12-DAY GREECE RAIL ADVENTURE
12 Days of Wild Train Rides, Greek Wine, Pies & Pastries
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
From the 75 cm-wide Odontotos to a 1926 Orient Express carriage, this trip is a train-lover’s heaven on wheels.
In Nemea, you’ll swirl, sip and toast with local reds so bold they were (allegedly) Hercules’ drink of choice.
No slow build here. You’ll kick things off with the Parthenon, a skyline view that slaps and enough myth to last a lifetime.
Learn the flaky-fold magic of traditional Greek pies, then eat your creations under a vine-draped terrace. You’ll never look at Spanakopita the same way again.
Hop aboard the Moutzouris for a slow roll through Pelion’s forests and bridges – complete with marble viaducts and sea views through the trees!
Trip Breakdown
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
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$2,047 AUD
Private Supplement: +$470
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$2,047 AUD
Private Supplement: +$470
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$2,047 AUD
Private Supplement: +$470
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Details
- 2-week cooling-off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: We’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available: max 2 spots.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Chaining Trips
Some departures of this trip chain with others, so it’s possible to extend your adventure: Swiss Alps (4 MAY)
Trip length
12 days, 11 nights
Meeting point
The Jason Inn, Athens, Greece
Ending point
Modern Revival Luxury Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece
Group size
Maximum 14 people
Inclusions
- Meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- All trains and private road transfers as listed
- Transfers between hotels and train stations
- 11 nights in premium boutique accommodation
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
- Specialist local guides as needed
- All listed activities and more!
Exclusions
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Visa (See FAQs for more information)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Have a group?
Contact us and we can arrange a private departure.
Overview
Train Journeys Included
Day 3: Athens to Diakopto
Day 3: Historic Rack Railway “Odontotos” from Diakopto to Kalavryta
Day 5: Historic Rack Railway from Kalavryta to Diakopto
Day 9: The Mountzouris steam train traversing the Pelion peninsula
Day 9: Train ride from Pelion to Mt. Olympus
Day 11: From Mt. Olympus to Thessaloniki city
Accommodation Preview
FILOXENIA HOTEL & SPA, KALAVRYTA
VILLA PANTHEON, LITOCHORO
MODERN REVIVAL LUXURY HOTEL, THESSALONIKI
Trip Summary
| Trip Summary | B | L | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Welcome to Greece! | |||
| Day 2 | Athens off the Beaten Track | |||
| Day 3 | Kalavryta and the Odontotos Rack Railway | |||
| Day 4 | Mount Helmos and Kastria Lakes Cave | |||
| Day 5 | Travel Day and Winery Visit | |||
| Day 6 | Explore Nafplio historical coast and free afternoon. | |||
| Day 7 | Learn about Spartan history, a seaside lunch and Pelion | |||
| Day 8 | Walk the cobblestone path of Pelion and explore the village of Milies | |||
| Day 9 | Make and munch your own Pelion Pie and ride the Mountzouris Steam Train | |||
| Day 10 | Walk through the Enipeas Gorge and explore Dion - the Sacred City of Zeus | |||
| Day 11 | Thessaloniki and the Rail Museum | |||
| Day 12 | Farewell Friends |
Trip Map
Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Greece!
Welcome to Greece, MagRailers! You’ll be scooped up at the airport by one of our friendly crew and whisked off to your hotel to drop your bags and shake off the jet lag. You’ve got just enough time to freshen up before things kick off properly at 4 pm.
No Athens intro is complete without the Acropolis, so you’re diving straight in. You’ll head up the hill with your expert local guide, who’ll bring the place to life with stories of gods, myths and ancient drama that would put any soap opera to shame. The views of Athens from up there are beyond words!
Afterwards, you’ll head out for a welcome dinner to remember… and we’ve really outdone ourselves with this one. Tables spill out along the pavement, winding through a churchyard and right beside old train tracks – a fitting setting for your first night on a rail-themed adventure! This is the beginning of something seriously special.
Accommodation: The Gem Society Hotel (or similar), Athens
Included: Dinner
Day 2 – Athens off the Beaten Path
This morning, you’ll get to see a side of Athens usually hidden from tourists. Led by a homeless guide, you’ll get up close and personal with the city on this eye-opening tour, winding through the backstreets that rarely make it into the guidebooks. It’s a real eye-opener and an experience our travellers always talk about long after the trip ends.
We’re carrying the social enterprise theme into lunch, swinging by Shedia Home, where formerly homeless locals have trained with top chefs to serve up seriously good food. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that this is a rooftop restaurant, so expect your meal to come with a side of fabulous views! Of course, the mission behind this place makes everything taste even better.
