We Love —
- Explore the Peloponnese peninsula, an area renowned for its archaeological history as well as its picturesque natural beauty.
- Explore this spectacular area at your own pace as you drive from city-to-city along Greece's rugged landscape.
- The peninsula is fantastically unspoilt, offering a treasure trove of traditional charm and original character.
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Your Itinerary —
Day 1: ATHENS / ERMIONI (190km)
Flight for Athens. Arrival at the airport, car pick-up and list of hotels. Route for Ermioni. Arrival at hotel.
Overnight in Athens.
Breakfast. Day at your ease with your rental car.
We suggest:
On your way to Epidaurus (55km), you can visit the sanctuary of Asclepios, god of healing.The site is famous for its theatre with the remarkable acoustics – theatricals still occur there nowadays. Road to Mycenae, flagship city of a great civilization.Mycenae and Tiryns illustrate the apogee of the Mycenaean civilization which is at the base of later European cultures, and particularly of Greek architecture and urbanism.
In addition, these two sites are linked to the epic poems of Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey. But Mycenae is related to the curse of the Atrides: Agamemnon, his wife Clytemnestra, who murdered him with the help of her lover Aegisthus, Oreste who killed his own mother.To this accursed lineage is added the exceptional interest of monuments, which with their 3000 years of existence, rank among the greatest architectural and archaeological wonders of the world.
On your way back to Ermioni. Stop at Nafplion. Its name means "naval station".Probably one of the most endearing cities of the Peloponnese which was briefly the first capital of Greece after the War of Independence of 1821. Located at the bottom of the Argolic golf course, at the foot of a rocky hill crowned by a powerful Venetian citadel (Palamidi).The old town has kept a holiday flavour with its restaurants, shops and cafes on the seafront, ideal for admiring the sea or lazing in the sun. Nafplion is not forgotten.
Breakfast. Day at your ease with your rental car.
We suggest:
Spetses
Route to Costa (15km) small seaside resort facing the island of Spetses. Possibility to walk on the island of Spetses nicknamed "the island of jasmine". The crossing lasts a few minutes and can be done either in caique or fast speedboat (parking is provided just at the pier). One can admire the beautiful houses of shipowners but especially the house-museum of "Bouboulina", heroine of the War of Independence of 1821. The streets are amazing because they’re made of black and white pebbles forming marine motifs (fish, anchors etc.). The island is very green and offers beautiful coves, including that of Agii Anargiroi accessible in caique. Possibility of passing through the village of Porto-Heli (5km) with small boats moored at the edge of the bay, is considered a kind of "Saint Tropez" Greek.
Poros
Poros Island is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow channel of 100 meters and appears to be an extension of Argolis. Galatas is the mainland suburb of the island with a harbor with pine edges, in a natural setting of great beauty. The city is stepped over the harbor, with its white houses standing out between sea and sky.
Hydra
Hydrofoil crossing for Hydra which unquestionably possesses the most beautiful harbor of the Greek islands. The island was one of the corsairs' haunts but also enjoyed great prosperity thanks to the many owners and merchants.
Breakfast. Day at your ease with your rental car. Route to Sparta.
We Suggest:
20km to the west lies the ancient capital of the medieval Morea, Mystra. This set of Byzantine monastery and the fortress overlooking them are real jewels of architectures very well preserved. Mystra was founded by the Franks in 1249, who had just abandoned Sparta, and was ceded to the Byzantines. Forming a sort of autonomous republic in Byzantine times in the 13th and 14th centuries. If you visit the historic city, you will realize that life in Byzantine times was another life for Mystra. The latter is divided into 2 parts: the upper town and the lower town.
Lower Town of Mystra:
The lower part is mainly composed of religious buildings such as churches and monasteries which are very well preserved.
High City of Mystra:
In the upper town, there is essentially the castle which offers a splendid view of the whole city and the plain. 68 km to the south in the peninsula of Mani, the caves of Diros pass to be among the most beautiful of the country. It is a set of three caves, the first two of which have been laid out for the visit. You will have the opportunity to take a boat trip (duration 35 minutes) which takes place under thousands of white, pink or purple stalactites. Archaeological discoveries in the cave confirmed the human presence during the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.
