do before 3000 years! Discover Nafplion, the first capital city of modern Greece and one of the best preserved historic cities of Europe, walk by the beautiful neoclassic mansions and the narrow streets.

Morning departure by an all comfort private car to Nafplion (around 2 hours drive). On the way you can visit the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. Around noon you will arrive in Nafplion, check in at your hotel and you may take your lunch at a traditional tavern. In the afternoon you will meet the beautiful city, walking in the picturesque streets

Afternoon wine tasting at an elegant restaurant located at an atmospheric old tomato factory! The neighboring area of Nemea produce from antiquity excellent wines and the winetasting is an Introduction to the famous local Moshofilero and Agiorgitiko varieties. The wines are accompanied by local cheeses and small tasty dishes designed by the celebrated chef of the restaurant.

OPTION: You can drive to Mycenae and visit of the important ancient city and the interesting museum.

Day 6 15/11

Explore mountainous Arcadia, an otherworldly destination that every nature lover should explore! Discover the incredible variations and contrasts of the landscape create pictures as if they have been taken from a fairy tale and learn about the old villages, the culture and the rich history of the area. Relax in Vytina, a pristine old village surrounded by dense fir forests and green hills.

After breakfast you will drive to the mountainous area of central Peloponnesus (around 2-2,5 hours drive) and you will reach Menalon mountain where you will enjoy a full day hiking tour to the heart of Arcadia, along scenic trails and enjoy the enchanting natural settings. Mainalo Mountain, with an altitude of 1.980m, is the heart and soul of Arcadia; blessed with pristine landscapes, enchanting trails and one of the most beautiful fir forests of Greece.

You will enjoy lunch in a traditional tavern , visit the local village of Alonistena and in the evening you will reach your hotel in Vytina village, one of the most famous and beautiful villages of mountainous Greece.

You will relax there and may have dinner in a village restaurant.

Day 7 16/11

Visit one of the most famous and important sites of the ancient world in Olympia. Walk in the stadium where the first Olympic Games in history took place, explore the glorious ancient town and the interesting archeological museum.

After breakfast drive to Ancient Olympia village (around 2 hours drive). On the way you will make a stop for tea or coffee at the stunning Langadia village, to admire its unique traditional architecture. Langadia is home to the best stone builders in Peloponnesus who made stone houses and mansions all around the region.

At noon you will arrive in Olympia and check in at your hotel. You may have lunch in a local tavern and then you will visit the spectacular archaeological site and the museum in Olympia with English speaking guide.

In the evening you will drive to a nearby traditional village tavern, close to the archaeological site, with great view over the valley, special local wine and tasty local dishes where you will enjoy your dinner.

Day 8 17/11

After breakfast drive back to Athens (around 3,5-4 hours drive) and the Athens airport. Flight to China.

Pricing

6 persons/1730 € per person
8 persons/1510 € per person
10 persons/1416 € per person

THE OFFER INCLUDES

• Four nights accommodation in Athens at 5* Intercontinental Hotel in deluxe double
• One night accommodation in Nafplion at 5* Amphitryon Hotel in superior luxury room
• One night accommodation in Vitina at Vitina House Forest Resort in premium double room
• One night accommodation in Olympia at 4* Arty Grand Hotel in double room in HB basis
• All transfers/tours by 19 seater coach including all expenses in all destinations
• Full time concierge service by a mandarin speaking companion including all expenses & tips
• Acropolis unique 3D tour
• Visit of Acropolis site and museum, Temple of Zeus including English speaking guide and entrance fees
• Visit of Archaeological museum of Marathon including English speaking guide and entrance fees
• Visit of Sounio site including entrance fees
• Visit of Epidaurus site including English speaking guide and entrance fees
• Visit of Olympia Archeological Site and museum including English speaking guide and entrance fees
• Full day hiking tour in Arkadia
• Wine tasting Nemea including finger food and dinner

THE OFFER DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International and domestic flights
• Drinks, meals and beverages
• Porters
• Optional and suggested activities
• Any other services not mentioned above

IMPORTANT NOTICE

• Rates are per in total for the entire group
• All services are subject to availability and will be finalized after My Odyssey receives final dates and international flights schedule
• Daily MSG’s working time is 10 hours. Every extra hour costs 50€