Argolis, Olympia, Zakynthos, 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, Olympia, Zakynthos, Delphi and Meteora

How we start our trip!

We will pick you up from your preferred location and drive you back at the end of your tour.
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, Olympia, Zakynthos, Delphi & Meteora tour starts with a 45-mile drive on the National highway towards Peloponnese.
We will 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 will 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 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...

Leaving Nafplion, we will continue our tour with a thirty-minute drive through orange and lemon tree fields to an imposing site on the top of a rocky hill located in the Northeast part of Peloponnese in Argolis, the ancient citadel of Mycenae.
Mycenae was the center 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.

MYCENAE

Mycanae

Day 2

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.

The Archaeological Museum exhibition contains findings from the prehistoric era. Among them, you can admire the well-known statues of Praxiteles Hermes and the Nike of Paionios.
After the conclusion of Olympia Tour, we will drive to Kyllini where we will take the ferry for Zakynthos departing at 13:00.
Zakynthos or Fiore of Levante as it is called is a beautiful island in the Ionian Sea.

Day 3

OUR DAY IN Zakynthos...

The next morning after breakfast, we will visit the beautiful city of Zakynthos, the church of Saint Dionysios and the beautiful beach of Navagio.

Navagio means shipwreck in Greek but this beach is also often known as Smugglers cove.
It is the most famous sight on Zante and one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
This beach is only accessible by boat but can also be viewed from a viewing platform which looks down on this picturesque beach.
The story of the shipwreck is that it was a coaster carrying contraband cigarettes and alcohol and while being pursued by the Greek Navy in bad weather it was wrecked and washed up on to the beach.
White pebbles and a small stretch of sand comprise this beach which is surrounded by gorgeous turquoise water – the color has to be seen to be believed.
In the afternoon we will catch the ferry to Kyllini departing at 14:45 followed by a drive to Delphi where we will spend the night via Patra, Rio and the largest bridge in Europe, connecting the Peloponnese with Central Greece. We will spend the night at Delphi.

Day 4

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

First STOP in Delphi...

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, 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.

OUR NEXT STOP...

We will continue driving through the mountains of central Greece, arriving at Kalambaka, an important town well known due to the second largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece, after Mount Athos, Meteora. We will spend the night in a hotel either at Kalambaka or at Kastraki village.

Kalabaka, Καλαμπακα

Day 5

Meteora, Μετεορα

First STOP in Meteora...

The next morning, after breakfast , 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...

Leaving Kalambaka we will make 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. 

Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις,
ὅτι τῇδε κείμεθα,
τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.
Tell them in Lacedaemon (Sparta),
passer-by that here,
obedient to their word, we lie.

Simonides of Ceos, Greek lyric poet.

Finally, we will arrive to Athens by driving along the National highway.

Monument of King Leonidas at Thermopylae

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

• 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

• 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 Ancient Olympia and the Museum
• 25 Euros for the Ferry from Kyllini to Zakynthos vice versa
• 12 Euros for Delphi and the Museum
• 3 Euros for each Monastery
• 3 Euros for Thermopylae Historical Information Center

• 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