Peloponnese Guided Tour in Greece

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival in Athens-Corinth Canal-Epidaurus

Meet your guide at the Athens airport or arrange a pick up from your hotel sometime in the afternoon. Our first stop will be at the Corinth Canal, the engineering masterpiece that separates Peloponnese from the mainland. Completed in the 1900 by a Greek, it changed completely the sea transportation of the area. We continue in Epidaurus, an UNESCO world heritage site where we will visit the ancient Greek theatre with its famous acoustics and the Asklepeion. Arrival in the town of Nafplio. Overnight in Nafplio

DAY 2: Mycenae – Nafplio

In the morning we head to Mycenae, the ancient kingdom of the Bronze Age which the king, Agamemnon, led the Greeks in the Trojan War. Returning back to Nafplio we have the time to explore this magnificent town. We visit Palamidi, the Venetian castle at the top of the hill, Bourtzi the island fort just in front of the harbor and we will visit the traditional ouzo distillery to find out the secrets of this Greek drink. In the afternoon you will have free time to get lost in the small streets of Nafplio, walk around Arvanitia and or go for a swim at the beach. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy Greek specialties in the local taverns or an ice cream by the harbor. Overnight in Nafplio.

DAY 3 Kapsia Caves – Vytina – Dimitsana

We leave the coast in the morning to start climbing to the mountainous Arcadia. “Et In Arcadia Ego” is the old saying and you will discover why. We will begin with a visit at the amazing Kapsia Caves where you will admire the rock formations created millions of years ago. Our next stop will be the traditional villages of Vytina and Dimitsana. Both villages are hidden well in the mountain Mainalo and you will be amazed by their architecture and traditional goods. The villages played an important role during the Greek Independence War of 1821. In Dimitsana our visit includes the monasteries of Loussios Gorge, Philosophou Monastery and the “Secret School”, the 1000 years old monastery that looks more like a fort! The tour also includes a visit to the unique and alternative Open Air Hydromovement museum. There you will see how the locals used the power of the water for their own needs in an era when no electrical power was available. Overnight in Dimitsana

DAY 4 Ancient Olympia – wine tasting

After a good breakfast in our hotel, we head west to visit ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games where you will see the ancient stadium, the temple of Zeus , the Palestra and the unique museum, one of the best in Greece. The day will end with wine tasting to taste the local wines and transfer to Kalamata. On the way, we can stop in Voidokilia beach -shaped in a perfect semicircle- one of the most beautiful beaches of the Peloponnese to swim. Overnight in Kalamata.

DAY 5 Ancient Messini – Pylos – Methoni – Koroni

This day includes a tour in the picturesque Messinia. We will start with a visit to the archaeological site of ancient Messini. Built in 371BC by Epaminondas,it set the new free era of the Messinian people against the Spartans. The tour will continue by taking the coastal road of Messinia visiting Pylos, Methoni and Koroni. In all 3 of those towns you will admire the well preserved Venetian castles and you can enjoy the beach and the local taverns. Overnight in Kalamata.

DAY 6 Mani -Diros Caves-Gytheio

Today our tour continues to one of the most beloved, fabulous and historical parts of Greece, Mani. Located in the south of Peloponnese, the rough and rocky landscape had as a result that the area remained always free. The wild beauty and the traditional towers of Mani will astonish you. Areopolis, Oitylo and the Dyros caves will make you fall in love with Mani.
Overnight in Gytheio

DAY 7 Elafonissos -Monemvassia
Today our tour continues to the small port of Pounta from where you take the ferry and after a few minutes you arrive in Elafonisos, a small island of 19sqm and total perimeter 31km with few inhabitants situated just opposite Neapoli. A top destination in Peloponnese, a real gem of South Greece, with the most beautiful sandy beach (Simos Beach) in the Mediterranean Sea as many people believe! On arriving at the port of Elafonisos, the first thing you see is the picturesque church of Saint Spyridon and you can smell the freshly made traditional food in the taverns nearby where you can always find fresh sea food thanks to local fish boats. Also we will have the chance t visit the highlight of Peloponnese, the medieval city of Monemvassia. The town and fortress were founded in 583 and is built on a huge rock just 200m from the land. You will wander in the narrow streets and you will enjoy the tremendous view climbing up to the castle. Overnight in Monemvassia.

Day 8 -Sparta-Mystras -Departure

Our last day begins with a visit in ancient Sparta,the kingdom of King Leonidas and the 300 men who fell in Thermopylae. We will visit the acropolis of the city where we can see the ancient theatre, the temple of Chalkoikos Athena and other remaining buildings. We then continue to Mystras, one of the most amazing sites of Peloponnese. Not in many parts of the world will you have the opportunity to see a whole city that is an archaeological site! One of the most important byzantine cities, Mystras is built on a steep hill on the foot of Taygetos Mountain. Walk up to the castle and visit the churches including the Mitropolis (Agios Dimitrios), where Konstantinos Palaiolologos, the last Emperor of Byzantium swore to be the king to fall bravely later in the last battle of the Constantinople. Stop for lunch in Sparta and then drive back to Athens. As the proverb goes “All good things must come to end”. However you can expand your holidays in our beautiful country as we can arrange for your some extra days in Athens for sightseeing or some days to rest on the Greek islands.