The Ultimate Greek Experience: 7-day Tour To The Peloponnese Delphi And Meteora

Itinerary

Day 1: Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Nafplio town - Epidaurus

Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece
The home of King Agamemnon and the Mycenean civilization.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
One of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Palamidi Castle, Eikostis Pemptis Martiou, Nafplio 211 00 Greece
Walkthrough the Venetian castle and down the 999 steps that take you to the old Nafplio town.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
The oldest theater in the world with the amazing acoustics
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight Nafplio. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 2: Monemvasia via the Coastline & Mountain range of East Peloponnese

Stop At: Tyros, Tyros, Arkadia Region, Peloponnese
We'll enjoy a coffee next to the ocean before climbing up the mountain range of Parnon.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Leonidio, Leonidio, Arkadia Region, Peloponnese
Leonidio is as impressive as any town in Greece with its Dafonas Gorge in between the red rock-climbing Parnon mountain. Famous to all Greeks for the sweet eggplant/aubergine.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Monastery of Panagia Elona, Eparchiaki Odos Leonidiou - Kosma, Kosmas 23058 Greece
A quick stop at the cliff-hanging monastery of Elona.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kosmas, Kosmas, Arkadia Region, Peloponnese
Instead of taking the motorway route to Monemvasia, we'll enjoy the beautiful coastline after leaving Nafplio and then climb the mountain range of Parnon; with Greek coffee by the water and lunch at a mountain village.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Monemvasia Fortress, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality 23070 Greece
The Castle Town of Monemvasia is among the most impressive places in Greece. Located on the south eastern side of Peloponnese, Monemvasia was entirely carved on the back side of a sea rock in the Medieval times.
Duration: 15 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight Monemvasia Castle. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 3: Mani peninsula, Diros Caves, Mystras & Sparta

Stop At: Mani Peninsula, Mani Peninsula, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Greece
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Caves of Diros, Diros 230 62 Greece
A vast cave structure which is experienced from an expertly guided boat. The lighting and variety of rock formations and formations of stalagmites and stalactites lit with sympathetic lighting makes you appreciate the passage of time.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Areopoli, Areopoli, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
One of the typical stonebuilt towns where Pirates were a permanent threat.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Archaeological Site of Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality Greece
The famous Byzantine Castletown with the fantastic views of Sparta and the Laconic olive groves.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight Sparta or Mystras. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 4: Ancient Olympia & (option) Ancient Messene

Stop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archea Olympia, Olympia 27065 Greece
Olympia hosted the original Olympic Games, founded in the 8th century B.C. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ancient Messini, Messini 240 02 Greece
OPTIONAL: Messene is a significant ancient city in terms of its size, form, and state of preservation, and still has much to offer. It possesses not only sanctuaries and public buildings, but also imposing fortifications, and houses and tombs.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, 129 Othonos Amalias Street, Sparta, Sparta Municipality 231 00 Greece
OPTIONAL: The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, in Sparta, transports you to the culture, history, and technology of the olive and olive oil production in the Greek realm, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in one of the mountain villages. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 5: Mountain villages and monasteries of Arcadia

Stop At: Kastria Cave of the Lakes, Kastria Greece
THE MYTHICAL 'CAVE OF THE LAKES' has something exclusively unique that does not exist in other well known caves. A rare creation of nature with mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kalavrita, Kalavrita, Achaea Region, West Greece
Kalavrita and the surrounding area are a resort for all seasons. This is your lunch place! We explore the center of the town on foot before or after lunch.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Odontotos rack railway Diakopto – Kalavrita, Diakopto 250 03, Greece
About 120 years ago Odontotos rack railway started from the seaside town of Diakopto parallel to the river and climbed to Kalavrita through bridges and tunnels.

The little train incorporated so well to the natural environment that it seems that it had always been there. The way it was constructed did not put a strain on the ecosystem of the gorge. Using stone and wood from the area the technicians' work is so perfect that someone may think that the nature worked on its own.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Nafpaktos 303 00, Greece
Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside small town, where we'' stress our legs and enjoy coffee next to the water and the Venetian Castle.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
Early evening arrival at Delphi village ready to explore the site next morning.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight Delphi. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 6: Delphi (plus Meteora late afternoon visit; time permiting)

Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas - Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary with the famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years, in the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Delphi Greece
The archaeological site of Delphi is one of the most important one in Greece, second only to the Acropolis of Athens. The magnitude of the Delphi contributions to the entire ancient civilization cannot be overstated.

Many political decisions were taken after consultation of the Oracle, and no colony was founded around the Mediterranean without the consent of the sanctuary at Delphi. In proportion with its immense influence, the settlement at delphi grew from a small village to a imposing depository of fine Architecture and Art.

At the Delphi sanctuary excavations have unearthed settlements that date as far back as the Neolithic era. However evidence of the site's importance dates back to the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 B.C).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Athena Pronaia Temple, Delphi 330 54, Greece
OPTIONAL: The first photo you see when you google "Delphi" but still a place that most tourists miss out! We don't!
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Hani of Gravia, Gravia 330 57 Greece
A totally of the beaten path location for our lunch with authentic choices, treat of your driver/tour leader
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Meteora, Kastraki, Kalambaka 422 00 Greece
Optional: If there are no unexpected delays, and although not part of the normal itinerary, we shall make the first visit to the amazing monasteries' area to get a feeling of the amazing landscape with the sun setting down. Time permitting it may be possible to visit St Stephan's monastery.
Totally different lighting than the morning visit to follow the next day!
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight Meteora. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 7: Meteora (2-3 monasteries) & Thermopylae Battlefield

Stop At: The Great Meteoron Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
We shall be visiting two of the monasteries that are open on the specific day. The gigantic rocks of Meteora dominate imposingly in Kalampaka between mountains Koziakas and Antichasion. This masterpiece of nature reveals all its glory for centuries as a unique geological phenomenon in beauty and an important monument of Orthodoxy.
The Great Meteoron Monastery, built on an imposing rock, is the oldest, the biggest and the most important among the monasteries of Meteora which are preserved today.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
In 1350 a daring ascetic named Varlaam ascended to the rock. The monastery was named after him. He built three churches, a small cell and a water tank. After his death the rock remained abandoned for about 200 years until 1517 when the two priest-monks Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades started to construct the first buildings from the beginning.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Kalambaka Greece
We shall be exploring all the monasteries but visit 1-3 depending on your fitness levels and time available.

According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae Greece
The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, in 480 BC.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Syntagma, Syntagma, Athens, Attica
... back to Athens

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: We return to Athens with drop off at your hotel.