Best of Peloponnese – Greece Cultural

WHAT TO EXPECT

Timeless villages, ancient monuments, medieval castles, rich history, natural beauty and spectacular beaches make the Peloponnese a yearround holiday destination.

With a rich history and landscape it will make your holiday adventure perfect.

The close distance to Athens, the beautiful resorts and the interesting sightseeing attract many visitors to Peloponnese Greece. It has been the main field of action for Greece since the prehistoric times. In fact, it hosts the most important archaeological sites of Greece, including Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Surrounded by sea from all sides, the region provides amazing beaches. Visiting Peloponnese is a journey through history and ancient civilizations, a paradise for activities and nature, home of the olive groves and so much more.

Itinerary and Location

Day 1

Arrival at Athens airport, transfer to Athens center, start your city tour and visit the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens.

Day 2

Drive to Nafplio pass the Corinth Canal, visit Mycenae & Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its unique acoustics. In the evening you may enjoy your walk at the picturesque town of Nafplio. Overnight in Nafplio.

Day 3

Drive to Monemvasia and visit the medieval castletown of Monemvasia with the numerous Byzantine churches. As a natural fortress, it was inhabited and soon became a strategic fortress claimed the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans. Neither museum-like nor artificially fabricated, Monemvasia is Europe’s only castle that has never ceased being inhabited. As no cars are allowed in the town, you can enjoy strolling through any alley you see, and keep a look out for terraces with sensational views of the Myrtoan Sea below. You may stay in the small atmospheric guest houses in the castle or in hotels nearby. Overnight in Monemvasia.

Day 4

Drive to Areopolis and explore the caves of Diros with a small boat. The magic of the color, and the beautiful shapes, formed by the stalactites and stalagmites make a unique spectacle. After the ongoing research at the cave of Diros to this date, the total length reaches 6.500 meters and the final length is still unknown. The Diros caves represent one of the biggest caves in Europe. Overnight in the traditional small village of Areopolis.

Day 5

Drive to Olympia on the West-Peloponnese coastal road along one of the longest beaches of Greece (almost 60 km of length, starting from Kyparissia to Pyrgos). Visit the unique Ancient Olympia archeological site and museum. There is probably no ancient archaeological site anywhere in the world more relevant in today’s world than Olympia. The stadium of Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held, and the massive temple of Zeus, the largest temple in the Peloponnese, are the site’s most significant attractions. But Olympia was not just used every four years for Olympic Games. It was also a place where remarkable works of art and culture were created and shared to worship the Greek god Zeus. Overnight in Olympia village.

Day 6

Drive to Kalavryta pass from Patras town, visit the Agia Lavra monastery and drive through the unique beauty mountains to Kalavryta. Visit the Mega Spyleo monastery and the Cave of the Lakes. The remarkable Cave of the Lakes lies 16,5 km south of Kalavryta near the village of Kastria. A 500m long tunnel is accessible to the visitors which leads you through the cave, through the vast entrance chamber (home to five species of bats) past spectacular cauliflower-like rock formations, and over the deep, crystal-clear subterranean pools – the 13 stone basins formed by mineral deposits over the millennia. Overnight in Kalavryta.

Day 7 After breakfast departure toward Corinth and visit the Ancient Corinth archeological site and museum. The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth lies on the northern foothills of the Acrocorinth hill, around the Archaic Temple of Apollo. Extended excavations have brought to light the Roman Forum, temples, fountains, porticoes, baths, latrines and various other monuments. Continue the drive toward Athens. Overnight in Athens.