1 DAY

ARRIVAL IN ATHENS-CONTINUE TO TOLON AT ARGOLIC GULF

Arrival at the airport of Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos”. Continue to Tolon  in Argolic Gulf or Loutraki in the Gulf of Corinth. Dinner and overnight.

2 DAY

TRIP IN ARGOLIS (NAUPLION-MYCENAE-EPIDAURUS-ANCIENT CORINTH-RETURN TO TOLON

After breakfast, we will head to Nauplion (Nauplia)- the first Greek capital after the Ottoman rule. We will meet the sight of the Bavarian Lion in the entrance of the city, the Archaeological Museum and the Folklore Museum-the city’s museum. Later, we will visit the archaeological site of Mycenae-excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in 1876/77 (Lions’ Gate, Cyclopian walls, kings’ graves, Atreus’ treasure). We will continue to Epidaurus-sanctuary of god of medicine, Asclepius. We will be guided in the sanctuary and the ancient theater with the famous acoustics. Then, provided the weather is good and there is enough time, we will visit Ancient Corinth– a small harbor in the Gulf of Corinth, near the famous canal separating the mainland from Peloponnese. We will also visit the temple of Apollo-one of the most important monuments of antiquity, with its ruins lying beneath the hill of the ancient forum. After our visit, we will return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight.

3 DAY

TOWARDS MYSTRAS-VISIT TO THE DIROS’ CAVE-TOWARDS GYTHION OR SPARTA

After breakfast, we will head to Mystras, where we will be guided among the byzantine ruins near Sparta in Mount Taygetos. After lunch, we will visit the Cave of Pyrgos of Diros. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to tour in the cave by boat through the lake of the cave ca 1200 m. towards the exit. After that, we will go to Gythio or Sparta to our hotel. Dinner and overnight.

4 DAY

DAY-TRIP TO MONEMVASIA-OVERNIGHT

After breakfast, we will head to Monemvasia, a small port-city and important base and fortress in the byzantine era. It lies on a cliff close to the shore of the prefecture of Laconia, in the southeast of the Peloponnesian peninsula. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821/30, there, at “Gibraltar of East” an important landing took place. Following our visit, we will return to our hotel in Gythion or Sparta. Dinner and overnight.

5 DAY

TOWARDS AREOPOLIS-MANI-PLATSA-KORONI-OVERNIGHT IN PETALIDI

After breakfast, we will visit Areopolis with its historical monuments. From Areopolis the Greek Revolution begun on the 21st of March 1821. In the church of Taxiarches the flag of the revolution was risen. We will continue our journey to Platsa, outside of Messenia (Mani), well-known for its byzantine churches. Continuing our journey, we will go to Koroni, a picturesque small town, 52 km southwest of Kalamata on the coast of the Messenian Gulf. In Koroni, the picturesque venetian fortress completes and covers the mountain. Its large triangular shape icludes two inner courtyards with grout and is built during several stages. The view is also impressive. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel in Petalidi. Dinner and overnight.

6 DAY

TOWARDS PYLOS-VISIT TO NESTOR’S PALACE IN CHORA-METHONI-RETURN TO PETALIDI-OVERNIGHT

After breakfast, we will go to Pylos, a small harbor on the western coast of Messenia. The small town is built in the south of a large bay, known by its medieval name “Gulf of Navarino“. Excavations in the north of the bay revealed a palace of the 13th century BC, believed to belong to Nestor. We will visit the ruins of the palace, which belongs to the mycenean era. Later, we will head to Methoni, a city close to Pylia. Without doubt the venetian palace is impressive and distinguishing feature of the area and one of the most important palaces in Greece. Then, we will return to our hotel in Petalidi. Dinner and overnight.

7 DAY

PETALIDI-VASSAE-OLYMPIA-OVERNIGHT IN THE AREA OF PATRAS

After breakfast, we will head to Olympia, where we will have a short excursion to the foothills of mountain Kotilios to visit ancient Vassae with the admired Temple of Apollo Epicurius. At noon we will go to Olympia, where the Olympic Games were born in 776 BC, having panhellenic character. We will visit the excavation site of Olympia and the local museum. We will continue to our hotel in the Patras area. Dinner and overnight.

8 DAY

A SCENIC WALK ON THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF KALAVRYTA-TOWARDS ATHENS-OVERNIGHT

In the morning, after breakfast, we will travel by bus from Diakofton along the coast of the Corinthian Gulf (about 20 minutes away). From there, we will travel downwards with the legendary cog railway through the Vouraikos Gorge towards the mountain village of Kalavryta. On our way to the Cave of the Lakes we will visit the historic monastery of Aghia Lavra, an important national memorial in Greece. With about 20 minutes with bus ride, we will reach the Cave of the Lakes, where we will be guided. Afterwards, we will return to Kalavryta for lunch. On our return from Kalavryta to our hotel, we will visit the Mega Spileon monastery so as to enjoy the breathtaking view of Vouraikos Gorge. Then, we will return to our hotel in Athens. Dinner and overnight.

9 DAY

ATHENS-CITY TOUR-VISIT TO THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM-EVENING IN PLAKA-OVERNIGHT

In the morning, we will have a city tour in Athens. We will visit Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum. Acropolis is not only a landmark in Athens, but also a well-known monument of Greece. Shopping in the old city of Athens Plaka. After that, we will have a short visit to the port and city of Piraeus. Later, we will return to Plaka (the so-called Montmartre of Athens). Here, we will have dinner in a typical Greek tavern at the foothill of Acropolis and have the opportunity to enjoy the local hospitality and folklore art as well as the south-European temperament. At about midnight, we will return to our hotel.

10 DAY

ATHENS-RETURN

Transfer to Athens airport. Preparation for departure.