Thermopylae - Meteora

Battlefield of Thermopylae - Thermopylae is a historic site in Greece known for its narrow coastal passage in ancient times. The Battle of Thermopylae was a significant conflict between a coalition of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire under Xerxes.

The Gates of Fire: Named after the hot sulfur springs and, in Greek mythology, the cavernous entrances to Hades.

The monument of King Leonidas: This monument was erected in 1955 and crafted by sculptor Vasos Falireas. The bronze statue of the Spartan King, complete with spear and shield, is truly remarkable.

Thermopylae museum: This innovative museum is dedicated to the pivotal 480 BC battle that altered the course of Greek history and Western civilization.

Hotsprings: The baths of Thermopylae are a haven of healing spas. These high-end hydrotherapy facilities focus on balneotherapy, not only as a treatment for specific ailments, illnesses, and injuries but also to enhance general well-being. Of the 60 pending springs, 34 have been officially recognized so far.

Drive to Meteora

Check in at your selected hotel

Meteora - The “Hanging Monasteries” (First day…Visit 1 to 2 monasteries).

Explore the charming town of Kalambaka and the village of Kastraki.

Witness the stunning Meteora sunset.

Enjoy lunch or dinner at a traditional taverna.

Stroll through the village shops where you can indulge yourself and purchase handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.

Overnight stay in Kalabaka or Kastraki.

Meteora - Delphi

Meteora - Breakfast at Meteora

Visit the remaining “Hanging Monasteries” (4 monasteries)

Savor lunch at a traditional taverna

Coffees

Drive to Delphi

Check in at your selected hotel

Evening free with an option for dinner at Arachova

Delphi - Visit the Delphi archaeological site: A UNESCO World Heritage Center, Delphi is one of Greece’s most significant archaeological sites. The oracle’s functions expanded over the centuries to include athletic games, cultural events, and most notably, the Pythian games. The Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater, the Stadium, the Athenian Treasury, the Gymnasium, and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia are truly captivating.

Visit the Delphi Archaeological Museum: This museum houses many important ancient Greek artifacts from the excavations at Delphi.

Frieze of the Treasury of Sifnias

Naxian Sphinx: Dating back to 560 BC, this is one of the earliest artistic representations of the demonic creature with a lion’s body, bird’s wings, and a woman’s head.

Metopes of the Athenian Treasury: From the early 5th century BCE, you will see Theseus and Antiope, Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus and the Marathonian bull, Heracles and the cattle of Geryon, Heracles battling the three-bodied giant Geryon, Heracles subduing a Centaur, Heracles and Cycnus, Heracles and the Nemean lion, an Amazonomachy scene, and many more.

Omphalos: Signifying the center of the earth and kept in Apollo’s temple.

Kleobis and Biton: Two brothers from Argos. The statues are of the typical kouros type attributed to a Peloponnesian workshop and date to the end of the 7th century BC.

Statue of Antinoos: Celebrated for his beauty and youth, Antinoos was Emperor Hadrian’s favorite, depicted as a god. This work is considered one of the finest examples of the neoclassical style revived in the 2nd century AD.

The famous Charioteer: Part of a statuary complex featuring a chariot drawn by four horses and included a second male figure.

Delphi Village: A popular tourist destination, the village of Delphi offers many hotels, guesthouses, tavernas, and bars.

Lunch on the Caldera at Delphi, overlooking the stunning Itea and Amfissa.

Drive to ancient Olympia

Check in at your selected hotel

Option for dinner at an authentic taverna

Overnight stay in Olympia

Ancient Olympia

Filoxenia- Φιλοξενία - Breakfast at Olympia

Visit the archaeological site

Visit the Temple of Zeus: Dedicated to the god Zeus, this Doric temple, built in the second quarter of the 5th century BCE, was the model of the fully developed classical Greek temple of the Doric order.

Visit the Temple of Hera: Known as Heraion, this ancient Archaic Greek temple was dedicated to Hera, queen of the Greek gods. The temple was built around 590 BCE. In modern times, the torch of the Olympic flame is lit in its ruins by the god Apollo.

Philippeion: The only circular building inside the Altis. One of the finest examples of ancient Greek architecture, it was dedicated to Zeus by Philip II of Macedonia after his victory at Chaironeia in 338 BCE. The monument was completed by his son Alexander the Great.

Visit the Hippodrome and later Stadium: The Hippodrome was a wide, flat open area where the starting and finishing line was defined by a pole. Horse and chariot races took place here.

