Peloponneso tra Storia e Mare in Minivan
Greece — Group
Guided tour 8 days / 7 nights with expert assistant
Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 7 participants
Day 1 - Meeting at the airport in Athens – Corinth Canal – Nauplio (180km)
Day 2 – Astros – Tyros – Livadi - Leonidio (80 km)
Day 3 - Lakonia – Elonas Monastery – Kosmas - Monenvassia – Elea Plitra (180km)
Day 4 – Pounta - Elafonissos island – Simos, Lefki, Kondogoni beach – Elea Plitra (100km)
Day 5 – Gythio - Sparta – Mystra – Mount Taygetos - Kalamata (160km)
Day 6 – Ancient Messinia – Kalò Nerò – Gulf of Kiparissia - Olympia (160km)
Day 7 – Olympia – Kalogria Dunes – Rio-Antirio bridge – Eleonas/Diakopto (190km)
Day 8 – Diakopto – Athens - Return to the airport and end of services. (190km)
Day 1 - Arrival at Athens airport
Welcome and departure towards Nauplio (190km). During the journey, a stop at the Corinth Canal is a must, an evocative work completed only in 1893 which, with 6.3 km in length and 25 meters in width, connects the Ionian & Aegean. Subsequently and according to the time, we could choose whether to make a visit with tasting in a typical oil mill, have lunch in a tavern by the sea or visit the famous Theater of Epidaurus, considered the masterpiece of acoustics! Finally we arrive at the elegant town of Nauplio, the first capital of free Greece (1829-1834). Check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 - Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Leonido (80km).
Morning stroll through the splendid streets of Nauplio and then we resume our journey along the spectacular road that runs along the eastern Peloponnese, crossing typical seaside villages, Astros, Tyros, Livadi, Sabatiki until we reach the impressive Leonidio, a picturesque village nestled between the sea and Mount Parnon with high vertical walls of reddish limestone, a paradise for "climbers". Located at the end of the Dafnon river gorge, it extends along the wide river bed, a labyrinth of narrow streets and houses surrounded by high cliffs that create the microclimate favorable for the cultivation of aubergines and tomatoes all year round! Check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 - Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards the ancient region of Lakonia (180km).
On a rock at 650 meters above sea level. we will visit the ancient Monastery of Elona (14th century), then we will reach the idyllic village of Kosmas, 1,200 meters above sea level. for a coffee stop. Between mountains and peaceful villages we arrive at the Limni Ieraka fjord for an optional lunch stop, not included). In the afternoon we are in Monenvassia, a fortress city joined to the mainland by a small 400m isthmus. founded in the 16th century during the government of Emperor Justinian, it is considered the oldest continuously inhabited fortified city in Europe! Free time to discover the most hidden corners of this medieval jewel of rare beauty! In the evening arrival at Elea – Plitra, Check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4 - Breakfast at the hotel and followed by an excursion to the island of Elafonissos (100km).
A stop in the dunes of Pounta where, at 4 m. deep is the archaeological site of Pavlopetri, the oldest submerged city on the planet, dating back 3000 years BC. The ferry then takes 15 minutes. takes us to the small island, 19 square kilometers with just 600 inhabitants and a paradise that would be the envy of the Caribbean! Wonderful white-pink sand beaches, Lefki, Simos, Katò, Nisi, Kalogeras, Kontogoni, surrounded by delicate white lilies. Free lunch (optional, not included) by the sea; walk in the streets of the only town between taverns and shops, up to the church of Ag. Spyridon. In the late afternoon we take the ferry back and return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5 - Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards Kalamata (160km).
Near Gythio here is the wreck of the Dimitrios ship wrecked in 1981, always a fascinating sight! In Sparta we will find the statue dedicated to King Leonidas and a few kilometers later the statue of the last Roman emperor Constantine XI who was crowned here in Mystra in the church of Santa Sofia. Mystra is also the last Byzantine city, a UNESCO heritage site since 1989. After the visit (optional, not included), we take the road towards Kalamata, 60 km of wild nature in the Taygetos massif whose peak of the Prophet Elias, touches the 2,500 m above sea level. Along the hairpin bends of the Langada pass (1,540 m above sea level) lunch stop (optional, not included), in a typical mountain tavern. Finally we reach Kalamata which with 70,000 inhabitants is the capital of Messinia and capital of the production of the most famous olives in the world! Arrival at the hotel, check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6 – Breakfast at the hotel and departure for ancient Olympia (160km).
Morning dedicated to visiting Ancient Messenia (entry not included), a little-known archaeological site but with an exceptional state of conservation, with Stadium, Gymnasium, Agora and a Museum which collects 12,000 finds. After the lunch stop (optional, not included), we reach the gulf of Kiparissia where, if the time permits, we will not fail to stop for a coffee or perhaps for a swim! Finally we reach Olympia, check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7 - Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Eleonas / Diakopto (190km).
We are in the place where the first Olympics took place in 776 BC, morning to visit the museum where among unique finds in the world, we also find the statue of Hermes, Praxiteles' masterpiece (optional entry, not included). We leave for Kalogria, a site of community interest (SCI) included in the European Natura 2000 network with its high sand dunes; lunch stop (optional, not included). We continue to Patras with the Poseidon Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world (3km). In the evening arrival in Eleonas/Diakopto, a small village overlooking the Gulf of Korinto; check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 – Breakfast and departure for Athens airport (190km).
Depending on the flight time, we could choose whether to take a tour with the historic 1896 cogwheel train which takes 60 minutes. the 23 km that separate Diakopto from the Kalavrikta ski resort in a spectacular environment between canyons and rivers. Or we reach Athens to visit the National Library, an architectural jewel by Renzo Piano. Finally, we reach Athens airport in good time where our tour will end! We are waiting for you for one of our other exciting itineraries, thank you for traveling with us….
Included in the price
- Exclusive itinerary designed by Grecia 365
- Expert Italian guide / coordinator throughout the tour for each minivan
- Reception at the airport upon arrival of passengers
- Routes in a comfortable van for 8 passengers with a large trunk available.
- 6 nights in hotel 3 | Carefully selected 4* with breakfast
- 1 night in traditional Greek holiday homes by the sea (Diakopto/Eleonas) with breakfast
- 7 dinners with water during meals
- All internal ferry tickets included in the itinerary
- All motorway tolls included in the itinerary
- All parking necessary during the tour
- All the fuel necessary for the tour
- Excursions as scheduled
- Health care insurance abroad and coverage in the event of loss/damage/theft of luggage
Additional charges
- Air flights Italy/Greece and vice versa (on request)
- Entrance tickets to Museums / Archaeological Sites to be paid on site at the time*
- Specialized guides for visits to archaeological sites and museums (to be booked in advance, approximately €150 per visit)
- Possible historic cogwheel train to Kalavryta return €20 per person
- Lunches (optional)
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during dinners (beer, wine, coca cola, orange soda, etc.)
- Tourist taxes to be paid locally in the various hotels
- Porterage, tips and personal extras
- Any tastings in the Frantoio or Winery cost between €10 and €15 per person