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 ARGOLIS-SPARTE-OLYMPIA-DELPHI TOUR
This is an opportunity to get to know the Peloponnese with its wonderful landscapes and some of the most significant historical monuments dating from prehistoric to modern times; reminding the glory that was Greece.
In a week you will learn a lot about Greek mythology and the Olympic spirit in the land from which they came from.
1st, 2nd and 3rd day in Argolis:
Enjoy a wonderful 3days tour to the Argolis region. Visit Mycenae, the plain of Argos, the bay of Nafplio with Palamidi Fortress and Bourtzi, the theatre of Epidavros (famous for its remarkable acoustics), the conterminous islands of Hydra, of Spetses and Poros- Galatas.
Overnights in Ermioni.
4th day in Sparte:
A travel to time from the Ancient Sparte to the Mediaeval city of Mistras and then back and front to the peninsula of Mani with the famous Diros Cave and Monemvasia Castle.
Overnight in Sparta.
5th day in Olympia:
Proposed Visits is the archaeological site of the ancient Olympia.
Overnight in Olympia or in Krestena.
6th day in Delphi:
Proposed Visits are the archaeological site with the museum and the picturesque villages around Delphi.
Overnight in Delphi.
7th day in Athens:
Proposed Visits is the historical centre of Ancient and modern Athens and or an excursion in the cape of Sounio (60km) to explore the beauties of Attica.
Overnight in Athens.
8th day:
Vehicle’s drop-off and departure.
In option you can choose to spend the first night to Athens instead of the last, but you need to declare it at the time of the reservation. No possibility of changes on the spot.
DESCRIPTION
1st DAY:
Arrival to Athens International airport. Reception by our agents for the car rental and the accommodation list.
Heading to Ermioni (190km from Athens) via the new scenic highway, we propose a short stop at the Corinth Canal and alternatively a visit of Ancient Corinth.
Arrival and installation at the hotel in Ermioni. Enjoy a tour at Ermioni village and take the Porto-Heli direction (5km) if you want to visit the Greek “Saint Trope” with the small boats moored at the edge of its typical bay.
Overnight in Ermioni.
2nd DAY :
After having breakfast you take the road to Epidavros (55km), where you may visit the Sanctuary of Asclepios the healer and the most famous and the best preserved ancient theatre brilliant of its acoustic, where performances are still given in nowdays. Enjoy a walk in Epidavros as is being also familiar by the attraction that exerts the interest of its beautifully landscaped region of pines and olive groves, to the peaceful and bucolic charm.
Continuing the drive through the fertile plain of Argolis you arrive in Mycenae (100km), the headlight of a whole civilization. Counting 3000 years of existence is classified among the greatest architectural and archaeological wonders of the world, its Acropolis, with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lions Gate that marks the entry of the Homeric Atrides palace, the Atrides Treasures and the Agamemnon Tomb.
Leaving Mycenae you follow the road to Argos and then to Nafplio, which its name means "naval station". Undoubtedly is the city the most attached to Peloponnesian style and has been the first capital of Greece after the Independence war of 1821. The picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff at the bottom of the Argolic golf is crowned by the mighty ramparts of the powerful Venetian Palamidi Fortress. Counting its 999 steps or driving to go up there (there is a free parking), you’ll be amazed by the panoramic view that worth visiting. Walking down, take a small tour around Akronafplia. The old city keeps a perfume of holidays. You feel it walking by the small souvenirs shops -and not only- at the city centre or by the restaurants and the coffees shops at the sea front with the magnificent view of Bourtzi Fortress. Nafplio is unforgettable.
Proceed to Ermioni for overnight.
