3-Day Mythical Peloponnese : Medieval Monemvasia, Mani, Diros Caves Private Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Athens - Corinth Canal - Argolis - Monemvasia
7 stops
1
Athens
We will pick you up from your hotel or other accommodation with our executive car or van.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
After leaving Athens, in about 1 hour, our first stop will be the Corinth Canal where you can gaze the breathtaking view from the bridge and take great photos.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Later on, in the Peloponnese, explore the beautifully preserved remains of Mycenae, one of the most important sites in Ancient Greece, home of the legendary Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. Explore the Lion's Gate, the Citadel and Treasury of Atreus and gaze the golden mask of Agamemnon at the archaeological museum.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
4
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument retains the characteristic tripartite structure of a Hellenistic theatre that has a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
5
The Temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. It was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Free time for lunch, coffee, or shopping at the ‘Naples of the East’ rich in Venetian architecture, cobbled squares, and towering castles with commanding views of the Argolic Gulf. Afterwards, unwind by the harbor or get lost in the colorful back streets of the most elegant town in mainland Greece. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
7
After your lunch, continue for around two hours to Monemvasia. Originally separated from the mainland by an earthquake, the Gibraltar like rock of Monemvasia was an ideal inaccessible natural fortress for settlement in the 6th century by the local inhabitants seeking protection from Slavic invaders in the 6th century.
16 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Monemvasia-Mystras-Mani
3 stops
8
After breakfast we head north to visit the 800 year old ruins of the Medieval city & UNESCO site of Mystras, once seat of Byzantine power in the region & replete with palaces, residences, mansions, churches and monasteries, water & drainage works, commercial workshops, extensive streets & fortifications.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
9
Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking down hill you will meet the palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last emperor of the Byzantium.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
10
After Mystras we will head to Mani Peninsula. Famous for its tower houses built to protect the local population from the piracy & dangerous times during medieval life up to the nineteenth century, its inhabitants are also the descendants of the Ancient Spartans & this combination of geography & hardy people kept the region independent to develop its own character from the rest of Greece and our tour chooses several of the most beautiful routes, distinct villages & beauty spots of the peninsula to explore, before a comfortable overnight in one of the villages of the Peninsula.
16 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Mani-Diros Caves-Ancient Messene
4 stops
11
Vlychada Cave in Diros is one of the most beautiful caves in the world and is located on the west coast of the Laconian Peninsula, in Diros Bay. Under the sparse Mani landscape, nature has patiently and artistically sculpted a miracle beyond imagination – white stalactites and stalagmites, impressive waterfalls and glittering crystals adorn every corner, creating an incomparable spectacle that takes your breath away!
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
12
Kardamili is a wonderful, picturesque, historic, coastal village of Messiniaki Mani which is situated 35km southeastern to the city of Kalamata. There, the visitor can admire overgrown mountain sides, olive groves, wonderful beaches, well cared stone mansions of traditional architecture of Mani, verdant gardens and the lovely, picturesque small port. It is a village of glorious history which is proved by the presence of the historic settlement of Old Kardamyli. Inside the historic settlement visit the tower of Mourtzinou and the Byzantine church of Saint Spyridonas.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
13
One of Greece’s best-preserved archaeological sites, Ancient Messene combines the grandeur of Delphi with the natural beauty of Olympia. Ancient Messene has the double attraction of being amongst the most exciting and complete archaeological settlements ever discovered and one of the most beautifully situated. Little more than a lush green valley in the southwestern Peloponnese just 40 years ago, it now ranks as one of the most significant remains of Greek antiquity. The city flourished in the 4th century BC after the defeat of the Spartans by the Theban General Epaminondas, ending centuries of Spartan rule. And to our eternal gain, it was never subsequently destroyed or settled over, allowing an astonishing insight into life in ancient times.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
14
Athens
Drive back to Athens and drop you off at your accommodation.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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