Argolis, Sparta, Monemvasia, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora Six Days Tour
take a look at the marvellous
sites and spots of ARGOLIS, SPARTA, MONEMVASIA, OLYMPIA, DELPHI & METEORA SIX DAYS TOUR
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...
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 forty-minute drive along the scenic coastal road of Saronic Gulf, we reach ancient Epidaurus.
Next stop...
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.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.
Day 2
First day 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.
next...
After the conclusion of the Sparta tour, we arrive to Monemvasia, whose name derives from two Greek words, mone, and emvasi, meaning only entrance.
Located in the southeastern Peloponnese and separated from the mainland by an earthquake in 375 A.D, Monemvasia is also known as the “Gibraltar of Greece”.The city was founded by the Byzantines in the 6th century and became an important port.
Day 3
OUR DAY IN MONEMVASIA...
We continue our tour driving furthermore to the east south of Peloponnese arriving at Diros Caves, the most beautiful lake caves in the world. Located in Mani area, they have been systematically explored since 1949.
In the ten thousand square meters explored so far, Diros is comprised of chambers with a lot of stalactites and stalagmites that form imposing pillars. You explore them by small boats.
Day 4
First Day in Olympia...
Olympia is well known for the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor God Zeus, beginning in 776 B.C.
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.
We conclude our visit to Olympia by having lunch at a local restaurant tasting the Greek cuisine
followed by a drive to Delphi via Patra, Rio and the largest bridge in
Europe, connecting the Peloponnese with Central Greece.
We continue driving
via picturesque seaport towns of Central Greece such as Nafpaktos and Itea arriving at Delphi in the afternoon and stay for 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.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.
Day 5
delphi...
The next day, after breakfast, we visit Castalia spring, the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the ancient Stadium, and the ancient Theatre, the unique bronze Charioteer, and the Museum.
We 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.
Day 6
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...
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
• 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 the Acropolis of Sparta, the Museum and Mystras
• 4 Euros for the Olive Oil museum
• 15 Euros for Diros Caves
• 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
• 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
