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With the culture of Athens, the sophistication of Thessaloniki, the bizarre monasteries of Meteora and the splendid beaches of the Peloponnese, Greece is an easy country to love.
Each region and each of the lovely islands merits exploration in its own right. However the sacred sites and richly atmospheric towns of the Pelopennese, Thessaly and Macedonia offer the most attractive driving circuit. Greek roads and drivers often fail to impress but driving does allow the visitor to penetrate fascinating less-visited regions. Blessed with a sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, wonderful cuisine and fascinating history, few visitors fail to be impressed by lovely Greece.
Day 1
Arrive in Athens airport west of the
city. With 3.7 million people, Athens is a world away from the
tranquility of other parts of Greece. Don’t be deterred by the
bustle and be sure to take at least a day to explore the great
number of cultural and historical attractions. Given that exploring
Athens comprehensively takes weeks, it may be best to limit your
excursions to the most worthwhile:
The Acropolis, with its world-famous temple, the Parthenon, is Athens' most celebrated attraction and you’ll understand why when you see the elegant group of temples.
The National Archaeological Museum holds an awe-inspiring collection of ancient artifacts.
The Byzantine Museum illustrates another period of this nation’s diverse history.
The fascinating Plaka district, a leftover from the Turkish city, with picturesque winding streets.
Day 2
Drive west out of Athens along the coast on route 91 in the direction of Cape Sounion. You’ll be glad to get out of the heat and noise of the city and you’ll enjoy the magnificent beaches and sea views. At the cape itself you can’t fail to be impressed by the Temple of Poseidon, standing atop a craggy spur 65 metres above the sea. Constructed in 444BC at the same time as the Parthenon, you’ll gain a sense of the subtle differences between these lovely temples. After lunching in one of the nearby towns, take the inland route 89 back towards Athens. The road winds through a rich country of olive and grape cultivation and passes a number of interesting towns such as Peania, the birthplace of the orator
Demosthenes. Stop off and have a relaxing drink in one of the
atmospheric bars or explore the local caves.
Day 3
Drive west along road E94 in the direction of Corinth and the Peloponnese. Stop off at the Corinth Canal, a sharp slice through the isthmus that separates the peninsula from the mainland. Drive on to the town of Corinth itself and check out the graceful ruins of this once rich town. Then continue on to the impressive ruins of Mycenae, with the famous lion gates. Stay the night at Argos, the longest continually inhabited town in Greece, and the site of extensive and fascinating ruins or the charming and relaxed seaside town Nafplio.
Day 4
Head back towards Athens along road E94. Take route E962 northwards in the direction of Thebes. Stop off and
visit this town, though be warned that there is not as much to see
nowadays as in ancient times. Continue to the west along routes 3
and 48 until you arrive at Delphi, ancient Greece’s most holy shrine
and home of the eerie Delphic oracle. Located in a beautiful
timeless valley, the collection of temples retains a spellbinding
calm. Gain a sense of the spiritual life of the ancient Greeks as
you explore the beautiful statues in the local museum or stroll up
the hillside towards the ancient stadium.
Day 5
Drive north along E95, route 30 and then E92. You’ll pass the towns of Lamia and Trikala. Lamia is attractively located at
the western end of the Maliakos Gulf and makes a charming lunch stop
while Trikala is a pleasant and bustling agricultural town. Continue
on to the amazing monastic site, Meteora. Here monks, seeking refuge
from the marauders of the plains, constructed monasteries in the
bizarre rock formations.
Day 6
Continue north through the heart of beautiful Thessaly along E92 and route 15. Take road E90 for 30km east towards Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. Situated on the lovely
Thermaic Gulf, this cultured city is a treasure trove of Byzantine
interest. Check out Agios Dimitrios, Greece’s largest church, and
see the lovely mosaics in Agia Sophia. No visit to the city is
complete, however, without seeing the artifacts from the tomb of
Phillip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, which are
on display at the Archeological Museum.
Day 7
Drive south from Thessaloniki along road E75. You’ll approach the impressive bulk of Mt. Olympus, Greece’s highest peak at over 2900 metres. In ancient times this mountain was believed to be the reside of the Gods and the lush slopes and massive bulk certainly suggest the sacred. The ascent is extremely difficult so most visitors make it no further than the village of Litohoro, from which the snowy summit can be admired at ease. Carry on south and then take route 34 to the Pelion peninsula. Traditional whitewashed villages are dotted throughout this lush and fertile region and many restaurants offer good local food and wine. Stay in the dramatically located town, Makrynitsa, one of the loveliest in Greece.
Final Day
Make an early start heading south along the E75 and arrive in Athens in time for some last minute shopping in the Kolonaki district. Be certain to give the trip to the airport some time, as Athens’ traffic can be dreadful.
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