3rd DAY:
Having breakfast you may choose one or maybe 2 of the following visits or if you have the courage, the energy and an excellent timetable organization, all three:
1) Visit of Costa (15km from the hotel), a small seaside resort just opposite of the island of Spetses. The crossing for Spetses lasts a few minutes and it can be carried out either by ketch (boat) or by high speed boat (the cars are forbidden in the island’s capital but there is an assured car parking, located just beside the wharf). The charming island of Spetses is also called as "the jasmine island» and is full of the Aegean colour. The streets are astonished by their black and white rollers forming marine figures (fish, anchors etc). You can admire the beautiful houses of the ship-owners who have played an essential part during the Independence war of 1821. You can visit the house of the most significant among them, "Bouboulinas" heroine house that now functions as a museum. The island is very green and offers beautiful strolls, as is Agioi Anargiroi that has also a nice beach (accessible by ketch).
Proceed to Ermioni for overnight.
2) Visit the island of Poros (45km from the hotel direction Epidavros and then Galatas). It’s a verdant island full of beauties and wonderful landscapes. As it’s still unspoiled and very authentic is ideal for relaxing and peaceful holidays. The capital of this Greek island is a beautiful town with fine neoclassical and Venetian buildings; picturesque villages and beautiful beaches are completing the wonderful image. The island of Poros is separated from the Peloponnesus by a narrow channel of 100 meters and seems to be the prolongation of Argolide. Galatas is the continental suburb of the island, is the sister town of Poros, with a nice waterfront bordered of pines, within a natural framework of a great beauty. Especially during night has a beautiful view as all the lights from Poros reflected in the sea.
Proceed to Ermioni for overnight.
3) Visit the island of Hydra (4km from the hotel direction Ermioni). Crossed by hydrofoil (the cars are forbidden in the island). Hydra is the princess of the archipelago of Argo-Saronic. It’s situated between the islands of Poros and Spetses, near the coast of the eastern foot of the Peloponnesus. Hydra is a wonderful island of incredible beauty which attracts thousands of visitors every year mostly because of the most beautiful port of all the Greek islands and of its extremely picturesque capital, full of red-tiled houses and stone-paved narrow alleys. The landscape is rocky and arid.
It was used to be the destination of fashionable artists during the sixties and has kept a highly cosmopolitan character.
Proceed to Ermioni for overnight.
4th DAY:
Direction to Sparte (200km).
The city of Sparte lies at the southern end of the central Laconia plain, on the right bank of the river Evrotas. The city was strategically located; guarded from three sides by mountains and controlling the routes by which invading armies could penetrate Laconia and the southern Peloponnesus via the Langhda Pass over Mt Taygetus.
Sparte and Athens, until the time of Alexander the Great, were the two most powerful city-states in all of Greece, during ancient times.
Eight kilometres west of the modern town of Sparte, is Mistras another site that holds significant historical importance. The old medieval capital of Moria was the second most important city in the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople. To its monasteries and churches there are some magnificent pieces of wall paintings that worth visiting. Mistras, with its castle and domes and palaces spread out as though it’s the setting for a fairy-tale, is a place of immense interest.
Apart from the historical towns of Sparte and Mistras, to the south is the Mani region, with the cities of Monemvasia, Yithio and Aeropoli with its Diros Caves, where you will be mesmerized by the colourful stalagmites and stalactites. Archaeological discoveries in the cave confirmed the human presence during the Palaeolithic and Neolithic times.
Proceed to Sparta for overnight.
5th DAY:
Direction to Olympia (180 km).
Visit the site of Ancient Olympia with the Stadium, the Bouleuterion, the workshop of Pheidias (where the gold and ivory statue of Zeus has been created; one of the ancient wonders of the world, which is no longer with us), the Palaestra, the Gymnasium, the great Sanctuary of Zeus, the Heraion and Olympia Archaeological Museum.
Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games that begun in 776 B.C. and where they were held, to honour Olympian Zeus, the father of the gods.
Olympia (area, of great natural beauty- still today-), is one of the favourites archaeological sites in all of Greece. You can almost feel the magic of the ancient Olympic Games and ceremony as you wonder around the ruins. It is here that the Greek world reconciled the time of a ritual truce, during the period of the games. (The Olympic Games evoke the ideal of peace still today thanks to Pierre de Coubertin).
