ATHENIANS & ARABICS

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 assistant 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. He 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 the first step of your booking!

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning at your own pace—sleep in, explore nearby areas, or simply unwind—before meeting your assistant at Syntagma Square at 15:40 to witness the Changing of the Guards in front of the Hellenic Parliament at 16:00.

Shortly after, we will board our vehicle together and begin a panoramic city tour, offering a comprehensive introduction to Athens and its most important landmarks. During the tour, we will see:

The Athenian Trilogy (National Library, University of Athens, and Academy of Athens), the Presidential Residence, the Kallimarmaro Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium), the Zappeion, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Gate, while making short stops to take in the beauty of these landmarks and capture memorable photos.

Our tour will come to an end at the top of Philopappou Hill, offering stunning views of the city. Here, our assistant will provide recommendations for those who wish to continue exploring independently, whether visiting the Acropolis, discovering Monastiraki, or enjoying a meal in Plaka.

This tour is conveniently designed to finish at around 19:30, allowing you some time to rest before making your way to Mornastiraki to join the Athens by Night Walking Tour, and see another side of the city under the moonlight.

Greca Tip: If you wish to visit the Acropolis, you can do so at your own pace, in the morning or after the afternoon tour, keeping in mind that the site closes at sunset. You can purchase your tickets for the Acropolis in step 2 of your reservation.

Today, you have the opportunity to enjoy a free day in Athens, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. Alternatively, if you're in the mood for an enchanting experience, you can opt for a captivating one-day cruise to three stunning islands nestled in the picturesque Saronic Gulf.

On the one hand, if you choose to embark on the full-day cruise, you will be conveniently transferred to the port, where your adventure begins. The itinerary includes visits to three remarkable islands: Aegina, renowned for its delightful assortment of pistachios; Poros, celebrated for its scenic beauty; and Hydra, the greenest among these islands, boasting elegant stone mansions, a tranquil atmosphere, and car-free streets.

On board the ship, you can indulge in a delectable lunch accompanied by traditional Greek music and dance. At the end of the day, you will be comfortably transferred back to your hotel, ensuring a seamless experience.

On the other hand, if you decide to spend the day in Athens, you will have the freedom to explore the city's rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks at your own leisurely pace.

Greca Tip: You can add the cruise during step 1/3 while booking. If you do, make sure to try the different varieties of pistachio nuts grown on the famous island of Aegina!

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will have a free day to explore the city of Athens at your leisure. Take the opportunity to visit the city's renowned attractions, immerse yourself in its rich history by exploring museums and archaeological sites, and wander through the charming alleys of the historic city center.

Alternatively, if you wish to venture beyond Athens, you have the option to spend a day (or even several days) exploring the Peloponnese peninsula or visiting Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Greca Tip: If you prefer to explore Athens independently without organized tours, we recommend taking the pedestrianized Apostolou Pavlou path to reach the ancient Agora and Monastiraki areas. Another option is to ascend Mount Lycabettus for breathtaking views of the city. This way, you can discover Athens at your own pace and create your unique experience.

At the designated time, you will be transferred to Athens International Airport to catch your flight to the United Arab Emirates.

Upon arrival in Dubai, a member of our English-speaking team will be waiting for you at the exit to provide assistance. He will share all the necessary details of your trip, address any questions or concerns you may have, and offer a brief introduction to the city and its daily life.

You will then be transported to your hotel in one of our private vehicles. Your assistant will assist you with the check-in process at the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and, if you wish, to begin exploring and experiencing the wonders of this incredible metropolis at your own pace.

Greca Tip: Be sure to check out our blog for comprehensive insights on this timeless yet modern destination.

The day will begin with a delectable buffet breakfast at the hotel, followed by a half-day excursion to Classic Dubai at the designated time guided by our knowledgeable tour guide.

This tour will take you through the captivating old Dubai, starting with a visit to the historic Bastakia area. As you stroll through its narrow streets, you will be immersed in the charm of the city's oldest residential neighborhood. Marvel at the well-preserved merchant houses, explore galleries, and discover delightful restaurants and cafes.

Next, you will board an "Abra" river taxi to cross the Dubai River and reach the vibrant opposite shore, where the renowned Spices and Gold Souks await. These bustling marketplaces are nestled within a maze of narrow alleys, offering a captivating array of fragrances, spices, incense, and herbs used in Arabic and South Asian cuisine.

