On your arrival, you will be welcomed at the Athens Airport El. Venizelos by your private driver/guide and transferred to Tripoli, which is a little less then a 2 hour drive. On the way you will stop at the Corinth Canal of Isthmos known as one of the world's 19th century engineering masterpiece's history (the first attempt to build the canal was in 602 B.C). Overnight in Tripoli.
Today your private driver/guide will take you to the ancient Tegea and Alea. The city of Tegea (ancient Tegeatis) is one of the most developed and important city of ancient Greece with its byzantine church built exactly above the ancient Greek theater. Your tour will continue to the village of Alea with the ancient temple of Alea Athena, the second biggest temple in Peloponnese after the temple of Zeus in Olympia, and the brand new museum.
Your tour around Tripoli will continue in a lighter way concerning archaeology in the Kapsia Cave, a true masterpiece for the eyes of the visitor under the earth, aged more than 3,000,000 years old! And finally, a visit to the local traditional "Kalogris" winery to taste the Greek wine made of local varieties accompanied with the homemade pies of the family. You will then return to your hotel.
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You can take a walk around Tripoli to see the center with the cafes and the shops, the Areos square which is one of the biggest squares not only in Greece but also in the Balkans and the statue of the local and national hero of the Greek revolution, Theodoros Kolokotronis. You can also visit the archaeological Museum with its important antiquities. In addition, we can arrange a half-day trip in the seaside village of Astros to spend some time on the beach and walk around the picturesque dock (not included). Overnight in Tripoli.
Today you will explore the magical Lousios gorge with your driver/guide and explore the hidden monasteries built among the rocks. In this place, natural beauty meets history in a combination that only a place like Peloponnese can offer.
On the way, you will stop at another traditional settlement in the mountainous of Arcadia, Dimitsana. First, you will visit the outdoor Hydromovement Open Air Museum, unique in the Balkans, to see how the locals were using the energy from the power of the water. The museum complex includes the renovated buildings of a watermill, a tannery and a powder shop, complete with their original machinery and equipment. Then continue to the byzantine Filosofou monastery. You will have to walk to reach this "secret school" which is the oldest and most historical monastery in Arcadia and one of the oldest Greek Byzantine sites. Your next stop is the Prodromou monastery, which played a significant role during the Greek revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans used as a shelter for the Greek fighters.
Finally, the tour will end in the findings of a 2500 year old city, ancient Gortys, from where the Spartans passed on their way to Olympia to participate in the Olympic Games. The best part is left for the end, as the program includes a picnic and relaxation next to the river under the trees. Overnight in Tripoli.
Today your guide will take you to Sparta and the byzantine city of Mystras. Sparta is located just 35 miles from Tripoli, on the foot of mountain Taygetos, the highest mountain of Peloponnese. There, you will visit the byzantine city of Mystras, known for its fortified castle and the many churches. The most important and complete site from the byzantine age, as the whole city still exists and many of the monasteries are still active.
After a short stop, your tour will continue to visit the statue of Leonidas (king of Sparta, and the legendary 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae), continue to the city with the theater, one of the biggest ones among those of all the ancient Greek cities! You will then return to the hotel to enjoy a free afternoon on your own leisure time. Overnight in Tripoli.
We recommend you be in good condition to explore and walk through the whole city as there are lots of steps but plenty of things to see.
Your private tour today will take place in Mycenae, the center of Mycenaean world, 3500 years ago in the Bronze Age. You will be guided in the remains of the Acropolis, passing through the Lions Gate going up to the Palace of the king Agamemnon, the greatest King of Mycenae. You will also visit the great vaulted grave of Atreas, King of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon and the unique museum with all the important findings of the area. Then your next stop will be Epidaurus, the medical center of antiquity that Asclepius had founded with the famous ancient theater. You will walk in the orchestra and then you can have a seat in the "kilon". You will be amazed by the acoustics of the theater, it is a masterpiece of science even today.
In the afternoon after eating lunch enjoy some free time in Nafplio where you can swim and rest on the beach or visit the Venetian castle (not included), Palamidi, with its 999 steps ascent to the top, for the daring. You will then return back to the hotel to enjoy your overnight in Tripoli.
Today you will go to the ancient Olympia where you'll enjoy a private guided tour of the birthplace of the Olympic Games. There, you will step into the ancient Olympic Stadium putting yourselves in the position of the athletes of the ancient times. You will be able to feel the grandeur of the games and imagine them competing. You will browse in the ancient buildings of the city, the great Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the ancient gymnasium and the Palaestra and to the workshop of Phidias where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
You can also visit the Olympia museum. The brilliant Hermes of Praxiteles, the Nike of Paionios and the pediments of Zeus temple are just some of the exhibits that everybody should see at least once in their life. At the end of the tour you will get to enjoy a traditional Greek lunch followed by some free time in Olympia. Then you will continue to the north, passing by the Rio- Antirio bridge, up to Galaxidi, a beautiful seaside village close to Delphi. Overnight will be in Galaxidi.
After eating breakfast at the hotel enjoy going on a private tour of the city with a guide by your side to assist you. Delphi was the most important oracle of the ancient Greek world and according to mythology the center of the earth and nowadays a monument of Global heritage of Unesco. During your visit you will have the opportunity to admire the temple of Apollo, the ancient theater, the Stadium and also the spectacular view among the rocks.
The tour will end with the archaeological museum of Delphi, one of the best in Greece, with great findings from the oracle and the area.
Your trip continues to Arahova, a mountainous destination, where you will stop. You will have a lunch in a nice tavern with local-traditional food. Then enjoy a coffee in the main square or just explore the town through the small streets. Then departure to Athens and overnight there.
Lunch with drinks
Acropolis - Acropolis museum
This morning, your private guide will take you to the Acropolis, the masterpiece of the ancient Greek engineering and the New Acropolis Museum with the impressive heritage of our ancestors. The Acropolis, and the Parthenon in particular, is the most characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilization. It continues to stand as a symbol in many ways: it is the symbol of democracy and the Greek civilization. It also symbolizes the beginning of the Western civilization and stands as the icon of European culture.
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
The Greeks don't like to say goodbye. Instead they prefer to say «Εις το επανιδείν» which means that they hope to see you again sometime!