Breakfast. Day at your ease with your rental car. Drive to Olympia.
We suggest:
By this visit, you will dive into ancient Greece where Olympia was the sports and cultural center. At celebrations in honor of Zeus, the Greek people made a truce and confronted each other around games. It is on this idea that Pierre de Coubertin created the modern Olympic Games.
The tour revolves around the Altis, sacred wood of Olympia where the main vestiges of the city are located with the temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the workshop of the sculptor Phidias and the famous stadium... The site of the Altis was surrounded by a stone wall that separated the religious world (temples and buildings) and world of the profane (houses, baths, workshops...).
You will visit the remains of the Temple of Zeus, which was historically a statue of the god made of ivory and gold 12m high, known to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Not far away, you will continue your discovery by the temple of Hera, one of the women of Zeus.The Palestra is a square-shaped building with baths, where wrestlers and other pugilists trained before taking the path, paved and covered, leading to the famous stadium that had a capacity of 45,000 spectators during games.
In the remains, you will discover the remains of the workshop of the sculptor Phidias, known to be the director of the statue of Zeus made of ivory and gold and thus be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.Before your departure, you will walk a circular building built in marble known as Philippéion.
This building was built under the reign of Philip II of Macedon, and completed under Alexander the Great, his son.This monument was known to host famous chariot races.
Breakfast. Day at your ease with your rental car. Route to Olympia.
We suggest:
Delphi is the center and the symbol of the unity of the Greek world, where every king was to stay and get an interview with the oracle of the temple of Apollo to establish his power.
The site of Delphi and more particularly the temple of Apollo, is located in one of the most majestic places of Greece.In this day of visit, you will discover a place full of history and magic.
The Temple of Apollo was a magnificent and rich temple where the god delivered his oracles through the mouth of a priestess dressed in snake skins, symbol of the victory of Apollo on Python. People came from all over Greece but also from Europe and the far reaches of Asia to listen to the oracles rendered by Pythia.
You will continue by visiting the theater which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains with breathtaking nature. This theater has 35 rows and could accommodate 5,000 spectators.
Partly dug into the rock, the Stadium is the top of the site of Delphi. He could receive up to 6,500 visitors, especially during commemorations and competitions retracing Apollo's victory over the Python snake. These festivities took place every 8 years.
On the day of visit, you will make a stop at the treasure of the Athenians, monument erected in memory of the battle of Marathon where the Greeks beat the amazons.
The sources of Castalia were the sacred source of Delphi and its water played an important role in the worship of the temple and the Oracle. The water was used to purify the temple as well as all the staff (priest and priestess) but also any person wishing to consult the oracle had to purify himself with this water.
Water was channelled through a network of underground canals from a retention basin below the city. The water gushed in multiple places including a fountain present between the temple of Apollo and the ancient gymnasium.After this excursion where time has transported you to the most ancient times, you will take the road back to your hotel.
Breakfast. Day at your ease with your rental car. Route to Olympia.
We suggest:
Athens is a major cultural stop for all lovers of ancient history. The historical treasures that the city offers us are the Acropolis with the Parthenon, the Pnyx, the theatre of Dionysos or the Agora.Not to mention the National Museum and the Acropolis Museum, which hold countless masterpieces. But we must not omit the modern Athens, also worthy of interest, whether the old streets of Plaka or the long arteries lined with neoclassical buildings, a style sometimes surprising.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
Breakfast. Drive to the airport & drop off your car before boarding your flight.
Please note: This itinerary can be reversed.
Your Hotels —
You will be staying in the following hotels in a Standard Room with breakfast included.
Sleeps up to
1 night - Athens -Athens Tiare
2 nights - Porto Heli - one of the AKS Hotels (included 1 excursion to Hydra)
1 night in the région of Kalamata - Elektra Hotel
1 night - Olympia - Olympic Village
1 night - Delphi -Amalia Delfous
1 night - Athens- Athens Tiare
If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Journey —
Flights: The flights included are with either a scheduled or no frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Car Hire: Car hire is included