Continuing the journey, you will venture to the Jumeirah area, where you'll catch sight of grand Sheikh palaces. Take advantage of a strategic stop to capture breathtaking photos of the Jumeirah Mosque and the iconic Burj Al Arab, the world's only 7-star hotel shaped like a sail.

Before concluding the tour, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Dubai's magnificent skyscrapers that line Sheikh Zayed Road, leading up to the impressive Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on the planet. Capture the moment with some truly awe-inspiring photographs.

Afterward, you will return to the hotel, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax or continue exploring the city's enchanting offerings. In the evening, you can enjoy a peaceful night of accommodation and well-deserved rest.

Greca Tip: Consider enhancing your experience with an optional dinner aboard a traditional "Dhow" cruise. Step aboard this historic vessel once used for transporting goods in the 1970s, and savor a delicious meal while sailing through the Marina area. Be captivated by the spectacular panoramic views of the beautifully illuminated buildings that grace the waterfront.

In the morning, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Then our guide will pick you up to move to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and considered the Manhattan of the Middle East and, at the same time, the administrative center of the country.

On the way to Abu Dhabi, you will pass through Jebel Ali and its Free Zone, the largest artificial port in the world. Once you arrive in the wonderful Abu Dhabi, you will visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, considered the third largest in the world, with a capacity of up to 40,000 people. Then, you will move to the modern area, called Al Bateen, where the Royal Palaces are located.

Then you will enjoy the promenade known as "the Corniche", where you can take spectacular panoramic photos outside the Emirates Palace Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in the world, categorized as 7 stars.

You will continue the tour on Saadiyat Island, the cultural district of the city, where you will visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. There, you will have free time to enjoy the more than 600 works of art that this enormous complex offers you, here you can be dazzled by the most famous works of artists of the stature of Piet Mondrian, Edouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, Cy Twombly, and Ai Weiwei.

To end your tour, you will visit the House of the Abrahamic Family, this project embodies the relationships between the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and has a Church, a Mosque, and a Synagogue along with a large library and exhibition galleries.

At the end of the tour, you will transfer to your hotel in Abu Dhabi where you will stay.

Greca Tip: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are planned cities and have specially built pedestrian areas, such as the "Corniche" area, you can also travel by bicycle.

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel, setting the stage for a memorable day to explore Abu Dhabi. The remainder of the day is entirely yours, free to discover the city and immerse yourself in this bustling and vibrant place.

Take advantage of the opportunity to visit any outstanding attractions on your list, indulge in some retail therapy at one of the magnificent malls, delve into the thrilling world of theme parks available in this grand metropolis, or consider embarking on an optional excursion that piques your interest.

Greca Tip: Don't miss the chance to experience the epitome of luxury shopping at the renowned Marina Mall. It is considered one of the country's most opulent shopping centers, offering an unforgettable retail experience that is not to be missed.

In the morning, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast and then, at the indicated time, begin the transfer to the modern city of Dubai, where you will arrive at the hotel to check in. Once there, you will have free time to enjoy the comforts of the Hotel or rest a bit.

In the afternoon, the guide will pick you up at the hotel between 3:00 P.M. and 3:30 P.M. and the included excursion will begin desert safari. You will be transferred in luxurious 4x4 vehicles, and will get to know a different environment, you will have fun traveling and sliding down the immense dunes. During the tour, you will see camel farms in the middle of the imposing desert landscape, an ideal moment to take photos.

You will make a stop to appreciate the majesty of the sunset in Arabia, surrounded by dunes. Upon arrival at the camp, in a traditional Arab atmosphere, you will enjoy a delicious feast in the moonlight.

At night, you will dine on traditional grilled dishes, fresh salads, red meats, and chicken, and for dessert typical fruits of the region. During dinner, you will enjoy an Arab folkloric show with the famous Belly Dance.

After dinner, you will return to the hotel in Dubai, to enjoy its comforts, rest and replenish energy for the next day.

Greca Tip: If you are a sports fanatic, be sure to check out the sandboarding and camel ride options!

In the morning, you will enjoy a hearty and delicious breakfast and then, at the scheduled time, you will transfer to the Dubai International Airport. Here the tour will end.

From Greca, we hope to see you again to enjoy some wonderful moments that will remain forever in your memory.

Have a good trip! Or, as the locals say, "Rihlat saeida!"

Tip Greca: If your stay was not enough to get to know this modern and, at the same time, classic destination, we invite you to add as many additional nights as you wish in step 1/3 of your reservation.