After some downtime, tonight’s dinner is inside a 1926 Orient Express carriage, parked on old train tracks and kitted out with live music, candlelight and all the vintage train vibes you could dream of. Swoon!
Accommodation: The Gem Society Hotel (or similar), Athens
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Kalavryta and the Odontotos Rack Railway
Train day has finally arrived and it’s a good one! First, you’ll roll from Athens to the seaside town of Diakopto. Then, things kick up a gear as you board the Odontotos rack railway, the narrowest train line in the world at just 75cm wide! Built in the 1890s to scale the steep mountain terrain, this thing climbs like a pro, clattering, clicking and squeezing through tunnels, skimming rock faces and winding along the Vouraikos Gorge like it’s the easiest thing in the world.
Jumping off at Kato Zachlorou, it’s straight to a tucked-away taverna set right in the gorge for lunch, before jumping back on board for the final stretch to Kalavryta. Your hotel tonight delivers big on the views, with plenty of old-school charm, timber beams and spa-laced cosiness. And after all that fresh mountain air today, you’ll be out like a light!
Accommodation: Filoxenia Hotel & Spa (or similar), Kalavryta
Included: Breakfast, lunch, DInner
Day 4 – Mount Helmos
Today’s got it all: Greek myths, cheese that’ll ruin all other cheeses for you and a cave so wild it looks like someone let a fantasy novel loose underground.
It all starts with a wander through Kalavryta’s cobbled streets, where you’ll get a taste (literally) of what this mountain village does best: local honey that lights up your tastebuds, zingy liqueurs and crumbly feta so good it deserves its own museum. Then, it’s just a short hop to the Kalavryta Holocaust Museum to learn about the town’s unexpected WWII history.
Ready to escape the heat? Then it’s time to head deep underground to the mind-bending Cave of Lakes. This place has 13 cascading lakes on three levels, ancient myths about cursed princesses and a labyrinth of stalactites that’ll make your head spin. Scientists love it here and once you’ve wandered its eerie chambers, you probably will too.
Accommodation: Filoxenia Hotel & Spa (or similar), Kalavryta
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Wine Country
Leave the mountains behind and swap them for grape-lined valleys! After loading your bags onto the bus, you’ll hop aboard the rack railway one last time for the gasp-worthy descent back through the Vouraikos Gorge. At the bottom, your chariot (ok… bus) awaits to whisk you into the myth-drenched hills of Nemea, aka wine country.
Ever heard of Agiorgitiko? You’re about to. This bold red wine is nicknamed the “blood of Hercules” – fitting, since the demigod allegedly slayed a monstrous lion in these very hills before kicking back with a glass or three to celebrate.
At the winery, you’ll tour the cellars, swirl and sip your way through local varietals and dig into a long lunch with views to match the vintage. Then it’s off to Nafplio, a seaside town so pretty it feels fictional. Check in, freshen up and get ready to feel the sea breeze in your hair as you tuck in to some seriously fresh seafood.
Accommodation: Park Hotel (or similar), Nafplio
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Nafplio
Today’s dedicated to Nafplio, a town that’s been everything from a Venetian stronghold to Greece’s first capital. First stop is Bourtzi, the sea-splashed fortress floating in the harbour, before you’ll head up (and up, and up some more!) to Palamidi Castle, an 18th-century beast of a building with views so good, you’ll forget about the 857 steps it took to get there. Feeling like a walk down instead of a walk up? We’ve got you covered! There’s also a road to the entrance and our bus will see you there without any of the huff and puff.
After all that history, the rest of the day is yours. If the sun’s out, do as the locals do and take a dip in the sea. The beaches in this part of the country hit differently. With their pebbled shores, turquoise waters and that “am I in a dream?” vibe, they’re almost too pretty to be real!
Come evening, you’re back together with your MagRail crew for dinner at a classic taverna. Get ready for clinking glasses, dishes piling up and the kind of belly laughs that only happen when strangers start feeling like close friends.
Accommodation: Park Hotel (or similar), Nafplio
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Kamena Vourla
You’ll hit the road north to Kamena Vourla this morning, but not before a detour to one of Greek history’s most badass battlefields: Thermopylae. At the museum, you’ll dive into the guts and glory of the infamous showdown between King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans vs the Persian Empire.
After all that ancient drama, you’ll roll into Kamena Vourla for a reset by the sea, involving a long seafood lunch right by the water. Fresh fish, salty air and zero rush = Bliss!
