13 days Travel explore Greece, historical/ educational tour, Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Mani, Sparta, Monemvasia, Mycenae, Nafplion, Hydra island, Corinth.
13 days private tour with 12 exceptional overnights. Historical/ Educational tour of Greece.
Day 1: Welcome to Historical / Educational Tour of Greece/13 days
Meet at the airport. Transfer from Airport to your Hotel / Apartment. Then we'll get oriented to our neighborhood and walk to a nearby restaurant where we can get acquainted over dinner. Sleep in Athens (2 nights).
Day 2: Athens' Acropolis/ Parthenon/ Museum/ Zeus Temple...
This morning with your tour guide we'll hike to the top of Athens' legendary Acropolis, where we'll take a walking tour of its 2,500-year-old Golden Age temples, dominated by the dramatic Parthenon. We'll then work our way down and tour the sleek new Acropolis Museum, custom built to showcase the amazing Parthenon sculptures. Continue our tour by car, visit the Parliament, Stadium, Zeus Temple and Lycabetus Hill...Your evening is free for exploring Athens' marketplaces — the ancient Agora and the modern Plaka's labyrinth of inviting streets, squares, shops, and cafés. Walking: strenuous.
Day 3: Meteora Rocks & Monasteries
Historical/ Educational Tour of Greece departs from Athens (or other terminal - up request) via Lamia. We will stop at Thermopylae (where in 480 B.C. a battle between the ancient Greeks and Persians took place)to visit Leonidas Monument and then on via Trikala (Magnificent town, short stop). Visit Meteora, among 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
Day 4: Delphi & Apollo Oracle
Further sightseeing in Meteora rocks and monasteries, this time will see the rocks early the morning with different light and shadows... and will take photos from different angles. Depart before noon for Trikala, (short stop to taste a Greek coffee) and continue for Lamia. the same way until Thermopylae where will turn west to across the Mount Parnassus, along Heracles road - this is a superb mountain road running between Bralos and Iraklia (90km/ 60miles about 1 hour) with an impressive landscape and extensive views. Late afternoon we will arrive at Delphi and visit the famous Apollo Temple, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. Moreover, the Greeks considered Delphi the navel (or centre) of the world, as represented by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi. It occupies an impressive site on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus, overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis. It is now an extensive archaeological site with a small modern town of the same name nearby. It is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a phenomenal influence in the ancient world, as evidenced by the rich monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity.
Visit Castalia Spring and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaea , the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the Museum. Overnight on mount Parnassus which holds some of the most traditional villages in Greece.
Day5: Rio-Antirio Bridge / Rack railway Train/ Kalavryta
Historical/ Educational tour of Greece takes the scenic coast road to Patra. We visit Galaxidi, a picturesque fish village ( short stop for a coffee in front water) continue to take the ferry from Antirio to Rio and we will have the chance to admire the huge suspension bridge. Continue for Diakopto. Take the rack railway, for a steep, scenic cog railway ride up to the historic town of Kalavryta, past the waterfalls and caves lining the narrow Vouraikos Gorge, a train ride that is not to be missed. Kalavryta is one of the martyred villages in Greece that were destroyed in the Second World war. Visit the Historical Monastery of Agia Lavra / It was built in 961 AD, on Chelmos Mountain, at an altitude of 961 meters, and can be described as the symbolic birthplace of modern Greece. It stands as one of the oldest monasteries in the Peloponnese.
It was built in the 10th century but was burnt to the ground in 1585 by the Turks. It was rebuilt in 1600 while the frescoes by Anthimos were completed in 1645. It was burnt again in 1715 and in 1826 by the armies of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. In 1850 after the rebirth of modern Greece, the building was completely rebuilt. The monastery was burned down by German forces in 1943. It is famously linked with the Greek War of Independence, since it was here that the call for Eleftheria I Thanatos (Ελευθερία ή θάνατος) was first heard on 25 March 1821, launching the revolution against the Ottoman Empire. That day, Bishop Germanos of Patras performed a doxology and administered an oath to the Peloponnese fighters.The revolutionary flag was raised by Bishop under the plane tree just outside the gate of the monastery. Overnight in a hotel with an overlooking view of the village.
Day 6: Ancient Olympia / Birth place of Games
Early morning visit a school Museum... Historical & Educational tour of Greece, departs for Olympia through the Arcadian Mountains, this morning's winding mountain drive (one of the most unique roads in Greece) will take us to Ancient Olympia, site of the world's first Olympics, over 2,700 years ago. Olympia is located NW in Peloponnese (the cradle of the Olympic Games). Visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus, Gymnasium, Fidias workshop, Hera's temple, the famous Stadion and the Archaeological Museum, one of the best in Greece. Overnight in Olympia.
Day 7: Mani peninsula and Tower Houses
Depart for Kalamata. We take the road to Mount Taygetos, the largest and highest mountain in Peloponnese. This afternoon's drive will take us along sweeping views of the Ionian Sea to a relaxed seaside village on the Mani Peninsula, where we'll sleep (2 nights).
