4 Days Classical Greece Tour of Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora Monasteries

A FOUR DAY VISIT TO CLASSIC PELOPONNESE SITES OF ANTIQUITY

Whilst many people associate a trip to Greece with island hopping between golden beaches and tavernas, some of the most famous highlights are on the mainland of the Peloponnese. This 4 day (3 night) tour is a classical masterclass journeying through the centuries from the classical period, through Roman domination and the Byzantine Empire, to the Crusades and Modern times.

The price includes entry to all the archaeological sites, complete with expert guide, three nights’ 3 or 4 star hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner. For more details see below.

Highlights

  • Corinth canal
  • Ancient theater of Epidaurus & Sanctuary of Asclepius
  • Mycenae Archaeological Site, Tomb of Agamemnon, and the museum.
  • Nafplion
  • Olympia archaeological site & museum (original Olympic Games site)
  • Rion Bridge
  • Archaeological site of Delphi & museum
  • Arachova
  • The Monasteries of Meteora
  • Kalambaka
  • Thermopylae Site

Additional Info

Hotel accommodation: All the mentioned prices are per person on twin sharing basis. If only one occupier, the single supplement option must be chosen.

Entrance to Monasteries: To enter the monasteries, appropriate clothing is required. Ladies should not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves. Men are not allowed to wear shorts.

3-DAY MAINLAND HIGHLIGHTS

3 Days Classical Greece Private Tour of Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi

THREE DAY CLASSICAL MAINLANDHIGHLIGHTS TOUR

If you don’t have time for the extended four-day Peloponnese tour, this slightly shorter 3-day and 2 -night trip ensures you get to visit all the highlights from ancient Greece through the Byzantine period to modern times.

The price includes entry to all the archaeological sites, complete with expert guide, three nights’ 3 or 4 star hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner. For more details see below.

Highlights

  • Corinth canal
  • Ancient theater of Epidaurus & sanctuary of Asclepius
  • Mycenae Archaeological Site, Tomb of Agamemnon and the museum.
  • Nafplion
  • Olympia archaeological site & museum
  • Rion Bridge
  • Archaeological site of Delphi & museum
  • Arachova

Additional Info

Hotel accommodation: All the mentioned prices are per person on twin sharing basis. If only one occupier, the single supplement option must be chosen.

Entrance to Monasteries: To enter the monasteries, appropriate clothing is required. Ladies should not wear short skirts and must have long sleeves. Men are not allowed to wear shorts.

3-day itinerary – for full day-by-day details see the 4-day itinerary

Tour Map

METEORA TO THERMOPYLAE

Private Daily Tour from Athens to Thermopylae –  Meteora  

A day of Saints and Monasteries

Meteora, meaning ‘suspended in the air’ (hence the word ‘meteorite’), is a rock formation in central Greece to the north of Athens. If the rocks themselves are remarkable, the Byzantine monasteries that sit upon them are amazing. Not surprisingly this unique combination of landscape and heritage is a UNRESCO world heritage site. In orthodox religious importance it is second only to Mount Athos.

The Monastery of Great Meteoron, founded by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite (sic), built on the most imposing rock, is the largest and most formal of the extant Meteora monasteries. Dating back to the middle of the 14th century, Athanasios was the first to organize a systematic monastic community. Nearby, The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is named after its founder, the ascetic monk Varlaam who lived in a cave as a hermit and built a chapel on top of a rock. In the 16th century, enlarged the chapel and built a monastery. In total there are six monasteries here.

After Meteora we visit the city of Kalambaka where you have a chance to sample the local delicious traditional Greek cuisine. Our return journey takes us via historic Thermopylae, the location of the ancient battle between ancient Greeks and Persians that changed the course of European history. We’ll stop to see the battlefield, the statue of King Leonidas and the museum.

Highlights

  • Grand Meteoro
  • Varlaam Monastery
  • City of Kalambaka
  • Thermopylae battlefield
  • Statue of King Leonidas

Info & Facilities

  • Duration: Approx 10 hours
  • Dep: Time requested by customer
  • Vehicles is disinfected daily
  • Drivers are vaccinated for COVID-19

DELPHI

Private Daily Tour to Delphi

A day of navel gazing

 The ancient site at Delphi, built around a sacred spring, is known in Greek as the ‘omphalos’ – which translates to ‘navel’. Literally ancient Greeks believed this was the centre of the world. Now a UNESCO  world heritage site, it is one of the most important archeological digs in Europe. Whilst a positive feast of cultural exhibits (see highlights) attract modern day tourists, it’s been a magnet for visitors since the 8th century BCE when scholars and statemen from all over Greece would come to consult the famous Oracle. Known as the Pythia, a priestess, she would offer prophesies in a trance-like state, believed to be due to hallucinogenic gases issuing from a chasm in the rock!  Meanwhile, back on planet earth, we end our day visiting the small, picturesque village of Arachova famous for its woven handicrafts, its colorful carpets, wine and formaela cheese, made from sheep’s milk.