Let all that food digest as you settle back in on the bus, winding through forested hills as the coast fades behind you. The roads get greener, the air gets cooler and by the time you reach Vizitsa, it’ll feel like you’ve landed in a completely different Greece.
Accommodation: Mansion Karagionnopoulou (or similar), Vizitsa
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Pelion
Myths say Mount Pelion was once home to centaurs – half-horse, half-human creatures. So, it’s only natural to follow in their hoofsteps as you take on the leisurely hike along one of the region’s cobbled trails. The route we’ve picked out for you is only 7.5 kilometres and mostly downhill, so no worries – it’s not a grueller!
Setting off from Vizitsa, you’ll stroll through shady forest and past old stone bridges along the once-busy tracks of the Pelion railway, rocking up to the village of Milies as your tummies start to rumble. It’s time for lunch and in the village square, you’ll find plates piled high with whatever’s seasonal and sizzling, and locals doing what they do best: living slowly.
Why not adopt the way of life here and spend the afternoon recharging? Then, tonight, Pelion cuisine gets a second chance to show off to you, with hearty mountain dishes, local cheeses and everything laced with herbs from the hills.
Accommodation: Mansion Karagionnopoulou (or similar), Vizitsa
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – The Moutzouris Steam Train
Ease into the day with a slow coffee and the scent of something delicious… because you’re off to a pie-making class run by a women’s cooperative. Don’t worry if you’re usually rubbish in the kitchen: these ladies are pros and will show you the ropes, one flakey fold at a time. Lunch is what you just baked!
In the afternoon, the legendary Moutzouris steam train is about to set off for a descent through Pelion. This 19th-century beauty chugs through forests and over stone bridges, past marble viaducts and catching wow-worthy views of the sea. Hopping off the train, it’s just a short transfer to Volos, where you’ll get some time to stretch your legs and grab a snack before your final train of the day: a comfy modern ride north to the foothills of Mount Olympus.
Accommodation: Villa Pantheon (or similar), Litochoro
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Walking the Trails of Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus has always carried weight. For the ancient Greeks, it wasn’t simply the highest mountain in the country, it was also the home of the gods and the ultimate seat of power. Today, you’ll explore its quieter side with a walk through Enipeas Gorge. It’s an easy two-kilometre trail, mostly downhill, and packed with shady trees, bubbling streams and wooden bridges that wind through the foothills of the mountain. Lunch is at a nearby taverna where you’ll get to dive into grilled meats, fresh bread and tangy tzatziki as you fill your lungs with that fresh mountain air. Ahhh…
This afternoon, you’ll explore Dion, the ancient city dedicated to Zeus. One minute you’re walking through wildflowers, the next you’re standing in the middle of a 2,000-year-old theatre! The site is sprawling and packed with surprises seemingly around every corner. Old temples, mosaics, crumbling theatres, leafy paths – it’s got it all!
Accommodation: Villa Pantheon (or similar), Litochoro
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Thessaloniki
No single-night stays, no frantic early wakeups – we’ve taken our time on this trip and that slow pace continues today. After a relaxed checkout, it’s a bittersweet moment: the final train ride of the journey. Watch Greece shift from mountains to coast as you glide north to Thessaloniki, the country’s ultra-hip and culture-packed second city.
Before diving into city life, you’ll swing by the Thessaloniki Railway Museum, a treasure trove of old carriages, conductor hats and ticket stubs that feels like a love letter to rail travel.
Tonight’s farewell dinner pulls out all the stops. You’ll gather one last time with your MagRail crew at a taverna where live Greek music spills into the street and the platters just keep on coming. It’s the kind of night you’ll replay in your head on the plane home: full hearts, full bellies and one final round of grappa under the Thessaloniki stars. Opa!
Accommodation: Modern Revival Luxury Hotel (or similar), Thessaloniki
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Farewell Friends
Wakey wakey, it’s your final hotel brekkie, and yep, it’s feeling real now. After just over a week of trains, temples and truly top-tier travel mates, it’s time to part ways. Squeeze in your last hugs, swap numbers and hop in your airport transfer. Ta leme!
Included: Breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:EUR exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD: 0.56 EUR
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
Australian and NZ citizens do not need a visa to travel to Greece.
Level 1
So long as you have a general level of health and fitness, you’ll be OK. However, to enjoy this trip, you’ll need to be able to spend time on your feet and regularly walk for 2-3 hours. Daily activities will include:
- Walking on uneven and hilly ground, getting on and off various forms of transportation and occasionally climbing some stairs.
