5-Day Best of: Nafplio Mycenae Epidaurus Olympia Zakynthos island Delphi Meteora

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Nafplio town - Epidaurus
5 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
Walkthrough 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
Day 2
Ancient Olympia
3 stops
6
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
7
You can also visit the world-famous 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.
40 minutes • Admission ticket not included
8
After exploring the Olympia site, we will head to Kyllini Port to take the ferry departing at in mod-afternoon to reach Zakynthos port after a 1-hour boat ride. After check-in at your hotel, you have the rest of the day at your leisure. You can explore the center of Zakynthos and have dinner at a traditional tavern.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Zakynthos Island - Boat tour to Navagio or Keri Caves
5 stops
9
You will board the boat to visit the famous Navagio beach and the Blue Caves on the way back. At both locations, you will have the option of a swim. At Navagio you will spend about 45 minutes exploring and enjoy the beach whereas at the Blue Caves it will only be a quick stop for another optional swim. Depending on the weather, the boat tour of Navagio can be replaced by a tour of the south side of Zakynthos which is equally amazing with Marathonisi and swimming with the turtles. OPTION: At an extra cost we can arrange for a totally private boat tour ranging from 100-500 Euros depending on the boat size.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
10
We will also explore the island by a car while driving towards the boat pick-up location and also visiting (after the boat tour) and photographing Navagio from above.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
11
EXPLORING OPTIONS: The above itinerary is very flexible and you have several alternatives you can discuss in advance: a. Exploring by car the island from the comfort of our vehicle enjoying the coastline views OR b. Joining a 2-3 hour boat tour to the north or the south side of the island and then exploring by our car for the rest of the day OR c. Go for TWO boat tours that will cover both the north and the south side coastline of Zakynthos island
8 hours • Admission ticket free
12
OPTION: An interesting alternative to the boat tour for you to consider is to do a boat tour privately (with a captain) and a smaller/faster boat which will have an additional cost of 120-250 Euros or even more depending on the number of people, time on the boat and type of boat.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
13
Lunch and drinks are always included and part of the experience.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Zakynthos Island - Delphi - Meteora
6 stops
14
FREE OPTION: Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside small town, where we will have the option to stress our legs and enjoy a coffee next to the water and the Venetian Castle, before arriving to Delphi.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
15
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 • Admission ticket free
16
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
17
This is the site that 95% of visitors and tour agencies skip! At the same time, it is the first photo that you will always see if you google "Delphi". Not to miss!
25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
18
A totally of the beaten path location for our lunch with authentic choices, treat of your driver/tour leader
1 hour • Admission ticket free
19
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 free
Day 5
Meteora (visit of 2-3 monasteries) & Thermopylae Battlefield
5 stops
20
We shall be visiting 2-3 of the monasteries that are open on the day and depending on your fitness levels & available time. The gigantic rocks of Meteora dominate imposingly in Kalampaka between mountains Koziakas and Antichasion. 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
21
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
22
Probably the most photographed monastery. According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476. Our favorite.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
23
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
24
... 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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