You can see the excavations at Olympia still ongoing with new treasures being unearthing,(some of the old finds, as parts of the Temple of Zeus have been transferred to the museum of Louvre by French archaeologists, where they are still being exhibiting).
Overnight in Olympia or in Krestena village.
6th DAY:
Direction to Delphi (210 km) via Patras to Rion and to Antirion by the new bridge or by ferryboat. Drive to picturesque Nafpaktos and Galaxidi along the coast, or continue to Delphi.
Delphi is known as the center of worship for the god Apollo, son of Zeus, who embodied moral discipline and spiritual clarity. Delphi in ancient times was considered as the center, the omphalas of the known world, the place where heaven and earth met, where man was closest to the gods.
The oracle of Delphi was a spiritual experience whereby the spirit of Apollo was asked for advice on critical matters relating to people's lives or affairs of the state. Questions were asked to Pythia, the priestess of Apollo, who, seated on a tripod above a deep crevasse, would pronounce her prophecies ('channeled' by the spirit of the god), while the priests wrote them down and translated them to the people.
The center of Delphi is the Sanctuary of Apollo, on the southern tip of the mountain slope. The Doric temple was Pythia’s home. The temple walls used to be inscribed with words of wisdom such as "Know Thyself", "Nothing in Excess" and "Don't take any Wooden Drachma", which are as meaningful today as they were when they were written.
The theatre and the large stadium that is considered the best preserved in all of Greece. The Sacred Way leads to the temple, passing the treasuries and monuments that commemorate great events. In ancient times this road was lined with statues and gifts given by the city state in tribute to Apollo in thanks for victories in battle.
The frieze of the treasury is now in the archaeological museum along with many artifacts from the site including the omphalos, the sculptured cone that stood in the exact center of the world and the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer, one of the most celebrated pieces of ancient art in the world.
Overnight in Delphi.
7th DAY:
Direction to Athens (190 km).
Athens is the capital of Greece, the birthplace of western civilization. Ancient Athens was built around the Acropolis, a wonder of the world that is unsurpassed in its beauty, architectural splendour and historic importance. It’s still standing to remind us the grandeur of ancient Greece and is considered a gem for Athens and all of Greece. Enter by Propylea and walk by the Parthenon temple, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion with the famous Caryatides (that with parts of Parthenon are still being exhibiting in the British Museum of London). Just below the Acropolis hill are the two ancient theatres of Dionysus and of Herod Attics and the great National Museum of Acropolis, which preserve an innumerable amount of artifacts.
Walking down from the north side of Acropolis is the ancient Supreme Court and the Ancient Agora: the commercial and public centre of ancient Athens, with the Temple of Thissio. Throw Monastiraki you arrive to the Aerides of Plaka where the ancient and modern Athens meets and where you can take a break from the historical tour by drinking or eating to the coffee shops or taverns. Walking in the narrow streets by the neo-classical buildings with the various small shops of souvenirs, leather and clothing, you pass by the Greek Orthodox Cathedral: the Metropolis and you arrive to the Syntagma Square, where the Greek Parliament is located, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded day and night by two soldiers (called: evzones) dressed in the traditional skirted uniforms. Continuing we may visit the National Garden with the Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hadrian's Arch and few steps away the Panathineon Ancient Stadium.
Choose to stay in Athens centre and walk or drive to the hills of Phnyx or Lycabetous to be amazed by the view especially the night, or drive along the coastal road to Sounio cape. Pass the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Anavyssos having a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, even swim to its clear blue waters and then arrive to Sounio Cape. Crowned by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea, admire, enjoy or been lost to the magnificent colours of a marvellous sunset, (if the sky is clear!).
Return to Athens for overnight.
8th DAY:
Breakfast. Last drive threw Athens to the airport. Drop-off of the rental vehicle. Departure.
PRICE: (A’ class hotels) or (Tourist class hotels) please contact us
Tour includes: car rental and accommodation with breakfast.
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