6 Day Tour Of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Peloponnese
private tour by minivan

    €2.838,00

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    Duration: 6 Days
    Location: Ancient Olympia, Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus, Dimitsana, Mycenae, Nafplio, Mystras, Corinth Canal, Bassae
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    Map

    Corinth Canal, Greece

    Mykines, Greece

    Nafplion, Greece

    Dimitsana 220 07, Greece

    Archaia (Ancient) Olympia, Greece

    Overview

    Greece, despite its small size, boasts of 18 World Heritage Sites, which are located across the country. There is one area, though, that is the “champion” with 5 entries on the list: the Peloponnese!
    Spanning over 6 days, this tour covers the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mystras, Ancient Olympia and Bassae, alongside many other charming towns of the peninsula.

    See detailed program

    Starting from Athens, the first stop is at the Corinth Isthmus, the canal that separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese region. A feat of 18th century mechanical engineering, it is the world's deepest man-made waterway.

    The tour takes us next to the mythical Bronze Age citadel of King Agamemnon in Mycenae, with its massive walls and vaulted tombs. It is the only surviving monument of the Greek Bronze Age and stands in near perfect condition.

    After the visit, we propose a visit to one of the renowned wineries of the region of Nemea for a tasting session of the local variety Agiorgitiko, a variety with Protected Designation of origin.

    The day ends in picture-perfect Nafplio, with free time for a walk by the sea or the multitude of restaurants, bars and shops of the picturesque city that in 1829 was declared the first capital of liberated Greece.
    The small but very interesting Archaeological Museum of Nafplio and the 17th century Venetian fortress Palamidi reveal the city's importance through the ages.

    We then proceed to Epidaurus. The monuments date from the 4th century B.C. and are some of the greatest masterpieces of Greek architecture: the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and, of course, the theatre with its amazing acoustics.

    Insider's Tip: if you are visiting in summer, don't miss the opportunity to watch one of the ancient Greek drama productions, which take place there.

    The day can be enriched with visits to a traditional distillery, where you can learn about one of the most well known Greek products, ouzo, or with a tour of an olive oil production facility, where you will learn more about Greece's oldest export product.

    In the early afternoon, we depart for Mystras. We will overnight in the new village that has grown in the vicinity of this most important Byzantine site.
    Mystras is one of the greatest delights of the entire Peloponnese. It is a key Byzantine site, seat of an autonomously-run despotate with direct connections to Constantinople, a major centre of art and learning.

    After lunch in one of the best hidden culinary secrets of Greece, we will depart for Dimitsana, a delightful mountain village set in a beautiful natural landscape.
    It is surprising to find a Water Power Museum in this remote area. The beautifully restored watermills in Dimitsana remind us how the pre-industrial and early industrial economy of the region worked but also how this humble village supplied the Greeks, fighting against the Ottomans in the 1820s, with gunpowder. The area offers also an idyllic setting for walks and hikes.

    After lunch in a traditional farm, we head to Ancient Olympia where the day sums up.
    We are at Ancient Olympia, the original venue of the Olympic Games, the actual stadium where the games were held every four years from the 8th century BC until the 4th century AD. A detailed visit of the expansive site and the superb archaeological museum are on the program.

    There are two more very interesting museums, the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games and the Modern Olympic Games Museum, which you can visit on your own in the afternoon.
    At Bassae, at an altitude of 1130m stands one of the most important temples of antiquity, a building of unique architecture and beauty: the Epicurios Apollon. It was the first of the Greek monuments to be included in the World Heritage Sites and is one of the best-preserved temples countrywide.

    After lunch in one of Arcadia's hidden gems, we will make our way back to Athens.

    Included in the tour price:

    1. English speaking driver
    2. Pick-up & Drop-off service from the hotel
    3. Remote guiding system (“whisperers” devices) when you book guide services
    4. All expenses of the driver (accommodation during multi-day tours, meals, insurance)
    5. Tolls
    6. All currently applicable taxes

     

    Not included in the tour price:

    1. Accommodation during multi-day tours & meals for the guests; we can assist you with these arrangements
    2. Entrance fees to museums & archaeological sites: these are payable on the spot, as you go
    3. Guide Services unless you select the extra service