4 DAYS CLASSICAL TOUR OF PELOPONNESE
CORINTH CANAL –ANC. OLYMPIA – PYLOS – METHONI – ANC. MESSENE – SPARTA – MONEMVASIA – MYSTRAS – ARGOLIS
1st day Athens Airport – Corinth Canal – Patra – Ancient Olympia:
Depart from Athens for the Corinth canal 6 km length and 80m height (short stop). Then we will drive to Ancient Olympia(one of the most pleasant walks in the archaeological ancient Greece) through the city of Patras. We will visit the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, the place that first Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C., lies in the lush valley formed by the Alfios river and the shade of eucalyptus and pine trees, near the new town of Olympia. Its landscape enchants and fascinates with its beauty and uniqueness. You will visit the Altis, will see the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Statue of Zeus made of ivory and gold. Familiar with the ruins of the Temple of Hera, the ancient stadium and visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Dinner and overnight
2nd day Ancient Olympia – Pylos – Methoni – Anient Messina - Kalamata:
After breakfast we will visit the the castle of Methoni in the same village and the castle Neokastro the picturesque town of Pylos. Castle of Methoni is the most important fortification in Greece, a complete walled city with a natural harbor. Today, despite the fact that almost destroyed the fort's walls is still impressive. In the courtyard retains some buildings, such as houses of noble Venetian, Turkish baths, a Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Transfiguration, etc. Neokastro fortress built by the Turks in order to control the southern entrance to the bay of Navarino. The fate of the fortress was not different from the other forts and in turn owned by the Turks, Venetians, Turks and again ... In the fortress are preserved many buildings, such as the water tank, the ruins of the Gothic Cathedral Transfiguration. In 1987, the reconstruction was completed Neokastro fortress and today is the National Centre for Underwater Archaeology Pylos. Then we will visit the Ancient Messina, the most well-preserved city of ancient Greece and the Hellenistic period, one of the largest in area and dimensions. During the visit of the old city you will see the main monuments and its main attractions , recovered to date , for example , the building of the ancient parliament of Lakonia and Arcadian gate and an unusually large area Agora. One of the latest and interesting finds of ancient Messene a round temple with a stunning mosaic that was discovered last summer. Antiquity continues to amaze us! Overnight in Kalamata
3rd day Kalamata – Mani – Diros – Monemvasia – Sparta:
After breakfast we will visit the Caves of Diros passing through the amazing landscape of Mani with its vyzantine churches, the towers and the combination of rocks, trees and sea. We will arrive to Diros Caves, perhaps the most important natural site in Greece and 99% the most beautiful caves in the world, because no other caves have been discovered yet. Then we will visit Monemvasia. The town is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100m above sea level, up to 300m wide and 1km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period. The town's name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning "single entrance". Its Italian form, Malvasia, gave its name to Malmsey wine. Monemvasia's nickname is the Gibraltar of the East or The Rock. Late afternoon we will drive to Sparta, known for its military strength, discipline and heroism. We will visit the monument of King Leonidas, and then the unique Museum of Olive Oil of Sparta, a great Museum showing the unique history of olive production in Greece. Dinner and overnight.
4th day Mystras – Argolis – Athens:
After breakfast we will visit the Vyzantine castle – city of Mystras. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was despot at Mystras before he came to the throne. We will wander around the castle city the Upper and the Lower Town, and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots (Anaktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos. Then we reach at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, one of the best Ancient Theatres worldwide with amazing acoustic. We will make a coffee break, at one of the most romantic towns of Greece, the seaside town of Nafplio, first capital city of Modern Greece. Then proceed to Mycenae. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) we will depart for Athens.
