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Overview

Customized self-drive tour of Greece

This classic road trip in Greece lets you see the main highlights of this country without taking up too much of your time. It’s simple: we organize a self-drive tour of Greece where

- You choose the dates
- You decide whom you travel with
- You travel freely without any guides
- You have all the relevant travel documentation.

Greece boasts some 16,000 km of coastline, split evenly between its thousands of islands and the continental mainland.

Greek shores offer exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc. The diversity of these shores combined with the crystal clear waters that surround them have made the world-famous Greek islands extremely popular.

Thousands of Greek shores are easily accessible and you can discover these in complete freedom, usually with few other swimmers around. There are also dozens of beaches offering a number of quality services and amenities, including parasols, chairs, changing rooms, cafés, bars, restaurants, etc.

Feel free to contact our Greece specialist today for more information on this customized self-drive tour of Greece!

Itinerary

Day 1| International Flight

Day 2| Athens
Arrival at Athens airport - Transfer to your hotel in Athens - Dinner and overnight in Athens

Day 3| Athens - Nafplion (150 km)
Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel during breakfast. Today your destination is the beautiful region known as Argolis. Head for Corinth via the Corinth Canal. You might want to stop and visit Ancient Corinth and its museum. Next stop: Mycenae, followed by Epidaurus’ theatre. You should have enough time to visit the fortress of Palamidi or Bourtzi castle, and perhaps, late in the afternoon, enjoy a stroll in the picturesque city of Nafplion, once the country’s capital. Dinner and overnight in Nafplion.

Day 4| Nafplion - Olympia (165 km)
After breakfast, we recommend that you take the time to enjoy a nice morning stroll around the wonderful city of Nafplion. Today, your destination is Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Leave Nafplion behind and head for Tripoli, followed by Olympia. In august, during the height of summer, when the moon’s silvery glow shines on the archeological site of Ancient Olympia and lights up its monuments, romantically inclined nocturnal visitors might think they are witnessing a miracle. When the lighting is dim, imagination runs wild and breathes new life into the buildings of the sacred Altis: the gymnasium, the palestra, the Senate, as well as the temples of Hera and Zeus. The Olympic stadium is shaken by the cries of thousands of multicolored spectators celebrating the winner of the race as he crosses the finish line. And when the crowds subside and retreat to the tents on the shores of Alphios and Cladeos rivers, Zeus and his lightning, father of gods and men, sits on his marble throne, satisfied with the visitors. With competition and emulation, mankind has transformed quarrels and conflicts as well as hatred and passions into peaceful competition and reconciliation. The prize: an olive branch.
If your imagination doesn’t quite paint this picture, don’t worry: you can discover the region’s history thanks to Olympia’s archeological site and museum. Dinner and overnight in Olympia.

Day 5| Olympia - Delphi (190 km)
Enjoy breakfast. Visit the archeological site and the museum. Today you set your sights on Delphi. Head for Pyrgos, then take the coastal route until Patra and reach the newly built suspension bridge in Rio, Europe’s longest. Drive across Antirio and head for Nafpaktos - Galaxidi - Itea – Delphi. Time permitting, stop in the picturesque village of Galaxidi. Once you reach Delphi or Arachova, you can settle into your hotel and enjoy a pleasant stroll in the town of Arachova, nestled at the foot of the Parnassus. Aside from its beauty, this city is known for its hand-woven carpets and comforters as well as its food and savory taverns. Dinner and overnight in Delphi or nearby Arachova (10 km).

Day 6| Delphi – Meteora (225 km)
Breakfast is followed by a visit of the archeological site and museum. This area was once considered the center (“Omphalos”) of the earth. Today your destination is Kalambaka and the Meteora. Head north towards Lamia, Karditsa, Trikala, and finally, Kalambaka, at the foot of the Meteora, a stunning site with surprising monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 7| Meteora - Athens (320 km)
After breakfast, visit 1-3 monasteries of your choosing. You will adore this unique and rewarding experience! Note that we can organize guided visits of the monasteries for those interested. Once you are done with your visits, it’s time to return to Athens. Late afternoon arrival in Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Day 8| Athens
Enjoy your last breakfast and some free time in Athens before being taken to the airport for your international flight back home.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Lodging

