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Let us take you in hidden and
known places around Greece
1st day:
Greecetaxi drives westwards towards along
the scenic coast of the Saronic Gulf until we reach the Corinth
canal with its breathtaking views (short
stop). Shortly after we reach the Ancient town of
Corinth (visit). Back in ancient
times Corinth was almost one of the richest
cities and this is quite evident by its remains,
including the huge Agora (market
place) and Apollo's Temple (6th c. B.C.) Then drive on to
Epidavros to visit the sanctuary of Asklepios,
the most brilliant centre of healing in the ancient world and
the theatre (4th century B.C.) one of the most perfect and the
best preserved of the ancient Greek theatres, famous for its
acoustics (On summer weekends
ancient plays take place). Proceed to Nafplion, the picturesque town nestling at the foot
of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi
Fortress.
Overnight in a traditional
hotel, located in the centre of the old
city, just under the castle.
2nd day:
Nafplion
(first capital city of Greece in
modern times) the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a
cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. After
breakfast on a beautiful veranda with the best view over the
city, visit the castle of Palamidi and the acropolis of ancient Tiryns. Time for shopping in
Nafplion, where you will find many traditional shops and
boutiques or enjoy a swim in the crystal waters under the
castle. Visit
Mycenae,
the Homeric city of the Atreides - the city
"rich in gold" of the ancient poets. (Visit
the Lions Gate, the Cyclopean
Walls, the Royal Tombs
e.t.c.).
You can view
my portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Nafplion
3rd
day:
Leave
Nafplion in the morning, through Central
Peloponnese. We'll drive south by the scenic coast of the Argolis Gulf, from the town of Astros we will turn to Central
Peloponnese, (Arcadia), through the village
of Agios Petros, ( 3000 ft. high -short stop -the village became capital city of
Greece for 24 hours, short stop) and Karies on the
slopes of the mount Parnon. Shortly we
will arrive in Sparta, the modern town was developed in the
reign of King Otto after 1834. Visit the archaeological site,
the Acropolis and the theatre of Ancient Sparta and then on
to visit the Medieval state of Mystras
Mystras Site: Daily, Summer
8a.m to 7p.m Winter 8.30a.m to 3p.m Entrance fee 5 Euro. Continue for Mani an undeveloped rocky wild area strewn with 15th 16th c.
stone tower houses. Areopolis:
This is a large village (with taverns) in the typical Maniot
style with tradesmen's workshops (bakery), tower houses and
churches (Overnight / Pyrgos Kapetanakou, tower house built in 17th c.)
You can
view my portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Mani
4th day:
Leave
after
breakfast,
down the west coast of Mani, opening into
Diros Bay are two caves which were explored after the Second
World War. The largest, Glifada, is one of the most spectacular
natural sights in Greece. We'll visit
the Caves and Museum of Diros tel. (0733) 52.22. The cave
is well organized for visitors with floating lights and colored
light projectors. The guided tour consists of a boat trip (about
2km/1.25mi) along both arms of the river which splits in two in
the cave. Daily 8a.m to 5p.m (2.30p.m winter) Entrance fee 12
Euro child (under 12) 6 Euro.
Return to Arepolis and drive through the scenic coast and via
Kalamata to Olympia / overnight
(Hotel with a swimming pool ).
You can
view my portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Olympia
5th
day: Olympia The ruins of Olympia in the idyllic
Alfios Valley testify to the grandeur of the ancient sanctuary
which through the Olympic Games was a symbol of Greek unity - the
cradle of the Olympic Games. After breakfast we'll
visit the archaeological
area of Olympia, the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus the
Archaeological Museum
(one
of the biggest and nicest in Greece) and
the Museum of the Olympic games. Overnight
in Olympia
(Hotel with a swimming pool )
6 th day:
Departure, drive on through the
plains of Elias and Arcadia, and
take the
Car-Ferry
across the "Little Dardanelles - Half hour" from Rio to
Antirio. Take in the site of the newly built suspension
bridge. Crossing to the picturesque town of Nafpactos, charming little city at the
northwest end of the Gulf of Corinth which was fortified by the
Venetians in the 15C. Under its medieval name of Lepando it
recalls the famous naval battle which took place in 1571 between
the Christian fleet from Spain, Genoa, Naples, Malta and Venice
with the Turkish fleet of Sultan Selim. Continue along the scenic new road
on the coast until we arrive in Delphi . Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios
and the Museum in the evening.
Overnight
in Delphi or Arachova one of the most traditional villages in Greece.
You can view
my portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Nafpactos and
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Delphi
7th
day:
Further
sightseeing of
Delphi, visit Castalia
Spring and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaea. Return to Athens from the east side of Mount
Parnassus, through small mountain villages and the ancient town
of
Chaeroneia (where in 338 BC the battle
between the southern Greek cities and King of Greek Macedonians
Phillip took place, in which Alexander then 18 years of age, was making his
debut in battle), or continue
for Meteora, passing through, Lamia,
typical towns and
numerous picturesque villages
of Central Greece. Stay overnight in Kastraki,
the closest village to Meteora with the best view or
Trikala one of the nicest cities in Greece.
8th
day:
Visit
Meteora,
amongst striking scenery, perched on top of huge
rocks which seem to be suspended in Mid - Air,
stand ageless Monasteries, where you can see
exquisite specimens of Byzantine Art. Of the 24 monasteries that
grew up between the 13th and
16th centuries only six are still inhabited:
The Great Meteoron, Agia Triad, Agios Nikolaos
and Varlaam by monks: Agios
Stephanos and Roussanou by nuns.
You can view
my portfolio of photos at
http://www.panoramio.com/user/45649/tags/Meteora-Monasteries
9th day:
Visit Macedonia /
Vergina.
A highly important ancient city, certainly
to be identified with Aegae, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Lower
Macedonia, spreading over the low hills in the northern slopes of' the Pierian range,
between the modern villages of Palatitsia and Vergina.
This city was the most important urban centre in the region until the 4th C. BC.
Here were to be found the ancestral sanctuaries of the Macedonians, and the
palaces
and the tombs (with their famous treasures) of the Argead dynasty, which
traced
its origins to the mythical hero Herakles and gave Greek history its most
captivating figure, Alexander the Great: Stay overnight in Thessalonica.
10 th day:
Return to Athens via Larissa, Lamia, Thermopylae (where in
480
B.C. a battle between the ancient Greeks and Persians took
place,
visit the Leonida's Monument)
and Kammena Vourla (last stop for a coffee break by the sea).
Arrive in Athens in the evening.
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DEPARTURE |
PRICE |
HIGHLIGHTS |
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Daily:
8.00am. Return approx 7.00 p.m.
on tenth
day .
Comment:
See the
main cultural and archaeological,
historical and religious highlights of
Greece. Time is allowed for gentle walks, swimming
and coastal relaxation. Most of the
driving is on mountain and coastal roads.
Closed on Holidays:
January 1st. March 25th, May 1st, Easter Sunday,
Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On Good Friday,
the sites are open 12.00 - 17.00.
Ps: Have in mind that most of the
Archaeological sites in winter close at 2.45 pm.
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Corinth
Canal,
A. Corinth
Mycenae,
Tiryns,
Epidavros,
Nafplion, Palamidi castle,
Mani,
Sparta,
Medieval State of Mystras,
Epicurus Apollo, Ancient
Olympia, The longest Suspension bridge in Rio/ Antirio,
Delphi, Arachova, Levadia,
Meteora
Pass of
Thermopylae |
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