Corinth Canal

We will begin with a drive along the coast. On the way you will view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). Our first stop the Corinth Canal. Opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer, (if you’re game) on some days bungee jumping is an option.

Mystras

After the stop at the canal we will head towards Mystras driving into the southern Peloponnese peninsula through the mountainous landscape of the Greek country side. Reaching Mystras you will automatically understand why this location stands so unique within the Greek sites. Known as the ghost city, fortified on a citadel, Mystras is one of the two locations in Greece that preserves not only medieval churches but also ordinary houses, mansions and palaces of the Byzantine Empire in combination with Frankish elements.

Archaeological Site of Mystra

Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking down hill you will meet the palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last emperor of the Byzantium.

Acropolis and Ancient Theater

Following that we will spend the rest of our time in Sparta known as the eternal rival city of the Athenian Democracy. Sparta revolved around a different Cosmo theory for the ancient Greek standards. Initially known as the birth place of Helen of Troy and the Kingdom of Menelaus (in Mycenaean period), Sparta was organized as a purely military society in the ancient Greek period. It was the city of the two Kings were a few aristocrats ruled and of course the city where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans marched from to face the Persian army Thermopylae in 480 BCE.

Leonidas Monument

Continuing we will pass in front of the stadium where the statue of King Leonidas stands marking the ending point of Spartathlon race (Athens – Sparta 245,3 km).

Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil

We will visit the museum of (olive and) olive oil and learn many things about the most famous products of Greece.

Monemvasia Castle

Monemvasia is a living old city, developed on an island that is connected to the Greek mainland. A fortress and a prosperous city of the Byzantine empire Monemvasia (literally means one entrance) still survives, the narrow streets, the mansions, the small houses, the churches , the wall, the gate and the citadel, the city is still inhabited. Here history comes truly alive, we will spend half of our day at Monemvasia where you can have lunch by the sea upon the old wall and walk in the city continually discovering new points of interest.

Agia Sofia Church

Agia Sofia (St Sophia's Church), the main sanctuary in Monemvasia's upper town, is a large Byzantine church built on the edge of a cliff with a vertiginous view of the bay below. Beyond the Venetian loggia that makes up the façade, the interior is palpably calm and refreshing. Admire the impressive dome, finely sculpted marble capitals and fragments of 13C frescoes.

Archaeological Site Mycenae

Next we will visit one of the Unesco protected monuments. Mycenae (dated to the 2nd millennium B.C.E) represents the era of Achilles, Agamemnon and Helen of Troy, You will visit the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace.Dated to the 2nd millennium B.C.E., this citadel gave its name to a whole era!

Lion Gate

In the site, you will see the renowned Lions Gate, the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe.

Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae

Within the site there is a modern museum exhibiting the findings of the “City Of Gold”.

Citadel and Treasury of Atreus

Before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb, one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.

Nafplio

After that we will travel towards more recent history of Greece to the city of Nafplion. Considered the most scenic city it functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. Nafplion offers you a outstanding combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi), Bourtzi, a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements . After walking in the idyllic old city we will stop for lunch at a traditional tavern by the sea.

Bourtzi

Bourtzi is a little islet with a fortress in a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea.

Akronafplia Fortress

We will drive up to the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.

Sanctuary of Asklepios

After a short drive you will be able to visit one of the most important ancient Greek sanctuaries to God Asclepius the God of healing and medicine located in peaceful environment spread on a hilly area and reaching its highest point is the theater of Epidaurus.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

Reaching its highest point is the theater of Epidaurus. The best preserved ancient Greek theater dated 4th century BCE a proof of what miracles the ancient Greek minds could create. You can test the acoustics great even today and climb up until the upper seats just to close your eyes and dream you attended an ancient Greek tragedy.

Akrokorinthos

Last stop will be the site of Ancient Corinth. The city dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth and the old Castle, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. The site located at the foot of the hill.

Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)

Ancient Corinth, located at the foot of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the temple of God Apollo and a small museum. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece as this was where the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period.

Temple of Apollo

We will visit the Temple of Apollo which is located in the in the Ancient city of Corinth. The temple of Apollo at Corinth is one of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. Built around 560 B.C.E., of local monolithic limestone on top of an imposing, rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple was an emblem for the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.

Athens

We will drive back to Athens.