The Palaestra: Built in the 3rd century BC as part of the gymnasium complex, it was used to practice boxing, wrestling, and jumping.

The Workshop of Pheidias: This is where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic chryselephantine statue of Zeus, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia: Exhibits incredible artifacts from the site.

Statue of Zeus: A giant seated figure about 13 m tall. The huge ivory and gold statue was even larger than that of Athena in the Parthenon.

Visit the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity: Since 2004, a new museum has been in operation. The museum was based on the collection of Georgios Papastefanou, who was the first to believe in the possibility of spreading the Olympic Idea and Education through a museum.

Visit the museum of Archimedes (Mathematician), regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. A unique museum in the center of ancient Olympia dedicated to the “Greatest Mind” of all time. Visitors will have the opportunity to see replicas of his inventions and to interact with them.

Explore Olympia village: In the western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river, lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. You will be amazed by the serene feel that this village creates.

Lunch at an authentic Greek taverna

Shopping for family and friends

Drive to Monemvasia

Check in at your chosen boutique hotel

Option for dinner at an authentic Greek restaurant in the castle.

Monemvasia

Monemvasia Fortress - Breakfast at Monemvasia

Discover “The Rock”: You will feel overwhelmed by the magical rawness, wildness, history, and profound romanticism!

Explore the marvelous Medieval castle: Discover the Christos Elkomenos Church featuring the heavily guarded icon of the Crucifixion. The Ritsos family residence, along with a total of 40 churches, will captivate you.

St. Sofia

Vathysfero cafe: Enjoy your refreshments and delicious Greek delicacies while gazing out to the Myrtoan sea.

Lunch at Matoula’s, enjoying authentic “village style” delicacies captivated by the breathtaking panoramic views.

Drive to Limeni: The Mani peninsula

Check in at your boutique hotel

Dinner by the water

Overnight at Limeni

Mani - Limeni

Nafplio

Nafplio - Breakfast or brunch at Limeni

Drive to Nafplio

Check in at your selected hotel

Explore Palamidi Castle: Nestled on the crest of a 216 m high hill, this Venetian-built fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic gulf. There are 999 steps to the top of the castle! Climb them if you must!

Freedom Square: Thanking the French for their contribution in the War of Independence against the Ottomans, an obelisk is erected here depicting a French and a Hellenic woman in their struggle for Liberty.

Bourtzi: The water castle of Bourtzi is a Venetian fortress located in the middle of the harbor.

Constitution Square: The most important and historic square in Nafplion. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first king of Greece, was obliged to grant after the 3rd of September uprising in 1843.

First Hellenic Parliament: Strolling down the old world near Syntagma square, you will find an imposing mosque. Built in 1730 with a large hall and characteristic dome, the mosque housed the first Hellenic parliament from 1825 until 1826.

Anastasios of Nafplia church: Located in the old world, you will be impressed by the church’s dome and the wall paintings decorating the spiritual interior. A true Christian Orthodox religious pragmatism.

St. Spyridon church: It was here, outside this church, that one of the darkest events in modern Greek history took place. The assassination of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Greek Governor, in 1831!

Lunch or dinner at one of the many unique traditional tavernas

Antica Gelateria di Roma for the best gelato and Italian delights

Pergamonto for the best ‘loukoumades’ in Greece (puff balls with honey or chocolate and almond nuts)

Stroll through the town’s shops where you can indulge yourself and purchase handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.

Overnight stay in Nafplio.

Epidaurus - Mycenae - Nemea

Epidavros - Breakfast at Nafplio

Visit Epidaurus and Asclepius

The Epidaurus amphitheater: Famous for its classic Greek construction and astounding acoustics. Enjoy the arts! Be captivated by the theatrical performances from Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes, and Aeschylus. Drop a pin or coin on the stage… it will be heard even if you are sitting in the last seats of the theater.

The Epidaurus Archaeological Museum: Noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns with inscriptions.

The Asclepius: The sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek demi-god of medicine, Asclepius. A marvelous ancient medical retreat.

Drive to Mycenae

Mycenae - Rich in gold! King Agamemnon’s mythical kingdom sung in Homer’s epics. It is the most important and richest center of the late Bronze Age.

The Lions Gate: The main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, erected during the 13th century BC.

Grave Circles A and B: Royal cemeteries situated to the south of the Lion Gate and outside the Bronze Age citadel.

The Cyclopean Walls: The main characteristic of the Mycenaean walls is that they are made of huge limestone boulders. Only the mythical Cyclopes had the strength to move the enormous boulders that made up the walls of Mycenae and Tiryns.

