ARGOLIDA, SPARTI, MYSTRAS, MONEVASIA, MESSENE, OLYMPIA, DELPHI, METEORA, THERMOPYLAE TOUR

FIRST DAY ITINERARY

We shall start our private tour taking the westward route via coastal line towards Peloponnesus. You will see the Saronic Gulf where the famous Naval Battle of Salamis took place in 480 B.C. between the Greeks and the Persians . Persians defeated under the inspiration of Themistocles General. Our first stop will be the famous Canal of Corinthos which, through Isthmus a narrow neck of land connects the Corinthian Gulf (Ionian Sea) with Saronic Gulf (Aegean Sea) and cuts Peloponnesus peninsula from the rest Greek mainland.

We continue our private tour with the visit to Ancient Corinth. Exploring the archaeological area you will meet the Roman Odeon the theater then the Temple of Apollo from 6th century BC the archaeological Museum, the Glauke fountain also the famous “Vema” (tribunal) from which St. Paul sermonized the Corinthians.
Our next visit is the famous Mycenae (the Kingdom of  King Agamemnon). You will admire there the Lions’ Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Treasure of Atreus, the Subterranean Cistern and the Archaeological Museum.
After having your lunch in the city of Mycenae, our private touring goes on with our visit in Ancient Epidaurus. You will explore The Ancient Theatre who is famous for its acoustics. the archaeological area of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, and the archaeological museum. Our private tour continues on with our visit to Nafplio, a seaside town which is for many the most beautiful town in Greece. Nafplio was the first capital of Greece after the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. You will enjoy the walk in the picturesque backstreets of the old town admiring old classical buildings, especially in the Constitution Square. You will enjoy also a traditional Greek dinner, while attending the famous Bourtzi castle located in the middle of the harbor of Nafplio. Then you will spend your night in a friendly family run hotel.

SECOND DAY ITINERARY

Next morning after having your launch we take the way through the beautiful countryside of Peloponnese peninsula we shall pass traditional villages of Mount Mainalon and finally we arrive at Sparta the capital of Laconia and birthplace of the King of Spartans Leonidas . You shall have the opportunity to visit the Statue of  King Leonidas, the Archaeological museum and the Olive museum. Out next visit will be the famous Byzantine old town of Mystras (UNESCO protected site) which is located in a physical fortified hill. You will visit the medieval castle, the fortified settlement with palaces, many churches and monasteries and the Archaeological museum. After Mystras we are going to Monemvasia and you explore there the unique Castle also .Then you will enjoy your dinner and you will spend your night in a friendly family run hotel.

THIRD DAY ITINERARY

After having your breakfast we travel to visit the ancient site of Messene which is a spectacular site. We need about two hours and 40 minutes to get there. The ancient city of Messene was founded in 370 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas, after his victory over the Spartans. Here, you can admire the imposing city wall and walk through the Arcadian Gate.
In this incredibly beautiful ancient site, you can admire the ancient theater, the Ekklesiasterion (or Odeon), the Arsinoe fountain, the Asklepieion, the ancient stadium and many others. Leaving back south Peloponnesus and driving towards northwest we arrive in the world–famous city of Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Time for your dinner and free time to explore the town of Ancient Olympia. Then you will spend your night at a hotel.

FOURTH DAY ITINERARY

In the morning, and after having your breakfast, you will visit the archaeological area of Ancient Olympia where the first Olympic Games took place on 776 B.C. You will visit the Gymnasium the Ancient Stadium the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the Palestra, the Philipeion, the Prytaneion, the Bouleuterion and the Leonidaion. You’ll complete your exploration with the visit of the archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums in Greece. Time for your lunch and our private tour continues with driving through north west Peloponnesus with the crossing of Rio – Antirio bridge, passing via Galaxidi and Itea (a seaport in ancient times was named Kirha) and finally we’ll arrive in the modern city of Delphi. Time for dinner and then you will spend your night in a friendly family run hotel.

FIFTH DAY ITINERARY

 Next morning, and after taking your breakfast you will visit the ancient Delphi or the ”omphalos” (means the center of the world) as it was regarded by the ancients. You will wander through the archaeological area admiring the sacred way, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, the Polygonal wall, the Treasury of the Siphnians, the Stoa of the Athenians, the ancient theater, the stadium ,the ancient Gymnasium, the Castalian Spring, and the Tholos of Athena Pronaia. Your will complete your exploration with the visit of the archaeological museum. Time for launch and then our private tour continues with driving through the Mount Parnassos. We shall pass via traditional villages and cities such as Gravia, Bralo, Lamia and then we’ll take the new highway and about in the evening we arrive in Kalampaka (a town located near to Meteora Rocks) also known as “The Rocks of the God”. Free time for walk and dinner in Kalampaka and then you will spend your night in a friendly family run hotel.

