Argolis, Sparta, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora Five Days Tour
take a look at the marvellous
sites and spots of ARGOLIS , SPARTA,OLYMPIA,DELPHI AND METEORA
take a look at the marvellous
sites and spots of argolis , sparta,olympia,delphi and meteora
How we start our trip!
Our suggestion if possible is to start your tour at 08:00 am.
You will have the added benefit of visiting archaeological sites at different times from the large tour buses and groups of visitors, thus enabling you to experience the wonderful monuments and learn their history at a time of the day when they are not overcrowded.
Day 1
First stop...
The five days Argolis, Sparta, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora tour starts with a 45-mile drive along the National highway to Peloponnese. We reach the well-known Corinthian canal or else Isthmus canal that connects the Saronic Sea and the Corinthian Sea.
After a short stop for pictures, we continue with a ten-minute drive though the orange and lemon tree fields and arrive at Ancient Corinth and its unique museum, the Temple of Apollothe God of Oracles and the Sun, the Roman baths and finally the Vima (step) from where St. Paul preached to the Corinthians in 52 A.D.We leave Ancient Corinth and after a forty-minute drive along the scenic coastal road of Saronic Gulf, we reach ancient Epidaurus.
Epidaurus (3rd Century B.C), a spiritual place worth visiting for its sites such as the Sanctuary of Asclepius and the ancient Theatre with its unique acoustics. The Sanctuary of Asclepius was a healing and culture center of ancient times and the Theatre of Epidaurus is one of the very few that retains its original circular Orchestra and it is a rare aesthetic sight still used in our days.Next stop...
Leaving ancient Epidaurus, we continue our tour with a thirty-minute drive to Nafplion, a picturesque seaport town near the north end of Argolis Gulf.
Nafplion became the first capital of modern Greece from 1829 to 1834 by John Kapodistrias, few years after the beginning of the Greek War of Independence (1821) against the Turkish custody. Nowadays Nafplion attracts a great number of travelers from all over the world and has become a popular day or weekend road trip for the Athenians.
During our visit in Nafplion, we will visit the Palamidi Castle, which was the last construction of the Venetian Empire, and the Acronafplia Castle, the walls of which date back to pre-classical times. These two castles are located on a hill above the old town.
We will conclude our visit to Nafplion by having lunch at a picturesque restaurant by the sea enjoying the view of the Bourtzi Castle situated on a small islet in the Argolis Gulf at the entrance of the port.After...
Last...
Day 2
First stops in sparta...
The next day , after breakfast , we will start exploring Sparta.
Sparta was unique for its social system and constitution, which was completely focused on military training and excellence. That is why Sparta was recognized as the leader of the Greek forces during the Greek-Persians wars.
At the capital of Laconia, we will visit the Acropolis of Sparta, the Archaeological Museum, and the olive oil Museum followed by a scenic drive to Mystras
Mystras, a fortified town that served as the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of Peloponnese in the 14th and 15th centuries, experiencing a period of prosperity and cultural flowering. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was despot at Mystras before he came to the throne at Constantinoupolis.
after...
After the conclusion of the Sparta tour, we will continue with a 3-hour drive to Olympia via picturesque towns and villages through olive and vineyards fields and stay the night.
Olympia is well known for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, beginning in 776 B.C.
Day 3
First stops in Olympia...
The next day, after breakfast, we will visit the Temple of Zeus, where the gold and ivory statue of God Zeus stood, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Flame lights every four years, the workshop of Phidias, the ancient Olympic stadium and the Archaeological Museum.
Next stop...
We conclude our visit to Olympia by having lunch at a local restaurant tasting the Greek cuisine followed by a 3-hour drive to Delphi via Patra, Rio, the largest bridge in Europe, connecting the Peloponnese with Central Greece.
We will continue driving via picturesque seaport towns of Central Greece such as Nafpaktos and Itea arriving at Delphi in the afternoon and stay the night.
Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town on the southwestern slope of
Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.
In Greek mythology, it was the navel of the
earth, the site of the Delphic Oracle and a major site for the worship of god Apollo
after he slew the Python, a dragon who protected the navel of the earth. Apollo spoke
through his oracle. The priestess of the oracle known as the Pythia had to be an older
woman and sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. Apollo possessed Pythia
and she prophesied. People consulted the Delphic Oracle on everything from
important matters of public policy to personal affairs.
Day 4
First Day in Delphi...
OUR NEXT STOP...
Day 5
First Day in Meteora...
The following morning , we will visit three of the six suspended in the air Monasteries, built on natural sandstone rock pillars.
The Meteora Monasteries date back to the 11th century and are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The James Bond movie for your eyes only was filmed at the Monastery of Holy Trinity.LAST STOP...
We will conclude our visit to Meteora by having lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a drive back to Athens through picturesque towns of Central Greece and a short stop at Thermopylae, the Hot Gates.
Thermopylae has been associated globally with values such as bravery , undying will
and patriotism which were embodied through King Leonidas ,with his famous 300
Spartans , and the rest of the Greek forces.
The monument of King Leonidas was erected by the battlefield reminding all of us of
the sacrifice of those patriots for a free country.
ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα,
τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.
passer-by that here,
obedient to their word, we lie.
Simonides of Ceos, Greek lyric poet.
Please note that in order visitors to be allowed to enter the monasteries at
Meteora, they are obliged to conform to the corresponding dress code:
A) Long trousers for men.
B) Overcoats that cover the shoulders and skirts up to the knee for women
TRIP INFORMATION
• 8 Euros for Ancient Corinth and the Museum
• 12 Euros for Ancient Epidaurus
• 12 Euros for the Acropolis of Mycenae and the Treasury of Atreus
• 12 Euros for the Acropolis of Sparta, the Museum and Mystras
• 4 Euros for the Olive Oil museum
• 12 Euros for Olympia and the Museum
• 12 Euros for Delphi and the Museum
• 3 Euros for each Monastery
• 3 Euros for Thermopylae Historical Information Center
• For students from E.U (student id is required)
• Free entrance: For children up to 5 years old
• Free entrance: For children up to 25 years old from E.U Countries
• Reduced entrance fee for students outside the E.U
• Reduced entrance fee for children from 6 up to 25 years old outside the E.U
• Reduced entrance fee for citizens over 65 years old from E.U Countries
• Winter: From November 1 to March 31 08:30 until 15:00
• Summer: From April 1 to October 31 08:00 until 19:30
• January 1st: closed
• January 6th: 08:30 until 15:00
• Shrove Monday: 08:30 until 15:00
• March 25th: closed
• Good Friday: 12:00 until 17:00
• Holy Saturday: 08:30 until 15:00
• Easter Sunday: closed
• Easter Monday: closed
• May 1st: closed
• Holy Spirit day: 08:30 until 15:00
• August 15th: 08:30 until 15:00
• October 28th: 08:00 until 15:00
• December 25th: closed
• December 26th: closed
• Olive oil museum closed every Tuesday
