Check Availability & Price
Map Itinerary Download PDF

SELF DRIVE CLASSICAL TOUR, NORTHERN IONIAN ISLANDS AND EPIRUS

10 Days / 9 Nights
Free Cancellation

Athens, Olympia, Lefkada, Corfu, Zagorohoria, Kalambaka and Delphi

Map Itinerary Download PDF
From USD 973.10 USD 875.79

Daily throughout the year.

Book Now! All our programs in up to 12 installments without interest

What is included in this package

  • 3-night accommodation in Athens.
  • 1-night accommodation in Olympia.
  • 1-night accommodation in Lefkada.
  • 1-night accommodation in Corfu.
  • 1-night accommodation in Zagorohoria.
  • 1-night accommodation in Kalambaka.
  • 1-night accommodation in Delphi.
  • Guided evening walking tour through Monastiraki, Plaka and Anafiotika.
  • Car rental as per itinerary.
  • CDW insurance, excess amount Eur 900.00.
  • Unlimited kilometers
  • 24-hour Roadside Assistance.
  • Ferry tickets with numbered seats Igoumenitsa-Corfu (including the cost of the car).
  • Ferry tickets with numbered seats Corfu-Igoumenitsa (including the cost of the car).
  • All transfers as per description.
  • 24/7 Emergency line.
  • Daily breakfast

Not included & Optionals

  • Personal expenses, Gratuities (optional) & Municipality Tax.
  • Athens Sightseeing tour
  • Fuel and tolls
  • GPS, snow chains, child seat and additional driver upon request.
  • Add extra nights in Athens, Nafplio, Olympia or Delphi by clicking on "Customize your Program" or in step 1 of your reservation. Where applicable, any additional nights will also entail additional days of car rental.
  • Click on the FAQs for more information on hotels and rates.
  • 10% discount for groups of 10 travelers or more.

What do I need to rent a vehicle?

Find out more about the car rental requirements in Greece by clicking here

Customize your package

100% flexible by and for you
customizable icon
Add additional nights to your desired locations
customizable icon
customizable icon
Choose hotel category, cabin type & make it better with optionals
  Customize it now
Check Availability & Price
Rooms*
Select amount of travelers
Group Discount
Total per Traveler 0.00
*Complete the fields above to see the prices Prices valid for advance bookings until 15 of November of 2019.  Customize it now

We'll reply in less than 24hrs. Contact us Now!

Phone number
Arrival date

Package Tour Itinerary: Self Drive Classical Tour, Northern Ionian Islands And Epirus

ATHENS - CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION
1
ATHENS - CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION

Upon your arrival in the mythical city of Athens, you will be greeted with a seamless transfer to your hotel in one of our vehicles, where your professional and friendly English-speaking driver will ensure your comfort and convenience throughout the journey.

Later in the afternoon, at an agreed time, our representative will meet you at the hotel to provide all the essential details of your trip. They will also offer a captivating presentation of the city, sharing insights into its everyday way of life. This is an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions and have any doubts dispelled, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout the rest of your trip.

You will have the remainder of the day free to relax and explore Athens at your own pace, taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of this remarkable city.

Greca Tip: Extend your stay by adding more nights during Step 1 of 3 of your booking!

DAY AT LEISURE  AND ATHENS BY NIGHT
2
DAY AT LEISURE AND ATHENS BY NIGHT

This will be a free day in Athens, where, after a delicious breakfast, you will have the chance to visit some of the famous attractions and places of interest in the city. Alternatively, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll in the city center and make your own discoveries as you go along.

In the evening you will join a guided walking tour through the most stunning districts of Athens, such as Anafiotika, Thisio, Monastiraki and Plaka.

Greca Tip: Enjoy a tasty souvlaki in one of the taverns in and around Monasteraki Square.

FROM ATHENS TO OLYMPIA, THE CRADLE OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES
3
FROM ATHENS TO OLYMPIA, THE CRADLE OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES

After collecting your rental car, you will head towards the Peloponnese peninsula

The first stop will be at the Corinth canal, a great engineering feat first devised in 630 BC by Periander, a tyrant and one of the seven sages of antiquity, and completed by the French in 1893. This channel, about 6 kilometres long, facilitates the passage from the Ionian Sea to the Saronic Gulf and thus saves days of navigation around the Peloponnese peninsula.

On the route, you can make a detour to Kalavryta, a city with magnificent views and its steep slopes, river springs and pine forests.  At a distance of about 17 kilometers from Kalavryta, you will come across the Cave of the Lakes. The cave extends for 2 kilometers underground and has 15 lakes inside. The combination of the colors and waterfalls together make an impressive spectacle.

