Argolis Full Day Tour
Full day Argolis tour starts with a 45-mile drive along the National highway to the 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 through the orange and lemon tree fields and arrive at Ancient Corinth and its unique museum, the Temple of Apollo-the 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 thirty-minute drive through olive and vineyards fields we reach at an imposing site on the top of a rocky hill located in the North East part of Peloponnese in Argolis, the ancient citadel of Mycenae.
Mycenae was the centre of power in the Late Bronze age from 16th century B.C. to 11th century B.C. The Acropolis of Mycenae protected the royal families inside the famous Cyclopean walls. The Lion Gates, followed by a steep path through ancient buildings and pathways, will lead you to the Palace of the mighty leader of the Greeks against the Trojans, Agamemnon who was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover after he had returned victorious from the Trojan War.
Leaving the Acropolis of Mycenae we make a short stop on another hill opposite the Palace, visiting an impressive monument, the Treasury of Atreus also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon, followed by a scenic forty minute drive through orange and lemon tree fields of Argolis plain arriving at 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 travellers all over the world and has become a popular day or weekend road trip for Athenians.
During our visit in Nafplion, we will visit the Palamidi Castle, 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 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.
Leaving Nafplion, we continue our tour with a thirty-minute drive to ancient 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 centre 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.
Finally, we drive back to Athens along the scenic coastal road of Saronic Gulf.
The duration of the tour is approximately 9-10 hours.
Please take a look at the right of the page for additional tour information.
Delphi Full Day Tour
Full day Delphi tour starts with a 70-mile drive along the National highway northwest of Athens. Driving through Levadia, we will arrive at the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece, built in the 10th century and set on a picturesque slope on the western foothills of Mount Hellikon, near the ancient town of Steiri. The Monastery was founded in 945 AD by the hermit Hosios Lucas who was hard working, kind, compassionate, hospitable and born with the gift of foresight, which was proved unmistakable on issues of both national and individual importance. The Catholicon at the Monastery keeps the relics of Hosios Loukas. The marvellous mosaics and the architecture make the Monastery one of the most important monuments in Greece.
Departing from the Monastery, we arrive at Delphi via Arachova, a picturesque town situated on the south slopes of Mount Parnassus. Arachova has become a popular day or weekend road trip for Athenians mostly during the winter because of the ski centre.
At Delphi, we visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer, and the Museum.
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. The Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world and consulted before all major events. The ancient Stadium held the Python Games, which were one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games held every four years.
We conclude our visit to Delphi by having lunch at a local restaurant enjoying the view of the Itea Gulf followed by a visit to the Temple of Athena Pronea and the Gymnasium.
Finally, we drive back to Athens by the same route...
The duration of the tour is approximately 9-10 hours.
Please take a look at the right of the page for additional tour information.
Delphi & Thermopylae Full Day Tour
Delphi & Thermopylae full day tour starts with a 70-mile drive along the National highway northwest of Athens.
Driving through Levadia, we will arrive at the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece, built in the 10th century & set on a picturesque slope on the western foothills of Mount Hellikon, near the ancient town of Steiri. The Monastery was founded in 945 AD by the hermit Hosios Loukas who was hard working, kind, compassionate, hospitable & born with the gift of foresight, which was proved unmistakable on issues of both national & individual importance. The Catholicon at the Monastery keeps the relics of Hosios Loukas. The marvelous mosaics & the architecture make the Monastery one of the most important monuments in Greece.
Departing from the Monastery, we will arrive at Delphi via Arachova, a picturesque town situated on the south slopes of Mount Parnassus. Arachova has become a popular day or weekend road trip for Athenians, mostly during the winter because of the ski centre.
At Delphi, we will visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer & the Museum.
Delphi is both an archaeological site & 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 & 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 & sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. Apollo possessed Pythia & she prophesied. People consulted the Delphic Oracle on everything from important matters of public policy to personal affairs. The Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world & consulted before all major events.
The ancient Stadium held the Python Games, which were one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games held every four years.
We conclude our visit to Delphi by having lunch at a local restaurant enjoying the view of the Itea Gulf, followed by a visit to the Temple of Athena Pronea & the Gymnasium.
We will continue driving through the mountains of central Greece, arriving at Thermopylae, the Hot Gates. An important town well known for the battle among the Greek forces including the 300 Spartans and their leader King Leonidas and the Persians in 480 BC.
The monument of King Leonidas was erected by the battlefield reminding all of us of the sacrifice of those patriots for a free country.
Finally, we will arrive to Athens driving along the National highway.
The duration of the tour is approximately 12 hours.
Please take a look at the right of the page for additional tour information.
Olympia Full Day Tour
Olympia 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 & the Corinthian Sea.
After a short stop for pictures, we continue with a 2 & ½ hours drive towards the village of Olympia. Olympia is well known for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, beginning in 776 B.C. At Olympia we will visit the Temple of Zeus, where the gold & 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 & the Archaeological Museum.
The Archaeological Museum exhibition contains findings from the prehistoric era. Among them, you can admire the well-known statues of Praxiteles Hermes & the Nike of Paionios.
We conclude our visit to Olympia by having lunch at a local restaurant tasting the Greek cuisine.
Finally, we drive back to Athens by the National highway.
The duration of the tour is approximately 9-10 hours.
Please take a look at the right of the page for additional tour information.
Sparta Full Day Tour
Sparta 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 & the Corinthian Sea. After a short stop for pictures, we continue with a 2 hours drive through the mountains, in central Peloponnese, arriving at Sparta, a prominent city-state in Ancient Greece, situated on the banks of Eurotas River in Laconia, in the southeastern Peloponnese.
Sparta or Lacedaemon, as is was widely known during the antiquity, because of the references of Homer, Herodotus & Thycidides, was the place where king Menelaus reigned with his wife Helen, until her decision to abandon him, in order to emigrate to Troy for Paris & the outbreak of Trojan War. Sparta was unique for its social system & constitution, which was completely focused on military training & excellence. According to the local customs, kids were separated from their parents at the age of seven, in order to be educated under strong conditions at the mountain of Taygetus.
That is why Sparta was recognized as the leader of the Greek forces during the Greek-Persians wars achieving some of the most decisive victories such as in the battle of Plataea & the memorable battle of Thermopylae under the kind Leonidas, where despite the defeat, exemplified all the Greeks to continue to fight.
At the capital of Laconia, our first stop we be the Acropolis of Sparta & the Archaeological Museum. During our visit at the museum, we will have the opportunity to observe Columns of Roman years, Monumental sculpture & portraiture of Roman era, Prehistoric finds from the wider region of Lakonia & Finds of Lakonian sculpture.
We will continue with a visit at the olive oil Museum, where the visitor will get in touch with the history & the milling of oil from the Prehistoric era till now, followed by a scenic drive to Mystras, a fortified town that served as the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of Peloponnese in the 14th & 15th centuries, experiencing a period of prosperity & cultural flowering. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was despot at Mystras before he came to the throne at Constantinoupolis.
We conclude our visit to Sparta & Mystras by having lunch at a local restaurant tasting the Greek cuisine.
After the conclusion of the Sparta tour, we will arrive to Athens by driving along the National highway.
The duration of the tour is approximately 9-10 hours.
Please take a look at the right of the page for additional tour information.