Day 1. Arrival / Athens.
Arrival at the Athens airport. Welcome assistance and private transfer to your hotel. Short briefing about your tour and rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2. Athens / Athens.
The day is dedicated to exploring the city of Athens. We will begin with a panoramic tour passing by the most important monuments and landmarks of the city. We will marvel the Panathinaikon stadium (the marble stadium where the first modern Olympics – 1896 – took place), pass by the ex Royal Palace and today the Prime Minister's residence, the Zappion (ex Royal gardens and today conference and exhibition hall), the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the tomb of the unknown soldier guarded by the colorful Evzones, Schliemann's' house, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the old Parliament, and Constitution (Syntagma) square to arrive at the Acropolis. Our guided visit to the Acropolis will include the Propylae, the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion. Later, we will walk through Herodion and Dionysos theater to the nearby (new) museum of Acropolis for a guided visit.
Day 3. Corinth canal, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Mycenae / Sparta.
This morning we will be leaving Athens behind as we start heading towards the Peloponnese. First stop will be at the impressive Corinth canal. We continue our drive to arrive at Epidaurus for a guided visit to the site and the theater famous for its acoustics. Epidaurus is listed in UNESCO's world heritage monuments, and its theater is one of the best preserved classical theaters in Greece, still used in summer evenings for classical performances. It is the birthplace of Asklepios the healer, (Apollo's son), and was the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. Later, we continue our drive to Nafplion. This picturesque little town, is dominated by the impressive Venetian Palamidi castle, and was the first capital of modern Greece. We will take a short stop to admire the narrow little streets with the picturesque and well preserved classical buildings, and we will also admire the famous Bourtzi island. Our day continues as we drive to Mycenae for your guided visit. Mycenae was the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. Today, we can visit the ruins of the ancient Palace and Agamemnon's tomb with its famous Lion's gate. After our visit, we will continue our drive to arrive to the historical town of Sparta for overnight.
Day 4. Monemvasia / Sparta
After our breakfast, we will depart for our full day excursion to Monemvasia. Monemvasia is a small fortified island,
connected with the Peloponnese with a small narrow strip of land and it is considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved fortified castle towns in Greece, with great views to the Aegean. Return to our hotel in Sparta.
Day 5. Sparta, Mystras / Kalamata.
We begin our day with a short sightseeing of Sparta and Menalaion, before we proceed to the most important Byzantine site in Greece; the fortified city of Mystras. We will explore the fascinating monasteries and churches with exquisite frescoes and icons set amidst striking scenery. Later we will take a picturesque drive over the magical mountain of Taigetos to arrive in Kalamata for overnight.
Day 6. Pylos / Olympia.
This morning, we continue our westwards direction to the little town of Pylos located in the bay of famous Navarino. After our short visit to the little town, we will continue for our visit to Methoni's castle. Later, we start heading north for our highlight visit of the day, Nestor's Palace. This is probably the best preserved Mycenean palace. After our visit, we will continue driving to arrive early in the evening in the little village of Olympia for overnight.
Day 7. Olympia / Athens.
This morning is dedicated to the birth place of the Olympic Games. During our guided visit, we will explore the site of Olympia with the temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the Stadium and the altar of the Olympic flame. We continue with a visit to the museum of Olympia. Later we will start heading back to Athens for our final overnight in Greece.
Day 8. Departure.
Take advantage of your morning for your shopping at famous Ermou street or for a nice stroll in Plaka area until your private transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