The Royal Palace: Consisting of domestic apartments, the Throne Room Suite, the Grand Staircase, a collection of rooms for officers or palace officials, and the Forecourt.

The Treasury of Atreus: A large tholos or beehive tomb constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC.

Tomb of Clytemnestra: A Mycenaean tholos type tomb built in 1250 BC, named after Clytemnestra, the wife of King Agamemnon and leader of the Greeks in the Trojan war.

The Mycenaean Archaeological Museum: The most important Mycenaean artifacts are exhibited here. You will be dazzled by the gold grave goods, burial masks, jewelry, weapons, worship idols, and frescoes.

Enjoy refreshments overlooking the citadel of Mycenae

Drive to Nemea

Ancient Nemea - A beautiful land of soft hills with endless vineyards and great wines. A popular day trip from Athens for every lover of antiquity, few places in Greece combine ancient Greek temples with what feels a lot like the Napa Valley of California. Nemea should be on the itinerary of every traveler to the Peloponnese.

The Temple of Zeus / Jupiter: The centerpiece of the Macedonian building program was the temple of Nemean Zeus. Three columns of which have always stood since the time of the original construction.

The Ancient baths: The Nemean baths are an athletic bathing house at the Panhellenic sanctuary of Nemea.

The Apodyterium: The Apodyterium is where athletes got undressed, oiled their skin, and prepared for the games.

The Ancient Stadium Crypt: Over 36 m. in length and for the most part in very good condition, it is the entrance tunnel that makes the Nemean games unique. It is the passage through the tunnel, clad in chiton and with bare feet, that effects the transformation of the participant from a modern to an ancient. The tunnel thus plays the critical role in the accomplishment of our goal to provide an opportunity for anyone and everyone to become an ancient Greek athlete.

The starting grid: Characterized by toe grooves cut into the stone blocks.

The Archaeological Museum: Founded by the University of California, the museum contains a collection of pictures of Nemea by travelers of the 18th and 20th centuries, coins of ancient visitors, and items related to athletic activity.

The Wine Roads: Nemea, a mythical land where Agiorgitiko wine is born.

Palivou winery: Enjoy a fabulous wine tour and taste the award-winning wines…Nectar for the gods

Drive to Tolo

Lunch by the sea at Tolo

Free time to enjoy Nafplio by night

Option for dinner at Nafplio

Overnight stay in Nafplio

Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth, Isthmus Canal

Akrokorinthos - Breakfast at Nafplio

Visit Acrocorinth, the acropolis of ancient Corinth, a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth. It is one of the most impressive and dominant acropoleis of the Peloponnese.

Gates: A system of 3 circuit walls reinforced by towers.

Keep

Peirene Spring: Located within the encircling walls, a gift of Asopus to Sisyphus.

Temple of Aphrodite: On the highest of the two peaks of the mountain are traces of the temple of Aphrodite on the site.

Frankish Tower: At the SW edge of the precipitous rock, fortified during Frankish times, forming the inner keep of the fortress. Remains of churches, mosques, houses, fountains, and cisterns are preserved here.

Views of Geraneia Mountain: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Corinthian gulf and the SW coast of the Peloponnese.

Drive to Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos) - Hadgimoustafa spring: a fountain built during the Ottoman empire.

Ancient Corinth Archaeological Museum: Housing a large collection of artifacts from the local site and from smaller sites in the neighboring area.

Temple of Apollo: One of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland with monolithic columns, rare in the ancient world, built around 560 BCE.

Agora: A rectangular construction 160 m long and 70 m wide, consisting of central shops, small temples, and an altar, and the renowned podium or Bema from where Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthians in 52 AD.

Roman buildings.

Bema or Pedestal

Theatre and Odeon/Asklepieion

Lechaion road: Facing the Corinthian gulf leading to the port of Lechaion.

St. Paul’s church: Admiring a magnificent mosaic mural depicting Saul’s vision from Christ as he was traveling to Damascus to persecute the Christians.

Stroll through the village shops where you can indulge yourself and purchase handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.

Drive to Ancient Diolkos, witnessing the ancient passageway from the time of Periander (tyranny)

Drive to Isthmus Canal

Corinth Canal - Visit the Isthmus Canal, one of the most important projects and 19th-century engineering masterpieces, playing a catalytic role in Mediterranean trade.