The Greek Shores
Greece boasts 16,000 km of coastline evenly split between its thousands of islands and the mainland. The Greek shores offer exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc. The diversity of these shores combined with the crystal clear waters that surround them have made the world-famous Greek islands extremely popular. In 2004, 378 Greek beaches and 7 marinas were awarded the blue flag under the “Blue Flags of Europe” program, placing Greece among Europe’s best.
The Greek shores are easily accessible and you can discover these in complete freedom, usually with few other swimmers around. There are also dozens of beaches offering a number of quality services, including parasols, chairs, changing rooms, cafés, bars, restaurants, etc.
Apart from swimming, many other water sports are available, including water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing (solo or duo), tubing, banana boating, jet skiing, pedal boating, etc. Developed beaches lifeguards on duty to ensure the safety of swimmers in the surrounding waters.

The Greek Islands
The islands of Greece are a defining characteristic of this country’s territory. They are an integral part of society and have shaped its culture and traditions. There are 6,000 islands and islets scattered between the Aegean and Ionian seas, only 227 of which are inhabited – a phenomenon unique in all of Europe.

The Greek islands boast 7,500 km of shores, for a national total of 16,000 km. These shores display exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc.
Many beaches have received awards from the Blue Flags of Europe program. Apart from swimming, they lend themselves to scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. As they represent the cradle of some of the most ancient and prosperous European civilizations (the Cycladic, Minoan civilizations, etc.), the islands boast unique archaeological sites, an outstanding architectural heritage, and centuries old, fascinating local traditions of a multifaceted cultural past. It’s not surprising then that 58.5% of the country’s lodging establishments and 62.6% of hotel beds are found on the islands (data for 2003). All the above, combined with the ideal climate, the safety of Greek waters and the short distances between ports and coasts, have made these islands extremely popular among Greek and foreign visitors. Note that most islands are located in the Aegean Sea.

The Islands are divided into 7 archipelagos (from north to south):

The Northeastern Aegean Islands: Agios Efstratios, Thassos, Ikaria, Lesbos, Lemnos, Oinousses, Samos, Samothrace, Chio and Psara.
The Sporades: Alonnissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, and Skyros.
Euboea (Evia) island
The Saronic Islands: Angistri, Aegina, Poros, Salamis, Spetses, Hydra, and the coasts of Methana.
The Cyclades: an archipelago made up of 56 islands, including Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros, and the "Little Cyclades" (Donoussa, Heraklia, Koufonisia and Schinousa).
The Dodecanese: Astypalea, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos and Chalki.
Crete


