Best of Greece: 7-Day Tour to Real Greece of the Peloponnese, Delphi and Meteora

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Nafplio town - Epidaurus
7 stops
1
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Mycenae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of King Agamemnon and the Mycenean civilization with some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins. Wander around the archaeological site and accompanying museum.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
3
One of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
4
Walk through the Venetian castle and down the 999 steps that take you to the old Nafplio town.
40 minutes • Admission ticket not included
5
Epidaurus, another Unesco World Heritage Site, is home to an ancient, beautifully preserved theater. The oldest theater with amazing acoustics.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
6
OPTIONAL: Ancient Corinth was inhabited in the Neolithic period (6500-3250 BC) but the big prosperity begins in the 8th century. Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus (canal) of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
7
OPTIONAL: Enjoy an evening out to explore and dine at Nafplio port and Old Town. This is a free ride to drop you off and pick you up from Nafplio to your hotel.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Monemvasia via the Coastline & Mountain range of East Peloponnese
5 stops
8
Instead of taking the motorway route to Monemvasia, we'll enjoy the beautiful coastline after leaving Nafplio and then climb the mountain range of Parnon; with Greek coffee by the water and lunch at a mountain village. Our first break/stop. We'll enjoy a coffee next to the ocean before climbing up the mountain range of Parnon.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Leonidio is as impressive as any town in Greece with its Dafonas Gorge in between the red rock-climbing Parnon mountain. Famous to all Greeks for the sweet eggplant/aubergine.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
A quick stop at the cliff-hanging monastery of Elona. Amazing views of the red mountain rocks.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Kosmas is a small village in the mountains of Arkadia on Mount Parnon at the east coast of the Peloponessos. Surrounded by forests of chestnut trees and pine, it is high enough for there to be a difference in temperature of ten or more degrees from all other places. Our authentic lunch place under the huge plain trees of the traditional main square of the town.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
The Castle Town of Monemvasia is among the most impressive places in Greece. Located on the south eastern side of Peloponnese, Monemvasia was entirely carved on the back side of a sea rock in the Medieval times.
15 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Mani peninsula, Diros Caves, Mystras & Sparta
6 stops
13
One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Greece
1 hour • Admission ticket free
14
A vast cave structure which is experienced from an expertly guided boat. The lighting and variety of rock formations and formations of stalagmites and stalactites lit with sympathetic lighting makes you appreciate the passage of time.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
15
One of the typical stonebuilt towns where Pirates were a permanent threat.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
16
The famous Byzantine Castletown with the fantastic views of Sparta and the Laconic olive groves.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
17
OPTIONAL (alternative to Diros Caves): Vatheia is the most photographed location of the Mani Peninsula. Also, the best known and most beautiful castle town of Mani. It is an abandoned village today but with amazing views. the late '80s were not, unfortunately, followed through.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
18
The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a football stadium. When the Persians attacked at Thermopylae and told the Spartans and their allies to lay down their weapons, Leonidas' response, immortalized beneath his feet, was 'Molon labe' ('Come and get them').
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Ancient Olympia & (option) Ancient Messene
4 stops
19
Olympia hosted the original Olympic Games, founded in the 8th century B.C. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
20
You will also visit the world-famous Olympia museum and get the chance to see some unbelievable sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the marble temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the famous Hermes carved by the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
21
After Ancient Olympia we head to the final destination of the day; the Arcadia mountain stone-built villages to overnight and be ready to explore on the last day.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
22
EVENING: One of the most beautiful stone-built villages of central Peloponnese. Thanks to its striking beauty Dimitsana is one of the most popular all year round destinations in Greece along with the nearby Stemnitsa village, in the heart of Arcadia.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Cog Railway
5 stops
23
THE MYTHICAL 'CAVE OF THE LAKES' has something exclusively unique that does not exist in other well known caves. A rare creation of nature with mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
24
Kalavrita and the surrounding area are a resort for all seasons. This is your lunch place! We explore the center of the town on foot before or after lunch.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
25
About 120 years ago Odontotos rack railway started from the seaside town of Diakopto parallel to the river and climbed to Kalavrita through bridges and tunnels. The little train incorporated so well into the natural environment that it seemed that it had always been there. The way it was constructed did not put a strain on the ecosystem of the gorge. Using stone and wood from the area the technicians' work is so perfect that someone may think that the nature worked on its own.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
26
OPTIONAL QUICK STOP/COFFEE: Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside small town, where we'' stress our legs and enjoy coffee next to the water and the Venetian Castle. Depends on available time.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
27
Early evening arrival at Galaxidi coastline town! Enjoy your evening next to the water with the locals!
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Delphi (plus Meteora late afternoon visit; time permiting)
5 stops
28
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, the site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculptures, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. The famous Charioteer belonged to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure. The Sphinx of the Naxians, dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion's body, bird's wings and a woman's head.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
29
The sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
30
The first photo you see when you google "Delphi" but still a place that most tourists miss out on! We don't!
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
31
A totally of the beaten path location for our lunch with authentic choices, treat of your driver/tour leader
1 hour • Admission ticket free
32
Meteora
OPTIONAL: If there are no unexpected delays, and although not part of the normal itinerary, we shall make the first visit to the amazing monasteries' area to get a feeling of the amazing landscape with the sun setting down. Time permitting it may be possible to visit St Stephan's monastery. Totally different lighting than the morning visit to follow the next day!
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
Day 7
Meteora (2-3 monasteries) & Thermopylae Battlefield
5 stops
33
We shall be visiting two of the monasteries that are open on a specific day. The gigantic rocks of Meteora dominate imposingly over Kalampaka town. This masterpiece of nature reveals all its glory for centuries as a unique geological phenomenon in beauty and an important monument of Orthodoxy. The Great Meteoron Monastery, built on an imposing rock, is the oldest, the biggest, and the most important among the monasteries of Meteora which are preserved today.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
34
In 1350 a daring ascetic named Varlaam ascended to the rock. The monastery was named after him. He built three churches, a small cell and a water tank. After his death the rock remained abandoned for about 200 years until 1517 when the two priest-monks Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades started to construct the first buildings from the beginning.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
35
Probably the most photographed monastery. According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
36
We take a break at the Thermopylae battlefield location with King Leonidas statue. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, in 480 BC.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
37
... back to Athens
2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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