Highlights

  • Treasury of the Athenians
  • Temple of Apollo
  • Delphi Museum
  • Ancient Stadium
  • Ancient Theatre
  • Castalia Spring
  • Temple of Athena Pronaia
  • Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios
  • Mount Parnassus
  • Arachova
  • Galaxidi

 Info & Facilities

  • Duration: Approx 9 hours
  • Dep: Time requested by customer
  • Vehicles disinfected daily
  • Drivers are vaccinated for COVID-19

CAVE OF LAKES

Private Daily Tour at “CAVE OF LAKES”

A rare and beautiful natural phenomenon

The ‘Cave of the Lakes’ is situated about 120 kms from Athens, near the village of Kastria. A stunning freak of nature, it is a treasure trove of labyrinthine corridors, mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations. But there is more – deep inside the cave you find string of cascading lakes forming three different levels, unique in the world.

A visit here is multi-dimensional. At one level it is a place of wonder and incredible natural beauty. At the same time it is a site of much cultural and historic interest dating back to 6,000 BCE. It’s a nine hour round trip, but well worth the effort.

Highlights

  • Castalia caves
  • Geology
  • Geomorphology
  • Microclimate
  • Paleontology
  • Zoology
  • Anthropology

THE VISIT

Geologically speaking, the cave is an old subterranean river whose explored length is 1980 meters. In winter when the snow melts, the river forms natural waterfalls. In the summer months, part of the cave dries up revealing a lacework of stone-basins and dams up to 4m in height. The rest of the cave retains water permanently throughout the year in 13 picturesque lakes.

The accessible part of the cave is currently 500 meters long with artistic lighting. Visitors enter the cave through an artificial tunnel, leading directly to the second floor where the vista is awe-inspiring. The passage from lake to lake is possible by small man-made bridges.

PALEONTOLOGICAL INTEREST

On the cave’s lower floor human and animal fossils, including a hippopotamus were found. This part of the cave will eventually become a biological cave laboratory of international standing. The early findings date to the Late Neolithic, the Early, Middle and Late Bronze Ages.

The site was inhabited for long periods of time, the first indications going back to the sixth millennium B.C, and experts suggest the cave had been the nucleus of a small Neolithic community, with a farm. The discovery in the cave of fossil bones of deer and hippopotami has raised, among others, questions related to the area’s fauna and flora.

THE GREEK LEGEND

The experts may say one thing but, according to Greek legend, Tirynth, Lyssippi, Ifinoy and Ifianassa, daughters of King Proitos, bragged that they were more beautiful than the Goddess Hera and scorned worship of the God Dionysus. Zeus’s mate couldn’t forgive their vanity and took their sanity, making them believe they were heifers running wild on the mountains and meadows of the Peloponnese, infecting the women of Argolida with the craze of infanticide. Eventually they arrived at the cave of Aroanios were they were found by Melambodas who cured them.

Info & Facilities

  •  Duration: Approx 9 hours
  • Dep: Time requested by customer
  • Vehicles are disinfected daily
  • Drivers are vaccinated for COVID-19

ARGOLIDA

Private Daily Tour Epidaurus – Mycenae – Nafplio

 

One day classical whirlwind

If you only have a day to visit the Peloponnese, and want to see as much culture as possible, this is the tour for you. First-off we drive to Corinth Canal for a quick photo opportunity. Next, it’s on to Epidaurus to visit the ancient Amphitheater, famous for its acoustics, and the sanctuary of Asclepius – the most important healing center of antiquity. Then we make time to visit Mycenae to pay our respects the tomb of Agamemnon and hear his tragic story. We end of the afternoon with a stroll around the beautiful neoclassical city of Nafplion, admiring the architecture. It may sound like something of a whirlwind visit – but we think it will whet your appetite to come back for more.

Highlights

  • Corinth Canal
  • Lion’s gate
  • Cyclopean Walls
  • Royal Tombs
  • Mycenae Museum
  • Palamidi Fortress
  • Bourzi island
  • Theatre of Epidaurus
  • Sanctuary of Asclepius

Info & Facilities

  • Duration: Approx 9 hours
  • Dep: Time requested by customer
  • Vehicles disinfected for COVID-19