Alternatively, you can drive to Diakofto and from there catch the train known as "Odontotos" towards Kalavryta. This train rises to a hight of 750 meters above sea level and crosses the entire Vouraikos gorge. The views are splendid, with lush forests, waterfalls, and tunnels carved into the rocks. This is the tour of such striking beauty, that you should not miss out on the chance of taking it. 

After these two compulsory stops, you will arrive at the destination of the day, Olympia. There, you will visit the site of the former Olympic stadium, where the first Games were held (776a.C). The importance of the Olympic games was such that all Greek cities ceased hostilities and participated on a large scale.

Olympia was also the most important sanctuary of the Ancient Greeks, a place to worship Zeus, the king and father of all gods.  Here also stood his gold and ivory statue, a gigantic sculpture made by Fidias himself and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Total distance: 285km

Greca Tip: Relax and make the most of your hotel's amenities or hike through the beautiful surrounding countryside.

FROM OLYMPIA TO LEFKADA, THE TREASURE OF THE IONIAN SEA
4
FROM OLYMPIA TO LEFKADA, THE TREASURE OF THE IONIAN SEA

After a delicious breakfast, you will depart from Olympia towards Lefkada.  You will cross Río Antirio bridge, a jewel of modern European engineering, which spans the Gulf of Corinth.  You will arrive at Lefkada town, the capital and main port of the island, after crossing the bridge that connects the island with the Greek mainland.  The town of Lefkada also stretches along the coast that overlooks mainland Greece and is striking with its picturesque, multi-coloured roofed houses. The best hotel resorts of the island are concentrated at the port of Nidri, from where you can also take the small cruise boats to the nearby islands of Chelonaki, Maduri, Meganisi and the famous island of Skorpios, exclusive property of the magnate Onasis.

In the island of Lefkada, you will find the most incredible beaches of the Ionian Sea. On one hand, there is Porto Katsiki, the most popular beach located at the foot of a cliff. In this way there is this fantastic contrast between the green of the mountain and the turquoise green waters of the sea. On the other hand there is the Egremni beach, only accessible by boat, where the stunning blue waters are mixed with the vivid turquoise colour of the sea. 

Optionally we suggest adding extra nights in order to discover the most unmissable beaches on the island (Egremni, Porto Katsiki and Agiofili) aboard a mini cruise!

Total distance: 282 km.

Greca Tip: After a full day of touring the best beaches of Lefkada, we suggest taking a leisurely walk along Nidri coast in the evening,

THE ADVENTURE ACROSS THE IONIAN SEA CONTINUES,. FROM LEFKADA TO CORFU.
5
THE ADVENTURE ACROSS THE IONIAN SEA CONTINUES,. FROM LEFKADA TO CORFU.

This day, after a hearty breakfast, you will continue enjoying the incredible Ionian Islands. This time, leaving behind the southern islands, you will visit the northern part of the Ionian, exploring the magnificent island of Corfu.

On the way you will pass through Préveza, belonging to the region of Epirus and considered one of the quietest areas in Greece. We suggest taking a walk through its cobbled streets full of souvenir shops.

On the outer limits of the Epirus region there is the city of Parga. Parga is renowned for being a town of multicolored houses on the shores of the Ionian Sea coast. Travelling inland you will find olive groves and fruit orchards in tranquil surroundings. We recommend visiting the ruins of its medieval castle, built to protect the population from repeated invasions. Furthermore, this fishing village is an excellent place to have lunch in one of its famous taverns.

From Parga you will drive to Igoumenitsa, where you can take the ferryboat to Corfu.

Corfu, called Kerkyra by the Greeks, is the second-largest island in the Ionian Sea. It is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey as the island of the Phaeacians, at the last stage of Odysseus towards Ithaca. Its natural beauty, its cosmopolitan character, and its picturesque towns make it a much sought-after destination. Once in Corfu, you can visit its capital, the city of Corfu and its main square, one of the largest in Greece, called Spianada. Another major point of interest is the Achilleion Palace, where Elizabeth of Bavaria lived. The beauty of this palace with its combination of architectural styles makes it a visitor attraction until today. 

The villages of Kanoni with their extraordinary natural beauty and stunning beaches in rock formations are another essential destination. Nearby, there is the small monastery of Vlacherna, which occupies a small islet accessible from the mainland through a narrow stone pier.

At night, after a long day, we recommend a stroll through the famous Spianada and its maze of alleys full of shops and summertime exuberance.

Total distance: 172 km.

Greca Tip: If you have more days at your disposal, we suggest taking a mini cruise excursion to the islands of Paxos, Antipaxos and the blue caves.

FROM CORFU TO ZAGOROHORIA
6
FROM CORFU TO ZAGOROHORIA

After a hearty breakfast, you will leave the incredible Ionian Islands and Corfu and continue your journey to Zagorohoria.