Rental Terms and Conditions

1. Minimum rental period. The minimum rental period is 1 day.
2. Minimum driver age. All drivers of rented vehicles must hold a valid EU or International Drivers license for at least 1 year prior to rental. Drivers for cars of categories A, A1, B, B1, C must be at least 23 years old, whereas for cars in categories D, E, F, G, BA, K, J, R, T, S, S1,X , L drivers must be at least 25 years old.
3. Minimum kilometer charge. All rentals are subject to a per kilometer charge for all kilometers driven, with a minimum of 100 km per day. This charge applies unless otherwise stated on the Rental Agreement.
4. Maintenance. The renter performs the scheduled maintenance. The renter due to normal wear and tear periodically replaces the tires of the vehicles. All other damages due to misuse of the vehicle is charged to the rentee (i.e Damaged tire sidewalks etc.)
5. Basic insurance coverage. All vehicles are covered with basic Third Party Liability Insurance as required by Greek law. Coverage limits: Third Party Bodily Injury 500,000.00 euro, Third Party Property Damage 100,000.00 euro
OPTIONAL Coverage
A. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - Covers the vehicle irrelevantly of liability, with a deductible amount of 400.00 Euro for car groups A, A1, B, B1, BA, C, and 600.00 Euro for cars in categories D,E,F,G,R,T,1.100,00 Euro for car groups J,K,S and 1.500,00 Euro for cars in categories X, L, S1.
Daily Charge: For this coverage is 11.00, 15.00, 20.00 and 27.00 Euro for the above car categories respectively.
B. Full Damage Waiver (FDW) - Covers the deductible amount that applies to the CDW coverage.
Daily Charge: For car groups A,A1,B,B1,BA,C 5.00 Euro, for car groups D,E,F,G,R,T, 7.00 Euro, for car groups J,K,S 12,00 Euro and for car groups X,L,S1 18.00 Euro.
C. Theft Waiver (TW) - Covers the rented vehicle against total theft with a deductible amount of 300.00 Euro for all groups, except L & S1 that it is 600.00 Euro.
Daily Charge: For car groups A,A1,B,B1,BA,C 3,00 Euro, for car groups D,E,F,G,J,R,S, 4.00 Euro and for groups T,X,L,K,S1 5.00 Euro.
D. Full Theft Waiver (FTW) - Covers the deductible amount that applies to the TW coverage.
Daily Charge: 2.50 Euro.
E. Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) - Covers the driver of the vehicle up to the amount of 14,673.51 Euro in case disability or death.
Daily Charge: 2.50 Euro
6. Optional Equipment / Additional Charges:
A. Child or Baby Seat (CS, BS) - Daily Charge: 3.00 Euro (max 25.00 Euro)
B. Snow Chains (SC) - Daily Charge: 3.00 Euro (max 25.00 Euro)
C. Language Rack (LR) - Daily Charge: 3.00 Euro (max 25.00 Euro)
D. Delivery or Collection of vehicle from or to locations other than the National stations (COL, DEL) - Charge: 8.00 Euro within city limits and 0.40 Euro per kilometer outside city limits.
E. Delivery beyond rental station operation operating hours (NDL) - Charge: 15,00 Euro.
F. Additional Driver (ADD) - Daily Charge: 2,00 Euro.
7. Traffic or other municipal fines. The Driver is fully Liable.
8. Accident administration fee. In case of accidents an administration fee of 25.00 euro will be charged. This charge applies irrelevantly of party at fault.
9. Cross boarder policy. Cross boarder rentals are allowed only within the EU. Prior written authorization is required. There is also an insurance premium fee that applies depending on the length of the trip and the country.
10. Transport of vehicle via ship or other media. Renter΄s written authorization is required.
11. Taxes. All rentals are subject to the following taxes:
A. Airport tax: 13% for rentals from Athens Airport (El. Venizelos), 6% for rentals from all other Airport Rental Locations.
B. Vat 19% for all locations except Rhodes, Karpathos where it is 13%.
13. Car types. All car types mentioned are sample models and are subject to change with similar models at the Renter΄s discretion.
14. Road side assistance. Provided through Interpartner Assistance - (tel. 210-9406224).
15. Security Deposits (SD) - A Security Deposit is required for all rentals. The amount of the security deposit varies based on method of payment and chosen optional coverage. For Cash Rentals (available for car groups A,A1,B,B1) the SD amount is equal to the full cast of the rental plus a 60.00 euro fuel deposit, plus a deductible amount (depending on the car group) plus 120.00 euro per rental day. For credit card rentals the SD amount is equal to the rental cost plus a 60.00 euro fuel deposit, plus a deductible deposit (depending on the car group). If CDW coverage is not included an additional amount equal to the value of the vehicle is required.
16. One way rental: Availability and Charge, are subject to location.
17. Terms, conditions & prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Overview

Greece boasts 16,000 km of coastline evenly split between its thousands of islands and the mainland. The Greek shores offer exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc. The diversity of these shores combined with the crystal clear waters that surround them have made the world-famous Greek islands extremely popular. In 2004, 378 Greek beaches and 7 marinas were awarded the blue flag under the “Blue Flags of Europe” program, placing Greece among Europe’s best.
The Greek shores are easily accessible and you can discover these in complete freedom, usually with few other swimmers around. There are also dozens of beaches offering a number of quality services, including parasols, chairs, changing rooms, cafés, bars, restaurants, etc.
Apart from swimming, many other water sports are available, including water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing (solo or duo), tubing, banana boating, jet skiing, pedal boating, etc.