Drive to Kechries Port tracing the footsteps of St Paul

Lunch by the Saronic sea at the village of the Baths of Helen of Troy

Return to Athens

Check in at your selected hotel in Athens

Option for dinner at an authentic Greek restaurant overlooking the Acropolis

Athens - Cape Sounion

Athens - Breakfast at Athens
Pickup from your selected hotel or apartment.

Temple of Olympian Zeus - Drive by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, a colossal temple at the center of Athens.

Kallimarmaro - Visit the Olympic Stadium Kallimarmaro, the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.

Mount Lycabettus - Visit Mount Lycabettus where you will enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Athens.

National Archaeological Museum - Visit the breathtaking Athens National Archaeological Museum housing some of the most important artifacts from around Greece.

Please note: You have the option to visit the remarkable Acropolis museum or the National Archaeological Museum.

National Library of Greece - Drive by the neoclassical buildings of the ‘architectural trilogy’ consisting of the National library, Athens University, and the Academy of Athens.

Stadiou - Drive by the famous Stadiou street with the remarkable statue of Theodoros Kolokotronis, “General” of the War Of Independence, 1821.

Hellenic Parliament - Visit Constitution Square, the Hellenic Parliament, and the changing of the Royal Guards.

Monastiraki - Enjoy an authentic Greek lunch in Monastiraki square.

Plaka - Shopping for your friends and family in Monastiraki flea market or Plaka.

Ancient Agora of Athens - Visit the remarkable Ancient Agora, the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, administrative, commercial, social, religious, cultural, and seat of justice.

Acropolis - Visit the Acropolis (Sacred rock) and glorious Parthenon.

Vouliagmeni - Drive by the Athens Riviera, the coastal road past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Voula, and Varkiza.

Temple of Poseidon - Be captivated by the crowning jewel, Cape Sounion, dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon built during 444 – 440 BC, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age.

Megalo Kavouri - Enjoy your evening dinner at the Athens Riviera by the Saronic sea.

Athens International Airport

• Fully Private Multi Day Tour
• Transportation by private luxury vehicle
• Professional Tour Drivers with in-depth knowledge of Greek history
• English speaking and multi-lingual drivers
• Hotel/Port pick-up and drop-off service
• Skip-the-line tickets (on-request)
• On-board WiFi
• Fresh handmade Greek biscuits
• Bottled water & refreshing wipes

• 9 nights accommodation (option for hotel reservation upon request)
• Entrance fees to the sites
• Food and drinks
• Airport pick-up and drop-off (additional cost)
• Licensed tour guide to accompany guests into the site and museum (additional cost on request)

Our journey begins at the historic site of Thermopylae! Here, we honor King Leonidas of Sparta and his 300 Spartan warriors by visiting the captivating monument of his statue.

Next, we head to the breathtaking Meteora! You’ll be enchanted by the play of light on the rocks and their ever-changing moods.

At the base of Mount Parnassos lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, renowned as the most famous oracle of ancient Greece.

Ancient Olympia in Greece was the venue for the ancient Olympic Games, celebrated every four years by the Greeks.

An ideal retreat with stunning architecture and cobbled streets is the medieval town of Monemvasia!

In the Mani peninsula, discover Aeropolis, named after Ares, the God of War!

The incredible Diros Caves are a must-see! Begin your adventure at an underground lake where boats await you.

Explore Limeni, a charming port of Aeropoli! Enjoy the tavernas, restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutique hotels by the sea, and refresh yourself with a swim in the fabulous blue waters.

Nafplio, the first capital city of modern Greece, is a picturesque town with Venetian architecture, once called the Naples of Greece by the Venetians.

Epidaurus is one of Greece’s most popular archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument.

Mycenae, the kingdom of Agamemnon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site discovered by H. Schliemann.

Combining mythology, ancient temples, an ancient stadium, and an incredible museum, Nemea is a must-visit.

We will explore the remarkable archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, featuring a fabulous museum, courtyard, Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Glauke, Sacred Spring, Peirene, Asklepieion, Odeion, Bema, Agora, and much more.

At Ancient Diolkos, discover and explore the ancient passage from the Corinthian to Saronic Gulf and the subducting bridge.

The Isthmus/Corinth Canal separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, offering appreciation for the engineering and stunning views of the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs.

Our adventure concludes in glorious Athens, the capital city of Greece, the birthplace of many philosophers, and the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire.

Finally, be charmed by the serene Athens Riviera and enchanted by the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age!

• Animals or pets allowed
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Infant seats are available on request if advised at time of booking

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.