4 - Day Classical Greece tour

Description

Day 1

We start our tour, driving on the Athens - Corinth National Road, having on our left the Saronic Gulf and the island of Salamis, where in 480 BC the famous battle of Salamis took place.                                                                                          

After about an hour, we make our first stop at the Corinth Canal. There, we will admire and take pictures of the magnificent Canal, which connects the Saronic with the Corinthian Gulf.                                                                               

Continuing our tour, and not far away, lies ancient Corinth, the richest city of ancient Greece and the only one that had two ports. The city is known for the visit and stay of Apostle Paul in it.                                                                                                           

At the archaeological site, you will see the Temple of Apollo, the Pirene and Glafki fountains, the Ancient Agora and the location called “Vima” (Step) where the Apostle Paul was led to be tried by the Roman Proconsul Gallio, who refused to prosecute him. You will also see the Roman Odeon and the Ancient Theatre. The museum is situated in the same location.

Of course, we will continue our drive to the Acrocorinth rock, where the fortress by the same name stands at an altitude of 575 meters above the ancient city. There, we will make a brief stop and take pictures.

We continue and after a 30 minutes drive through villages and fields where grapes and olive trees are cultivated, we reach the ancient city of Mycenae.                                                                                                                                                             

The city of Mycenae was the kingdom of the legendary King Agamemnon, whom Homer has praised. Mycenae is famous for its Mycenaean civilization, which lasted from 1,600 to 1,100 BC. At the Acropolis of Mycenae, you will admire the Cyclopean Walls and cross the impressive Lion Gate. A little further, the tomb of Agamemnon, stand impressive majestic, which is nothing less than this great King deserved. The museum is situated in the same location.

Leaving Mycenae behind us and after approximately 30 minutes, we reach the town of Nafplio, where we will also dine. Nafplio is the capital of the Argolis prefecture. In the 19th century, it was the first capital of Greece (from 1828 to 1834), after the liberation of the country from Ottoman rule. The old city has been given the status of a “traditional settlement” by the Greek state. It is full of historic buildings and ideal for walks through its narrow, picturesque alleys. Just above the town, the Palamidi Fortress dominates the area. This is an amazing fortress that was fortified by the Venetians from 1686 to 1715 and has been kept in immaculate condition, giving all visitors a sense of awe.                 

After lunch, we will visit the Palamidi fortress .

Upon completing our visit to Nafplio, we will take the road again, towards ancient Olympia. We will reach the location late in the evening and spend the night there.

The historic and famous city of Ancient Olympia is located on the west side of the Peloponnese. It is, of course, the city which gave birth to the Olympic Games in 776 BC.

Day 2 

In the morning, you will visit Ancient Olympia.                                                                                                                                                  

At the archaeological site, you will admire the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera (Heraion), the Palaestra, the Gymnasium, the Ancient Stadium, the Zanes, the workshop of the famous sculptor Phidias, the circular Philippeion and many more . The museum is situated in the same location, where, among many exhibits, you will see the famous statue of Hermes of Praxiteles.

The Museum of the Olympic Games is situated just a few meters away.                                                                             

Finishing our visit and heading towards the north, we will arrive at Rio, where we have two options, depending on the kind of experience you want to live.

A) We can cross the famous and impressive Rio – Antirrio Bridge, which boasts a length of 2,880 meters, state-of-the-art technology and incredible resistance to weather conditions.

B) We can reach Antirrio, onboard a small boat which moves parallel to the bridge and will give us the chance to take many pictures

After Antirrio, we will move northeast and reach the city of Nafpaktos. This is one of the most ancient Greek cities and is related to important historical events, such as the battle of Lepanto, between the great alliance of Spain, Venice, Genoa, the Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal States (called Lega Santa) against the Ottoman Empire.                                              

There you will have the chance to walk along the picturesque harbor, dine in a traditional restaurant and make a short visit to the local castle.                                                                                                                                                                                          

Leaving Nafpaktos behind us, we will move east, passing by beautiful coastal cities like Galaxidi and Itea. We will get to Delphi in the afternoon and you will check in at your hotel.                                                                                                      

After some rest, your driver will take you to the picturesque village of Arachova, where you will have the opportunity to make a pleasant walk admiring the stone buildings.                                                                                                                                                 

You can dine either in Arachova or at a traditional restaurant in Delphi.

Day 3 

After breakfast, we start our day by visiting the archaeological site of Delphi.                                                                           

At the archaeological site, you will admire the Temple of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, the Roman Agora, the Athenian Treasury, the Ancient Theatre, the Stadium and many more.                                                                                                     

The amazing museum is situated in the same location. A few meters away, one can see the famous Castalia Spring and the Ancient Gymnasium.

After finishing our visit to Delphi, and following lunch, we will head towards Thermopylae. This is the location where the Spartan warrior Leonidas told Persians the famous phrase "Molon Labe" which means "come and get them." There, we will photograph the monuments of Leonidas and the Thespians and will have the opportunity to visit the Center for Historical Awareness of Thermopylae.

Then, after leaving behind Thermopylae, and passing the towns of Lamia, Karditsa and Trikala we will reach the area of Kalabaka, in Meteora, where you will check in at your hotel.                                                                                                      

After a few hours rest, you will make your first walk through the towering cliffs and enjoy an amazing sunset. Then, you can dine in a traditional restaurant and return to your hotel.

Day 4

After you get a good breakfast, we start our tour of the monasteries. The landscapes and the natural environment, as well as the sight of the monasteries on the tops of the rocks, are beyond words!

Meteora is located on the northwestern border of the Thessalian plain. It is a large cluster of dark rocks with a maximum height of 530 meters. This strange and unique landscape was created by nature about 30 million years ago. This wild and inaccessible place attracted Christian hermits as early as the 10th and 11th centuries, with official operation of the monasteries beginning in the 14th century. At their peak, there were about 24 monasteries in operation. However, today only 6 of them remain active. The area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will have time to visit three of the most important monasteries. Finally, you will make all the necessary stops to enjoy the scenery and take hundreds of photos. After completing your tour, you will dine at a local restaurant, tasting excellent Greek cuisine.

After your meal, we will take the road back. In about the middle of our route we’ll make a stop at a seaside village where you can walk on the seaside have a cap of coffee or a juice.

After this stop we’ll take the way back to Athens to conclude our tour.