- You may also encounter over-the-bath showers in some of the accommodations.
- You may be required to use a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit-down toilets) but when you’re on the road, sometimes it’s the only choice available.
- Your luggage will travel by bus, even when you’re riding the trains, but you must still be able to manage your own luggage for short periods of time. Please pack with this in mind and limit your luggage to one piece and 1 hand luggage piece.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of on their behalf.
For your Greece adventure, we ask your contribution be: 120 Euro and given to your guide on Day 1.
The kitty will be managed by your guide and distributed along the way at restaurants for included meals, hotel staff, drivers and providers. Don’t worry – there’s some left at the end of the trip for your guide too!
Your luggage will travel by bus, even when you’re riding the trains, but you must still be able to manage your own luggage for short periods of time. Please pack with this in mind and limit your luggage to one piece (max 20kg) and 1 hand luggage piece.
Our Greece rail adventure runs in the cooler Spring and Autumn seasons to avoid the extreme summertime temperatures and peak season crowds. Overall, in the South (including Athens), the climate is usually drier and warmer, and in the north (Thessaloniki) it tends to be cooler and more humid.
April
April is a special month to travel in Greece because it’s wildflower season. Expect mostly sunny days and temperatures in the high tens to low twenties °C. You’ll need a jacket on hand for cooler nights and the odd rain shower. We recommend dipping your toe in the sea to test if the temperature suits before diving straight in!
September
September is a great month for sea and sun, with daytime temperatures reaching the high 20s °C and around 18 – 20 °C in the evenings. The sea is still warm after the summer, perfect for swimming. It’s a sweet spot in the calendar – summer energy lingers, but with fewer crowds.
Whenever we can, we’ve chosen charming boutique stays that capture the spirit of the region, mostly around 3-star comfort, and occasionally we’ve snuck in some 4-star touches. Sometimes it’s the shared patio views or unique location that make a hotel stand out. Other times it’s the local character that makes the stay special, and in smaller spots, rooms might differ in size and style.
We offer a limited number of private supplements per trip. If you book a private supplement, it means that your accommodation will be private, in other words no room-sharing with anyone, throughout the entire trip (unless noted). Naturally, private supplement accommodation means an additional charge to the base booking price (of Twin Share prices).
Magnificent Rail trips are mostly based on twin-share spots. If you book a twin-share spot as a solo traveller we’ll roomie you up with another solo traveller, meaning, you’ll share a room – but have a bed to yourself. During an initial phone chat with you we’ll cover several key questions, and do our best to match you with your roomie. Guests who travel with their partner or a friend will naturally be roomie-d up.
Most MagRailers tend to be couples in their mid-5os to mid-70s.
Generally, we have no upper age limit for our trips. But, it’s important for you to know that our trips can be physically demanding and we will chat to you about your suitability. We’ll provide you with details of the health and fitness must-haves for our trips; however, we clearly are not medical experts. We will need you to obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months before you travel for the latest health requirements, vaccination advice and recommendations for your destination.
Age 75+
Guests over 75 years old at the time of travel, or those with pre-existing health conditions may need to have medical clearance to ensure safe travel, and must have a doctor complete a ‘Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel’ within 30 days of booking confirmation.
Minimum age
While it doesn’t happen often, we do get younger guests joining our trips! As a general rule, the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or be accompanied by someone over the age of 18 appointed by their legal guardian.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
There are several code share flights departing Australia for Athens, Greece via Dubai, Doha and Istanbul.
Will we be picked up at the airport?
Yes! One of our friendly team will be waiting for you in the public arrivals area of the airport. You’ll transfer directly to the hotel. The transfer is free and in a private and air-conditioned vehicle, which you will only share if there is anyone else on your flight joining the tour.
When should we arrive?
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommendable. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
Greece uses the Euro (EUR) as its official currency.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
Whether you are a couple, or a couple of friends, or travelling solo, our Magnificent Rail journeys will appeal to anyone who is inspired by the charm of scenic rail travel and wants to see the best of a country.
Our adventures are designed to appeal to those in their 50s, and 60s and early 70s (but of course, everyone is welcome!) Our clients are curious and active, and want to find the magic of travel again, but with some modern comforts in unique and interesting places along the way. They’ve often avoided tours in the past because they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
They prefer insider perspectives and lingering longer in the right places for a deeper experience.
Send us an email at contact@magnificentrail.com.au or give us a call at +61 482 095 648; A deposit is required to reserve your spot.