The islands...
In the Aegean sea, little white houses bask in a bright and warm sun, surrounded by crystal clear waters: welcome to the Cyclades! The Greek islands are probably the country’s most famous asset. They are an integral part of society and have shaped its culture and traditions.
There are 6,000 islands and islets scattered between the Aegean and Ionian seas, only 227 of which are inhabited, a phenomenon unique in all of Europe. The Greek islands boast 7,500 km of shores, for a national total of 16,000 km. These shores display exceptionally diverse landscapes: long, clean beaches, sheltered bays and small coves, sandy beaches lined with dunes, pebble beaches, rocky peaks towering over underwater caves, black sand beaches typical of volcanic soil, coastal wetlands, etc.
Many beaches have received awards from the Blue Flags of Europe program. Apart from swimming, they lend themselves to scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. As they represent the cradle of some of the most ancient and prosperous European civilizations (the Cycladic, Minoan civilizations, etc.), the islands boast unique archaeological sites, an outstanding architectural heritage, and centuries-old, fascinating local traditions of a multifaceted cultural past. It’s not surprising then that 58.5% of the country’s lodging establishments and 62.6% of hotel beds are found on the islands (data for 2003). All the above, combined with the ideal climate, the safety of Greek waters and the short distances between ports and coasts, have made these islands extremely popular among Greek and foreign visitors.

Geography

Greece is a mountainous country, with more than 300 mountains of varying sizes on its territory. The Pindus Mountains, often called the “spine of Greece”, form the country’s main mountain range, extending from the mainland down to the Peloponnese and Crete. Most Greek islands are actually the peaks of the underwater Aegean mountains that long ago connected Greece with continental Asia. The country’s highest mountain is the mythical Mount Olympus in Macedonia, where Mytikas peak culminates at 2917 m. Some 40 mountainous areas spread across the country have peaks rising over 2,000 meters. The Greek mountains are characterized by their diversity, their unique landscape and their exceptional forests, some of which are among Europe’s oldest natural forests. To help protect their unparalleled natural wealth (flora and fauna), many of these forests are classified as natural reserves.

Culture

Greece is filled with prestigious archeological sites and charming monuments rich in history, each a reminder of a specific period in this country’s long and impressive history. Visitors have the opportunity to make a unique journey into Greece’s past and discover its historical and cultural wealth, each of the country’s regions bearing a local reminder of one of this ancient civilization’s many facets.

The following archeological and cultural sites are on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites:

• Mount Athos (monastery complex)
• Athens (Acropolis)
• Bassae (temple of Apollo Epicurus)
• Vergina - Aigai
• Delphi (archeological site)
• Delos (archeological site)
• Epidaurus (archeological site)
• Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments in Thessalonika
• Meteora monasteries
• Mystras (medieval town)
• Monasteries of Dafni (Attica), Hosios Loukas (Phocida) and Nea Moni of Chios
• Archeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns
• Olympia (archeological site)
• Patmos (Saint-John monastery and cave of the Apocalypse)
• Medieval city of Rhodes
• Samos (Pythagoreion and Heraion)

Climate

The climate in Greece is Mediterranean, which means plenty of sunshine, little rain, and warm temperatures. Thanks to its geographical location, mountainous terrain, and a territory split between the sea and the mainland, Greece’s climate varies considerably as one travels from one place to another. In the summer, the Meltelmi winds bring a breath of fresh air on the warmer days, while the temperatures remain lower in the mountainous areas. In the plains, winters are fair with little snowfall, while the mountains receive their fair share of snow. Temperature variations within the same season are frequent (for example, coastal temperatures are warm while it’s very cold in the mountains).

When to sail?

April/May/mid-June:
Spring in the islands offers lots of sunshine. The flowers are in bloom and the air full of Mediterranean fragrances. Moderate winds and a warm breeze mean the conditions are right for family sailing. The sea is still cold in April, but once May rolls in the water becomes more inviting.




Mid-June/July/August:
Warm and dry summer, more demanding sailing conditions due to Northern winds: the Meltemi. Enjoy fine evenings and refreshing sunsets as you drop anchor in a warm and lively port in the Cyclades.

September/October:
“A lovely autumn that doesn’t fear winter”. After summer, things calm down. Winds become moderate. The days get shorter, but the sunsets are more beautiful. Having been warmed by the sun all summer long, the water temperature is ideal. Smooth sailing and fair weather for those who dread the summer heat.