Day 8:Mani/ Diros Caves/ Cape Tenaron/ Poseidon Necromantion
The Mani is an ideal place to enjoy a "vacation from your vacation." We will visit the Caves of Diros ( 99% in beauty ) and Villages known for their unique architecture and the unique houses, known as Towers houses. Visit Cape Tenaron and the famous Death Oracle of Poseidon known as Nekromantion...
After some orientation by your driver/guide, the evening you might hike along the ancient cobbled paths that wind their way through the nearby cliffs to relax on a cafe and enjoy one of the best sunsets in Greece —
Day 9: Ancient & Modern Sparta/ Mystras Byzantine Medieval Town
Following a unique road which passes, through gorges, rivers, tunnels, plane trees, cypresses, olive trees, mulberries and orange trees we reach Mystras. We scan its innumerable peaks, precipitous slopes and deep gorges until our gaze suddenly rests on a hill, detached from the mountain range. On the naturally defended hill of Myzithras in Lacedaimon, the ruler of the Frankish Principate of Achaia Guillaume de Villehardouin built in 1249 a strong medieval castle the "Oriokastro" which was to play an important role in the history of the last centuries of the Byzantine empire. Next we visit the Acropolis of Sparta, which is open to travelers... Drive to Nafplion for overnight
Day 10: Mycenae / Agamemnon Palace / Nafplion 1st Capital of Greece
13 days Hisrorical/ Educational tour explores Nafplion (first capital city of Greece in modern time) the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. 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 famous Royal Tombs of King Agamemnon. Visit Ancient Tyrins and the most well preserved Cyclopean Walls../ Visit Ancient Nemea and the magnificent Zeus Temple plus the unique Stadium & Crypt . 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.
Day 11: Epidaurus/ Asclepious sanctuary - Ermioni port / Hydra island
After breakfast leave for in the hinterland of Epidavros to visit the sanctuary of Asklepios, the most brilliant center of healing in the ancient world and the theater ( 4th century B.C. ) one of the most perfect and the best preserved of the ancient Greek theaters. We'll learn about the roots of medicine and drama here, before hopping a boat from Ermioni to the idyllic traffic-free island of Hydra, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Boat: ½ hour. Located in the Peloponnese region of Greece, Ermioni is a popular tourist resort and small port town which lies to the south east of Argolis. The port is situated on the Aegean Sea coast and faces the islands of Hydra and Dorkos. Rising up on a hillside, the old town has amazing views to nearby islands and a fertile plain rich in pomegranates, citrus fruits and olive groves. Below the old town, the northern bay forms a natural harbor for the busy little port where you can observe fishermen clean their nets and also find some small shops and cafes. If you are looking for a good selection of restaurants, Mandraki lies to the south of Ermioni and has a number of quayside restaurants, bars and traditional tavernas where you can see their octopuses hanging outside to dry in the sun.The town and its surrounding area can trace its origins back to at least the times of Homer. During the classic era it was well known for its shipbuilders and also for the production of porphyra, a very important red dye which was used for the colouring of the uniforms of many armies including that of Alexander the Great.
Day 12: Hydra Guide
Hydra is a Greek island that lies in the Saronic Gulf and is a popular destination for visiting Athenians for the weekend due to its proximity to the Greek capital. The island's main town, also called Hydra, is built on the slopes of a hill around the port and is an impressive site. Quite unique to Hydra is that all cars and other motor vehicles are prohibited throughout the island and therefore all journeys must be made on foot, by boat or by donkey. The island's beaches, which a very popular with visitors, are mainly small coves and have crystal clear waters and tend to be surrounded by green vegetation. Perhaps the best and prettiest beaches on the island are Agios Nikolaos, Bitsi, Vlichos and Kaminia.
Your entire day is free to soak up the whitewashed architecture as you wander Hydra's narrow streets and harbor promenade. You might swim at a nearby beach, hike across the island, or try to make friends with a donkey. We will cap our island vacation with a relaxing sunset happy hour. No Drive. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 13: Return to Mainland / Ancient Corinth / Athens /End of Tour
Return to Mainland. Continue for Ancient Corinth. Back in ancient times Corinth was one of the three major powers in Greece, and took part in all the battles against the Persians. It was from 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.) Next we reach the Corinth canal with its breathtaking views (short stop / on the bridge, which is the highest point of the canal -80 meters high and 6 kms long- which connects the Aegean Sea to the Ionian Sea (short stop).
HIGHLIGHTS OF HISTORICAL GREECE PRIVATE TOUR/ 13 DAYS
Links for viewing our sites photos...Meteora -Monasteries / Delphi - Apollo Oracle/ Kalavryta - Train on Rack railway / Ancient Olympia - Stadion / Mani -Cape Tenaron/ Ancient Sparta - Mystras / Nafplion - Palamidi / Epidaurus - Asclepios / Mycenae - Agamemnon palace / Hydra Island / Ancient Corinth - Canal
DEPARTURE - Any Time: 8.00am. Return approx 18.00. on last day. Schedule may changed in winter time. Please read our Touring/Info*
Comment: See the main cultural and archaeological, historical and the island of Hydra. 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.