The ferry will bring you again to Igoumenitsa and from here you will drive to Zagori region, where the Pindus mountain range is located. Pindus is the most important mountain range in the country, with peaks that exceed 2,000 meters in height. There you can either visit the Pindus National Park or the majestic Vikos–Aoos National Park, where you can try hiking and kayaking in its rivers.

In the heart of this region, there are Zagorohoria (villages of Zagori), a number of villages with great Slavic and Northeast European influences. The town of Kipi offers the best example of local architecture, among others, the Plakida Bridge.Another place highly recommended is Metsovo, a graphic mountainous town full of shops with traditional crafts and local products.

The city of Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, is located at an altitude of 500 meters on the shores of Lake Pamvotis. We also recommend a visit to one of the most important caves in the world, the Cave of Perama, a huge opening in the depths of Mount Goritsa.

Total distance: 180 km.

Tip Greca: Likewise, you can visit Konitsa (another village in Zagori), which was seriously affected during the Greek civil war. 

FROM EPIRUS TO METEORA (KALAMBAKA)
7
FROM EPIRUS TO METEORA (KALAMBAKA)

Leaving Zagorohoria after a hearty breakfast, you will visit Metsovo, a tree-shaded village with its two storey mansions and stone-built drinking fountains perched on the side of Pindos mountain range.

You will then head towards Kalambaka and visit Meteora, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Meteora combines the natural charm of the region with the eternal monasteries or hanging 'meteora' on the rocks. The first monastery, "The Great Meteoron", was built by Athanasius after being expelled from Mount Athos, in order to escape his pursuers. Nowadays, only 6 remain in use for the monastic community: five for male monks and one for female nuns.

After visiting the monasteries in this a hectic day, you will have a well-deserved rest.

Dress code in monasteries:

Over-the-knee shorts or skirts are forbidden. Men are not admitted wearing sleeveless shirts. For women sarongs are available at the entrance if needed.

Total distance: 111 km

Greca Tip: In Metsovo you can shop for local handicrafts, the famous Metsovon cheeses, meats and the distinct Averof wines, which mature slowly in one of the most mountainous vineyards of Greece.

FROM KALAMBAKA TO THE ORACLE OF DELPHI
8
FROM KALAMBAKA TO THE ORACLE OF DELPHI

After a delicious breakfast, you will depart for Delphi. On your way, you will have the opportunity to stop at Thermopylae, where the statue of the Spartan king Leonidas I is to be seen.  King Leonidas was the intrepid leader who confronted the Persians and died in the homonymous battle.

You will finally arrive at Delphi, the center or navel of the ancient world and host to the notable Delphic Oracle was located (consulted either by kings or pilgrims). Delphi was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and attracts thousands of visitors up to the present day.

When all your questions to the Oracle of Delphi have been answered, you will have time for a well-deserved rest.

Total distance: 237 kilometres

Greca Tip: Visit the village of Chrissó in Delphi, wander around its cobblestoned streets and enjoy a coffee break under the century-old plane tree at the village square.

FROM DELPHI TO ATTICA, THE RETURN
9
FROM DELPHI TO ATTICA, THE RETURN

After a delicious Greek breakfast, you will start your journey back to Athens

You will drive along the slopes of Mount Parnassos rising to 2457 meters height and you will make a short stop in Arachova, a popular winter resort full of taverns and handicraft shops. 

Further down the road you can visit the town of Levadeia, which, in ancient times, flourished and grew in importance as a consequence of its possessing the celebrated oracle of Trophonius, found in a cave.

Back in Athens, you will return your rental car to the station and your adventure through Greece at our own pace will have come full circle. Now it is time to have a well-deserved rest with the memories of all the places you have seen and the people you have met still fresh in your mind.

Total distance: 186 km

Greca Tip: In the village of Arachova you can shop for local products, such as the traditional woven carpets, honey and the local formaela cheese.

FAREWELL GREECE!
10
FAREWELL GREECE!

At the agreed time, our driver will transfer you to Athens Airport to board your international flight back home or to your next destination.  You will check in your luggage and benefit from the tax return resulting from any last minute "tax free" shopping for family and friends.

Undoubtedly, and after spending a few fantastic days with Greca, we hope to see you again soon to create new and extraordinary moments that will be lovingly etched in your memory.

Have a nice trip! Or as Greeks say: "Kalo taksidi!"

Greca Tip: As a going away gift you can choose from a wide range of brightly colored flokati rugs, handmade sandals, embroidered covers and Greek honey or olive oil.

Worth looking into

Any questions or further customization?

If you cannot find the answer in our FAQ's section nor can you make the customizations you want at the time of the booking... Do not worry! We are here to help! Simply inquire now by clicking on the button below and one of our agents will clear up all your doubts within the next 24 hs. And remember... your inquiry is always welcome!

What other travelers say about us