SIXTH DAY ITINERARY

Next Morning after having your breakfast we will “climb” to the impressive rocks of Meteora in Greek means “middle of the sky” or suspended rocks. Meteora one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece. In the 9th century AD, an ascetic group of hermit monks moved up to the ancient pinnacles. They were the first people to inhabit Meteora. They lived in hollows and fissures in the rock towers, some of which reach 1800 ft (550m) above the plain. Average elevation is 313 meters (1,027 ft ). The exact date of the establishment of the monasteries is unknown. With the unique phenomenon to have on their top Orthodox monasteries the whole complex of the rocks with the monasteries has been listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. You’ll have the opportunity to visit and admire the most important monasteries (at least four) such as the Monastery of Great Meteoron, the Monastery of Rousanou, the Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Triniti), the Varlaam Monastery, the Monastery of Saint Nikolaos Anapafsa and the Monastery of Saint Stephanos. In the afternoon after having your launch in the very beautiful town of Kalambaka we shall take the road back to Athens our last stop is Thermopylae ( It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs) where the famous battle between the Greeks and the Persians took place in 480 B.C. There is a modern memorial to King Leonidas on one side of the highway .The memorial shows the Spartan King on the top of a wall with the words “Molon Lavei” written under the statue. The phrase means, “Come and get it”. This is the phrase that Leonidas said to the Persian king when he told Leonidas to hand over his weapons. The phrase has become a slogan of defiance all over the world. Across the highway from the modern memorial is the ancient hill of “Kolonos” The following epitaph by Simonedes  was written on the monument that there is there: “Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie. Memorial that was placed there shortly after the battle. There is continuous deposition of sediment from the river and deposits from the hot springs which has substantially altered the landscape during the past few thousand years. The land surface on which the famous Battle of Thermopylae was fought in 480 BC is now buried under 20 meters (66 ft) of soil. Thermopylae is the last spot of our six days tour.

• We use vehicles, legal and licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organization, smoke-free, fully air-conditioned.
• Rates include all tolls, fuel, parking fees, and baggage charges.
• Not included: Drinks, meals, entrance fees, accommodation, licensed guides.
• Tours are private, personal, and flexible just for you and your party.
• Tickets:
  • Ancient Corinth: Full: €8 / Reduced: €4 Tickets for both the Museum and the Archaeological Site
  • Acrocorinth: Full: €8 / Reduced: €4
    Mycenae: Full: €12 / Reduced: €6 (April-October)
    Full: €6 / Reduced: €3 (November-March)
  • Epidaurus: Full: €12 / Reduced: €6 (April-October)
    Full: €6 / Reduced: €3 (November-March)
  • Museum of Sparta: Full: €2 / Reduced: €1
  • Museum of Olive: Full: €3 / Reduced: €1,5
  • Mystras: Full: €12 / Reduced: €6
    Ancient Messene: Full: €12 / Reduced: €6 (April-October)
  • Olympia: Full: €12 / Reduced: €6 (April-October)
    Full:€6, Reduced: €3 (November-March)
  • Delphi: Museum & Archaeological Site Full: €12 / Reduced: €6
  • Meteora: 2€ per adult
  • Reduced ticket: European citizens over 65 years old, University students
  • Free entrance: Children and young people up to the age of 25, from EU member-states, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
  • Children up to the age of 5, from non-European Union countries, upon presentation of their passport for verification of their age and country of origin.

Vehicle: SUV Volkswagen or  Mercedes sedan – Capacity: Up to 3 persons + driver
Price: €2400

Vehicle: Mercedes Minivan – Capacity: 4-7 people
Price: €2700

Museums and Archaeological sites are closed:

• 1 January: closed
• 6 January: closed
• 25 March: closed
• Good Friday: until 12:00 closed
• Easter Sunday: closed
• 1 May: closed
• 25 December: closed
• 26 December: closed

Museums and Archaeological sites are open 08.30-15.00:

• Shrove Monday:
• Holy Saturday
• Easter Monday
• Holy Spirit Day
• 15 August
• 28 October