Description 6 Days with lite or optional sport activitiesPeriod of operation: Through out the year
Price: !@$%0€ / person for 6 participants (for more or less participants please request pricing)
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Minimum attendance: 6 participants
Level requirements: Basic Physical Condition
DescriptionThis tour takes you to some of the country’s most important classic sites in a short period of time, namely Mycenae, Ancient Olympia, Delphi and Meteora. We designed this program through the eyes of ourselves that we don’t like to go to the most touristy places and leave without having experienced what more Greece has to offer that is nature, less known spectacular sites, scents and tastes of the Mediterranean !
So we added some stops and visits in some beautiful parts like a light hike, a wine tasting experience, a visit to the temple of Apollo in Vasae. Most important, our guides will take you to small taverns and friendly hotels and will avoid the tourist masses, will talk to you about life in Greece and we bet that you will want to come and visit our country again!
Day 1: Athens – Mycenae / Epidaurus / Nafplio
This day begins by leaving the lively city of Athens behind you and driving towards the world famous Cornith Canal. The original excavations for this man made canal date back to Roman times and were completed in1893, it succeeded to provide short cut and a safe passage between the Aegean and the Ionian seas. The significance of this canal is that it helped to establish Piraeus as major Mediterranean port that in turn led to the important development of the shipping industry in Greece. After a short photo stop we will drive onto the legendary Mycenae, to visit the archaeological remains that were uncovered in 1874. Here our professional guide will talk to us about Ancient Mycenae that dates back to 1950 BC. This visit to the ancient world is our introduction to the star attraction of the day, the world famous theatre of Epidaurus. This visit to the stunning ancient theatre that was built in the fourth century B.C is always a memory that visitors don’t forget. The guide will illustrate the acoustics excellence of the theatre by asking you to walk to the top of the theatre via the large marble steps, whereby you will hear the penny drop right in the centre of the theatre
You will end this day by a relaxing evening in the town of Nafplio. This town is gifted with a pretty harbor front, lovely restaurants, cute little pebbled streets and the fortress with its historical significance. You will be taken to a traditional restaurant to sample some of the famous Greek cuisine that this region is famous for. O/N in Nafplio (B/L/D)
Optional : Greek dancing lessons
Day 2: Nafplio – Cave Visit – Winery Visit - Dimitsana (Central Peloponnese)
After breakfast we will depart and start our journey through central Peloponnese, and visit some less known but very beautiful and rich in history villages like Dimitsana, Stemnitsa and Karytaina. En route we will visit the impressive Cave of Kapsia, one of the 10 most impressive caves in Greece. Situated beneath Mount Mainalon, it belongs to a complicated system of sinkholes in the Mantineia Plateau. Some of the rarest and most spectacular formations of colorful stalagmites in Greece are to be found in the “chamber of wonders” offering a unique exhibitions of nature’s art. After visiting the cave we continue our exploration to the winery of Spiropoulos family, one of the most famous wine producers of the country. We will enjoy our lunch at the winery with local cheese, homemade bread and other local delicacies accompanied by different wine varieties. O/N in Dimtsana. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Dimitsana – Trekking Lousios Gorge – Temple of Apollo - Ancient Olympia
Our exploration in the region continues in central Arcadia. We will pass through small stone villages in order to arrive at the Monastery of Philosopohou where our hike in Lousios Gorge begins. The trek offers a beautiful combination of history with nature. We will walk amongst trails of dense vegetation going parallel and criss crossing the Lousios River. We visit monasteries that appear to be literally hanging from the cliffs and end the trek at the archaeological site of Ancient Gortys. This is one of the most stirring of all Greek sites as it is based along the rushing river known in ancient times as the Gortynios.. Afterwards we continue our journey to Olympia by making a small deviation to visit the ancient sanctuary of Epikourius Apollo in Vasses (a temple constructed by Iktinus - the architect of the Parthenon himself). Arrive and O/N in Olympia (B/L/D)
Day 4: Ancient Olympia and drive to Delphi
The site of Olympia is one of the largest and most beautiful sites in Greece. Your guide will walk you along through the valley of wild olives and plane trees to the Ancient Ruins as you walk under the frame of the great temple columns you will feel the awe of the Olympian history. The guide will then take you to visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and the Museum. As this is one of the most important historical sites in Greece you will spend a comprehensive guided tour, and some free time to enjoy the ambience of the sight. In the afternoon we will start by heading towards the capital of the Peloponnes “Patra”. The drive will offer us the opportunity to cross the impressive bridge over to western Greece via the “Little Dardanelles” from Rio to Antirio. Once we cross over we will drive through the picturesque town of Nafpaktos and final arrive via a beautiful coastal route to Delphi. O/N in Delphi (B/L/D)
Day 5: Delphi – Meteora
In Dephi we will follow the road to the remains of an archaic fountain house, the celebrated Castalian Spring. Visitors to Delphi in ancient times (only men were allowed in the early centuries) were obliged to purify themselves in its waters. Across and below the road from the spring you will be taken to the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, whom the Delphians worshipped as Athena Pronoia.
We will then visit the archaeological site with the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the Musuem. Then drive through the wide Thessalic plain drive to Kalambaka, the small town at the foot of Meteora rocks. In this far – off corner of Thessaly there is a strange and magnificent region which is justly famous as one of the wonders of the East. Just above Kalambaka stand the famous Meteora Monasteries, glued to the sides of the rocky pinnacles. O/N in Meteora (B/L/D)
Day 6: Visit Meteora and drive back to Athens or other destination
The gigantic rocks of Meteora rise perpendicularly 250-300 m from the point where the Peneus river emerges from the deep canyons of the Pindos range. Swinging between the sky and the earth, unworldly mysterious, bearing a unique religious ecstasy. Walk around western Meteora, following the same old paths the monks used to use, which wind their way amongst the tall rock – towers. These paths go up to the rocks and take us to the cliff top monasteries, the high places of the Greek – orthodox spirituality. Visit the world-famous monasteries of Meteora, Megalo Meteoron and Agios Stefanos. Optional rafting tour !
Transport by private mini van
• Fuel and tolls throughout the trip
• Accommodation in hotels as listed below
• Meals Full Board (Starting with lunch on day 1 and ending with lunch on day 6)
• English Speaking Trekking Hellas Guide / driver
• Entrance fees to Mycenae-Epidavros, Olympia, Delphi, 2 monasteries in Meteora, Kapsia Cave
• Professional licensed guides in Mycenae-Epidavros, Olympia, Delphi, 2 monasteries in Meteora
• Wine tasting
• One trekking activity in Lousios Gorge
Accommodation
• Nafplio: http://hotelmarianna.gr/ or similar
• Dimitsana: http://www.xenonaskazakou.gr/indexn.html or similar
• Ancient Olympia: http://www.hoteleuropa.gr/ or similar
• Delphi: http://www.fedriades.com/ or similar
• Meteora: http://www.meteoritis.com/ or similar
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