Day 1. Arrival, Corinth canal, Ancient Corinth / Tolo.
Arrival at the Athens airport. Welcome assistance by your expert guide and board the coach for a drive towards the Peloponnese. Our first stop will be at the impressive Corinth canal. Should time allows, we will be visiting the site of ancient Corinth. Further drive to arrive in Tolo, a seaside resort village close to Nafplion, which will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 2. Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplion / Tolo.
The day is dedicated to exploring the Argolic plain. We first drive to Epidaurus for a guided visit to the site and the theater famous for its acoustics. Epidaurus is listed in UNESCO's world heritage monuments, and its theater is one of the best preserved classical theaters in Greece, still used in summer evening for classical performances. It is the birthplace of Asklepios the healer, (Apollo's son), and was the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. Later, we continue our drive to Mycenae. Mycenae was the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. Today, we can visit the ruins of the ancient Palace and Agamemnon's tomb with its famous Lion's gate. After some free time for lunch, we will drive Nafplion. This picturesque little town, is dominated by the impressive Venetian Palamidi castle, and was the first capital of modern Greece. We will take a walking tour in the narrow little streets with the picturesque and well preserved classical buildings, and we will admire the famous Bourtzi island. We will also visit the Pelopnnesian folklore foundation museum "V. Papantoniou", founded in 1974, which receive the European museum of the year award in 1981, and house exhibits from the 19th and 20th century relating to Nafplion and the surrounding area. Return to Tolo for overnight.
Day 3. Olympia / Olympia.
We leave Tolo behind this morning and we drive to the west crossing the Peloponnese, through Tripolis and Megalopolis to arrive in Olympia, birth place of the Olympic Games. During our guided visit, we will explore the site of Olympia with the temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the Stadium and the altar of the Olympic flame. Overnight in Olympia.
Day 4. Olympia / Delphi.
We begin our day with a guide visit to the museum of Olympia. Later we start heading south via Patras, crossing the impressive Rion-Antirio bridge, via Nafpaktos and Itea to Delphi. The site lies under the shadow of mount Parnassos, it is naturally amphitheatrically positioned and faces the gulf of Corinth. It used to me the most sacred spot in the world and a pilgrimage center for many centuries in the antiquity. We will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, we will walk the Sacred way, and visit the doric temple of Apollo, home of Pythia (the oracle). Overnight in Delphi.
Day 5. Delphi, Arachova, Plaka, Monastiraki / Athens.
In the morning we will visit the museum of Delphi. Later we will start heading back to Athens. On the way and close to Delphi we will make a short stop to the picturesque mountain village of Arachova with its beautiful mountain houses and the little shops with local products. Arrive in Athens and check in to our hotel. In the afternoon we will take a walking tour in the old part of the city, the so called Plaka. We will explore the picturesque narrow streets of Plaka and the numerous little shops in Monastiraki, and we will dine in the area. Return to our hotel for overnight.
Day 6. Athens / Athens.
The day is dedicated to exploring the city of Athens. We will take a panoramic tour passing by the most important monuments and landmarks of the city. We will marvel the Panathinaikon stadium (the marble stadium where the first modern Olympics – 1896 – took place), pass by the ex Royal Palace and today the Prime Minister's residence, the Zappion (ex Royal gardens and today conference and exhibition hall), the temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the tomb of the unknown soldier guarder by the colorful Evzones, Schliemann's' house, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the old Parliament, and Constitution (Syntagma) square to arrive at the Acropolis. Our guided visit to the Acropolis will include the Propylae, the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion. Later, we will walk through Herodion and Dionysos theater to the nearby (new) museum of Acropolis for a guided visit. Later we will walk through and visit Ancient Agora (the market place) with building from 600 BC, and place of execution of Socrates. We will explore the vast remains of the ancient complex and we will see the Hephaisteion (the best preserved temple), and the Stoa of Attalos. Return to our hotel for our final overnight in Athens.
Day 7. Cape Sounion / Departure.
Our last day today, and the morning will be at leisure for you to stroll in the streets of Athens. Should time allows, we will drive along the coastal road of Athens and Attica, passing by prestigious neighborhoods, to arrive at Cape Sounion for a guided visit to the temple of Poseidon. The temple is standing at a magnificent location with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world, overlooking the Aegean sea. On a clear day you can spot up to 7 of the Greek islands. Later, we will drive to the airport for our departure flight.
