During this eight-day tour of Greece, as we journey south from the mountainous Bulgarian borderlands, we marvel at the dramatic scenery where every turn seemingly reveals a captivating aspect of that country’s momentous history and well-loved mythology: the imposing forts of the Metaxas Line in Northern Greece that still dominate the surrounding countryside; Mount Olympus, home to the Greek gods, and the magical Vale of Tempe both of which formed the backbone of the Allied first line of defence; the pass at Thermopylae held by the Spartan 300 in 480BC and New Zealand warriors some 2,400 years later; Athens, home to democracy and headquarters of the German occupying forces; and the Corinth isthmus which has witnessed the march of armies throughout time. Whilst our main focus is on the campaign of April 1941, we take a considerable interest in the Persian invasions of 480 and 490 BC.

The Metaxas Line was constructed only a few years before the outbreak of WW2, its purpose being to prevent or delay any attack from Bulgaria. But like the Maginot Line, it was compromised when the Germans outflanked it by invading Greece though Yugoslavia: after a determined defence, its forts were compelled to surrender following the capitulation of Thessaloniki. To delay German southwards exploitation, the newly and hastily arrived Commonwealth soldiers, known as ‘W’ Force, had to quickly form a defensive line anchored upon the River Haliacmon which offered a few days’ resistance before it was itself outflanked following the Greek surrender in the northwest. Thereafter, ‘W’ force commenced a desperate but effective fighting withdrawal through central Greece towards the port of Piraeus from where they expected to be evacuated. All the time they were harassed by an imaginative and aggressive German pursuit, culminating in the twin pronged airborne and motorcycle assaults on the Corinth Isthmus.

Day1: Thessaloniki.

Fly from London Heathrow* via Athens and/or assemble at Thessaloniki hotel for two nights. Enjoy late buffet supper. (D)

Day 2: Fort Roupel and the Metaxas Line

Drive to the mountainous Bulgarian border to discuss the tenacious Greek defence of a sector of the Metaxas Line assaulted by the XVIII German Mountain Corps. We visit Fort Roupel alongside the Struma River, blocking one of the primary German invasion routes through the Roupel Pass, to the plains beyond. The site, still maintained by the Greek Army offers commanding views, and the ability to explore a labyrinth of tunnels and bunkers that offered tenacious resistance until forced to surrender. (B,L,D)

Day 3: The 0lympus Aliakmon Line

Drive south to the Olympus Aliakmon line, where the 4th New Zealand Brigade formed part of the Dominion ‘W’ Force holding the river crossing and pass at Servia against the German Kampfgruppe Sponeck. From there across the foothills of Mount Olympus to the Aegean coast and the defence of the Byzantine castle heights of Platamon by the New Zealand 21 Battalion, and the intense joint Australian and New Zealand delaying battle at the Pinios Gorge and Tempe, to save the Allied retreat from northern Greece. Continue to Larissa for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Thermopylae and Brallos Pass

Examine the legendary stand in the pass made by the Spartans in 480BC, ground which was also held by the 6th New Zealand Brigade with elements from the Australian 6th Division blocking the Brallos Pass alongside to enable a general allied withdrawal to the coast and evacuation by the Royal Navy. Continue to Loutraki for two nights. (B,L,D)

Day 5: German Airborne Assault of the Corinth Canal

The Saint Patapios monastery offers a panoramic view of the Corinth Isthmus and Canal. Explore the bridge sites across the spectacular Corinth Canal to interpret the audacious German parachute assault to capture the crossing site and block the allied retreat to the coast. Thence to the ruins of the spectacular natural fortification of Acro-Corinth, possibly the most impressive acropolis on mainland Greece. (B,D)

Day 6: Piraeus and Athens

From his seat high above Piraeus, Xerxes watched the destruction of his Persian fleet at Salamis in 480BC. Visit the Hellenic Maritime Heritage Park where, amongst other ships, there is a full-sized working replica of an Athenian Trireme and discuss the destruction of Piraeus harbour by the German Luftwaffe. Check in to our central hotel for the last two nights followed by a visit to the Greek War Museum. (B,D)

Day 7: Athens World War II Tour

The day is spent exploring central Athens discussing the German occupation and the ensuing Greek civil war including Student’s HQ at Grand Bretagne hotel, the fighting in Syntagma Square and around the Acropolis where the Greek communist ELAS resistance besieged the British liberation forces. (B,D)

Day 8: Evacuation

A brief visit to the ancient battlefield at Marathon, the turning point of the Greco-Persian Wars in 490BC. Thence to Porto Rafti, to discuss the evacuation of the Kiwis and Australian forces in general. Continue to Athens airport for flights back to London Heathrow or leave the tour. (B)

* the original plan was to fly direct from LGW