Great discounts on tours departing in next 4 months – Todays Feature Best of Greece Tour
21st August 2025
Here at Best Value Tours our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be delighted to help you find your perfect tour and best discount.
For up to an extra 15% discount of many multi-day tours, Call or WhatsApp us on:
Email us at enquries@bestvaluetours.co.uk
Or go to our website www.bestvluetours.co.uk where you can live text with us (message service available 24 hours a day/365 days a year, live text during normal working hours)
Best Value Tours we are delighted to offer up to 15% extra discount on many of our UK and Ireland, European and World-Wide Multi-day Tours and River Cruises departing in the next four months. And with Autumn approaching this is a great time to tour across Europe, with the temperature more pleasant that the summer highs. Today we feature an enchanting 8 Day Best of Greece Tour with Cruise included (Greece still enjoys warm weather right up to Christmas) just one of many tours available to book today with great discounts. Full details of our feature tour below and other multi-day/day tours we offer. First some fascinating information about The Ancient Olympic Stadium, The Panathenaic Stadium where you visit in Athens.
The Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, stands as a unique monument bridging antiquity and modern sport. Built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, it occupies the site of the ancient stadium used for the Panathenaea, one of Athens’ most important festivals. Remarkably, it is the only stadium in the world constructed entirely of marble, earning it the local name Kallimarmaron (“beautifully marbled”).
The Panathenaic Games began around 566 BCE, celebrated every four years in honor of the goddess Athena. They were likely conceived as a counterpart to the Olympic Games held at Olympia. The original stadium, built in a rectangular form, was completed in 330 BCE to host the competitions.
In the 2nd century CE, under Roman rule, the wealthy Athenian writer Herodes Atticus financed a complete rebuilding of the structure. This version, crafted entirely of marble, adopted a horseshoe shape and expanded to hold about 50,000 spectators. While built in classical Athenian style, it reflected Roman ambition in its scale. The stadium likely saw its first contests in 143 CE.
The stadium’s active use ended in 393 CE, when Emperor Theodosius I banned both the Olympic Games and the Panathenaea as pagan celebrations. Abandoned, the site gradually fell into obscurity.
Archaeological traces of the ancient stadium were uncovered in the 1830s, with formal excavations beginning in 1870. Around this time, Greek philanthropist Evangelos Zappas attempted to revive the Olympic spirit by holding competitions there in 1870 and 1875.
When Athens was chosen to host the first modern Olympics in 1896, the decision was made to rebuild the stadium on its historic foundations. The ambitious reconstruction, led by architects Anastasios Metaxas and Ernst Ziller, was financed by philanthropist George Averoff. Completed in 1895, the new stadium closely followed the ancient layout but could accommodate up to 80,000 spectators.
The Panathenaic Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies as well as several competitions of the 1896 Olympic Games, cementing its place as a symbol of the modern Olympic revival.
Although the Olympic Games did not return to Greece until 2004, when new facilities were built, the Panathenaic Stadium remained a central part of the celebrations. During the 2004 Athens Olympics, it hosted the archery competition and served as the finishing point for both the men’s and women’s marathons.
The stadium also plays a continuing role in Olympic tradition: it is the site where the Olympic flame is ceremonially handed over to each host country. Beyond sports, the venue regularly hosts cultural events, concerts, and national celebrations.
The Panathenaic Stadium embodies more than two millennia of athletic and cultural history. From its origins as a stage for ancient Athenian festivals to its rebirth as the setting for the first modern Olympics, it remains a living monument to Greece’s enduring legacy in world sport and culture.
8 Day Best of Greece Tour with Cruise
Step into a world where ancient history meets island paradise on this incredible 8 day tour, “Best of Greece tour with Cruise”. Your adventure begins and ends in Athens, the very heart of Western Civilisation. This journey is meticulously crafted to immerse you in Greece’s profound archaeological treasures. Before sweeping you away to the sun-drenched beauty of the Aegean Islands, even touching upon Turkey’s ancient past.
Your exploration of Athens starts with its captivating energy. Walk its ancient pavements, seeking out the artistry and architectural wonders that abound. A Local Guide will lead you through the awe-inspiring Acropolis, home to the iconic Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena. You’ll also view the Panathinaiko Olympic Stadium, the majestic Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, admiring the uniquely clad Evzone guards.
Next, follow the legendary path of ancient Greeks to Delphi, once the most important site in the ancient world. Walk the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo, imagining the wisdom sought from the Oracle whose prophecies often came true. Learn about Delphi’s fame as the host of the Pythian Games. A scenic drive then takes you past Thermopylae. The heroic site where King Leonidas and his brave Spartans made their legendary stand. Your journey continues to Kalambaka, setting the stage for the mystical.
Prepare to be mesmerized by Meteora. A UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient monasteries cling almost impossibly to towering rounded rock formations. Join a Local Guide to explore this heavenly Eastern Orthodox complex, built by monks in the 14th century.
Then, set your watch to island time as you board your Aegean cruise, where good food and stunning vistas become your priorities. Your first island stop is the cosmopolitan Mykonos, famous for its ‘island of the winds’ charm, where you can wander through the narrow streets of Chora. The cruise then sweeps you to the breathtaking volcanic wonder of Santorini. Rise from the deep blue Aegean to discover villages perched on dramatic cliffs, offering unparalleled views over the caldera. Consider a Choice Experience to explore its iconic white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches, especially in Oia at sunset.
Your cruise also takes you to the Turkish coast, where you’ll step back in time at Ephesus near Kusadasi. Stroll along Curetes Street, marvel at the grand Library of Celsus, and see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Finally, visit Patmos, where history and legend collide, as it’s said the disciple John wrote the Book of Revelation here. Your unforgettable journey concludes as you disembark back in Athens, filled with memories spanning millennia.
Tour map
Included
7 Nights Accommodation
14 Meals, 7 Breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 Dinners
Transport; Luxury air conditioned coach
with Wi-Fi
Tour Highlights
Explore Athens’ iconic Acropolis and the magnificent Parthenon.
Seek wisdom at the ancient Oracle of Delphi and its Temple of Apollo.
Visit the mystical, gravity-defying monasteries of Meteora.
Embrace the laid-back charm and vibrant streets of Mykonos.
Be captivated by Santorini’s iconic caldera views and white-washed villages.
Step back in time exploring the grand ancient ruins of Ephesus in Turkey.
Discover the spiritual significance of Patmos, home to the Cave of the Apocalypse.
View the historic Panathinaiko Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Witness the legendary battle site of Thermopylae.
Enjoy a relaxing Aegean cruise visiting legendary Greek islands.
Our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be delighted to help you find your perfect tour and best discount.
For up to an extra 15% discount of many multi-day tours, Call or WhatsApp us on:
Email us at enquries@bestvaluetours.co.uk
Or go to our website www.bestvluetours.co.uk where you can live text with us (message service available 24 hours a day, live text during normal working hours)
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